Turkey And Peace.

New York Times 100 years ago today, August 25, 1912:
    Two lines of speculation are opened by the latest dispatches regarding Turkish affairs. One is the possibility of peace with Italy; the other the future of the European provinces over which the Porte retains an undefined and very unstable authority.
    At last, after a year of desultory and undecisive military operations, there is substantial reason to expect that Turkey and Italy may at least enter upon a pathway that will lead to a settlement. The matter has long been under consideration, of course, in the councils of Europe, and of late there have been reports of frank discussion. The immediate object of this discussion is an armistice. As an armistice involves the maintenance, for a time at least, of the status at the time it is agreed upon, it would, in practice, place Italy in possession of the portions of Tripoli she has occupied, and also of the Aegean islands. There would arise the question upon what terms and in what way Turkey could withdraw. These terms would necessarily cover:
    1. The permanent recognition of the religious headship of the Sultan.
    2. The payment of an indemnity by Italy.
    3. The disposition of the Aegean islands in accord with the views of the European Powers.
    4. (Probably) Provision for the autonomy of the European provinces of Turkey. As to this last point formal negotiations are reported to be in progress between Austria-Hungary, Greece, Bulgaria, and the Government at Constantinople.
    It is now generally conceded that permanent occupation of Tripoli and Cyrenaica by Italy must result from the war. As direct surrender of territory once possessed by the Sultan is contrary to the injunctions of the Koran, it has been suggested that the Sultan can appoint a non-Mussulman regent for Tripoli who can yield to the inevitable without involving his sovereign. The great body of Mussulmans, while devoutly obedient to the letter of religious law, have a certain respect for the requirements of a "force majeure" as the practical expression of the will of Allah.