Powers' Meddling Is Hastening Peace.

New York Times 100 years ago today, September 2, 1912:
Italy and Turkey Eager to Reach Agreement to Balk Austria's Autonomy Plan.
PORTE STILL ASKS TOO MUCH
And Giolitti, Backed by All Italy and Aided by a Full Treasury, Insists on His Own Terms.
    CHIASSO, Switzerland, Sept. 1.— The proposition of Count Leopold von Berchthold, the Austro-Hungarian Foreign Minister, that autonomy be gradually given to all the European provinces of Turkey, has spurred on Turkey to hasten the unofficial negotiations for peace with Italy, which have been in progress in Switzerland between Turkish delegates and Pietro Bertolini, former Italian Minister of Public Works, and Guido Fusinato, who was an Italian delegate to the recent Peace Conference at The Hague.
    The Turkish delegates to the peace "conversations" have repeatedly insisted upon the abrogation of the law, passed by the Italian Parliament in February, annexing Tripoli to Italy, even were such abrogation merely a matter of form, advancing the proposition that the government of Tripoli be intrusted nominally to a Prince appointed by the Sultan but chosen by Italy. Among those urged by Turkey for this office is Caraman Ali Pasha, a descendant of the ancient rulers of Tripoli, who is now Mayor of Tripoli, which is controlled by the Italians. But Signer Giolitti, the Italian Premier, has steadfastly refused to concede this point, as he had also done on the proposition that Tripoli be given to Italy, but that Cryanaica remain nominally Turkish.
    Signor Giolitti asserts that the whole controversy between Turkey and Italy must be settled according to the desires and interests of Italy, or the war will go on. The Italian Premier's position now is even stronger than it was last year at the beginning of the war, as he is backed by the entire country and also has no opposition in Parliament. In addition, the Italian Army and Navy are in excellent condition and the financial situation in the kingdom is so good, after fourteen years of budget surpluses, that no loan would be necessary to carry on the war. This year a large amount is available for the war, and an equal surplus is expected next year.
    A point on which the Italian and Turkish peace negotiators are agreed is that they will do their utmost to prevent intervention in the controversy between the two countries, as has several times been attempted. They argue that intervention would cost both Italy and Turkey dear, and the intervening powers would be animated by Bismarck's principle of the "honest broker."
    Count von Berchthold's attempt to obtain autonomy for the European provinces of Turkey is thought a move for virtual intervention in European Turkey, which, if accepted, would put European Turkey, like Crete, practically under the tutelage of the powers, with a predominant Austrian influence, owing to Austria's frontage on the Balkan States. Naturally, Turkey opposes the proposition, and while Italy, as a member of the Triple Alliance, has adhered to it, she hopes that peace with Turkey will be brought about before the plan advanced by the Austro-Hungarian Foreign Minister is ratified and put into force.