TURCO-ITALIAN WAR.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1374, 27 February 1912, Page 5

TURCO-ITALIAN WAR.

THE BEIRUT BOMBARDMENT.

Bj TclcsrapU-Press Association -Oopyrizht Rome, February '.'5. It is officially slated that -Admiral Faruvelli, commanding tho Italian Squadron, surprised the Turkish warships at Beirut, and demanded theirsurrender by i) o'clock. He communicated with the Governor, and repeated bis demand. Hy 0 o'clock 110 reply had been received, and the Italians opened lire on Iho Ailmillah, which replied vigorously. Kventually live broke out. silcneing tlie AdmilThe Garilmldi then torpedoed and fired on the lorpedoer, sinking her. Admiral Faravelli categorically denies the bombarding of the town. The Italian Squadron left immediately after the bombardment. Malta, February 25. The cruiscr Lancaster, 9800 tons, is hastily leaving here under sealed orders, it is believed for Beirut.

FOREIGNERS LEAVE THE YEMEN. Aden, February 25. The Messageries Maritimes steamer Armand Behic called at Hodcidah. Yemen) Arabia, and embarked 93 Europeans and a number of French proteges. The Italian warships did not interfere.

HEAVY DEATH ROLL, TJIE SITUATION NOW NORMAL. (Bee. February 26, 10.10 p.m.) Constantinople, February 26. Italian sliells, bursting on TTie quay at Beirut, killed and wounded many in the crowd which had gathered to watch tho bombardment. Tho casualties wero due to splinters and ricocheting shells, and were consequent on the smallness of tho harbour. Tho mob, believing that a landing of Italians was imminent, seized tho rifles at the barracks, and demanded the release of the prisoners. Tho police frustrated tho attempt to releaso tlie men. Martial law lias lieen proclaimed, and the situation is now normal. The Europeans are safe. Reinforcements of troops are arriving. Fifty men, who were aboard tlie Turkish battleship Avn-Illah are missing. An additional thirty were killed, and a hundred wounded men aro ashore. An Italian warship remained in the offing throughout tho niglit. As .£6,000,000 of French capital is invested at Beirut, tho French armoured cruiser Admiral Cliarncr has been ordered thither from Crete.

AUSTRIAN PRESS IRRITATED. (Rec. February 26, 10.10 p.m.) Vienna, February 26. The newspapers arc irritated at the bombardment of Beirut. "Dio 7Act" urges the Powers to take steps to prevent its repetition.

EXPULSION OF ITALIAN SUBJECTS. (Rec. February 26, 10.10 p.m.) Constantinople, February 26. Tho Council of Ministers has discussed Italy's action, and has decided to expel all Italian subjects at Beirut, Damascus, Jerusalem, and Aleppo within fifteen days. ■

Beirut, the scene of the bombardment, has a. population of 190,000, and is the chief commercial .place in- Syria... It is beautifully situated on tho shore of St. George's Bav, but tho town itsel f, though dating back' to long before Christ, offers few . sights, the only buildings of any note, being tho Great Mosque, once .a Crusaders' church, tho Greek churches, and.the Maronite Cathedral. A narrowgaugo railway runs to Damascus, ninety miles away.