New Britain herald., 1915-02-17
Not Urged by Germany CT IE-
 DG|I6d by OIh5I IDfIu6NCeS.

of minister of the interior. minister of finance and minister of marine in the Turkish cabinet. TWO weeks ago, in addition to tnesc offices, he was also minister of war which gave him the four most important portfolios in the administration. He is d young Turk, and is undoubtedly the most important man in Turkey at the pres ent time. His advice is needed every where, and he virtually directs the public affairs of the ottoman em- pirc.
 'Turkey." Talaat Bey continued, engaged in military operations only when actions on the part of Russia and Great Britain made defensive measures necessary and today Fur key has taken all steps needful to carry the war through. The holy war is not menacing Christians. but the holy war is a fact which the enemies of the Mohammedan world should bear in mind. Christians in the Ot- toman empire who are participating in the destinies of their country are not suffering from Conditons brought about by the present state of affairs, and any statements to the contrary are a result of British, French and
 
 which is to direct against Turkey the pressure of neutral countries of lower standing in the ottoman world"
 Raps American Press.
 Talaat Rcy complained of the at titude of foreign newspapers includ- ing the American press. which he said were oblivious alike of the position of Turkey under the pressure of the entente powers and the efforts of the young Turks to accomplish the re- forms associated with that party. "On land and sea alike the Russians and the British provoked hostilities," Talaat Bey declared. "Our action finally was the result of efforts to bottle up our fleet by mining the en- trance to the Bosphorus."
 "Turkeq." said che minister in re- ply to an inquiry as to what had been accomplished up to the present time, lis prepared to carry on the war to the end of the European con- hict. The fact of being able to face the enemy on four fronts simultane- ously against forces three or four times greater than ours and to mob- ilize at the same time an army of more than 100000 men for a re- serve is for us as we'll as for our al- lies matter of tho greatest impor- tance and for our allies a precious advantage"
 Enemies of MussuImen World.
 Answering a question, Talaat Bey said the holy war was a fact. in spite of the claims of the enemy, and | he added that Christians were the enemies Of the Mussulman world.
 uestioned concerning the oft-men- toned "reprisal policy" the minister answered: "Turkcy decided at the 1 outbreak of hostilitics just what re- taliatory measures she would em- 1 ploy in case the powers Of the Triple 1 Entente acted contrary to the regula- 1 tions set down by international law" ] No other war ever had been 80 cnthu- 1 siastically received in Turkey, tho | minister declared Russia" he said, i lis our heriditary enemy and Great | Britain is the power which subjugat- ed Islam. Nothing demonstrates tho 1 enthusiasm of the people so we'll as | the formation of volunteer regiments 1 in all corners of our immense cln- pire."
 Rising of MussuimcE.
 Asked what possible effect would re- suit from the success of the Ottoman armies, the minister said: An sor- rowful eyes of Islam are today turned toward the Turks who, since thcir appearance upon the historic scene. always have been the benevolent l or the disciples of Mnharn- med and all ASiatics generally. Tho success of the Ottoman arms can have but one result, namely, the rising or all Mussumans subject to thc domi- nation of Russia, France or Great Britain. Persia is Il living symbol of what Turkey would have become if wn had not taken part in this present war. In adition to similarity of re- igion and above all in race, we have with Persia absolutely identical in- terests which arcc rc@tcd l:y the po- itical dangers of having the same enemies"
 Regarding the military resources of Turkey, the minister said: Our mili- ary strength is greater than general y is believed. Despite our costly and numerous wars in Tripoli and ,h' }alkans and the drain of continuous Turleq is stronger to- lay than ever. cW have already moro | han 100000 men on our various rontS"
 Voice of Guns I'rcdomiuatc.
 Asked what truth there was in the statement that Turkey would aoon be n need or new war supplies, and that Germany and Austria Hungary were { tow engaged in establishing a free q outc from Berlin to Constantinoplc. s 'alaat Bcy replied: Leave that to f he armies The voice of guns pre- I dominates today over the voice Of l tatesmen who permit themselves to 2 70 interviewed. { Talaat Bey was willing to discuss, I though guardedIy. the political and Il situation of Turkeys allies n this connection. he said: This a