TRIPOLITAN WAR.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 19, 5 January 1912, Page 8

TRIPOLITAN WAR.

'RAMPANT MILITARY SPIRIT IN ITALY. | (By Lieut.-Col. CL Ramaciotti, Y.D.) I have been asked how docs Italy regard the war witu Turkey? Is it popular? My reply, based upon 'personal observation, is that to say that tiie war is regarded with enthusiasm by all classes is to put it very mildly ; indeed. The response which iias been J made to the call to arms has been beyond all expectations, the offers of voluntary' service have boon so numerous as to become embarrassing, and the alacrity with which the men have gone !to the front is truly marvellous. A passage from a letter addressed by a private of the 81th Infantry to Jus mother and published in a local paper, is worth repetition:—‘'Don’t be sorry for mo—l love it. I am sorry that so far there has been so little to do. It’s waiting all the time while the enemy’*} j bullets are whistling over our heads. If they would only let us get at j them. 1 may bo hit, but to die for i the King, for the patria, how can any man be sorry or alra.d of such a glorious end?” 'To us Australians with our youthful *anny it is a matter of great interest to watch the work of this army, the average age of years or whose soldiers is about 22. It is an army which, in the words of the Italian Prime Minister, addressed 1o its critics, has “upheld tiie most sacred traditions of Italy,” and there can certainly be no vivo opinions as to its bravery, which in many cases has amounted to heroism. 'The wisdom of ‘f.src— R3cr2nis6d ??•»»«» rd V'art—by attacking in close formation, by officers wearing conspicuous enstinguisniiig marks, which co-t the life of many of them, by General ITugor.i leading a counter attack at close langj. on horseback may bo questioned, but one cannot help admiring the impulsive bravery ochind it. And Italy mis within the past two weeks shown to military critics that the day of the, bayonet is not ever and that a:i attack in close formation so risky as to have been deemed impossible can still be carried out, at a sacrifice,, it is true, but with a probability cl success. Unlike other rontinental nations no impassable barrier of discipline parts the Italian soldier from ins ollicer. A certain amount of “camaraderie” exists between officers am.i men. The feeling is somewhat similar to that which exists in our own army, and that its essence is •‘neailhy'' lias been evinced by the way tiie Italian soldier 'nas mu only followed the ollicer he knows into the held, but lias repeatedly saeniicvu ms own life to save that of Jus superor. The aristocracy ot Italy has given its full Victa of Lives. to the war. And to its credit it can (jo said mat amongst tne nrst to tail m tne very front rank or all the arst act.ons at .me various poixus urnere Italy landed either sailors or troops were members ot the highest families. And the people have appreciated this, to its ruiiest as tn f y xiave appreciated- their Sovereigns travelling from one end of tiie country to tne, other to wish. Gotl-spced to the departing soldiers, and la tar'to visit the wounded at the hospdais in various towns. 1

It is a strange anomaly that very little outward sign oi war is visioie in Italy, i nave travelled, all over »t and 1 speak with some authority when I say that there is very lit tie to denote that a great war is m progress, m wn.cn tne country is vnaliy interested. There is certainly an ;ivid desire for news, and tiie many editions of, newspapers are ruslicu, but beyond this, Hardly anything. And I want to say here chat neither the war nor the adverse remarks made by a section of the press or other nations upon Italy’s part, in ic have made the slightest .difference in tne treatment by I taly of tne foreigner witmii its gates. Any rumours to die contrary are untrue. In fact, an Italian will at once cease to discuss die attitude or foreign nations towards his country should a foreigner appear, for fear of being tnougnt Wanting in courtesy. it is nevertheless a fact that Italy Foils keenly, the Adverse

criticisms referred to above, and particularly those of tne fin gush press. Italy’s ambition is to stand high m the good opinion of England, valued by her beyond conception, it is her one desire to call Great Tint an friend. The news items which have appeared hi a section of the iintn i press based entirely as far as can be gathered upon reports from doubtful sources, have caused Italy very great pain. 'Their trutn lias been oihcuilJy and emphatically denied, and no becter proof of Italy’s moderation can be given than the revolt of October 23 of tiie Arabs, whoso contempt sue had earned by unlooked-for kindness, and the limiting of naval operations to the Tripolitan coast.

