FIRE AND SWORD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14819, 24 October 1911, Page 7

FIRE AND SWORD.

TUKKEY'S SCOURGES' SOFIA MOSQUE BURNED. STAOOUL ABLAZE. ARABS SLAY CHRISTIANS. By Telegraph.— Association.—Copyright. Constantinople, October 22. Extensive fires are raging m Stamboul, the older section of Constantinople, in the Bajezid quarter, near the Ministries of War and Finance. The famous Imperial mosque of Stamboul, originally built as the Church of St. Sophia by the Emperor Constantine, and dedicated to eternal wisdom, was destroyed. Two hundred houses and shops have also been burned. The damage totals £200,000. I A big fire is also raging at one of I the ports on the Sea of Marmora.

FROM CROSS TO CRESCENT. In this time of warfare between Crescent and Cross, some people may see something symbolic in the destruction of the Mosque, of Stamboul, which prior to the Mahomedan conquest of 1453 was a Christian Church. The first church was dedicated to St. Sophia (holy wisdom) by Constantius 11., as far back as 360 A.D. This having been destroyed, the second, the edifice just destroyed, was founded by Justinian in 531. Its dedication year was 537, so for over 900 years St, Sophia was a Christian, church before Mahomedanism broke into Europe. No finer achievement of the Byzantine style, the competitor of the Gothic in the Middle Ages, is extant. The domical form is the leading feature of Byzantine architecture, and the dome of St. Sophia is famous the world over. It was this great central dome that constituted the main interior; it measured 107 ft in diameter, and 182 ft in height, and was carried on four piers. Additional length was j given to the church by the, addition of a ! semMome at either end. These also served i to sustain the pressure of the upper dome. j In length St. Sophia was 269 ft, in breadth 243 ft. , Six of its .pillars were of green jasper, from the temple of Diana, at Ephesus; and of porphory, from the temple of the Sun, at Rome. Four minarets were added bv Selim 11., who reigned m ! 1566. - The interior of the dome was beautifully ornamented with Mosaic work. Pillars were formed of and the walls were lined with the richest marbles. The dome is said to have had its origin with the Sarsonians in Persia, and Constantinople (Stamboul), as the meeting-point between East and West, was specially situated to receive the influences of both. . Describing the " cathedral mosque, one writer remarks: "Outside it is not worth a second glance; but within, the airy grace of its stupendous dome, and the beauty of its marbles and mosaics, despite all the ravages of Moslem and— than Mostourists' desecrations, fascinate and amaze the vissicn." . > •„

HOT FIGHT AT BENGHAZI. ALLEGED BUTCHERY. ARABS V. CHRISTIANS. (Received October 25, 10.45 p.m.) ' Tripoli, October 23. There are conflicting reports as to the occupation of Benghazi, and it is uncertain whether the Italians are yet in full possession. The Arabs are well armed, and are fiercely resisting the attack. It- is reported that the Arabs butchered a number of Christians prior to the landing of the Italians.

OVER 200 KILLED. j BULGARIAN FIGHT DENIED. Rome, October 22. The Italian losses in the attack on Benghazi were 15 killed, including seven officers, and 54 wounded. The Turks lost 200 killed and many wounded. London, October 21. The Salonika correspondent of the Daily Chronicle reported that a fight had occurred between Turks and Bulgarians on the Turlco-Bul-garian frontier, and that the losses on both sides were reported to be heavy but it was . subsequently ascertained that the report was incorrect. The Italian Government has ordered 150,000 tons of Welsh coal for war purposes.

BRITONS IN TURKISH NAVY.

TO CONTINUE THEIR POSTS.

Constantinople, October 22. Britain has assented to the British officers in the Ottoman navy continuing in their positions.

MURDER OF GREEK BISHOP,

WORK .OF A BAND.

Athens, October 22,

It is believed, that the murder of the Greek bishop of Grevena and his party is the work of a Turko-Rou-maniau band. ,-

RED SEA LIGHTS.

SUGGESTED NEUTRALISING. . (Received October 25. 10.45 p.m.) * Constantinople, October 23. , Owing to the Turkish lighthouses in the Red Sea being in darkness, Britain has proposed to the Porte the neutralisation of that waterway The Porte is favourably inclined to the proposal, but wishes to reserve the right to transport troops by way of the Red Sea.