TURCO-ITALIAN WAR

Otago Witness, Issue 3034, 8 May 1912, Page 29

TURCO-ITALIAN WAR

STEAMER STRIKES A MINE. DARDANELLES TO BE REOPENED. TURKS AGAIN REPULSED. LONDON, April 30. Reuter's Constantinople correspondent states that the Porte declines to reopen the Dardanelles while the Italians are cruising' in the Archipelago, unless, the Powers guarantee the security of the straits. The American steamer Texas struck a submarine mine in the Gulf of Smyrna. The Texas was owned by a local com- ■ pany, whose steamers were transferred • -to the American flag at the time of the anti-Greek boycott. One hundred and fifty-six passengers were aboard, 92 of whom are saved. The fate of the crew is unknown. The cargoes that are held op owing to \he closing of v the Dardanelles are valued at £4,000,000, and ship-owners are losing £3OOO daily. May 1. In the House of Commons the Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs (Mr Acland) stated that Sir E. Grey was much concerned over the loss incurred by shipping now in the Dardanelles, and he had made urgent representations with a view to freeing the traffic. May 2. A tugboat when inspecting the buoys In the Dardanelles fouled a mine. Four officers and 12 soldiers and members of the crew were drowned. May 4. In the House of Lords Lord Morley declared that it would be a mistake if England, when dealing with the question of the Dardanelles, overlooked Turkeys enormous Mohammedan interests, wherewith England was concerned, or Italy's traditional friendship towards England, especially our concern in her position and relations as a Mediterranean Power. CONSTANTINOPLE, May 1. -It is alleged that the Texas was not mined, but sunk with a shell, after some blank shots had been fired owing to her v captain refusing to follow the channel. Enver Bey reports the capture of two Italian guns at Tobruk and the killing of 40 Italians. May 2. The Porte has decided to reopen the Dardanelles, reserving the right to close them again if necessary. The Vali of Smyrna states that a battery fired seven shots, but the foundering of the Texas was due to a mine. The survivors of the Texas corroborate the statement that she was sunk by the shells from the fort. The Turks refused to allow the American Consul to send divers to explore the wreck. ROME, May 3. During a reconnaissance by dirigibles over the Turkish camps 30 bombs were dropped at Axizia and a dozen at Suenibenaden. Much damage was done. May 4. After two hours* fighting at Horns the Italians seized Lebda, the birthplace' of the Emperor Severus. Three hundred Turks and Arabs were killed, and eight Italians were killed and 54 wounded. May 5. The Italians have occupied Rhodes, and the Turkish troops have retired to the hills. General Ameglio, commanding the troops at Rhodes, effected a landing at Guliphar unopposed. May 6. A squadron composed of the Y lttoria. Manuele, Regina, Elena, Napoli, and Roma left Hampalia on Friday with lights out and at half-speed for the island of Charki, 10 miles west of Rhodes. Another squadron followed, convoying the landing forces, 8000 in all. All concentrated at 2 a.m. on Saturday, arriving at Rhodes at 3.30 a.m. A section of the fleet demonstrated in the harbour, while the other section guarded the disembarkation of the troops in a bay eight miles south of. the.-town. The Turkish troops did not appear, and the warships did not fire a shot. The Turks withdrew to a plateau five miles south-west of Rhodes, where Admiral Ameglio immediately attacked them in order to prevent their withdrawing to the centre of the island. Several bayonet? charges were made. The Italians had five wounded. Fifty Turkish prisoners were taken. The Turks are now on a small peninsula on the north of the island, where the warships are able to co-operate in enfilading both flanks. The Turks made two attempt/: to recover Lebba on Thursday night, but they were repulsed with heavy losses. ATHENS, May 6. Despite, the opposition of the * Greek and American Consuls at Smyrna, the captain of the Texas was forcibly removed from the Gi'eek hospital to the Turkish prison infirmary. He is accused of spying on Italy's behalf. The American Ambassador has sent the commander of the American guardship to Smvrna. VIENNA, May 4. The Neue Freie Presse suggests that Lord Morley meant that Italy might at a critical moment be found on the side of the Triple Entente instead of the Triple Alliance. J

The Zeit declares that Lord Moxley indicated that in the event of a European war Britain would reckon on Italy's support or benevolent neutrality.

In 1841 a treaty was first concluded between the Ottoman Porte, on the one hand, and the five great Powers of Great Britain, Germany, France, Italy, and Russia, on the other, by the terms of which, confirmed by further treaties at Paris in 1856, at London in 1871, and at Berlin in 1878, no ship of war belonging to any nation, save. Turkev, should pass the Dardanelles without the express consent of the Government of the country; all merchant ships being also required to show their papers to the Ottoman authorities. Even merchant ships are not allowed to pass the castle of ClianakiKalehsi except during the day.