TURKO-ITALIAN WAR.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13522, 2 November 1911, Page 5

TURKO-ITALIAN WAR.

ITALIANS IN TRIPOLI. Defeat Denied. Pres* Association—Telegraph,—Copyright. ROME, November 1. Turkish reports of the defeat of the Italians in Tripoli are officially .declared to be baseless. - ", ■ | CONFLICTING REPORTS. Received November 2, 9.30 a.m. LONDON, November 1. The Italian Embassy states that there has been no fighting at Tripoli since the 2Gth, but the Turkish Embassy asserts that the Turks penetrated into Tripoli on the 25th and drove the Italians into the town on the next day. Fighting was renewed on the 28th,'the Italians evacuating two forts. V AN OFFICIAL DENIAL. Of Indiscriminate Slaughter. Alleged Turkish Atrocities. « Received November 2, 10.35 a.m. ROME, November 1. The indiscriminate slaughter at Tripoli is officially denied. It is assorted that the Arabs, after submitting, treacherously attacked the Italians in the rear. Only those carrying arms or who had undergone a regular trial were shot. The others favouring the treachery, numbering 2200. were deported to Italian islands. In destroying the shelter of the oasis care was taken to remove inoffensive Arabs, and the women and children. ■ On the other hand, it has been clearly established that the enemy committed abominable deeds on wounded Italians. TURKISH VICTORIES CLAIMED. CONSTANTINOPLE, November 1. Shevket Pasha, in denying the story of a crushing defeat by the Italians, states that the Turks have recaptured several positions, and that the armies are now face to face. ITALIANS' DISASTROUS MISTAKE. • BERLIN, October 30. It; is’ reported here that the Italian wafshins in the,assault of Benghazi made a-terrible mistake in firing on their own soldiers. , IS MALTA THREATENED? British Foreign Office Fears. LONDON, November 1. It is feared by the Foreign Office that Italv will establish a great naval base at' Tobruk, which is halfway between Malta and Alexandra. Tobruk has a fine harbour and is one of the best strategic positions in the Mediterranean. Experts declare that such a base would render Malta practically useless should war take place between England and Italy.