TURCO-ITALIAN WAR

Otago Witness, Issue 3005, 18 October 1911, Page 33

TURCO-ITALIAN WAR

POWERS' REPLY TO TURKEY'S

APPEAL.

ITALIAN GOODS BOYCOTTED.

SITUATION IN THE BALKANS. CIVIC FREEDOM PROMISED. * ROxME, October 9. Bedouin cavalry nightly scour the outskirts of the city, hoping to attract the Italians towards the Turkish entrenched camp. Italian shells disperse them. The Italian commander at Tripoli offers the inhabitants lOi'r (8s 4d) apiece for their rifles if surrendered on the first day, sfr if on the second day, and the penalty of death for non-compliance thereafter. The Italian Governor has issued a proclamation abolishing slavery. The Arabs are looting the abandoned premises.

There was intense enthusiasm throughout King Emmanuel's journey to Naples to say farewell to the army expedition. The country folk, with torches and lanterns, lined the railways.

MALTA, October 9. The Italian destroyer Borea arrived here, but was not allowed to provision. CONSTANTINOPLE, October 9.

Telegrams received from numerous inland towns threaten violence against Italians unless the Porte promptly expels them.

CAPETOWN, October 9. Over 100 Afghans have volunteered, to fight against Italy.

APPEAL TO THE POWERS

BERLIN, October 9.

The Porte's Note appealing for mediation intimates that Turkey is. willing to cede Tripoli on certain conditions.

MOBILISATION AT SALONICA. | CONSTANTINOPLE, October 9. ! Forty-two thousand men are mobilising ; at Salonica.

The export of produce is prohibited, and the Government is commandeering supplies. Four Monastir battalions have proceeded to Elassona.

ATHENS. October 9.

The Corinth Canal Company has closed the canal against both Turkey and Italy.

ST. PETERSBURG, October 9.

The reported intention of the Porte to declare grain contraband would, if carried out, paralyse Russia's export trade. It has caused the Government to open negotiations with Turkey.

TURKEY AND GREECE. ATHENS, October 9. | The Chamber of Deputies at Samos has protested against the Turkish landing.

CAJNEA, October 9.

When the Assembly opened cheers were given for the union of Crete with Greece.

APPEx\LS BY MOSLEMS. BOMBAY, October 9.

The directors of the Juma mosque have cabled Mr Asquith and. Sir E. Grey appealing for England's support of the Sacred Khalifa (i.e., Government of the Caliphs, or successors of Mahommed, now used by the Sultans of Turkey). Similar appeals have been sent from Lahore and Lucknow. ,

SURRENDER OF TRIPOLI. ROME, October 10.

After the landing Hassan Pasha, the Mayor of Tripoli, surrendered the town, and the Deputy Vali handed over the Government offices. Hassan Pasha has now been appointed Vice-Governor. The Italians found that the new Krupp battery guns had a range of six miles, but the Turks evidently did not know how to use them.

The German Consul urged an immediate landing because a mob was sacking the city. The Arabs are grateful because the mosques are undamaged. The Italians captured 25 Turks at the advance pos + s, and 21 machine guns.

THE PORTE'S DEMANDS. CONSTANTINOPLE, October 10.

The Porte's Note seeking information on the basis of mediation insists on a recognition of her sovereign rights. The Central Committee at Salonica, hearing that Said Pasha was negotiating for peace, sent a message declaring that it would resist the occupation of Tripoli to the death.

LONDON, October 10.

The Turkish Embassy denies the existence of slavery in Tripoli as implied by the Italian proclamation. The Daily Mail's Turin correspondent states that the Artigliere fired 76 sheik on San Giovanni, killing great numbers. ROME, October 10.

It is officially announced that the Porte is acceding to a request by the German Ambassador not to expel Italians from Turkey.

THE BULG/EIAN FRONTIER. SOFIA, October 10

A semi-official Note states that the Government has requested the Porte to discontinue the military preparation of Turks oa the Bulgarian frontier with a view to quietening public opinion. Portion of the first Bulgarian reserves will shortly be mobilising

CARRIAGE OF GRAIN

LONDON, October 10

Owing to the large fleet of British grain vessels in the Black Sea, Turkey's action in declaring grain contraband occasioned anxiety on the Wheat Exchange until assurances were received that neutrals would be permitted to proceed.

