Italian-Turkish War.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 87, 3 October 1911, Page 5

Italian-Turkish War.

Italians Capture Tripoli Without Loss Main Turkish Squadron Escapes Italian Troops Land in Albania Turkey Again Appeals to the Powers By Cable—Press Association—Copyright

Athens. October 1. The Italian fleet in the Gnlf of Preveza bombarded the transport Alpagut and two battleships, including the Ilamidieh, which was at anchor. The torpedo boats Tokat and Anatolia endeavored to escape; one ran on the rocks and the other re-entered the harbor. Telegrams from Constantinople add that the Alpagut and the torpedo boat were afterwards sunk. The Italians, on Saturday afternoon, under eover of three cruisers and four torpedo boats, landed at Preveza beyond .the range of the-guns in the forts. Two Turkish torpedo boats, ignorant that war had /been declared, were captured at Durazzo. Paris, October 1. The Matin publfshcs an unconfirmed telegram from Constantinople that the Ottoman fleet has been annihilated with the exception of one cruiser. Tripoli, October 1. An Italian destroyer, carrying a white flag, entered the harbor and informed the Italian Consul that an ultimatum had been issued. The consuls of the different Powers collected their subjects at the consulates. A panic followed, women and children rushing about the streets collecting their belongings.

to the possession of knowledge that Germany was negotiating with the Porte for the cession of Tripoli for a big cash consideration. TURKS GIVING VENT TO THEIR FEELINGS. Constantinople, October 1. A mob at Salonika tore down the escutcheons at the Italian Consulate and schools, and confiscated Italian fishingboats. NEW TURKISH CABINET. London, October 1. The retention of Said's and Kiamil's names in the Cabinet is considered a guarantee against precipitate action. The newspapers congratulate Turkey on the absence of regrettable antiItalian incidents. WHAT ITALY IS PREPARED TO ACCEPT. Paris, October 1. The 'Matin states that the best informed Italian circles assert that if the occupation of Tripoli is unopposed they will give the Porte the fullest satisfaction, recognise its sovereignty, and pay a substantial indemnity. This is confirmed in other quarters.

Tunisian and Greek sponge fishing boats in the harbor are filled with refugees. It is reported that the Ottoman troops intend to retire inland. Rome, October 1. The concentration preparatory to cmbarking the expeditionary troops has proceeded for some time with the utmost enthusiasm, officers drawing lots who should go. The Italian fleet is spattered in all directions in the Eastern Mediterranean, protecting trade and preventing the Turks attacking the long line of transports going to Tripoli. The expeditionary force comprises eight regiments of infantry, two regiments of Bersaglieri sharp-shooters, and is taking '2510 additional cavalry, artillery and engineers. Italian estimates state that there arc COOO Turkish infantry and 5000 cavalry at Tripoli, with a score of field guns and an additional 1.5,000 Arab infantry and 2800 cavalry. The Duke of the Abruzzi is closcly watching Preveza to prevent the escape of. the Turkish destroyer which took refuge there. Tripoli telegrams state that at 10.30 this morning the Italian licet opened fire on the forts. Europeans aboard the merchant steamers are safe. The cruisers Ferruecio, Yarese and Caribald i are blockading the coast and seizing small craft, including fishing boats, suspected of spying. The fishermen implored the Italians to release them, saying they were ready to recognise the sovereignty of any Power if left in peace. GERMANY LOOK IXC AFTER ITALIAN INTERESTS. GERMANY'S INFLUENCE GIVES WAY TO BRITAIN. Berlin. October 1. Germany has assumed the protection of Italian subjects and of the interests of Turkev.

