A Modern Bombardment

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 90, 6 October 1911, Page 5

A Modern Bombardment

Italian Fleet at fripoli Turks Abandon Forts and Entrench Turkish Torpedoers Active By Cable —Press Association—Copyright

Received 5, 11.55 p.m. Rome, October 5. The battleship Benedetobrin. flying Admiral Furavellis' flag, with the warships Roma, Napoli, Sicilia. Franchisco Ferrucio, Garibaldi, Agordat, Pisa, Am>)> fir, Tariegna and Coatitvarese, paraded on Tuesday. Destroyers were cruising rapidly between the warships and the city. Another squadron was spread fanlike at the rear of the warships to prevent a Turkish surprise. Other warships were patrolling the Gulfs of Sidra and Bomba. The sea was calm. At 3 o'clock the line of battleships hoisted their colors and defiled. A final summons to surrender having been given and refused, the ships opened fire. The Garibaldi fired on the Vali's Palace, and the forts immediately replied. The Turkish aim was bad, and the projectiles fell short. The Varise and Franchisco Ferrucio directed their fire on the fortifications near the lighthouse and mole. After an hour's firing the Varise's shells caused the collapse of the light-' house. The Turkish fire became feebler. Many guns were dismounted, and the Palace walls were riddled. I

The central forts ceased firing at 5 o'clock, but the outside forts continued the fire. A number of fires broke oul at nightfall, when the bombardment ceased, to be resumed on Wednesday

morning. The outer forts were soon in ruins and unable to reply. The Turks reeved their guns to the heights above the town and reopened fire, but were dispersed by Italian shrapnel. Received C. 12.10 a.m, Rome, October 2. The Italians allowed considerable intervals to elapse between shots. The bombardment resembled a shooting competition, the officers and men betting on the results of particular shots. One gunner who was ordered to dismantle a battery was heard to say: "I'll bet you I can knock the left turfct off at fir*t shot," When the smoke

cleared the turret had gone. The gunner then said: 'Now for the right! ,; This also disappeared.

The Minister for Marine has instructed the admirals to avoid unnecessary damage, and to remember that Tripoli will soon be Italian, and the greater the damage done the greater will be the expense of repairing. In the closing stages of the bombardment, those aboard the warships saw soldiers gradually abandoning their fortifications and occupying hills, where they were entrenching. The naval division has been ordered to bombard Benghazi on Thursday, and instructed not to land unless it is esscntial.

The departure of troops is imminent. The starting of the first contingent of twenty thousand has been delayed owing to cruisers reporting that Turkish torpedoers were station on the route. The Italians pursued the torpedoers, which escaped in the darkness. The Government propose to land 40.000 troops in Tripoli within a week: n Three hundred guns took part in, the bombardment of Tripoli: NEW TURKISH, CVBIXET. > <« lWr r r .-, : NO ALTERATION' TX POLITICAL COLOR. Received C, 1 a.hi. Constantinople. October 5. Said Pasha has informed the Cabinet that the political color of the new Cabinet will not differ from their pre defensors. Shevket Pasha takes the portfolio of War. ami Re-hed Pasha (Ambassador to •Vienna) probably that of Foreign Affairs. > f „ ITALIAN* CLAIMS OX TRIPOLI. PniTAtXS KNOWLEDGE. ' if IMMEDIATE BOYCOTT OF ITALY SUGGESTED. A MOHAMMEDAN* PROTEST. ,' Received 5, 11.35 p.uV. ! ''"' London. Oc'.obcr 5. The Daily Graphic declares that Sir. Edward Grey, on Aug\Ht ->i, was aware' that Italy was advancing claims t.i. Tripoli, France hfaing promised not to «>ppo«e her on consideration of Italy acquiescing ir the Moroccan protectorate.

Mr. W. T. Stead, in a letter to the Times, recalls Article 48 of the Hague Conference of 1907. If Turkey claims to -übmit the dispute to arbitration, and Italy refuses, there should be an international boycott of Italian trade. Mr. Stead holds that the boycott ought to be instituted immediately. Lord Lamington presided at a meeting in London of Mohammedans. A resolution was carried deeply resenting Italy's high-handed proceedings, and hoping that Britain would secure the integrity of Turkey.

ITALIAN STEAMER CHASED. ESCAPES IN ROUGH WEATHER. TURKISH TRANSPORTS CAPTURED. Rome, October 4. Five Turkish torpedoers chased the Italian steamer Molfetta, while crossing from Durazzo to Bari. The steamer extinguished her lights and, aided by stormy weather, escaped. The British steamer Sheffield was released after the Turks' war material had been removed. Two Turkish transports near Prevcza, and a steamer flying the British flag, with 170 soldiers and six guns aboard, have been captured. The sinking of the transport Derna is denied. BOMBARDMENT OF TRIPOLI. LIGHTHOUSE AND BATTERY DEMOLISHED. Rome, October 4. It is officially stated that the batteries at Tripoli ineffectually replied to the bombardment, which is bcin" resumed to-day. The houses are being spared, and only the lighthouse and the battery have been demolished. |

GENERAL ITEMS. Sydney, October 5. Underwriters have received a cablegram notifying the following war risk rates between Australasia and the United Kingdom: Neutral vessels; Steamers outward via Suez, % per cent.; via Cape. 1-Cth per cent. Homeward, via Suez, % percent.; via Cape, '/ 8 percent.: sailers, % per cent. --■■►....,. Capetown, October 4; Meetings of the Mussulmans at Durban and Johnnesburg protested against Italy's action. Malta, October 4. A number of Italians, French and English war correspondents are quarantined owing to the existence of cholera in Italy.