THE WAR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14809, 12 October 1911, Page 7

THE WAR.

FIGHTING ON LAND.

THE FIRST SKIRMISH.

NIGHT ATTACK BY TURKS

VICTORY FOR ITALIANS.

ANNEXATION DEMANDED.

LANDING OF TROOPS.

By Telegraph.— Association.— (Received October 11, 11 p.m.) , * London, October 11. Advices from Tripoli contain details of the first land engagement between the Italians and Turks, which was fought in the suburb of Tripoli. The reports state that 300 Turkish horsemen ; made a night attack on the Italian outposts, but were repulsed and forced to abandon their arms and ammunition. The warships maintained a heavy shell fire. During a second attack - a small party of 60 Turks crept to within 300 yds of the Italian lines, but retreated in the face of a heavy rifle fire. . The casualties were trifling, although other reports magnify the engagement into a desperate battle. < As a result ,of the fighting the Italians found that they must remain within range of the guns of their ■ battleships. The Tripoli correspondent of the Times states that Muna Pasha, the Turkish commander, marched his force a day's march into the desert, and sent the impedimenta without an escort further into the interior. The camelmen, realising that the Turkish regime has ended and that it is unlikely that they. will be paid, have decamped with the camels and their loads. The fact that the Turks have left their wives and artillery at Tripoli disposes of the idea that serious resistance to the Italians is contemplated. ______

FEELING IN TURKEY. A MORE BELLICOSE TONE. ' (deceived October Hi"-11? p.iru): T Constantinople, October 11. There is a more bellicose tone in official circles, and a decided feeling in favour of the expulsion of Italians from Turkey. " J The Cabinet has decided to close the Italian industrial, financial, and scholastic- .establishments, and to seize any Italian steamers in Turkish waters. ■ - . - .' Assim Bey has accepted -the position of Minister for Foreign Affairs. _ ■ 7 REPLY FROM THE POWERS. WILL ACT IN CONCERT. (Received October 11. 11 p.m.) Constantinople, October 11. The reph of the Powers to the Porte's circular in regard to the question of mediation are practically .identical in tone. . The Powers agree to act in concert, and will consider the question of how to approach Italy. ' " — DEMAND FOR ANNEXATION. GERMANY'S EARTH HUNGER. Rome, October 10.

The Powers have been informed that nothing short of the annexation of Tripoli will satisfy Italy. The newspapers note that Germany, through the press, is suggesting that she should receive Tobruk as a coaling station as the price of her acquiescing in the Tripoli expedition. ■ ' ■ . ' V ANTI-ITALIAN BOYCOTT. GOODS NOT TO BE TOUCHED. (Received October 11, 11 p.m.) Constantinople, October 11. Derimagha, the leader *of the recent anti Hellenic boycott, has instructed the authorities at Constantinople and Salonika not to handle Italian goods. The boycott is tcr be maintained, irrespectively of the nationality of the vessels carrying such goods. LAWS OF CONTRABAND. GRAIN VESSELS RELEASED. Rome, October 10. The Porte ~ has authorised grain vessels to pass the Dardanelles, provided they are not bound for Italian ports,. : f. Over 200 vessels, which have been detained in the Black Sea, have thus been released. s Italy does not consider coal contraband of war.

THE ITALIAN FORCES. LANDING OF FIRST SECTION \ Rome, October 10. The first contingent of the Italian forces, which left Naples on Thursday last, landed at Tobruk, to-day. . The other contingents are leaving Taranto and Augusta, and will junction east of Malta. NEUTRALITY OF BRITONS. Wellington, October 11. A supplementary issue of the New Zealand Gazette, issued to-day, enjoins British subjects to observe strict neutrality in connection with the Turko-Italian war.^ \ • •j-p';".. ' ,y . - ;