RETREAT OF THE TURKS

BERLIN, October 10.

A local newspaper reports that the first land engagement took place in the suburbs of Tripoli, and that as a result the Italians found that they must,remain within range of the guns of their battleships.

LONDON, October 11

The Times' Tripoli correspondent states that Muna Pasha, the Turkish commander, marched by a forced day's inarch to the desert, and sent his impedimenta, without escort, further into the interior. His camel men, realising that the Turkish regime was ended and that they were unlikely to be paid, decamped with the camels and loads.

As the Turks have left their wives and artillery in Tripoli thi3 disposes of the idea that a serious resistance is contemplated. Tripoli advices state that 300 Turkish horsemen made a night attack on the Italian outposts, but were repulsed, abandoning their arms and ammunition. A warship maintained a heavy shell fire. -In the seoond attack a small party of 60 Turks crept witnin 300 yards, of the Italian lines, but retreated in the face of,, a heavy rifle fire. The casualties were trifling. Other reports magnify the affair into a desperate battle.

ITALY'S MINIMUM DEMAND. ROME, October 10.

! The Powers have been informed that nothing short of the annexation of Trij poli will satisfy Italy. The newspapers note that Germany, through her press, is J suggesting that she receive Tobruk for a j coaling sta.tion as the price of her acquiescence in the Tripoli expedition. \ The first contingent, which left Naples, landed at Tobruk to-day. Others are leaving Taranto and Augusta. They will junction east of Malta. j Italy does not consider coal contraband of war. GRAIN VESSELS RELEASED CONSTANTINOPLE, October 10. The Porte has authorised grain vessels to pass the Dardanelles provided that they are not bound for Italian ports, thereby releasing over 200 vessels from the Black Sea.'

REPLY TO TURKEY'S APPEAL. CONSTANTINOPLE, October 11

The replies of the Powers to th§ Porte's circular are practically identical. They promise to examine in concert how to approach Italy.

There is a more bellicose tone in official circles, and .a decided feeling in favour of tlie expulsion of Italians. Assim Bey has accepted the portfolio of Minister of Foreign Affairs. The Cabinet has decided to close the Italian industrial, financial, and scholastic establishments and seize the steamers at Derimagha. The leader of the anti-Hellenic boycott has instructed the porters at Constantinople and Salonika not to handle Italian goods irrespective of the carrying vessel's nationality.

ITALIAN TROOPS LANDED. TRIPOLI, October 12

The night attack was merely a small skirmish: The Turks crept to the outposts, possibly with the idea of cutting off the water supply. They left two dead.

The first division of Italian troops lias disembarked.

The Turks are gathering on the Gharian Bills, where Arabs from the Gebel region are arriving.

ROME, October 11

After firing two rounds from their 12in guns a company of marines were landed from the battleships at Tobruk. As they advanced to the fort the Turks opened fire, but the stormers quickly got under the wall and forced an entrance and hoisted the Italian flag. The Turks retired,- but continued to fire on the Italians from the neighbouring heights.

MINES-IN THE DARDANELLES. LONDON, October 12

Advices from an apparently trustworthy source state that the Turks are mining the Dardanelles. The Foreign Office has advised Italy not to treat coal or foodstuffs as contraband whatever their destination may be. The Italian Embassy has been informed fram Alexandria that 30 Italian workmen on the Hedjaz railway were massacred early in October.

WHEAT CARGOES DELAYED. ■ST. PETERSBURG, October 11. Upwards of 300,000 tons of wheat intended for Italy are accumulated in the Black Sea.

SITUATION IN THE BALKANS. ATHENS.. October 12. The Malis&ori are excited again, and ara migrating to Montenegro. The Porte is despatching troops to Sfcntari.

ANAKCHIST PLOT IN ITALY. ROME, October 12.

