TURKO-ITALIAN WAR.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13521, 1 November 1911, Page 5

TURKO-ITALIAN WAR.

m THE ATTACK ON TRIPOLI. A COMPLETE SURPRISE. THREE DAYS' SEVERE FIGHTING. Heavy Losses on Berth Sides. Frees Association.—Telegraph.—Copyright. TRIPOLI, October 31. The attack on Tripoli and the Arab "uprising came as a complete surprise, lie impression prevailed that the lurks Were 60 miles inland. ‘ Aeroplane reconnaissances revealed a large force ol Turks and Arabs at Masry, 15 miles to the south-east. Subsequently, three groups were reported on the 23rd inst.. four miles distant, and ADVANCING RAPIDLY. A. great drawback to the operations was an oasis, many _ square miles in extent, lying between the outpost line and Tripoli. It consisted of residences and gardens, also the dwellings of a large portion of the native population. The enemy, occupying it, could cut the army’s communications and attack in the front and rear. The Italians relied on Caneva’s proclamation, and allowed the Arabs to remain in the oasis. It is now known that the retreating TURKS ARMED EVERYBODY in the oasis. ITALY'S CRACK REGIMENT LOSES HEAVILY. TRIPOLI, October 31. When the Bersaglieri (the crack Italian regiment) wore repelling an attack on their front on the 23rd, swarms of Arabs from the oasis attacked Tyren, at the rear. The Bersaglieri were obliged to face both ways, and lost heavily. MANY WERE MASSACRE^ when proceeding along the roads through the' oasis to join their comrades in front. Arabs repeatedly attempted to penetrate lie outpost line to join the Arabs in the oasis. ANOTHER INSURRECTION. TRIPOLI, October 31. An insurrection occurred simultaneously in the town on the 23rd. Arabs were caught shooting soldiers, and were executed wholesale. The townspeople were seized with panic, and took refuge in the Consulates and on the seashore. Attacks outside the town were repulsed. ; The Turkish troops then retired. ' Desultory firing between the outposts continued on the 24th and 25th. •; Tho extermination of all Arabs found in the oasis was continued for three days. > Many houses were blown up., ■ The biggest and most determined onslaught on the outer line was made on the 26th, It was pressed ‘ WITH ADMIRABLE COURAGE, but the Italian infantry reserved their fire until the assailants were within 50 yards. Then they swept them away with steady volleys, finally making a bayonet charge. ITALIANS WITHDRAW. TRIPOLI, October 31. -.The Italians, finding their line too extensive, withdrew a mile. ANOTHER BATTLE IMMINENT. TRIPOLI, October 31. Meanwhile the Turks have been largely reinforced. Izzet Pasha has assumed supremo command. A further battle is imminent. TURKISH TALES. Italians Utterly Routed. CONSTANTINOPLE, October 31. Rumours of Turkish successes and the capture of part of Tripoli town elated the public. Ahmed Riza informed the Chamber that unofficial information stated that the Italians wore utterly routed, losing 5000 killed. 7000 prisoners 95 guns, 35 machine guns and great quantities of war material. . The War Office is unable to confirm this news, but enthusiastic procession? are being licjd in the’streets. WHAT ARE THE FACTS? ROME, October 31. A leading newspaper announces that more reservists have been summoned to make the army of occupation 100,000. Many still believe that the Government is suppressing the facts relating to casu-‘ alties. preferring to allow tho details to filter slowly, owing to the excitable temperament of the nation. THE RISING IN TRIPOLI. Received November 1, 8.5 a.m. ROME, October 31. The Italians collected only 3000 out of 10,000 rifles distributed to the Arabs, hence the drastic quelling of the insurrection, but many soldiers got beyond control. INDISCRIMINATE CARNAGE. ROME, October 31. The Times’ Tripoli correspondent savs that the tale of retribution is shockingly heavy, but the indiscriminate carnage would have been much greater had the rising, instead of being premature, occurred as intended. ANTI-MILITARIST’S CRIME. ROME, October 31. Among the infantrymen embarking at Bologne, an anti-militarist reservist named Masetti fired at a group of officers in the barrack square, wounding the colonel. ARAB ATTACK REPULSED. 3000 Killed. TRIPOLI, October 31. The Arabs attacked Homs, but were repulsed with 3000 killed.

THE SLAUGHTER AT OASIS. London Press Views. "Hideous, Severity." Received November 1, 9.40 a.m. LONDON. October 31. The Times’ Tripoli correspondent, describing the slaughter at the oasis, states that the Italians set themselves to cow the Arabs. The men got beyond control, and the innocent suffered with the guilty. The hideous severity will probably give rise to sanguinary and pitiless reprisals. The Pall Mall Gazetter says that the horrid revelation of the oasis incident will do much to estrange European sympathy from Italy.