WAR DECLARED.

Otago Witness, Issue 3003, 4 October 1911, Page 31

WAR DECLARED.

ITALY AND TURKEY. ULTIMATUM REJECTED, PEOMPT ACTION BY ITALY. i'ROO P 8 LANDED IN TRIPOLI. GARRISON REFUSES TO SURRENDER. CAUSE OF THE CRISIS. ITALY'S FLEET ACTIVE. TROOPS LANDED AT PREVEZA. TURKISH ACTION DELAYED.

ROME, September 29. It is officially announced that, the Ottoman Government having failed to meet the terms of Italy's ultimatum, a state of ■war exists between Italy and Turkey from 2.30 to-day. The immediate blockade of Tripoli and Cyrenaica has been notified to th© Powers. CONSTANTINOPLE, September 29. The Porte, in reply to Italy's Note, expresses surprise at Italy's action, and hopes she will desist from her contemplated measures. The reply emphasises Turkey's desire for a settlement, and promises to suspend all military measures during the negotiations. It is stated here that the Italians have landed troops at Tripoli and Benghazi. The Cabinet has resigned. It is said that the Grand Vizier and -the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of War (Mohammed Shevket Pasha) retain their posts. LONDON, September 29. Reuter's Constantinople correspondent advises that the Turkish Government has decided not to oppose the landing of Italian troops at Tripoli. The Daily Chronicle's Vienna correspondent states that Austria and Germany are urging the Porte to allow the pacific occupation of Tripoli by the Italian troops. The correspondent adds that the plan for the occupation was decided on weeks ago, after an exchange of views between the Cabinets constituting the Triple Alliance. The Daily Mail's Salonica representative says that there are 100,000 Italians in Turkey, whom the. Young Turks will I treat as hostages in the event of war breaking out. i Reuter's. Constantinople correspondent reports that on Friday the Council sat till past midnight. He adds that it is reiported that the Government finally decided to appeal to Italy's honesty and good feeling, but to reject the demand for a military occupation. Turkey will also make a fresh appeal to the Powers for intervention. A BLOCKADE ORDERED. ROME, September 29. The fleet has been ordered to blockade the Tripclitan coast. CONSTANTINOPLE, September 30. The • Agence Ottoman publishes an urgent telegram from Tripoli stating that Italian troops landed and hoisted the Italian flag on the Government buildings. The newspapers shortly after wards published a report that the Turks sank two barges which were about to land troops. SUMMONS TO SURRENDER. LONDON, September 30. The Daily Mail's correspondent in Tripoli reports that an Italian destroyer carrying the white flag entered the port and summoned the garrison to surrender, but the authorities declined to obey the summons. NAVAL OPERATIONS. | LONDON, September 30. Reuter's correspondent at Salonica reports that an Italian cruiser sank a destroyer in the harbour of Prevcza and landed troops. ATHENS, September 30. It is officially announced from Vovitza that at Italian squadron off Pveveza attacked .and pursued six tcrpedoers. One of these was wrecked, one" took refuge in Preveza, and the remainder escaped. ROME, October 1. It is officially stated that the destroyers Artiglier and Carazziere sank a destroyer-torpedo boat at Preveza on Saturday morning. The destroyer Allpeno captured a : steamer with a Greek crew, and containing five Turkish officers and 162 soldiers and a large quantity of munitions of war and grain. i There were no Italian casualties.

