THE WAR IN TRIPOLI.

Thames Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 10128, 9 December 1911, Page 4

THE WAR IN TRIPOLI.

AN AJRiiVCy AT SEA,.

The transport of an Italian army lo Tripoli was a task of considerable magnitude, and the military authorities seeiii to have gone about the work with extraordinary attention ;l6 detail/Italy had complete control of the sea, and the voyage across the Mediterranean need not have occupied more than two days, but.it was j thought, wise to prepare for all evt>n--tualities. Fifty large. steamers -were 'fitted with , extra companion-ways.; j galleys, stalbles, bunks, eick-baya and ammunition stores, and on the cay before the departure some 40,U(J0 men. and 500Q horses were .^embarked. The transports moved out to sea ,in columns with a front of nearly five 1 [miles flanked by the second , battle , 'division of the Italian fleet and a I j swarm of cruisers and destroyers, which patrolled the waters for fifty miles around. Orders were issuod that the entire convoy, should st^p at night under the protection of the worships'- searchlights, lest some *ivay Turkish;, craft should be in the neighbourhood. Extraordinary pre" cautions were taken in Italy to prevent news of the. departure of the fleet crossing the frontier and so reaching the Turks. After spending three days at sea the transports a>.rived off Tripoli, and the disembark-, i ation was conducted rapidly and 1 efficiently. The scene was describoi in characteristic language by an Italian journalist. "The moment that the soliders step ashore from the first baTp:e," he wrote, "they are surrounded by the Italian residents and the journalists, who applaud them, shouting, 'Lonp: live the army I.' The enthusiasm is almost pathetic. Everyone weeps for pride and joy. Universal admiration is extorted by the perfect organisation and marvel^ lous rapidity with which the landingis performed." The spectacle of soldiers and civilians weeping for joy On. tfhfe, Tripoli beach -, must have - beeneiiterfeining. I