Financiers Warn The Porte.

New York Times 100 years ago today, January 19, 1913:
Can Expect No Aid in Case of War — Her Treasury Is Empty.
By Marconi Transatlantic Wireless Telegraph to The New York Times.
    LONDON, Jan. 18.— It is learned on excellent authority that financial as well as diplomatic pressure is being brought to bear on Turkey.
    The note presented by the powers was so mild that it was not expected to have much influence with the Sublime Porte, and much greater results are hoped for from the notice given to the Ottoman Government that it cannot count upon financial assistance in case it rejects the terms proposed by the Balkan allies and approved by the powers.
    Turkish finances are in parlous state. Not only are funds lacking to meet the heavy military expenses which a resumption of hostilities would involve, but the drain upon the Treasury has been so great that there is difficulty in paying the ordinary expenses of the civil administration. The pay of both military and civil officers of the Government is in arrears, and the discontent is becoming a serious factor in the situation.
    In well-informed financial circles in London it is held that the Ottoman Government will be forced to accept the allies' conditions of peace, as it cannot make war with an empty Treasury. On the other hand it is suggested that the Sultan's advisers may decide on resistance to the bitter end as being the less of two evils. Rejection of the allies' terms may precipitate a civil and financial crisis, while acceptance may cause a military revolution. Thus the Porte is between the devil and the deep sea.