WAR.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1053, 7 October 1911, Page 4

WAR.

Rome, October 5

The battleship Benedetto Brin, flying Admiral FuravelU’s flag, with the warships Roma, Napoli Sicilia, the armoured cruisers Francesco Ferruccio, Guiseppe Garibaldi, Agordato, Pisa, Amalfi, Sardegna, Coatita, and Varese paraded on Tuesday, the destroyers cruising rapidly between the other ships and the city. Another squadron was spread faulike in the rear of the attacking ships to prevent a Turkish surprise. Other warships patrolled the Gulfs of Sidra and Bomba, to the eastward of the city. The sea was calm.

At 3 o'clock in the afternoon the line of battleships hoisted their colours and defiled. The final summons to surrender having been given and refused the ships opened fire. The Guiseppe Garibaldi fired on the Vali’s palace. The Hansidieh and Sultanies forts immediately replied. The Turkish aim was bad, and the projectiles fell short. The Varese and Francesco Ferruccio directed their fire at the fortifications near the lighthouse and the mole.

After an hour’s firing the Varese’s shells caused the collapse of the lighthouse. The Turkish fire became feebler. Mauy of their guns were dismounted and the palace walls were riddled with the shell. The central forts ceased firing at 5 o’clock, but the Hansidieh and Sultanies forts continued. A number of fires broke out at nightfall when the bombardment ceased.

Firing was resumed on Wednesday morning, and the outer forts were soon in ruins and unable to reply. The Turks removed their guns to the heights above the town and re-opened fire, but were dispersed by the Italian shrapuel.

A SLOW AND DEADLY FIRE

Rome, October 5

The Italians allowed considerable intervals to elapse between the shots, and the bombardment resembled a shooting competition, the officers and men betting on the results of particular shots. One gunner, when ordered to dismantle a battery, was heard to say, “ Bet you I knock down the left turret with the first shot. When the smoke cleared away the turret was gone. The gunner then said, “Now for the right one,” and this also disappeared.

The Minister of Marine instructed the Admirals to avoid unnecessary damage, to remember that Tripoli would soon be Italian, and that the greater damage done the greater would be the expense of repairing it. In the closing stages of the bombardment those aboard the warships saw the Turkish soldiers gradually abandoning the fortifications and occupying hills, where they are entrenching. Three hundred guns took part in the bombardment.

BENGHAZI TO BE BOMBARDED.

Rome, Oct. 5,

A naval division has been ordered to bombard Benghazi, eastward from Tripoli, on the eastern shore of the Gulf of Sidra, on Thursday. The commander has been instructed not to land unless it is essential, as the departure of troops from Italy is imminent. The start of the first military contingent of 20,000 men has been delayed owing to cruisers report-

ing that Turkish torpedo vessels were stationed on the route. The Italians pursued the torpedo vessels, which escaped in the darkness.

The Italian Government proposes to land 40,000 men in Tripoli within a week. Corfu, Oct. 4.

Two Turkish transports near Preveza and a steamer (flying the British flag), with one hundred and seventy soldiers and six’ guns aboard, have been captured. Rome, Oct. 4.

Five Turkish torpedo-boats chased the Italian steamer Molfetta while she was crossing from Durazzo to Bari. The steamer extinguished her lights, and, aided by stormy weather, escaped. The British steamer Sheffield was captured at Preveza, but released after the Turks on board and some war material had been removed.

The reported sinking of the Turkish transport Derna is denied.

Constantinople, Oct. 5,

Said Pasha has formed a Cabinet. Its political colour does not differ from that of his predecessors. Mahmud Shevket Pasha takes the portfolio of War, which he held under Hakke Pasha. Reshed Pasha, Ambassador at Vienna, will probably be Foreign Minister.

London, Oct. 5

The Daily Graphic declares that Sir Edward Grey (Secretary for Foreign Affairs) was aware on August 2and that Italy was advancing claims to Tripoli, France having promised not to oppose them .on consideration of Italy’s acquiescing in a French protectorate over Morocco.

Mr W. T. Stead, in a letter to The Times, recalls article 48 of The Hague Conference, 1907, and contends that if Turkey claims to submit the dispute to arbitration, and Italy refuses, an international boycott of Italian troops ought to be instituted.

Berlin, Oct. 5

The Auglophobe press accept the Graphic’s statement that Sir Edward Grey was aware in August that Italy was advancing claims to Tripoli.

The Berlin Post declares that England and France consented in order to embarrass Germany with Italy and Turkey.

MORE MOSLEM PROTESTS

London, Oct, 5

Lord Lamiugton presided at a meeting of London Mohammedans. A resolution was carried deeply resenting Italy’s highhanded proceedings, and hoping Britain would secure the integrity of Turkey.

Cairo, Oct. 5

Italy has protested to the Governor of the Suez Canal against the continued presence at Port Said of the Turkish transport Kaiser, which, Italy claims, is a breach of the neutrality of the canal.

Constantinople, Oct. 5. The Turkish fleet has arrived in the Bosphorus.

TRIPOLI STILL DEFIANT.g

Rome, Oct. 5

Admiral Faranelli reports that Tripoli has not capitulated. The Turks have merely abandoned the sea forts and have retired to the town fortifications, which will probably be abandoned to-day.

ITAEY’S PLANS,

Rome, Oct 5

Sixty transports are ready to depart for Tripoli with four army corps.

The authorities intend to subdue the country rapidly with an overwhelming force.