CONSTERNATION AMONG THE MOSLEMS. TALK OF RESTORING THE OLD REGIME. Received 2. 11 p.m. Athens. October 2. The naval attacks on Preseza caused consternation among the Moslems. The .lanina authorities have distributed the army. The Young Turk Committee at Jauina held violent discussions. Some of the officers -favored resorting to the old regime. SAFETY OK TI'RKEY'S MAIN SQUADRON. JUBILATIONS IN STAMBOUL. Received 2. 11 p.m. Constantinople. October 2. The main Turkish squadron left Beirut on Thursday, and passed the Dardanelles at noon on Sunday. News of its safety spread like wildfire in Stamboul. resulting in a great demonstration of the public relief. Admiral Williams has resigned and other British officers have left the fleet PORTE MAKES ANOTHER APPEAL TO THE POWERS. PRIME MINISTER'S CRIMINAL | CARELESSNESS. TORPEIXIERS SCOURING THE ADRIATIC. Received 2. 11 p.m. Constantinople. October 2. Turkish torpedocrs are scouring the Southern Adriatic. Shipping i< at a standstill. The Italian mail vessels are unable to leave Corfu. The Porte h;is made a fresh appeal to the Power-, expressing the hope that there is still time to avert war. She suspend" warlike movements and measures against Italians in Turkey pending the Powers' reply. Addressing a deputation of members oi the House of Deputies, the Sultan said that he had for some time been desirous of convening the Chamber, but the Prime Minister, llakki I'a-ha. had prevented it. He now decreed the immediate convocation of Parliament to consider the i-suc. TTe added that. Ilakki's carelessness and indolence had caused the neglect, of the fortifications of Tripoli.

The change in the Ottoman Government is regarded as putting an end to Germany's predominant influence. The Turks are greatly incensed, believing that Italy's action is due to the example of Germanv at Agadir. l'riti-h influence is temporarily dominant at Constantinople. Criticism has been aroused by the German Government assuming the protection of both Turkish and Italian subjects in their respective countries. Current opinion declares that the Government is shyly neutral. Public sympathy is with the Turks, and views Germany's Italian ally as a slippery customer who pi.iv",] Germany false at Algeciras and is more friendly to France than Germany. ITALIAN* CRUISER ASHORE. Constantinople. October 1. The Italian cruiser Pisa is reported to he ashore at Tripoli. BRITISH FLEET IX READINESS. Malta. October 1. The British Mediterranean fleet has entered the harbor at Malta. ITALY'S PRECIPITANCY. AFRAID OF GRABBING GERMANY. London. October 1. Reynolds' \A eekly publishes a statement from an alleged authoritative quarter, giving a semi-official explanation that Italy's precipitancy was due

KXCITIXC THE ALBANIANS. TCRKEY'S SKI!IOCS HANDICAP. Received 2. 11 p.m. Vienna. October 2. • The attack on Prcveza roused appiehat the destruction of the vessels wherewith Turkey prevented the carriage of contraband in arms will excite the Albanians. CREECE WARNED. ITALY'S OWECT T\" TRTI'OLL Received 2. 11 p.m. Berlin, October 2. Enver TVy. military attache, has been recalled to Constantinople. Interviewed, lie said it was true Turkey had sent a threatening Xoto to Athens that if Greece attempted to annex Crete it would he regarded as a casus belli. Chauvinist comments allege that

. Italy's object is the securing of a naval station at Epirus, converting the Adriatic into an Italian lake. Moderate newspapers fear that the thunder of Italian guns at Epirus will effectively drown the voice of Italy's pacific circular. AUSTRIAN TROOPS CONCENTRATING LANDING 01' ITALIANS IN ALBANIA. Received 2, 11 p.m. Belgrade, October 2. Austria's troops are concentrating on the frontier. The Sanjah of Novibazar has reported the landing of Italians in Southern Albania. The news is causing excitement. A RUSE TIIAT FAILED. TURKISH TORPEDOERS ATTEMPT TO DRAW ITALIANS. Received 2, 11,10 p.m. Rome, October 2. Turkish torpedoers left Preveza and steered in the direction of the Gulf of Taranto. The Italian destroyers, perceiving the movement. Marcoaigraphed the Duke of Abruzzi. who ordered his officers to allow the Turks to get a good distance from the coast. The Turks suddenly discovered their danger, and steamed at full speed for the south instead of Preveza. The Italian captains then guessed that the Turks were trying to draw the squadron from Preveza, and found a Greek steamer slipping into the harbor with troops and army magazines. One of the Turkish torpedo vessels caught fire and sank. The Italians rescued some of the crew. TURKEY'S PARLOUS CONDITION. KATSER RENEWS HIS PROTESTATIONS OF FRIENDSHIP, Received 2. 11 p.m. Constantinople, October 2. Saida Pasha made unsuccessful efforts to form a Ministry, Kiamil Pasha declining to take the portfolio of Foreign Affairs. The Sultan, who is anxious for a coalition, including the two veterans, has now summoned Kiamil Pasha to form a Ministry. The German Ambassador handed a reply to the Sultan's appeal to the Powers. The Kaiser emphasises his real friendship for the Sultan, and says in the interests of humanity he had instructed his Ambassador to make an effort to intervene. If his action were not supported by the other Powers, it would be without effect. However, in deference to the Sultan's wishes, he would, circumstances permitting, make another proposal for mediation, and submit similar suggestions to the Powers.