Details from Tobruk state that the landing boat encountered a hail of bullets. The soldiers and sailors jumped into the sea., waded ashore, and answered the enemy's fire with charged bayonets. Extraordinary precautions were taken to guard the King at Naples owing to the discovery of an Anarchist plot. The Italians, finding that Benghazi was the centre of an extensive import trade in guns for the Senussi, Sahara, and Wadai tribes, took measures to stop the traffic.

Skutari advices state that the Italians there have been informed that they will be regarded as Ottoman subjects, and that if they fail to comply with the law they will be tried by court-martial.

GLIMPSE INTO THE FUTURE LONDON, October 12

The Times' Vienna correspondent declares that the world must be prepared for the enunciation of an Italain sovereignty over Tripoli, as Turkey will not acquiesce in a prolonged war, with a danger of Balkan complications, which will be inevitable unless the Powers firmly compel Turkey to swallow the pill.

ROME, October 12

It is officially denied that Germany had planned to secure Tobruk from Turkey as a coaling station or that she has any intention of securing it from Italy. BERLIN, October 12.

Germany has seriously remonstrated with the Porte and Bulgaria-regarding the dangers of the concentrations ol troops..

VIENNA, October 12

Bulgaria is quietly mobilising her first line of reserves. She is profoundly dissatisfied with the Porte's explanation regarding the reinforcements sent to Adrianople and Macedonia. SUBMISSION OF ARABS. TRIPOLI, October 12. Twenty-two Italian transports have arrived. The Turkish troops are unsheltered and exposed to the sun and the blinding sand. Food supplies are short, fever is common, and there are many deeertions.

ROME, October 12.

Vice-admiral Faravelli has issued a proclamation at Tripoli in which he promises compensation for all damage done during the bombardment. Three thousand Arabs have submitted. It is reported that the Turks captured two Italian sailors at Massowah

CHOLERA IN TRIPOLI. LONDON, October 12. Cholera has broken out in Tripoli, and four deaths are reported.

SHEVKET PASHA'S PLANS. LONDON, October 12.

The Daily Mail's Constantinople correspondent had an interview with Shevket Pasha, the late Minister of War, who told him that he had prepared plans to meet a European rising,, but none to deal with an onslaught on Tripoli. The intervention of the Powers would be t!v- most suitable way of settling the cNdpute. Turkey wanted peace in order to develop her internal affairs.

OPPOSITION TO PEACE

CONSTANTINOPLE, October 12

The .army corps at Salonioa (headquarters of the Committee of Union and Progress) has threatened to march on Constantinople in the event of peace being agreed to at the present juncture.

TURKEY AND BULGARIA

SOFIA, October 12

All the Powers have assured Bulgaria that they will not permit Turkish aggression.

PARIS, October 12.

Five of the Great Powers, besides endeavouring to mediate between Italy and Turkey, are intervening to remove the tension between Turkey and Bulgaria.

FEELING IN TURKEY

CONSTANTINOPLE, October 13.

The Government has declared cereals and preserved foodstuffs to be contraband. Flour is not mentioned. Although the Porte has not adhered to the Declaration of London, the Cabinet has decided to observe it in regard to neutrals and contraband.

Meetings of Turkish Deputies and Oppositionists declined to support a vote of confidence in the Said Pasha Cabinet, while the Unionists were prepared to support "it if it resisted Italy to the bitter end. CONSTANTINOPLE, October 13. Imam Yahya has proclaimed a holy war in Yemen, and the tribes are flocking to the coast. Italy's command of the sea, however, renders the proclamatkrs nugatory. The boycott of Italian goods has begun at the various ports. A Bulgarian steamer, laden with Italian goods, was not allowed to discharge here. The refusal of some journalists to obey a summons to attend a court-martial to answer a charge of publishing articles against the Cabinet revealed the fact that the Grand Vizier had authorised the criticisms.

I The suspension of several papers has j roused a feeling against Shevket Pasha ) on the ground that he is gagging the press.

BRITISH REFUGEES. i MALTA, October 13. Two hundred 'British refugees from Tripoli are making claims against the Government for losses through their flight, ! winch they declare the British Consul ordered. )

PROCLAMATION BY ITALY. ' ROME, October 13.

