The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1915-08-25
ITALY DECLARES
WAR ON TURKEY
Relations Between the
Two Nations
STRAINED 70 BREAKING POINT
Following Long Disputes Over
Rights = Both Sides
Seem Ready.
BRITISH RusE ooNsuMMATEB

Athens, Greece, Aug. 21.-Italy
to-day declared war against Turkey.
simultaneously with this news
came the announcement that the
British army, through q giant ruse.
has captured and destroyed the main
line of communications between
Constantinopie and the Turkish forts
! on the Gallipoli Peninsula. The am
munition and food supply route of
the Turks is severed and the army Is
reported demoralized.
Italy's declaration came at the
4 end of short Cabinet session con-
corning the demands that Italian re-
servists be permitted to leave Tur-
key without restriction. No reply
was made by the Sublime Porte and
4 action was Immediate. The meeting
at Rome was held amid scenes of
great excitement, the populace be-
ing eager for strife with the Turks.
Although Italy declared war on
Austria on May "a, and hostilities
between the two countries began inn
mediately. there has never been any
declaration of war between Italy and
Germany, the ally of Austria. and
until now, Italy and Turkey. the al
les of the central Powers, nominally
have been at peace.
Friction between Turkey and TIA
ly, however, has been in evidence
since shortly after the latter's entry
into the war. Early in June there
we're reports that Italian consuls
were gradually leaving Turkey and
that American officials were taking
over the task of looking out for Ital-
ian interests. Later charges were
made that the Ottoman Government
was preventing these consuls from
leaving and that similar coercion
was being exerted over Italian civ
ilians who wished to quit Turkish
soil.
On July 20 advices came from
Rome that the Italian Government
had addressed note to the United
States asking it to use its influence
to protect Italian subjects In the OF
toman domains. The complaint that
they were being prevented frsm
leaving was reiterated.
Two days later the Italian Cabinet
met for the supposed purpose of dis
cussing the situation as regarded
/ Turkey and almost coincidently the
Italian Government began to gather
evidence intended to show that Tur-
key had violated the treaty of Lau-
same, an undertaking according 10
the terms of which she pledged her.
self to withdraw all Turkish troops
and officers from the Cyrenaica Dis
trict in Tripoli and help bring about
the submission of the Senussi tribes
lmen in this locality. Instead of do
ing this, It was>alleged, Enver Pasha
the Turkish Minister of War. last
March sent his brother, Nuri Bey, to
foment rebellion.
On August 3 the Italian Ambassa-
dor at Constantinople made another |
protest to Turkey relative to the at
titude of the Ottoman authorities to-
ward Italian subjects. 1t was stated
that Italian Consuls were still being |
detained in Turkey. At that time
the tension between Italy and Tur-
key was becoming more acute daily
1t was announced on August
that Italy had asked for categorical |
explanations concerning Turkeys al
legged refusal to withdraw her troops
from the Cyrenaica district In Tri-
poll. and II was charged that Turkey
was pursuing what was described as
her usual policy Of procrastination.
In oficial circles in Rome. the
feeling was held that hostilities ON
fthe part of Italy might begin at any
moment. as her last note to Turkey
was almost In the character Of an
ultimatum. Shortly after this 1t was
reported that a declaration of war
by Italy against Turkey would be
with the sending Of
about i50.00 men to the aid OF the
Franco British force ON the cailipo-
II Peninsula. |
II was announced on August 10
that a strong squadron of fast ftal- 4
ian cruisers was being held in read