BOMBAROMENT OF TRIPOLI.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1248, 6 October 1911, Page 5

BOMBAROMENT OF TRIPOLI.

ITALIAN FLEET If*! ACTION. THREE HUNDRED GUNS TURNED ON THE TOWN.

TURKISH FORTS DESTROYED.

By Telceraph—Press Aeeociation—Oopyrieht (Kec. October 5, 11.55 p.m.) Rome, October 5. Three hundred guns took part in tho bombardment of tho town of Tripoli by tho Italian fleet. The bombardment was carried out under tho direction of Vice-Admiral Taravelli, in tho battleship Benedetto Brin, 13,214 tons. The warships assisting included the battleships Homa, Napoli, Sicilia, and Sardegna; the first-class cruisers Francesco, Fcmiccio, Guiseppa Garibaldi, Pisa, Amalfi, and Varese; and the torpedocruisers Agordat and Coatit. Tho fleet paraded before Tripoli on Tuesday, the destroyers accompanying it cruising rapidly between the warships and the city, while another squadron was spread fanlike in the rear of the warships to prevent a Turkish surprise. Refusal to Surrender. Other warships were, patrolling tho Guits of Sidra and Bombah, on the Tripolitan coast Tho sea was calm during tho day. At three o'clock the line of battleships hoisted the colours, and defiled. A final summons to surrender having been given and refused, the signal was given to open fire. Tho Guiseppo Garibaldi fired on tho Valis Palace. The Bansidieh and Sultanies forts immediately replied, but the Turkish aim was bad, and tho projectiles fell short. The Varcso and Francesco Feruccio then directed their lire on the fortifications near tho lighthouse and the molo. The Lighthouse Goes. After an hour's firing, tho Vareso's shells caused tho collapse o£ tho lighthouse. The Turlrish fire becamo feebler, as many guns were dismounted. The palaco walls wero riddled by tho shells. Tho central forts ceased firing at five o'clock, but the Hansidieh and Sultanies forts continued.

A number of fires broke out at nightfall when tho bombardment ceased. i'iring was resumed on Wednesday morning, and the outer forts wero soon in ruins, and unablo to reply. Tho Turks then removed their guns to tho heights above tho town, and reopened lire, but wero dispersed by Italian shrapnel. A Shooting Competition. The Italians allowed considerable intervals between the shots, and tho bombardment resembled a ?hooting competition, tho officers and men betting on the results of particular shots. One gunner, ordered to dismantle a battery, was heard say: "I bet you- I will knock 'the left turret first shot." When tho smoko cleared tho turret had gonp. Tho gunner said: '.'Now for tho right." This 'also disappeared. A Canny Minister. The Minister for Marine, Admiral Cattolica, instructed tho Italian Admirals to avoid doing unnecessary damage, and to remember that Tripoli would scon bo Italian, and tho greater tho damage dano the greater would bo tho expenso of repairing it.

In ■ the closing stages of tho bombardmont, thoso aboard the warships saw tho Turkish soldiers gradually abandoning tho fortifications, and occupying tho hills, where they began entrenching. A naval division was ordered to bombard Benghazi, on tho coast of Cyr'enaica, in Tripoli, on Thursday. Tho commander has been instructed not to land unless this was essential, as tho doparturo of tho Italian troops to Tripoli is imminent. Tho start of the first contingent of 20,000 men has been delayed owing to tho

cruisers reporting that Turkish torpedo boats were stationed on tho route. The Italians pursued tho torpedo boats but they escaped in tho darkness. Tho Government proposes to land dO,OOO men in Tripoli within a week. NEW CABINET IN TURKEY. SAID PASHA PREMIER. [ (Eec. October 6, 0.30 a.m.) Constantinople, October 5. Said Pasha has formed a Cabinet Its political colour does not differ from that of its predecessors. Mahmud Shevket Pasha retains the portfolio of War, and Reshod Pasha, Ambassador at Vienna, will probably be foreign Minister. A BARGAIN WITH FRANCE. ITALY'S PLANS KNOWN IN AUGUST. (Kec. October 5, 11.35 p.m.) London, October 5. The "Graphic" declares that Sir Edward Grey, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, was aware on August 22 that Italy was advancing claims to Tripoli, Franco having promised not to oppose them in consideration of Italy's acquiescence in tho establishment of a Erenoh protectorate over Morocco. THE WAR CORRESPONDENTS. IN QUARANTINE. Malta, October 4. A number of Italian, French, and English war correspondents are quarantined owing to cholera in Italy. A BOYCOTT OF ITALY. MB. STEAD'S SUGGESTION. (Kec. October 5, 11.35 p.m.) London, October 5. Mr. W. T. Stead, editor of tho "Review of Reviews," in a letter to "The limes," recalls Article 48 of tho Hague Conference Agreement of 1007, and urges that if Turkey claims to submit the disputo to arbitration, and Italy refuses, an international boycott of Italian trade ought to be instituted.

MOHAMMEDAN PROTESTS. (Rec. October 5, 11.35 p.m.) London, October 5. Lord Lamington presided at a meeting in London of Mohammedans, at -which a resolution was carried deeply resenting Italy's high-handed proceedings, and hoping that Great Britain, would secure the integrity of 'l'urkcy. MEETINGS IN SOUTH AFRICA. Cape Town, October i. Meetings of Mussulmans at Durban aud Johannesburg protested against Italy's action in regard to Tripoli. WAR RISKS, UNDERWRITING RATES EOR NEUTRALS. Sydney, October 5. The underwriters havo received a cablegram notifying the following war risk rates between Australasia and the United Kingdom :— Neutral vessels—Steamers i Outwards, via Suez, one-eighth per centum; via the Capo, one-sixteenth. Steamers—Homowards, via Suez, onequarter percontum; via the Cape, oneeighth per centum. Sailers—One-quarter per centum.