The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-20
WAR ECHOES

Cartoons Magazine: If Mohammed II had foreseen the troubles that lay in store for his descendants when he crossed the Bosphorus, in 1453, at the head of an fully laid siege to Constantinople, he prob ably would have abandoned all thought of conquest in Europe and been content to confine his military activities to Asia
 For years Turkey has been constant and an active source of annoyance to the powers of Europe. When not en- gagged in war with one or another of her immediate neighbors, she has been kept busy putting down insurrections within her own provinces, or disputing Russia s efforts to gain a Mediterranean outlet through the Dardanelles.
 Not only has Turkey concerned herself with her own troubles, but whenever any one else has started a fight, she has jumped into the midst of it, impelled, ap- parently by. the sheer love of fighting. Turkey may truly be said to be a "glutton for punishment" Since 1876 the Otto man empire has been almost constantly at war, and before that time, the troubles of the Turk were so multitudinous that he was reduced to the point of bank ruptcy.
 Doubtless large proportion of Turkey S troubles may be traced to efforts of Rus sia to secure a harbor on the Mediter- ranean sea. However, this very source of trouble has been the Turks sole sal vation Fearing to let Russia expand and become more powerful, the other Eu- ropean powers particularly England, re- peatedly have gone to the Ottoman's aid at a critical time, and so baked the ad- vance of the Russian bear. Only the timely interference of British troops and warships in 1878 saved Constantinople from the invasion of the Russian hordes.
 Turkey more recently demonstrated her capacity for trouble when she listened to the arguments of Germany and was drawn into the European war. While the conflict appears to be raging on even terms now, Turkey is getting the worst of it from the Russians, who are direct ing their energies against their ancient rivals, and it seems certain that, what ever the outcome of the war, the Porte is bound to suffer
 The Ottoman army is in poor condition, and the Turks finances are, as usual. notoriously bad. From none of the Eu- ropean nations can Turkey expect to get credit with which to work out her ulti- mate salvation, and she is in no position to demand anything from her neighbors.
 Philadelphia Public Ledger: That the commander of the French forces in the field, despite his infexibe will, is no mere merciless abstraction of blood and iron is disclosed in the recent remarkable titude toward his subordinates, General Joffre reminds one somewhat of the gov ernor of the fortress in Sheridan's Crit ic," presented so delightfully."- at the Little theatre. When his own son is brought before him for courtmartal, Sheridan's hero excaims: "The father softens, but the governor is fixed" Even so, General his paternalism toward his officers to stand in the light of his duty to the na- ton, and he has not hesitated to call for the resignations of those who in tn. test of service conditions were founc wanting.
 Some of these generals were my best commanders, but, while love my friends, I love France still more--I therefore re- lieved them of their commands
 Battles have been thrown away upon the vain self-sufficiency of a leader. Joffre in this picture appears to advantage as one who does not care for his own fame, and is willing himself to be supplanted if the change will advance the cause he has at heart. He Is not fighting for the prying eyes of the moving picture ma chimes He does not ask more of his men than he gives, in toll and plain living and personal sacrifice, 'in simpleness and gentleness and honor and clean mirth.' In this day when passionate cruelties and callous perjury have besmirched the pro- fessior of the soldier, he seems to present to the world the image of one who keeps faith with his own high standard of con duct as an officer and "a gentleman of France"