Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-25
Turkish Vessels Destroyed in
Beirut BOmbardment.
THIRTY PERSONS KILLED
Italians. It Is Thought, Will Attack
Other Coast Towns.
ACTION OF SENATE AT ROME
Decree Proclaiming Annextion of
Tripolitana and Cyrenaica Rati-
fed Amid Enthusiasm.

CONSTANTINOPLE. February "a
According to the latest dispatches from
Beirut the forts, the corvette Avnillah
and torpedo boat replied tn the Italian
fire during todays bombardment. The
Avnillah was struck and soon was In
flames. The torpedo boat was sunk. No
fewer than thirty persons were killed.
two 70 the dead, it is believed. being
Russian subjects. About fifty persons
were wounded. Several shells were drop
ped into the town and the offices of the
Ottoman Bank were damaged.
During the panic that followed the bonn
bardment mob forced the government
armory and secured arms. The Italian
warships at the conclusion of the bonn
bardment steamed away for an unknown
destination.
News of the bombardment caused a
panic on the bourse, resulting in fall
of consols. 1t is believed that the Ital-
ians will continue their attacks on other
coast towns. AS a consequence, there is
rea son to expect that the porte will carry
out it's determination to expel al lltal-
ians from Turkey and close the Darda-
nelles.
Officials here believe that the object of
the Italians in bombarding Beirut was to
provoke Moslem fanaticism and thus
bring about massacre of the Christians
in Beirut.
Demand for Surrender.
PARIS, February 24-Italian warships
were seen cruising about outside Beirut
last night, according to dispatch from
the special correspondent of La Liberte.
When the admiral in command sent his
ultimatum to the governor demanding
the surrender of the Turkish gunboat and
destroyer anchored in the roadstead he
gave time limit of only three hours for
the reply.
AS the Turkish authorities were not able
to reply in that time the Italian ships
opened fire on the port at O'Clock in the
morning. The city itself appears to have
suffered only slight damage. A large
number OF foreign vessels in the harbor,
as well as the foreign consulates and
business houses, hoisted their national
flags when the firing began.
No Official Report.
ROME. February GA semi-official
! communication issued tonight says the
government has received no official report
of the operations at Beirut. The govern
ment recently learned that two Turkish
Warships were stationed at Beirut for the
purpose of attacking Italian transports
and facilitating cumberland trade. Or
derS We're dispatched to the Italian war
ships\to capture them.
The senate tonight. without debate.
unanimously ratified the decree proclaim
ing annexation of Tripolitana and Cy-
renaica. Scenes Of great enthusiasm fol-
lowed and the sitting adjourned.
The annexation bill already had passed
the chamber. The sitting Of the senate
was rendered more important by the
presence of the Duke of Genoa and the
Duke of Aosta, who occupied their seats
as senators, and were greeted on entering
the chamber with frantic applause. The
Duke of AOsta thanked those assembled
for the hearty reception, saying that he
and his cousin desired to record their
votes in favor of an achievement which
was due to the will of the people. the
wisdom of the rulers and Tie heroism Of
the soldiers and sailors.
On both public and secret ballots the
bill passed unanimously. The president
Of the senate rendered special homage to
the duchess of Aosta for the part she
took in caring for the wounded and to the
Duke of the Abruzzi for valor."