THE WAR.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 45, 7 October 1911, Page 5

THE WAR.

ITALIAN FLEET OFF TRIPOLI

THE FORTS DESERTED

(By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (United Press Association.)

Home, October G. It is semi-officially reported that when the Snltaines and Nansidieii forts ceased firing, two Italian officers landed and found the forts deserted. Jbo Turks had removed the breechblocks from the guns. Three dead lurks were discovered.

The Italian Hag was hoisted on the Sultaines fort at noon on Thursday. Other Tripoli telegrams state-That apparently the majority of the Turks fled to the hills at the end of ..the first day’s bombardment. _ The remainder did not interfere with the landing parties, which numbered five. 'When the lighthouse collapsed Vico Admiral Taravoili realised his mistake, and ordered, a reconnaissance parly of fifty ashore. They erected i wooden structure.

Turkish destroyers arc nightly attempting to approach the licet, but fciio Italian torpedoers and destroyers always detect them and give clia.se, but hitherto fruitlessly.

AEROPLANES DESPATCHED TO SEAT OF AFAR.

ENTHUSIASM IN ITALY

Rome, October 6.

The so-called English fort to tiro left of tiie harbour resisted the longest, being provided with longer range guns. The ramparts had 1 been strengthened by sand bags, 'and l 'tne Italian shells had little effect" upon! thorn. The largo Italian guns were required to silence the fort. - 7 •; Popular enthusiasm is increasing daily. It is expected it will reach its apex when the King farewells Ills troops at Naples. i . Tnc long preliminary bombardment was duo to a desire to save lives and property as far as possible. ; Many criticise the delay on the ground that the pseudo humaiiitariaiiisra may eventually cause greater losses than immediate action.

The authorities have decided, When a safe landing is secured, the -squadron shall send two thousand men ashore with light artillery, under the protection of the long range guns of the battleships. It is impossible to land more, as there must be sufficient men aboard to repel an attack at sea.

in order to prevent an attempt, Admiral Au'uy, with tour battleships of tlio Vittoriosmsv and A T uelo class, two cruisers of t-lio 1/isa class, and tno cruiser Saumarco, is searching lor tno Turkish licet, which the Admiral supposes is concealed in the Aegean iSea. ’

,I'iio Duke of Abruzzi continues-to police the Adriatic and lonian waters. itight monoplanes and two liipiaiies have been despatched to Iripoii under Captain I’ragzii, the winner of tup Doipgna-Venice rape. ' Nine oltic’cfs and pilots accompany 'him.

Berlin, October 1 6.' Constantinople correspondents, .on the authority of a prominent ihtkish statesman, say tnat' 1 while Germany recommends Turke^'to take tAp iVltimatum as a basis of peace, Britain proposes that Tripoli snould ■ -become a privileged vilayet under Turco-it-oli-m admmistrn|icmu (preserving tne Sultan’s air legcd"' uy tne correspondents,, that British diplomacy is siib rosa, Airgiiig Turkey to vigorous resistance. if Italy refuses to meet Turkey, Britain will intervene sharpljy , * . sv OTHER Constantinople,, October’ 6. The bombardment of Benghazi and Berna has begun.’ 'The Turks'are offering valiant resistance. Firing lias been heard in the Gulf of Saros, north of the Dardanelles. ' Italian searchlights have been seen at Mitylene. " , ■ , - - GREEK RESERVES CALLED OUT. Athens, October 6. Eleven classes of reserves have been called out for duty on the Turkish frontier, owing to further Turkish concentration at Corfu. A telegram states that the Italian ultimatum regarding Preveza has been withdrawn. TO-DAY’S MESSAGES. (Received 7, 8.15 a.in.) Rome, October 6. The journal “L’ltalie” states that sailors landed from the warships Garibaldi, Varese, and Feruccio, and explored Tripoli. They did not meet resistance. They visited tiie Italian Consulate and the church, where the Franciscan nuns and monks were safe.

They found the city abandoned. The Government has peremptorily forbidden warships to carry but military operations in ' the Adriatic or lonian coasts. Five thousand native soldiers in Citron have volunteered for service in Tripoli. It is officially stated that the Italians occupy the town of Tripoli. (Received 7, 9.55 a.m.)

Homo, October 6. It is officially stated that after the sailors landed at Sulta-nies fort at Tripoli a number of Arabs belonging to the neighbourhood proceeded to the flagship and tendered their submission.

The German Consul-General asked the Admiral to assume control of public order, the Turks having abandoned the town. A further detachment of bluejackets, guns and mitrailleuse, were landed, and the occupation was completed without incident. Sultanios fort has been garrisoned. Admiral Farvelli spared tire Governor’s Palace. The bombardment did not injure foreigners’ residences. The Italians buried the Turkish dead with military honours, and convoyed twenty badly wounded to the fleet hospital. 'Jiie ’lurks removed less seriously injured than those in the hospital declare that resistance was impossible owing to the inferiority of numbers and' equipment. (Received 7, 10.50 a.m.) Rome, October 6.

Tc is officially stated that fire was treacherously opened at Sap, Giovanni di Medna upon an Italian vessel Hying the white Hap;. The destroyer hVtigliore, patrolling; to prevent si;niggling of arms into Albania, intervened,’ and was slightly damaged, and her commander wounded.