EFFECT OF THE DECLARATION. LONDON, September 30. Italy's declaration of war oausied the utmost surprise in London, where Turkey's reply to the ultimatum had created a hopeful feeling. WASHINGTON, September 30. The declaration of war between Italy and Turkey, coming practically without notice, created a sensation. It is officially stated that the situation is regarded as a natural sequence of the Franco-German Moroccan negotiations. The Government will keep clear of the struggle. CAUSE OF THE CRISIS. ITALY'S VIEW OF THE SITUATION LONDON, September 30. Information from Italian sources describes the crisis as the result of a long series of excesses and impositions upon Italians in every port of the T'urkish Empire, coupled with vexatious delays, denials of justice, and insults. One incident is cited wherein an Italian girl was abducted at Adana and compelled to marry a Mohammedan. Further, the Turkish authorities in the Red Sea and on the Arabian coast opposite Eritrea always adopt a violent and provocative attitude. Several official acts of piracy against Italians are recorded, also crimes, including murder. [Eritrea is the official name of the Italian colony and sphere of influence in the Red •Sea. The trado ia largely in the hands of Greeks.] Turkey represents Italy's action as an attempt to realise long-cherished ambitions. In 1903, it is stated, Italy asked the Porte vainly to grant all the concessions for public works in Tripoli to Italiajus, which was synonymous to declaring a protectorate. Turkey recognised Italy's economic interests, and the majority of the concessions were given to Italians. The Bank of Rome is quoteo. as an instance. DISLOYALTY~IN ITALY. ROME, September 29. Hostility to. Italy's policy is causing acts of vandalism in various districts. The demonstrators tried to prevent the departure of the troops from Parma. The oarabiniers fired, killing five and wounding 12. The mob out the telegraph wires and uprooted the poles. They also attempted to burn the barracks. The newspapers are publishing frequent special editions, and the crowds eagerly snatch them./ A huge procession patriotically demonstrated outside the office of the Ministers of War and Foreign Affairs. Tripoli was occupied at 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon, the entry being unopposed. GERMANY AS MEDIATOR. - VIENNA, September 30. It is reported that negotiations between Turkey and Italy will begin under Germany's auspices on the basis of the establishment of a protectorate or the occupa'tion of Tripoli, the administration remaining in the Sultan's name. PRESS OPINIONS. ROME, September 29. A section of the newspapers regret Italy's precipitate action,. The Journal refers to the brutality of Italy's policy, and is astonished at the passivity of the Powers. LONDON, September 29. The Daily Mail states that the ultimatum must seem, even to the warmest friends of the Italians, both cruel and violent. The Standard says that Italy is adopting the law of " the mailed fist and the pirate galley." It is, however, easier to apply the torch than to set bounds on the ensuing conflagration. It adds that Tur-

key—outraged, despoiled, and humiliated —may seek to be revenged equally with her aggressor, and the christian States, failing to protect her from a flagrant wrong, will suffer from the reflex consequences. Italy's action, therefore, will injure .almost everybody. The Daily News declares that it is impossible to expect cr desire Turkey to submit tamely to as brutal an act d aggression as history records. It con eludes by urging Sir Edward Grey t< intervene in a similar way to Germany, with a view to inducing a moderation o{ the Italian demands and to ensure peace/ The Morning Leader ridicules the de claration in the Italian Note that, owing to Turkey's sending reinforcements, de< spite Italy's warning regarding lis excitement and perils resulting therefrom, th<4 Italian Government was forced to think of the guardianship of its own dignity and interests, .and hence had decided to proceed to the occupation of Tripoli. Thfl paper adds that Italy is in a hurry, lest, if time were..allowed for the enormity of the. proceeding to be appreciated, revolt in "the public opinion of Europe outside the foreign offices would be too pronounced to be ignored. "\ '■ - v - • • ' PARIS, September 30. The newspapers consider that the hostilities will not develop to a great extent owing to the inequality of the forces, though they admit that the trouble may have a possibly serious effect on thi, Balkans situation. BERLIN, October 1. The entire Gennaji press, commenting on the ultimatum before-the sequel was known, vehemently denounced Italy's precipitate action. The Berliner Post insists that Britain must have incited Italy, and that the British press's condemnation of her action is sheer hypocrisy. CONSTANTINOPLE, October 1. It is officially reported that Greece U mobilising. The Porte has decided to strengthen the Turkish forces on the Greek and Montenegrin frontiers. LONDON, September 30. War risks were covered in London at 35 per cent. The rates advanced to 70 per cent., but then declined to 20 per cent, on the announcement that the Porte would not oppose the landing of Italian troops. Mr Lucien Wolf, writing in the Daily Graphic, thinks it possible that Turkey by way of reprisals for the taking of Mussulman Tripoli, may seizo Christian Thessaly, which act would probably entail a European war. Reuter Teports that Turkey intends to demand that Greece shall relinquish future claims on Crete, or she will execute military operations on the frontier of Thessaly. The Albanians are arming and threat* ening a renewal of trouble. EXCITEMENT IN TRIPOLI. ROME, October 1Tripoli telegrams state that at 10.30 this morning the Italian fleet opened fire on the forts. All the Europeans, who are aboard a merchant steamer, are safe. The sister cruisers Ferruccio, Varese, and Garibaldi (each of 7294 tons) are blockading the coast and seizing all small craft, including fishing boats, who" are suspected of spying. The fishermen implored the Italians to release them, saying they were ready to recognise the sovereignty of any Power if only left in peace. . \ TRIPOLI, October-'!. An Italian destroyer bearing a white flag entered the harbour and informed the Italian Consul of the ultimatum that had been issued. . «* The Consuls of the different Powers collected their subjects .at the consulates. There was a panic among the women and children, who were rushing about the streets collecting their belongings. The Tunisian and Greek sponge boata in the harbour are filled with refugees. It is reported that the Ottoman troops intend to retire inland. ITALIAN FLEET BUSY. GUARDING THE TRANSPORTS. V EOME, October 1. The Italian fleet is spread in all directions in the Eastern Mediterranean, for the purpose of protecting trade and preventing "the Turks attacking the long line of transports that is going to Tripoli. ATHENS, October 1. The Italian fleet' is in the Gulf of Preveza, in Turkey. It bombarded the transport Alpagut and two battleships, including t/he Hamidieh (6700 tons), which was at anchor. The Tokat" and Antalia_ (torpedoers) endeavoured to escape. On© ran on the roclc3 and the other re-entered the harbour. '■:-.. . . .... A Constantinople telegram adds' that the Alpagut (a torpedcer) was afterwards sunk. The Italians on Saturday afternoon, xmder cover of three cruisers and four torpedoers, landed at Preveza beyond the range of the guns in the forts. Two Turkish torpedo boats were captured.

