The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-05
Romharded TripOli

DJerba, Tunis, October 4.--Tripoh has been bombarded twice by the Italian fleet. The first shot was fired shortly after 3 O clock yesterday afternoon. Smelling was resumed early this morning after quiet night.
 There was a steady but slow fire from the warships until dusk last evening and shots also came from the forts q the town. The French steamer Tafana took a delegation from Djerba to the scene O. hostilities. Among the party was the French consul general, M. Leon, who made several intellectual attempts to land. The Tafana was stopped about ten miles from Tripoli by hoat from the cruiser vareze who ordered her to return, but Sshe remained for more than an hour even creeping in closer to the blockaded town.
 The white buildings of Tripoli could be plainly seen and the whole field of operations was unfolded before the watchers Officers of the Varese explain ed that the battle had been delayed be- cause Admiral Aubrey. commander of the Italian fleet, had received request from the Tripoli garrison for another days grace and gave the garrison an extra few hours.
 The Active Battle
 The battleship Benedetto Brin and armed cruisers Giueseppe Garbaldi ano Francesca Ferrecio, drew up in line op- posite the harbor.
 There were no small craft in the bat tie line and the Narese stood off to keep back intruders.
 There was no sign of life in the city which appeared deserted, but the Turkish flag flew from the castle and forts. The first shots were directed towards Char chatti fort and later Kerkereche fort was sheiled. As the first shells burst oyer Tripoli the garrison seemed to awake It returned the fire with vigor. A heavy cannonade was kept up on both sides Tor a few minutes and then firing became desultory So far as could be seen no warship was hit. rasf fat
 Vice Admiral Faravelli, at o'clock, CIT dered his ships to cease firing, to permit the town to surrender, but no sign was given and after d few minutes the ships began again.
 Qualifications were razed, the forts suf- fered severely and the lighthouse to the northwest was destroyed by shells from >he Garibaldi.
 The worst loss Of life was at Trpoli. But ample time was given the defenders to escape.
 When the Tafana left the scene no land ing had been attempted by the Italians and it was feared that during the night the town would be pilaged by Nomad Arabs, who had been lowering in the vicinity several days.
 Firing Resumed
 T ricto of the Italian fleet under Admiral Faraveili, resumed the bombardment.
 The Turkish garrison was behind the forts and responded with few shells which fell short. The Italian com- mander endeavored to avoid damaging private dwellings but some of them were destroyed and the governors palace and, three forts at the entrance of the port are. in ruins. The consul ates and churches have not been dam aged.
 The second division of the fleet. under Vice Admiral Thaon Di Revel, has ap- preached close to Bengazi and Derna. A bombardment of these ports, it is understood, has, been ordered to begin tomorrow. It Is denied that any blue jackets will be landed in the imme- diate future. Such landing may pos- sibly be decided upon after the arrival of the expeditionary corps.
 beIOTe COIfllHeIclnS tne DOmDardment of Tripoli the Italian squadron removed all mines and made a careful revision of the hydrographic chart. to insure safety to the coming transports. This operation lasted several days and prob- ably explains the real reason for the delay in the bombardment.
 Four Italian officers have come to Djerba and are proceeding overland toward Tripoli on a reconnoiterlng ex- petition, as the Arabs arc expected to offer stubbo n resistence to the occu- patton of the Vilayet,
 Was Not Spectacular
 Rome, October "A message from Admiral Thaon Di Revel says the action appeared more like a shooting competition than 'bom- bardment. Officers and sailors placed wagers on the results. In one instance an order was given to dismantle par ticular battery One gunner was heard to say: 'I bet can knock down the left turret at the first shot" When the smoke had cleared away the turrett
 ACONTiNUED ON PAGA s.s