THE WAR.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 253, 12 October 1911, Page 4

THE WAR.

To-i>ay’h cables inform us that the Powers have notified the Porte that Turkey’s Note will be considered bythem in concert, and they will decide as to how Italy may be approached with the object of arranging a settlement. This sounds very nice and reasonable but there will be ample time for a lot of trouble to befall the combatants before action is taken. The consideration of these, questions by the Powers is also calculated to follow very closely upon the lines of tb.e old fable about the two cats who appealed to the monkey- to make a fair division of their piece of cheese. Th monkey in the capacity of judge got quite the best, of the bargain, and Turkey, at any rate, stands in to pay dearly for her appeal for intervention. The pushful German is already to the front with a claim for “compensation.” Just why compensation should be paid is not quite clear, but the Kaiser evidently thinks that his acquiescence in occupation of Tripoli is worth something, and a coaling station always comes in bandy, especially in view < f the patent designs of Germany for expansion in Africa. The “ compensation” which the Kaiser desires; for the trouble he has gone to in overlooking the fact that, Italy got in ahead of him, is a place called Marsa Tobruk. We may understand better why Germany wants this port when it is seen that its location is just between 6()i> and Too mile:; east, of Tripoli- just half way to Alexandria. A strong naval station upon the borders of Egypt would be of great value strategically, and we shall l»e painfully surprised it Britain allows any such claim to lie entertained. The frustration of German designs will no doubt cause renewed irritation, but it would be the height of folly to allow her to establish a naval depot in such close proximity fo our Egyptian protectorate. In an) case the claim for compensation is absurd anil wiU unquestionably be resisted. The Turk, however, will have to pay for his inanition and lose territory. Italy is clearly anxious to avoid intervention from the other Powers, and has put on a-bold front. To check well intentioned mediation she announces that nothing will satisfy’ her now but the straight out annexation of the country. It is a bold move and if carried through with determination means the development of the present sort of naval picnic into a much more serious conflict. It is noted, too, that the warlike spirit is growing in Turkey and it may spread with dangerous rapidity through the linked band of Mohammedanism.