The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-11-02
Only Possible Reproach
Is Excess of Human
itarianism.
ARMY is VICTIM
OF TREACHERY
Premier Giolitti Tells How Sol.
diers Were Shot Down by
Arabs Who Had Sworn
Fealty, and Wounded Bar
barously Slain-More
Pressure on Turkey

Rome, November REPORTS, which
have been spread in foreign countries
that the Italian troops at IripolI have
practiced extreme cruelty III the Wal
against the Turks and Arabs, Killing
women and children, the aged and In
hrni and non-combatants. have caused
intense Indignation throughout Italy
These reports have already been ofi-
cialiy denied, but Premier .iioliru took
occasion again tonight " emphasiz
the denial. and to make "a stutemcn, in
behalf OF the government anu nation.
IF any rcproach is admissible" he
said. 1T can only be on account, Oh
excess OF humanitarianism. We nave
perhaps, through exaggerated scruplcs
spared the lives and property OF TN.
enemy. and. in so doing. have exposed
ourselves to grave risks. This. now
ever we have been pleased to 40 l.
prove that we are civilized and human
Perhaps what is the bounty q, "a.
strong may be judged as weakness
Did Not Expert Trcncher..
our soldiers. traineu III the school
OF loyalty ana accustomed 10 me up.
rishtness of the Abyssinians, VINO arr
open enemies or stcuuIast Tricnus uiu
not expect that the Arabs. after they
had sworn fealty and received grain
and flour and otner concessions. wuulo
treacherouSly break their uatns .nt
trattorously turn their arms upon IN,
wounded. Among those heroic ueat
many were barparousiy Killed by IN,
enemy after they had fallen gravel,
wounded.
'Hc who asserts that the Italian
soldier would offend woman or child
shows ignorance of our country anu
race.
80 4.
partly TO the efforts Of Bedouins, about
lS,o0o OF whom migrate at this season
of year from the interior 10 the coast
for the date crop. They formed kind
of conspiracy with the Turks and sue.
ceeded IN persua'iinI the ARABS. who
already had declared themselves our
friends. to rebel. But. indeed, the
Arabs were ready 10 take arms against
those they considered weak ut any
moment. This is shown uy the fact
that many OF the haoitatIons, When
set on fife. exploded like powder mag a :
zines. SO great were the quantities of
arms ana ammunition hidden I'm them.
After the betrayal. when the. Arabs,
hidden by the trees, walls and houses
in the oasis. shot In the back tht
troops courageously lighting the Turks
our soldiers defended themselves They
attacked the oasis and routed the
traitors. killing those caught in the
act of firing and taking the others
prisoners. For safety we transported
the prisoners to Trcmiti and Ustica Is
lands. where on their own admission
outside of the curtailment of their H..
berty. they are better treated than In
their own country.
Unhenrd Of Cruelty.
The oasis within our own lines. at
ter the population had been removed
out of harms way. was rendered use
less as cover for the enemy. TIL,
trees and walls. and IN fact. every.
thing which might afford shelter for
the Arabs to appeal to their treachery.
were destroyed. In no report has Gen
eral Caneva made any allusion TO wo.
men and children being killed. There
is instead proof of unheard cruelty 10
our wounded Many were barbarous-
ly knitted. being killed while lying
wounded and unable to defend Ia
selves Besides the occular testimony
this is proven by the fact that while
the normal proportion between III,
wounded and dead in battle is one tc
two. the Turks having about 1000 Kill
ed and 1000 wounded, our dead numb
cred 374 and wounded only l5s
IN open attocks. In ambushes ana
also in time OF treason, the courage
and humanitarian sentiments OF IN.
Italian army and navy arc above
praise Always admired, they rende,
this war an example OF generous ana
chivalrous civilization