The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1915-06-07

FORTS AS STRONG
AS GIBRALTAR


mighty, we shall let no one pass
them"
The man who addressed me was
A-nyer Pasha. Turkish minister OF
war. vice-generalissimo OF the OF
toman army and navy--s3 years OF
are. the youngest man who has ever
attained that position. He spoke
with an energy and decision that
eavs indication OF some OF the
qualities which elevated him to his
exalted post.
Enver Pasha received me al gen
oral headquarters. at Stamooul.
where, constantly surrounded by an
immense stan Of ofiicers, he works
day and night.
From the side OF the Bosphorus
W are equally defended" the min
lister of war declared. Entirely
aside from the new system OF de
.s installed there since the pres
emit attack began we have at our
disposal an even greater and sursr
means OF defense In our submarine
aeet, whose efficacy has already
been demonstrated In the sinking OF
: Russian flagship. A better de-
tense from Black sea attacks
couldn't be provided than the pres
eaos Of these submarines They de-
stroy all hopes OF Russia ever OF
effectively landing troops on the
coast north OF Constantinople.
Transports would be sunk before
they could approach our coast. The
submarines are equally eficacious
IN rendering impossible any naval
action by the Russian feet against
the Qualifications OF the Bosphorus.
I'VE feel our position In Con
Stautinople can be considered abso-
lutely unapproachahle. The city
win. therefore. continue in the fn-
ture, a. In the past. the glorious
capital Of the Ottoman empire"
Remembering II was the reputa-
tioa be won for himself while in
charge OF the entire Turkish opera.
tons In Tripoh against the Italian
occupation. which led to his present
position. asked Enver Pasha what
eRsct Italy's Intervention would
have ON the nnai outcome Of the
war.
sItalys' participation cannot be
considered Q serious element in the
present situation" his excellency
declared. The Italian army never
has been victorious even against
much smaller foes. There Is no
reason TO believe that aasinst the
vastly superior military organiza.
tions Of Germany and Austria she
win experience any radical change
oe fortune. or the actual vaior OF
{ The Italian arms have had ample
personal experience to be able to
Judge.
with . handful Of Turkish soldiers
was able successfully 10 oppose the
Italian occupation OF Tripoli and
Cyrenaica for fully year. The op-
poGition we were able to maintain
then was q mere bagatelle TO what
italy must face from her present en-.
omies."
~How might Turkeys position IN
the present war be Defined" ask
q.
Tia war minister smiled before re.
Dlying:
II am permitted to borrow an
oppression from our enemies. our
position may be defined as being the
same - theirs. The allies insist the
present war is for the purpose OF re
establishing the countries OF Europe
On the basis OF nationality OF the
peoples, with complete free and in
dependent existence for each.
THAT IL what we are fighting for.
TOO. When Turkey last September
abolished the capitulations which had
been imposed upon her for years in
the GEOGRAPHICALLY by the very
powers who say they are now fight
Ing TO establish Independent govern.
ment for each people-we. for the
orst time In years, were In complete
control of the administration of our
own Affairs and our own government.
1T Ii a. much for that indepen.
Geuce 40 for continued existence that
~ now are fighting and shall con.
tioue nghting to the end.
We want the Turkish empire for
u Turks. and by the Turks-with.
ct foreign interference. That is
eur idea OF Independence"
~The Turkish soldier OF today"
I osked. how has he fought again 81
~ soldiers OF the three largest
European powersf'
IN szce''sncy slOwed with en,hu-
sour soldier Of today he said,
e11oo lived up TO all the glorious
orolIticns Of the past He has shown
~ there n absolutely no deterio
1ooDco. moral or physical. in our sol
~ - our people. Our soldier IL
nono1y 70 make sacrifice OF both
~ wealth and his life for mainte
no3 - the integrity OF his empire
D ~ Gemopstrati0n of our -..
~ onn1ot1oo - . race that en-
- ornCn1Ge oeher races Of tn,