The Turks were ignorant that war had been declared'. The Duke of the Abruzzi is closely watching Preveza, to prevent the ;soape of a Turkish destroyer which has taken refuge there. REPORTED LOSS OF ITALIAN CRUISER. CONSTANTINOPLE., October 1. The Italian cruiser Pisa (9956 tons) is reported to be ashore at Tripoli. A STARTLING REPORT. PARIS, October 1. The Matin publishes an unconfirmed Constantinople telegram that the Ottoman fleet had bean annihilated, with the exception of' one cruiser. LENGTHY PREPARATION IN ITALY. ROME, October 1. Concentration preparatory to embarking the expeditionary troops has proceeded for some time. ■ There is the utmost enthusiasm, the officers drawing lots to decide who shall go. The expeditionary farce comprises eight regiments of infantry, two regiments of Rersaglieri sharpshooters, and is taking 2500 additional cavalry, artillery, and engineers. The Italians estimate that there are 6000 Turkish infantry and 5000 cavalry at Tripoli, and a score of field guns, in addition to 15,000 Arab infantry and 2800 cavalry. LIGHTS EXTINGUISHED. LONDON, October 2. Italy and Turkey have notified that all their lights- in the„Red Sea, the Mediterranean, and the Adriatic have been extinguished. The entrance to Brindisi is forbidden except in the daytime. CAUSE OF ITALY'S HASTE. LONDON, October 1. Reynolds's Newspaper has published a statement from an alleged authoritative quarter, which gives the semi-official explanation that- Italy's precipitancy was due to the possession of knowledge that Germany was negotiating with the Porte for the cession of Tripoli for a big cash consideration. . . italy^sVerms. PARIS, October 1. The Matin states that the best informed Italian circles say that' if the occupation of Tripoli is not opposed Italy will give the Porte the fullest satisfaction,-recognise-Turkey's sovereignty, and pay a substantial indemnity. Ihis statement is confirmed in other quarters. ' - .. • EXCITEMENT IN TURKEY. CONSTANTINOPLE., October 1. The mob at Salonioa tore down the escutcheons on the Italian Consulate and schools, and confiscated the Italian fishing boats. The Turks are greatly incensed, believing that Italy's action is due to the Agadir affair, and British influence is temporarily dominant at Constantinople. LONDON, October 1. The fact that Kaimal Pasha's name is among the new Ministers is considered a guarantee against precipitate action. The newspapers congratulate Turkey on the absence of regrettable anti-Italian incidents. GERMANY AS PROTECTOR. BERLIN, October 1. Germany has .assumed the protection of Italian subjects and interests in Turkey. This change in the Government's policy is regarded as putting an end to Germany's predominant influence in Turkey. Criticism is aroused over' the Government's assuming the protection of both Turkish and Italian subjects in. their respective, countries. Current opinion declares that the Government is shyly neutral. Public sympathy is with the Turks. The people regard their Italian ally as a slippery customer, who had played them false at Algeciras, in being more friendly with France than Germany. BRITISH MEDITERRANEAN FLEET. MALTA, October 1. The British Mediterranean fleet is here. TURKEY'S MAIN SQUADRON SAFE. ADRIATIC SHIPPING HELD UP. CONSTANTINOPLE, October 2. The main Turkish squadron left Beirut on Thursday and passed the Dardanelles at noon on Sunday. The news of its safety spi"ead like wildfire in Stamboul, resulting in a great demonstration. . ' . Admiral Williams has resigned, and the other British officers have left the fleet. Turkish torpedoers are scouring the Southern Adriatic,' and shipping is at a: standstill. Italian mail vessels are unable to leave Corfu. ROME, October 2. Some Turkish torpedoers left Preveza and steered in the direction of the Gulf of Taranto. The Italians' destroyers, perceiving the movement, marconigraphed to the Duke of the Abruzzi, who ordered them to allow Turks to get a good distance from the coast. • The Turks suddenly discovered the danger, and steamed full speed to the south instead of towards Preveza.