Four aeroplanes, with Italian officers and pilots, have been sent to Tripoli. They intend to drop bombs on the enemy's encampments. , '

During the bombardment 300 convicts including 50 desperadoes, escaped. The local members of Committee of Union and Progress have been expelled. A proclamation has been issued conferring on the population of Tripoli their freedom, the protection of all their civil and religious rights, and permitting them to. be governed by their own chiefs, nnder King Emmanuel's patronage. They will not be subject to military service unwillingly. Twenty-three thousand troops have already landed at Tripoli. Replying to Turkish protests on account of the expulsion from Tripoli of their officials, who are responsible for the collection of those taxes which were applied to the repayment of the Ottoman public debt, the Premier (Signor Giolitti) said that his Government was determined that the status of all foreign creditors should remain unprejudiced by the action of Italy.

Admiral Aubrey's squadron is reported to have captured a Turkish transport with 1600 soldiers aboard.

It is officially reported from Tripoli that the Turks have retired 60 miles from the coast.

QUESTION OF CONTRABAND. CONSTANTINOPLE, October 13.

Cattle, preserved meats, and bullion are declared contraband. . .

' All Italian journalists have been expelled. ST. PETERSBURG, October 13.

A Russian Note to the Porte insists on Russian corn addressed to Italian ports not being liable to detention or confiscation unless destined for the forces of official Italian consignees. Russia will hold the Porte responsible for violations of Russian rights.

i THE PORTE'S APPEAL. ! , CONSTANTINOPLE, October 14. j The Powers' replies -to the Porte's ' latest Note generally state that in view Of Turkey's insistence on a sovereignty over Tripoli and Italy's determination to annex it, it is impossible to suggest a basis for mediation. The Committee of Union and Progress has posted inflammatory placards in Stamboul calling the people to arms. The placards end with the following threat : "Let us bring Europe to rum rather than lose an inch of territory." CONSTANTINOPLE, October 15. A league of hatred is being organised, the members of which will swear to do their utmost to injure Italy.

THE SUEZ CANAL. CAIRO. .October 15

The Turkish transport Kaiseri, which entered the Suez Canal on the sth inst., and against whose presence Italy protested, landed at Kantara troops that are destined for Palestine via. El Arish, and then escorted the Egyptian coastguards. The Kaiseri. has been transformed into a hospital ship, and is proceeding to the Red Sea.

FORTY TURKS SURRENDER. TRIPOLI, October 15. Captain Cagni, accompanied by only another officer and an interpreter, induced 40 Turks, who were strongly barricaded outside Tripoli, to surrender. He pretended that a large force was approaching to occupy the building.

SHIPMENT OF CORN. ST. PETERSBURG, October 15

In reply to trie Russian Note concerning shipments of corn, the Porte -wall permit neutral grain ships, bound for neutral ports, to pass, but all cargoes consigned to Italian 'war harbours or military authorities or contractors will be stopped.

ITALIAN DREADNOUGHT LAUNCHED.

ROME, October 15

The third Italian Dreadnought, Leonardo da Vinci, has been launched at Genoa.

Italy notifies the Powers that she considers Samos neutral territory.

TURKISH PARLIAMENT.

CONSTANTINOPLE, October 15.

On the reassembling, of Parliament the Grand Vizier, Said Pasha, read the Speech from the Throne, which was listened to in profound silence. The Sultan, who attended, was surrounded by princes. The Chamber re-elected Ahmed Riza Pasha (formerly Ambassador at Vienna) President of the Chamber by 86 votes to 55 for the Opposition candidate. The Unionist Opposition discussed the Cabinet, and insisted that Kiamil Pasha ' should be Grand Vizier.

The Unionists suggested a neutral person. The debate was adjourned.

CHARGES ON WAR RISKS. SYDNEY; October 16.

The Underwriters' Association has received a cablegram from the London underwriters notifying it of the agreement regarding war risks. The signed charges day by day to and from Australia (including New Zealand) and the United Kingdom and the Continent are: Steamers (outward), one-fifth per cent, via Suez, one-sixth per cent, via Cape; steamers (homeward), one-eighth per cent. by both routes. Sailers, one-fourth per cent, ifor neutral goods in vessels for neutral ports.

