The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1906-2016, 1915-02-18
TURKEY WAS NOT
URGED TO GET
IN WAR
TALAAT BEY SAYS THAT GER
MANY WAS NOT ALTO
GETHER RESPONSIBLE FOR
ENTRANCE OF TURKS.

CONSTANT1NOPLE (via London),
Feb. l7.-"Turkey declared war with
out being urged by Germany or inn
PEELED by any other influences save
those of the empire" said Talaat Bey
today in a statement to the Asso-
ciated Press Talaat Dey today fills
the posts of minister of the interior,
minister of finance and minister of
marine in the Turkish cabinet. Two
weeks ago, in addition to these offices,
he was minister of war, giving him
the four most important portfolios
in the administration. He is "A Young
Turk, and at present undoubtedly is
the most important figure in Turkey.
His advice is needed everywhere,
and he virtually directs the public af-
fairs of the Ottoman empire.
Turkey engaged i'll military opera
tons" he continued, "only when ac-
tions by Russia and Great Britain
made defensive measures necessary;
and today Turkey has taken all steps
needful to carry the war through.
The holy war is not menacing Chris
tians, but the holy war is fact,
which enemies of the Mohammedan
world should bear in mind. Chris
tians in the Ottoman empire who are
participating in the destinies of their
country are not suffering from pres
ent conditions and any statements to
nf Ilrit icb
French and Russian intrigues, the
purpose of which is to direct against
Turkey the pressure of neutral coun-
tries of lower standing in the Otto
man world"
TaIaat Bey complained of the at
titude of foreign newspapers, includ-
ing the American press, which he
said were oblivious of Turkeys posi-
ton under the pressure Of the entente
powers and of the Young Turks eff
forts to accomplish the reforms as
sociated with that party
"On land and sea alike the Rus
slams and the British provoked hos
tilities," he declared. "Our action
finally was the result Of efforts to
bottle up our fleet by mining the en-
trance to the Bosphorus.
Turkey is prepared to carry out
the war to the end The fact of be-
ing able to face the enemy on four
fronts simultaneously against forces
three or four times greater than ours
and to mobilize at the same time an
81 Nf million
for reserve is for us, as well as for
our allies, precious advantage"
Talaat Bey reiterated that the holy
war was a fact in spite of the claims
of the enemy; and he added that
Christians were the enemies of the
Mussulmen world Questioned con
cerning the official-mentioned ere
prisal policy" the minister answered ::
Turkey decided at the outbreak of
hostilities just what retaliatory
measures she would employ in case
the triple entente acted contrary to
international law"
The minister declared no other war
had ever been so enthusiastically re-
ceived in Turkey.
Russia is our hereditary enemy
and Great Britain is the power which
subiugated Islam,' the minister said.
Nothing demonstrates the enthusi-
asm of the people so well as the for
nation of volunteer regiments in all
corners of our immense empire"
Asked what possible effect would
result from success Of the Ottoman
armies the minister said:
"All the sorrowful eyes of Islam to-
day are turned toward the Turks,
who since their appearance on the
historic scene always have been the
benevolent champions Of the disciples
of Mohammed and all Asiatic gener-
ally Success of Ottoman arms can
have but one result, namely, the rise
of all Mussulumans subject to Russia,
France or Great Britain.
"Our military strength is greater
than generally is believed Despite
Tripoli and the Baixans, and the
drain of continuous instructions,
Turkey is stronger LoGay than ever
We already have more than 200, 900
men on our various fronts"
Asked about reports that Turkey
soon would be in need of war sup
plies and that Germany and Austria
now were leagued in establishing a
free route from Berlin to Constanti-
nOple. Talaat Bey replied:
Leave that to the armies. The
voice of guns predominates today
over the voice Of statesmen who per
init themselves to be interviewed"
Discussing guardedly the political
and military situation Of Turkeys al
lies, Talaat Bey said:
The situation appears to me ex.
ceilent from every viewpoint; even
admirable. J am not competent to