Turks of an inch of territory. … But the loss of reputation—that tower of strength to the conqueror—was not to be estimated." _W. H. Prescott, History of Philip II., book 5, chapters 9-11._ ALSO IN: _Sir W. Stirling-Maxwell, Don John of Austria, volume 1, chapters 13-15._ TURKS: A. D. 1569-1570. First collision with the Russians. Vizir Sokolli's canal project and its frustration. Peace with the Czar. See RUSSIA: A. D. 1569-1571. TURKS: A. D. 1572-1573. Withdrawal of Venice from the Holy League. Conquest of Tunis by Don John of Austria and its recovery, with Goletta. "Ulucciali, whom Selim … made commander-in-chief of all his naval forces, exerted himself with extraordinary vigour and activity in fitting out a new fleet, to supply the place of that which had been ruined in the battle of Lepanto; and such at this time were the resources of the Turkish empire, that he was ready by the month of April [1572] to leave Constantinople, with more than 200 galleys, besides a great number of other ships. With this fleet he coasted along Negropont, the Morea, and Epirus; put the maritime towns into a posture of defence; chastised with great severity many of those Christians who had been concerned in the invitation given to Don John [who had just been offered the sovereignty of Albania and Macedonia by the Christians of those countries]; and afterwards took his station at Modon in the Morea, with an intention to watch there the motions of the enemy. He had full leisure to finish all the preparations which he judged to be necessary. The allies disputed long with one another concerning the plan of their future operations." and were also held inactive by the Spanish king's fear of an attack from France. "It was the last day of August before the allies could effectuate a junction of their forces; and it was the middle of September before they came in sight of the enemy. … Ulucciali drew out his fleet, as if he intended to offer battle; but no sooner had he made a single discharge of his artillery … than he retired under the fortifications of Modon." The allies thought first of besieging Modon, but gave up the project. They then sent Alexander Farnese, prince of Parma—afterwards so famous in the Netherlands—to reduce Navarino; but he had no success and abandoned the siege. The expedition then returned to Messina. The Venetians, dissatisfied with the conduct of the war, now faithlessly negotiated a separate peace with the Turks; but Philip II. of Spain maintained his alliance with the Pope (now Gregory XIII.), and ordered his brother, Don John, to proceed the next spring to Africa and undertake the reduction of Tunis. Don John obeyed the order, "carrying with him for this purpose a fleet of 2,000 sail, having 20,000 foot on board, besides 400