The Italian captains then guessed that the Turks to get a good distance from the squadron from Preveza. They found a Greek steamer slipping into the harbour with troops and army magazines. ! One Turkish torpedoer caught fire and sank. The Italians rescued a few of her crew. EXCITEMENT IN ALBANIA. ATHENS, October 2. The naval attacks on Preveza have caused consternation amongst the Moslems at Janina (Albania). The authorities have distributed the army. The Young Turks' Committee at Janina has held some violent discussions. Some of the officers favoured resorting to the old regime. VIENNA, October 2. Italy's attack on Preveza has roused apprehensions that the destruction of the vessels wherewith Turkey prevented contraband in arms will excite the Albanians. BELGRADE, October 2. Austrian troops are concentrating on the frontier. The Sanjak of Novibazar reports that the landing of Italians in Southern Albania is causing excitement. TURKEY APPEALS TO THE POWERS. EEFORT TO AVERT WAR, CONSTANTINOPLE, October 2. j The Porte has made a fresh appeal to ] the Powers, expressing the'hope that there |is still time to avert war. Turkey is suspending warlike movements and measures against the Italians in Turkey pending the Powers' reply. In addressing a deputation of members of the House of Deputies, the Sailtan said that for some time he had been desirous of convening the Chamber, but the Prime Minister (Hakki Pasha) had prevented him j from doing so. v He would how decree the imm.edi.ate convocation of Parliament. He added that Hakki Pasha's carelessness and , indolence had caused neglect of the fortifications in Tripoli. - j ;THE KAISER'S FRIENDSHIP. CONSTANTINOPLE, October 2. I The German Ambassador has handed Germany's reply to the Sultan's appeal to the Powers. The Kaiser emphasises his real friendship and veneration for the Sultan, and says that in the interests of humanity he has instructed the German Ambassador to make an effort to intervene, but if his action is not. supported by the other Powers it would be without effect. However, in deference to the Sultan's wishes, he will, circumstances permitting, make , another proposal few* mediation and sub- • mit a similar suggestion to the Powers. j J ARMS FOR THE TURKS, j CONSTANTINOPLE, October 2. i Tripoli telegrams state that the Turkish transport Derna landed 11 cannon, 16,000 rifles, and other munitions before the Kalians arrived. These were taken on horses and camels inland, where the Turkish troops are preparing for resistance. : The Arabs are incensed at the Turkish authorities for refusing to distribute firearms. : '-..,.. , . ~ . ; Gun practice by the Italian fleet off the coast led to rumours that Tripoli was being shelled. : : v<.. . The Italian Consulate is flying the German flag. . ;.v The Italian refugees at the Consulate ' are erecting barricades and forming watches. ■ ' Turkish troops are guarding the Consulate to prevent an outrage to the German flag. KING OF ITALY'S DESIRE. ROME, October 2. King Victor Emmanuel insists upon j being consulted. He is anxious that the expedition should be a demonstration of | Italian efficiency in the eyes of Europe. General Ganeva, who commands the expedition, is a cavalryman of high reputation in I handling large bodies of troops. THE TURKISH CABINET. CONSTANTINOPLE, October 2. Said Pasha has been unsuccessful in his efforts to form a Ministry, Kaimil Pasha declining to take the portfolio of Foreign j Affairs. [ The Sultan, who was anxious for a | coalition including: the two veterans, has now summoned Kaimil Pasha to form a Ministry. TURKEY AND GREECE. BERLIN. October 2. Enver Bey, the Turkish military j attache, has been recalled to Constanti- | nople. . When interviewed, he said it was true ; that Turkey had sent a threatening note ito Athens. If Greece attempted to annex | Or*>te it would be regarded as a casus ! belli.Chauvinist comments allege that Italy's object is a naval station at Eoirus. converting the Adriatic into an Italian lake. The moderate newspapers fear tW. the thunder of the Italian, guns at Enirue will effectively drown the voice of Italy's pacific circular. The International Investment Company . has received a oriva.te cablegram stating ■ that tbore has been onlv a drop of 15s—- ( from £3 15s to £8 —in Ottoman stocks.