THE TURCO-ITALIAN WAR.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13315, 16 January 1912, Page 2

THE TURCO-ITALIAN WAR.

THE NAVAL ENGAGEMENT.

ITALIAN COMMANDER'S REPORT

TURKISH GUNBOATS DE-

STROYED,

[Press Association—Copttbioht.J

(Received Jan. 15, li p.m.)

Rome, Jan. 15. Tho Italian commander in tho lU<l Sea reports that he was convinced a number of Turkish gunboats were concealed at the Farsan Islands) and determined upon a driving movement with a view of simultaneously dislodging large bodies of troops at Oohleia and Kunfuda.

Tlie cruisers Calabria and Puglia bombarded Coheia in order to divert tlie enemy, destroyed the fort and routed a column of troop camels. Meanwhile tho crusier Piemonte and two destroyers scoured the coast from Jeddah southwards, and sighted seven gttnboats.

Action was opened at 6000 metres,, land batteries supporting the gunboats. Three hours' battle ended at night fall, the gun boats retreating. Soilie wore beached, and the demoralised crews landed xinder cover of darkness. The destruction of the battered gunboats was completed in the morn-

One of the gunboats was 500 tons and another 3o() toiis. Tho Turkish troops abandoned Kunfuda, where the Pennonto remains, collecting abandoned war material-