The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1911-10-12
ITALIANS SHELL PREYESA
NICOPOLIS IN EUROPEAN TURKEY
is ALSO UNDER FIRE.
Ships Carrying British Flag Seized,
Bombardment of Tripoli Now
Finished

ternatiOnal complications Wnlcn mas
hung over Europe since hostilities be-
gan between Italy and Turkey, was in
tensified when it was reported that
the Italian fleet under the Duke of
the Abruzzi was bOmbarding Preyesa
and Nicopolis in European Turkey,
and, further, that Italian warships had
fired upon three ships carrying the
British flag.
Two OF the ships fired on were al
legged to be transports carrying Turk
ish troops. They were captured and
taken to an unknown Italian port.
The third vesesl was a motor coast
guard boat and is reported to have
been sunk off Hodeidah. Complaints
were filed with the British consul at
that port.
1t is believed here while there may
be a reasonable explanation of the fir
ing on the British flag, the lombard
ment of Prevesa and Nicopolis IS a far
graver matter. This is in effect a di-
rect defiance of Austria, Italy's heredi-
tary foe. The emprror's government
llOilI1Su 1ldly IllHl IL III NhN
war into Europe, Austria would feel
compelled to dispatch warships to the
Albanian coast. Italy'S answer is the
bombardment of Prevesa, and an at
tack upon a second European port.
England has so far refused to pro-
claim her neutrality and the other
great powers are taking a similar posi-
ton. This, coupled with a statement
from Rome that King Victor has or
dered his commanders to shed as little
blood as possible, is taken to mean
that a settlement is under way and
may be reached in the near future.
Tripoli has fallen after a most
heroic defense by the Turkish garri-
Sol With obsolete guns and protect
ed only by the cracked walls of an
tique ~fortresses, the Turks WithstOod
the bombardment from the Italian
feet for many hours. Although they
must have known that the fight was
hopeless from the first, the Turkish
troops stood CALAMITY to their guns.
The shots from the ancient, short
range ordinance guns fell far short of
the warships but the Turks Obstinately
refused to surrender. 1t was only
when the forts had ceased to be any
thing but a pile of ruins, when the
governors palace had been demolished
and the military barracks were blaZ-
ing that the garrison finally withdrew.
They commenced an orderly retreat
towards the hills but could not with
stand the hail of %shrapnel from the
Italian ships. They were forced to
break their ranks and fee to what
shelter they could reach. AS soon as
the garrison was abandoned, the white
flag vas hoisted over the ruined forts
and the Italians prepared to land.
Rome-Oficial circles ridicule the
reports which are ascribed as being
circulated with the intention of mis-,
guiding the public opinion concerning
incidents between Italy and Austria,
and of discussions among the powers
regarding their attitude toward Italy.
AS a matter of fact, it is said what
is now transpiring was arranged
among the states in the triple alliance
with the adhesion of France and
| Great Britain, who are bound by the
| agreement of 1901 to support Italy or
at least be neutral whenever she de,
cides to occupy Tripoli.
1t is even limited that negotiations
with Austria and Germany which pre-,
coded the present action of Italy, led
to a basis for the renewal of the triple
alliance which will expire in 1914
when to the already existing clauses
another will be added regarding the
protection of Italy in her position in
north Africa. The general opinion OF
experts is that the Italian arrange
ments have been conducted in a mas
terly manner Those upon whom the
responsibility rests have succeeded in
mobilizing at the points of embarka
made by sea in the shortest time.
a