THE TRIPOLI WAR.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1267, 24 October 1911, Page 5

THE TRIPOLI WAR.

FIGHTING AT BENGHAZI. DESPERATE RESISTANCE BY ARABS. Uj Teleeraph— Press Association— OopyriEttl (E-cc October 23, 1<1.45 p.m.) Tripoli, October 23. Conflicting reports nro to hand as to the Italian occupation of Benghazi in Cyrciwicn, and it is uncertain whether tho troops aro yet in full possession. Tho Arabs aro well armed, and are fiercely resisting the invader?. It is reported that the Arabs butchered, a number of Christians prior to (he Italians landing. Pome, October 22. The Italian, troops who landed at Benghazi, capturing Iho barracks there after a strenuous resistance, lost fifteen killed, and seven officers and 51 men wounded. Tho Turks lost 200 killed and many wounded. AN ALLIANCE FOR TURKEY, NEWSPAPER DISCUSSION. (Rec. October 23, 10.45 p.m.) London, October 23. Turkey's admission to ono of the European Alliances is the, subject of much European newspaper discussion. Tho Triple Alliance and tho Triple Entente are mentioned in turns without much basis beyond tho Turkish Grand Vizier's recent allusion to Turkey's ncod of alliances. Tho latest suggestion is &tt Anglo-Ensso-Turkish combination. NEUTRALISATION OF RED SEA. BRITISH PROPOSAL. (Rec. October 23, 10 p.m.) Constantinople, October 23. Owing to tho Turkish lighthouses ofl tho Red Sea being in darkness, Great Britain has proposed to tho Porto the neutralisation of that waterway. The Porto is favourably inclined, but wishes to reserve, the right to transport troops.. BULGARIAN FIGHT DENIED. Constantinople, October 22. Tho report that thero was a fight on the Turko-Bulgarian frontier between Turks and Bulgarians proves to bo untrue BRITISH OFFICERS IN TURKEY'S NAVY. Constantinople, October 22. Great Britain has assented to a request that British officers shall continue eervico with the Ottoman Navy. LARGE ORDER OF COAL. (Rec. October 23, 10 p.m.) London, October 23. The Italian Government hns ordered 150,000 tons of Welsh coal for war purposes. THE SEIZURE OF TRIPOLI. ITALIAN CONSERVATIVE CLAMOUR. Tho Homo correspondent of the "Daily News," who was particularly well informed during the early stages oi tho Tripoli crisis, wrote on September 15:— "Now or never" is the burden of the clamour in tho Conservative and reactionary P rcss ' or an immediato occupation oj Tripoli. A decision must be made now or tho chance will be lost for ever. Russia, it is argued, wonld bo quite unconcerned; Austria-Hungary gayo a specific assuranco at tho time of tho annexation of Bosnia-Herzegovina that she would not stand in the way of Italian compensation; France would liko to oppose, but she could not do so very well after the settlement with Germany, and moro especially as sho has already accorded Italy, by treaty a certain measure of freedom in Tripoli; England is most to bo feared as occupying tho neighbouring territory of Egypt nnd as posing a« the protector of the New Turkey, but Paris might bo expected to exorcise a restraining influence upon London. Only Turkey Tomains, and alone she is helpless. No greater opportunity was over presented for securing a colonial outlet for Italian enterprise. On tho other hand, Turkey in α-fcw yeaTS , time will be stronger, and will certainly have a formidable navy; at this moment sho has quite a considerable squadron under construction abroad. Even, before that time, however, Great Britain or France may rush in from Egypt or Tunis nnd rob Italy of her prize. Such is the process of reasoning, for what it is worth. Little or no attempt is made to justify this contemplated act of piracy on moral or economical grounds; the favourable character of the opportunity, and nothing else, is the topic of the moment. _ _ _ A strenuous aud reasoned opposition is, of course, being offered by the Liberals and Socialists, who point out that thero is a Tripoli in the Italian Penuiusula that requires colonisation and development. Italy should not dream of eolo- , nia.l adventure- 1 ; while she has tho south' to civilise and educate—a task that is preeminently her duty to undertake at once, which will repay tho effort a thousandfold, and, unlike expansionist follies, bring no train of embarrassments, expense, anil even disaster in its wako.