TRANSPORT OF ITALIAN TROOPS

TRIPOLI, October 16

Twenty Italian, transports, bringing 15,000 troops, are expected to arrive today. The Italians have stopped- some caravans and 120 camels laden with flour and other provisions for the Turks. The latter made several brisk attacks on the Humilisua walls, with a view to diverting attention from the passage of the caravan, but they were repulsed, losing a maxim gun. Two hundred men were wounded in various engagements. The Derna's rifles were distributed to any applicant, with the result that everyone in Tripoli is in possession of a Mauser, which he is unable to use. They gladly surrendered in response to Captain Cagni's offer.

SUGGESTED ARBITRATION. CONSTANTINOPLE, October 16

The fleet is leaving for the Dardanelles.

The Porte has promised to support Mr W. T. Stead's suggestion that, failing mediation by the Powers, Turkey should appeal for arbitration by The Hague tribunal.

THE KAISER TAKES ACTION. -BERLIN, October 16.

It is officially reported that the Kaiser has invited the Italian Ambassador to confer on the political situation. The Ambassador's intended interview with Herr Kiderlin-Waechter has consequently been postponed.

OTTOMAN BONDS. AUCKLAND. October 10.

The manager of the International Investment Company has been advised by cablegram that Ottoman bonds, which, on the outbreak of hostilities, fell about 9 per cent., have since risen about 3 per cent.

WARNING TO BRITISH SUBJECTS. WELLINGTON, October 11. A supplementary Gazette issued enjoins British subjects to observe strict neutrality in the Turco-Italian war.

ITALY'S EXPANSION

OVERFLOWING POPULATION

The genesis of- the crisis in Italy is to be found in the natural expansion of Italy, consequent xipon her .largely increased' population in recent years, and in her claims to a share to compensate for the acquisitions of other Powers in the rich privies of Africa. With the enormous increase in European population during the last 100 years great incentive to the colonising of" Northern Africa has been added. France, who perhaps is less in need of expansion than anyone else, got the lion's share—that is to say if we leave out of the .question the British occupation of Egypt, -which is of a scmewhat different character. Italy had for some time been oastiner longing eyes on Tunis, the proximity of which to her own shores rendering it highly desirable that it should not fall into the hands of another —'above all. an unfriendly Power. "Unfortunately for Italy, however, France was already on the scene. .. She had already assumed control in Algeria, and it was an easy step to extend a protecting arm over the neighbouring territory of Tunis; and, as Italy was at that time in no position to enforce her own claims in the matter, the action of the French Government remained undisputed. It was. however, tacitly recognised henceforth throughout the diplomatic world that should Italy feel disposed to assert herself in Tripoli, the adjoining territory and a- vilayet or province of the Ottoman Empire, a blind eye would be turned. For some time, however, she contented herself with experiments at colonisation in Somaliland and Abyssinia, until the battle of Adowa set a final " non possumus" upon all hopes of the young kingdom in that quarter THE GROWTH OF ITALY.

In the meantime Italy was growing', and next to Germany her growth has been the most phenomenal of any European country. Between 1870. the year of the foundation of the United Kingdom of Italy and the present year, the population of Italy itself has risen from 22,000,000 to 36,000.000, while there are no less than 6.000,000 Italians living in foreign countries. Something like 200,000 Italians emigrate annually to the United States; in the Argentine they are to be counted by hundreds of thousands. In 10 years the population of Italy has risen by 4.000.000. The increase in numbers has been assisted enormously by the success with which the Government has fought against disease. The deaths from malaria and pellagra have been reduced in 10 years from 16,000 to 3000, and from 3500' to 1300 respectivelv. Something like £112,000,000 have been spent in 25 years on works relative to the public health. It is no wonder that, with these facte before them, with a population continually flowing away to be lost to the State, with an increasing commerce, an internal unanimity, a strong army and navy, the Italian Government should begin again to turn its attention to Tripoli.