FIGHTING IN TRIPOLI

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 174, 22 January 1912, Page 5

FIGHTING IN TRIPOLI

TURKS AND ARABS ADVANCE. CHECKED BY ITALIANS. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. , Rome, January 19. Three thousand Turks and Arabs advanced towards Derna, but were repelled by the Italian artillery with heavy loss. The Italians lost three killed and seven wounded. A FIERCE BATTLE. ITALIANS REPULSE TURKS. HEAVY CASUALTIES. Received 21, 5.5 p.m. Tripoli, January 20. There was a fierce all-day battle on Thursday. The Turks attacked the Italians, who were erecting two forts. The Italians repulsed them, but were themselves compelled to withdraw at nightfall, the defences not being completed. The Italians lost fifty killed, and the Turkish loss is reported to be heavy. SEIZURE OF THE CARTHAGE. ITALIANS* HIGH-HANDED WORK. Paris, January 19. An Italian officer boarded the French steamer Carthage, bound for Tunis, and ordered the captain immediately to destroy Duval's aeroplane. The captain recused, and the Italians then demanded the .Tripolitan mail bag. This was also refused, and thereupon the Carthage was seized, and the French mail steamer Manpuba, bound for Tunis. The Italians took the vessels to Oagliari. The steamer Schleswig, which was accompanying the Manouba, was merely searched and then released. SMUGGLING TURKISH OFFICERS. REPULSE OF TURKS. Received 22, 1.10 a.m'. Aden, January 21. The Italian warship Volturno overhauled the British ship Africa and removed twelve Turkish officers who were aboard, including Biza Bey, the famous Yemen veteran. Tripoli, January 21. Eighteen infantrymen at a blockhouse at Benghazi, supported by neighboring redoubts, repulsed 400 Turks and Arabs, killing 29.

THE VESSELS RELEASED. Received 21, 6:5 pan. Paris, January 20. The captain of the Manouba declined ±o surrender 29 Turkish passengers, stating they were Red Cross doctors and nurses. The Italians claim they were officers and soldiers. The Manouba was released after the Turks were forced to disembark.

Rome, January 20. M. Le Grand states that in a cordial interview he was assured by Signor San Guilano that the aviators had undertaken not to place their aeroplanes at the service of belligerents. Signor San Guiliano had ordered the Carthage's release.