THE WAR.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 44, 6 October 1911, Page 5

THE WAR.

ITALIAN FLEET AT TRIPOLI

TURKISH TORPEDOERS ACTIVE

(By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (United Press Association.) Rome, October o.

The battleship Bcnedctobrin, flying Admiral Furavellis’ flag, with the warships Roma, Napoli, Sicilia, Franchisee Ferrncio, Garibaldi, Agordat, Pisa, Amallir, Tariogna, and Coatitvarose, paraded on Tuesday. Destroyers were cruising rapidly between the warships and the city. Another squadron was spread fanliko at the rear of the warships to prevent a Turkish surprise. Other warships wore patrolling the Gulfs of Sidra and Bomba. Tho sea. was calm. At 3 o’clock the lino of battleships hoisted their colours and defiled. A final summons to surrender (laving been given and refused, the ships opened fire.

The Garibaldi fired on tho Vali’s Palace, and tho forts immediately replied. The Turkish aim was bad, and tho projectiles fell short.

Tho Varise and 1 Franchisee Ferruflo directed their fire on the fortifications near the lighthouse and molo. After an hour’s firing tho Varise’s shells caused the collapse of the iignunouse. Tho Turkish fire became feebler. Many guns were dismounted, and the Falace walls wero riddled. The central forts ceased firing at o o’clock, but the outside forts continued the fire. A number of fires moke nut at nightfall, when tho

bombardment ceased, to be resumed on Wednesday morning.

The outer forts were soon in ruins and unable to reply. Tho Turks .removed their guns to the heights ibovo the town and reopened fire, but wore dispersed by Italian shrapnel.

The Italians allowed considerable intervals to elapse between shots.

'The bombardment resembled a shooting competition, the officers and men betting on tho results of particular shots. One gunner who was ordered to dismantle a battery was gourd to say: “I’ll bet you I can knock the left turret off at first shot.” When the smoke cleared tho turret bad gone. The gunner then said: “Now for tho right!” This also disappeared. liie Minister for Marino has instructed the admirals to avoid unnecessary damage and to remember that Tripoli will soon be Italian, and the greater the damage done tho ■reator will lie the expense of repair-

ing. In the closing stages of the bombardment, those aboard the warships saw soldiers gradually abandoning their fortifications and occupying tho hills, where they were entrenchmg. The naval division has been order-, ed to bombard Benghazi on Thursday, and instructed not to land unless it is essential.

The departure of troops is imminent. The starting of the first contingent of twenty thousand has been delayed owing to cruisers reporting that Turkish torpedoers were stationed on the route. The Italians pursued tho torpedoers, which escaped in tho darkness.

The Government propose to land tO,OOO troops in Tripoli within a week.

Three hundred guns took part in the bombardment of Tripoli.

NEW TURKISH CABINET

i Constantinople, October 5. Said Pasha has informed the Cabinet that the political colour of the new Cabinet will not differ from their orodecessors.

Shevket Pasha takes the portfolio of War, and Reshcd Pasha (Ambassador to Vienna) probably that of Foreign Affairs.

ITALIAN CLAIMS ON. TRIPOLI

A MOHAMMEDAN PROTEST,

London, October 5. The “Daily Graphic” declares that Sir Edward Grey on Aug, 22nd, was aware that Italy was advancing claims to Tripoli, France having promised not to oppose her on consideration of Italy acquiescing in the Moroccan protectorate.

Mr. W. T. Stead, in a letter to “The Times,” recalls Article 48 of the Hague Conference of 1907. If Turkey hums to submit the dispute to arbitration, and Italy refuses, there should ho an international boycott of Italian trade. Dir. Stead holds that the boycott ought to bo instituted immediately.

Lord Lamington presided at a meeting in London of Mohammedans. A resolution was carried deeply resenting Italy’s high-handed proceedings, and hoping that Britain would secure the integrity of Turkey.

AN ITALIAN PROTEST

(Received 6, 9.30 a.in.)

Cairo, October 5. Italy has protested to the Governor of the Suez Canal against the continued presence at Port Said of the Turkish transport Kaiser, which Italy claims is a breach of neutrality of the Canal.

Constantinople, October 5. The fleet has arrived in the Bosphorus.