Italy and Turkey.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 40, 2 October 1911, Page 5

Italy and Turkey.

TRIPOLI OCCUPIED. CONFLICTING ACCOUNTS. (By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (United Press Association.) Constantinople, September 30. “The Agency Ottoman” publishes an urgent telegram Irom Tripoli to the effect that Italian troops had landed and hoisted the Italian flag on the Government Buildings. The newspapers snortly afterwards published a report that the Turks had sunk the first two barges that were about to land troops. London, September 30.

The “Daily Mail” correspondent at Tripoli reports that an Italian destroyer, carrying a white flag, entered the port and summoned the garrison to surrender. The authorities declined the summons.

Reuter's Salonika correspondent reports that tho Italian cruiser sank a destroyer in the harbour at Prevoaa, and landed troops. Athens, September 30.

It is officially announced from Vonitca that an Italian squadron off Preveza attacked and pursued six torpedoers. One of them took refuge in Preveaa, and the remainder escapocL Rome, September 30.

Tripoli was occupied at three o’clock yesterday afternoon. The troops’ entry was unopposed.

DECLARATION CAUSES UTMOST SURPRISE.

London, September 30

Italy’s declaration of war caused the utmost surprise in London, where Turkey's reply to the ultimatum created a hopeful feeling. Washington, September 30. The declaration of war between Italy and Turkey, coming as it did practically without notice, created a sensation. It is officially stated that the situation is regarded as the natural sequence of the Franco-German negotiations. The Government will keep clear of the struggle. Loudon, September 30. War risks were covered in London at 35 per cent. They advanced to 70, and then declined to 20 on the announcement that the Porte would not oppose the landing of Italian troops.

THE CASE FOR ITALY.

TURKEY’S REPLY

ALBANIA ARMING

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 part of the Turkish Empire, coupled with vexatious delays and the denials of justice and reparation for insults. One incident is cited, where an Italian girl was abducted at Adana and compelled to marry a Mohammedan. Further, that tne Turkish authorities in the Red Sea and the Arabian coast oppose Eritea, and always take up a violent and provocative attitude. Several other acts of piracy against Italians are recorded, also crimes, including murder. Turkey represents Italy’s action as an attempt to realise her long cherished ambitions. In 1903 site asked the Porte vainly to grant all concessions in connection' with public works in Tripoli to Italians, which was synonymous with declaring a protectorate. Turkey recognised Italy’s economic interests, and tho majority of the concessions were given to Italians. The Bank of Rome is quoted as an instance.

7 -Reuter reports that Turkey intends to demand that Greece relinquish future claims to Crete relinquish military operations on the frontier of Thessaly. Albania is arming, and threatens a renewal of the trouble.

TWO VESSELS SUNK AND ONE CAPTURED. GREECE MOBILISING. TURKEY STRENGTHENING HER FORCES.

GERMAN PRESS DENOUNCES ITALY’S ACTION.

Rome, October 1. It is officially stated that the destroyers Artiglioro and Corazziero sank a destroyer and a torpedo boat at Prevezna.

On Saturday morning the destroyer Alpeno captured a steamer, with a Greek crew, containing five Turkish officers and 162 soldiers. She had a largo quantity of munitions of war and grain aboard. There were no Italian casualties.

Constantinople, October 1. It is officially reported that Greece is mobilising. The Porte has decided to strengthen the forces on the Greek and Montenegrin frontier. The entire German 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. London, October 1. ( The British press condemns the Gorman press comments as sheer hypocrisy.

TO-DAY’S MESSAGES.

STRENGTH OF FORCES

ITALIAN WARSHIPS OPEN FIRE

ON FORTS,

(Received 2, 8.5 a.m.) Rome, October 1. The Italian fleet is in all directions in the Eastern Mediterranean, protecting trade and preventing . the Turks attacking the long line of transports going to Tripoli. The expeditionary force comprises eight regiments of infantry, two regiments of Bersagliori sharp-shooters,, also 2500 additional cavalry, artillery, and engineers.

Italian estimates give 6000 Turkish infantry and 5000 cavalry at Tripoli, a score of field guns, in addition to 15,000 Arab infantry, and 2800 cavalry. The Duke of Abruzzi is closely watching Preveza to prevent the escape of the Turkish destroyers which have refuged there. Tripoli telegrams state that at 10.00 this morning the Italian fleet opened fire on the forts.

Europeans are aboard a merchant steamer, and arc safe. The cruisers Ferruccio, Varese, and Garibaldi are blocking the coast and seizing small craft, including fishing boats, suspected of spying. 'I ho fishermen implored the Italians to release thorn, saying they were ready to recognise the sovereignty of any Power if left in peace. Constantinople, October 1. The Italian cruiser Pisa is reported to be ashore at Tripoli. Malta, October 1. The British Mediterranean fleet has been ordered to Malta.