The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-10
THE ITALIANS DENY . REPORTED CRUELTY Punishment Fit the Crime"
 Says Message ARABS RESPONSIBLE Italian Troops Were Forced To Use Extreme Measures-American Consul Thanked By General
 Canena

Washington, November s.-"That the punishment fit the crime" and blood nnt blood' on Tripolitan battleheds was de-
 clared in cablegram to the Italian em-
 bassy today by San Giuliano. minister oi
 war, referring to the reported atrocities against the Turks and Arabs. The cablegrain from San Giuliano was in the form of an official statement under
 the caption Italian heart Arabian cruelty.' | At the outset he recognized the fact
 that reople abroad might regard the re- ported acts of the soldiers as excessive cruelty, and declared that to be under stood thoroughly, talks were necessary with officers and soldiers, particularly
 those of the Eleventh those who suffered the worst in the battle ot October 23."
 our soldiers occupied the intrench-
 ments at Sidi Mesri,'' the minister of war cabieeram continued, and between them
 and the Arabs situated back of the vll- lage there had been established friendly relations The Italian soldiers used 10 give part of their rations to the Arabs and they made presents to the poor ian'- ilies of the Arabians, presents welcomeu
 because of their poverty. The solulers paid without any dispute for everythins
 they purchased from the Arabs. some officers even bought clothing for the sake of the children.
 Horrible Atrocities
 But suddenly in the midst of the nara | fighting from the small white Arau | houses back of our soldiers, there rusheu out infuriated men. Inhuman and horrl- bic things happened. An Italian surgeon was killed by the father of girl whom he had cured and saved. A wounded sol dier who had been left alone for his com
 raGes had his throat cut by woman who crept stealthly on him through the dead and wounded. There were cruel- l ties unspeakable. Red Cross attendants | carrying stretchers to aid the wounded Turks were treacherously slain by these wounded men. Isolated soldiers surpris- l ed in the interior were disemboweled. "Strange incidents of horror there were An Arab was seen fleeing with bits oi human flesh stuffed into an Italian sol ! diers knapsack. The soldier was later | crucified in a native hut. It was dreadful to be obliged to fight in net work of | narrow paths, banked by high walls oi 1 land, having certainty that before, be. | hino and surrounding there could he hid den a terrible enemy, men who fought without regard to the regulation of war "The punishment was proportionate | to the crime. Tooth by tooth, our sol diers fought. The oppression passed | like a scythe over the battlefield | Blood met blood"
 | Tripoli, November 9.-General Caneva | commanding the Italian forces, today | issued an official note in which he | thanked the American consul. MT Wood, for his. ''loyal conduct" toward Italy in deciding not, to leave Trpol aboard the American cruiser Chester and for having cabled to Washington all was quiet at Tripoli and the for | eign colonies in no danger.
 l The Italians understand the Chester was ordered here in consequence ot false reports emanating from Constan- tinople that Trpoli was about to be retaken by the Turks. '