And it is interesting to note tliut the war correspondent of the “Morning .Post,” stated to have been an eye\yitness of tJio alleged massacres, has not only denied them, hut has publicly given unstinted praise not only to the valour but to the discipline of tiic Italian troops. I cannot do better than quote from a letter addressed by .Lieut, it. Bartolini, or the 8-li.h itegimont, to ids parents at Modena on the subject - “Wo had (October 23) an unexpected and treacherous enemy bemud ns, who, after striking, hid in the houses, ft became necessary to lind bind punish him. This has ocen the longest, most dangerous, and difficult work. With fifty men to search those narrow Janes, closed in by Avails eighteen feet high, ending in cnls-de-sac—to enter these houses, full of passages, holes, and hiding places—the arrest and shooting (ofticers had power to shoot any armed Arab resisting arrest) has been for me fiie most sorrowful and dangerous duty of the battle in v.diich I took part. On one side we were fired upon without knowing Avhenco or who to thank for the pills; on the other, cries, laments, tears, without knowing what was said, but underhanding that pity was being implored, amidst protestations of innocence 1 . In many houses 1 was surrounded by six or seven frightened women, who, on their knees and in tears, asked mercy for their men, hidden, but waiting for ns, seeking a way to escape, but always ready to ■ ire. At times I have had to do vioience to my own feelings to carry out nv duty, hut my orders were strict, iml the Arab treacherous to the last; o no pity far those who struck at us from hehind. Arrested they were, Mid sent to Tripoli. There judgment was left to higher authority.” The jperations under notice have once nnre se dervto emphasise The vital Importance of Transport in Warfare. It is a question second to none. The Italian (leneral Stall’ by no means neglected it, and to those who were privileged to see the transport of all •lasses organised for the expedition, it seemed as if they had been, to say flm least of it. lavish in the matter. And yet wc Know now that tho dif-

acuity of transport Inis made itscll felt, although horses, donkeys, mules, .■arts and lorries, motors, and trac.ion engines were supplemented in lie field by some 2000 camels. ■ountry can afford to overlook the ransport problem, and 1 may plead ,nstincation in bringing it forward tor ttention. 'J lie solution, of the war naturally iraws attention to the Italian navy, t is undoubtedly a very fine one, uier than we have hitnerto realised. V ll cl a glance at the dockyards is suticient to impress one with the tact hat Italy does not intend to stand itill. I have been told by the highest uthority that Italy is poor, bat I uaik its poverty is a comparative one oily ’. Evidence of national wealth needs,' one on every side in every iliape and form, iter very beggars greatly diminished in number and rust lecommg extinct, are comfortably ■lad, and, I am afraid, beg move from force :of habit than necessity. Jhe Prime Minister of Italy has told the ,'ortd tnat the war can, it necessary, iG carried on for a year w.thont citliv additional tax or loan. And quiety, with the absence ot fuss which uis characterised the whole of her .'reparations, her dockyards are A Varitabls Hive of Industry, aid not only cruisers and small craft, art Dreadnoughts, are materialising, don for her snips she has plenty j that .hey are of the right sort has been mown by the manner in which tne loot has cleared the seas and secured the safe trans.t of an army of Acr 100,001) men, with ammuunion, mrses, guns,, and transport, from Itdy to Tripoli, a sea journey of over .our days. In die Duke of Abbruxzi die? inis ; ono of the best Admirals ;f our. .day. 1 cannot omit some men.loir 0f.,,,' Italy's Air Fleet, die'.first used in war, and the first ,o pass ‘ beyond tiio experimental Page. -Toi tne grand manoeuvres hist August one dirigible came from its jtaiion at Venice, tfio other from Miam. (A third was at Home, bub was nob brought over). Doth accomilished the journey to time-table, without hitch or mishaps of any sort, uul similarly returned to their sta- . dons 'in-due course, 'throughout the manoeuvres the work of both dirigibles and aeroplanes (four) was regularly carried out, and gave ample proof of their worth in actual wartaro. This proof lias since been' luly confirmed in Tripoli. Only one dirigible (p. 13) has so far oeen sent to the front, bat for some reason flights have been limited to .emplanes, probably because the latter offer a smaller target to the on.my. One was hit several times. A captive balloon went up a few days .go, and by means of signals miauled the Carlo Alberto off tne coast to cayty out a very effective shelling of the Aral) pos turns. The dropping .A' ho,mbs by the aeroplanes is known lo all, but few know the details of die first flight and the heroic conduct of the aviator, Captain Momo. The iioiuib is loaded, but not capped .ill required for use. A safety plug .s held by a circular spring pressed lo release it at the last minute as die bomb leaves the hand. The motor was not going satisfactorily, and Alov/ho could only, use one hand. He capped - 1 the bomb,-rand released the spring-w-with- hiseteeth.’ The mimboim of; aeropjancs in the field ,£soolß is. abpnt to receive a valuable addition of six mono and six bi-planes. Twelve civilian aviators have volunteered for the front, and the machines are being found eitlier by themselves or by patriot c ’ citikons. The aviators are icing incorporated in the aerial division with the rank of lieutenant.