FIGHTING IN TRIPOLI

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 205, 27 February 1912, Page 5

FIGHTING IN TRIPOLI

/' TUBKISH WARSHIP DESTROYED. BOMBARDMENT DENIED. By Cable—Press AMoektion—Copyright. Aden, February 25. The steamer Armand Betric called at Hoddeidah, and embarked 92 Europeans and French proteges. The Italian warships did not interfere. Malta, February 25. The cruiser Lancaster is hastily leav-, ing under sealed orders. It is believed her destination is Beyrout. Rome, February 25. It is officially stated that Admiral Taravelli surprised the Turkish warships at Beyrout, and demanded their surrender by nine o'clock. He communicated with the Governor, and repeated his demand. At nine o'clock be had not received a reply, so he opened fire on the corvette Avanillah. which replied vigorously. Eventually a fire broke out, silencing the Avanillah. The warship then torpedoed and fired guns at the Turkish torpedoer, sinking her. Admiral Faravelli categorically denies having bombarded the town, and says the squadron left immediately.

BIGHTSEERS KILLED BY SHELLS. BEYROUT UNDER MARTIAL LAW. Received 26, 1125 p.m. Beyrout, February 26. Shells bursting on the quay killed and wounded many of the crowd which had gathered to watch the bombardment. The casualties were due to splinters from ricocheting shells, consequent on the smallness of the harbor. The mob, believing that the landing of the Italians was imminent, seized some rifles at the barracks and demanded the release of prisoners. The police frustrated the attempt, and martial law was proclaimed. The situation is now normal, and Europeans are safe. Reinforcements are arriving. Fifty men aboard the Turkish battleship Avanillah are missing, in addition to 30 killed and 100 wounded ashore. The Italian warships remained in the offing throughout the night. Six million sterling of French capital 13 invested in Beyrout, and the cruiser Admiral Charner has been ordered thither from Crete.

TUBES EXPEL ITALIAN SUBJECTS. Received 26, 11.40 p.m. Constantinople, February 26. The Council and Ministers discussed Italy's action, and decided to expel Italian subjects from Beyrout, Damascus, Jerusalem and Aleppo iwifnin fifteen days.

THE BOMBARDMENT CONDEMNED. Received 26, 1.1.40 p.m. Vienna, February 26. Newspapers are irritated over the Beyront bombardment. The Dieziet urges the Powers to take steps to prevent a repetition.