MUNITIONS FOR TRIPOLI. THE ARABS INCENSED. Received 12, 11 p.m. Tripoli. October 2. Telegrams state that the transport Derna landed eleven cannon and 10,000 rides and other munitions before the Italians arrived. These were taken on horses and camels inland, where the Turkish troops are preparing resistance. The Arabs are incensed at flie Turkish authorities refusing to distribute the firearms. tain practice bv the Italian fleet off the coast led to -rumors that Tripoli was being shelled. 'lhe Italian Consulate in Constantinople. is living the German llag. The Italian refugees in the Consulate are erecting barricades and forming watches. Turkish troops are guarding the Consulate to prevent an outrage to the German flag. ITALIAN EMPEROR'S AXXIF.TY. TO DEMONSTRATE EFFICIENCY OF I ITS FORCES. Received 2. 11.10 p.m. Rome, October 2. The Emprror Emmanuel insists upon being consulted, lie is anxious that the expedition should be a demonstration of Italian efficiency in the eyes of Europe. General Caneva commands the expedition. He is a cavalryman of high deputation in the handling of large bodies of troops. "ALL LIOUTS OUT!" Received 2. 0.3.) p.m. I/Oiidon. October 2. Italy and Turkey have notified tliat all their lights in the Red Sea. Mediterranean and Adriatic are extinguished. Entrance to lirindi.si is forbidden except during the day time.

TURKISH STOCKS STEADY. Aucklanl. Yesterday. Tlic lutcriiiit ioitiil Investment Company lias received a private cablegram that there lias been a drop of only fifteen shillings from ,C 8 1.1- to US—in Ottoman's. THE OI'I'OSIXO POWERS. NAVAL AND MILITARY FORCES. italv lias a very decided advantage over Turkey in the possession of sea power, for I lie Turkish navy is. in the present position of ali'airs, practically in a negligible (|iianiitv. The Turks will, therefore, he unable to send military reinforcements to the aid of Uieir present forces in Tripoli, which have been variously stated at. from 10,000 to K,OOO men. Turkey will, however, have the aid of native levies from Tripoli and its hinterland, fierce and fanatical, if undisciplined, fighters. Her difficulty with regard to tliem will probably lie in connection with supplying them with arms and ammunition. On land, the forces of the two Powers are more equally matched than on (he sea. but here, again, Italy's command of the sea should prevent, Turkey from using the resources at her disposal. The Italian armv is. undoubtedly, better organised than that of the Turks, hut the latter are horn fight ers. and have proved, in more than one war. that they are most dangerous when "in a tight place.The following details as to the naval and military forces of the two Powers will be of interest:— ITALY. The Italian navv. according to a return published at the end of last year,

consists of 1 fit vessels, a considerable proportion of which are of modern type. In addition, 30 vessels were being built at the date of the publication of the return. The number of vessels of various classes is as follows: — Built. Building. Battleships 10 2 Armored cruisers !> 1 Protected cruisers ... Second class 3 Third class 11 3 Destroyers 23 12 Torpedo vessels 5 Torpedo boats 90 Submarines 7 12 164 30 The personnel of the Italian navy consists of about 30,400 officers and men. i.e., 18.18 officers and 28.500 men, of whom about one-third are volunteers, and the rest conscripts. The executive officers comprise 1 admiral, 7 vice-ad-mirals, 15 rear-admirals, 5G captains, 75 commanders, 85 lieutenant-commanders, 421 lieutenants, and 340 sub-lieutenants. The peaee.strength of the Italian army is about '13,600 officers and 236,000 men. The total war strength has been given as follows: — With Hie colors 248.111 Reservists 486.290 Mobile militia «... 320,170 Territorial militia 2,275,631 ' 3,330,202 The. men of the Territorial militia are almost untrained. The organisation of the Permanent Army, according to the reorganisation scheme of 1009, comprises 96 regiments of line infantry, 12 regiments of bersagliere (together 318 battalions) and 8 Alpine regiments (26 battalions). There are 29 regiments of cavalry (145 squadrons) and 24 regiments of field artillery, with 186 batteries —each of 4 guns in peace time and fi guns in war time. There are also 1 regiment of horse artillery (fi batteries), 2 of mountain artillery (24 batteries),- 3 regiments of coast artillery, and a brigade of Sardinia. 2 regiments of fortress artillery and 5 of engineers. Military and naval service in Italy is universal and compulsory. TURKEY.

The Turkish nafv comprises fi9 vessels, hut most of them are of old type, quite incapable of meeting the ships of the Italian fleet. At the end of last year the number of vessels of various classes was given as follows: Coast defence ironclads 0 Protected cruisers 5 Torpedo vessels 0 Gunboat 1. Destroyers 21i Torpedo boats 27 Submarines 2 Total G9 Five of the coast defence ironclads are. antiquated vessels of from 37 to 44 years old. Two are ex-German battleships of 10,000 tons, launched in 1891, and purchased by the Turks last year. Turkey has only one fairly modern battleship, the Mosawdieh, of 9120 tons, completed in 1901. There are also two modern cruisers, the Medjihied, of 8300 tons, and Abdul Hamid, of 3SOO tons, both completed in 1904. The personnel of the Turkish navv is nominally 31,000 officers and seamen and 9000 marines. In December 1908 RearAdmiral Gamble was'lent by the British Admiralty to the Turkish Government to superintend the reorganisation of the navy. ITe resigned on account of illhealth in January of last year, and was succeeded by Rear-Admiral Williams, who left England at the end of April. 1910, and who is assisted by five other British naval officers. A number of Turkish naval officers went to England last year to undergo a course of study.

The Turkish army is undergoing reorganisation at the hands of General von dor Coltz. who is assisted by a staff of about twenty German officers. Nearly 10,000.(100. \vas spent on the army in IflOtl. when most of the forces were supplied with Manser rifles, and the artillery at Constantinople and some other centres with the quirk-firing .gun . Formerly all Mussulmans were liable to military service. while Christians and certain sects paid an exemption tax. The constitution of July, 1908. however, provided for military service being made universal. The men liable to service are divided into—(.l) Nizam, or regular arm v. and its reserve: (2) Rediff. corresponding to a Landwehr; and (3) Mustalifix, or Landstruni, consisting of over COO battalions, mostlv skeleton formations for the sec-ond-class Kedif. The Xizam has '22 infantry divisions, with 3.i7 battalions. 20 cavalry brigades with 207 squadrons and 10 artillery brigades with 27d batteries. The first Kedif has 384 battalions and 310 squadrons, and the second Rodif 158 battalions. The Kedif has no artillery. There am l!companies of siege and fortress artillery. About 270 squadrons of irregular "Tlnmidich" cavalry are raised among the Kurds. The Xizam ( regulars) number, probably, -200,000. with 120,000 as a reserve. The Rodif and Mustahtiz would probably bring up the total to well over a million men" but of these somewhere between a quarter and a half must be eliminated as of little fighting value. except as reinforcements in a long campaign. The army i= widely distributed throughout the empire. A considerable proportion is in Asia Minor, and the rebellion in Yemen has necessitated the despatch of large bodies of troops to Arabia. A good proportion of the best of the army is. however. in European Turkey. ' Unfortunately for the Turks in the present crisis, it does not appear that they have a strong force in Tripoli.