The Detroit times., 1912-01-31
ITALIANS AND TURKS
WAGE WAR FOR GREEN
SPOTS IN NORTH AFRICA
Tripoli Is Not Conquered,
Although Conflict Has Been
On For Some Time
TROOPS LOSE THEIR WAY
Big Bodies of Them Become
Confused While Going To
Aid Small Column
TROOPS LOSE THEIR WAY


600 every three months, but II is OH.
oially declared that If IL will continue
lot another year the government can
raise the necessary money without
either resorting to loans or increasing
taxation. The territory In Tripoli and
Cyrenalka actually occupied By Italy
since the beginning OF the war three
months ago is comparatively small
In Tact, the Italians hold the principal
coast towns, namely Tripoli, HONS,
bengasi, Derna and Tobruk and a
strip OF land surrounding each, which
: IN the case OF Tripoli extends to about
ten miles inland, while the Italian
position in the remaining four coast
towns is practically limited TO the in
nabited area.
Considering that the two provinces
IN north Africa have a coast line OF
over 500 miles and an area OF about
100000 square miles, the territory
held by Italy is insignificant and the
occupation OF the country is merely
nominal. IL must. however, be admit.
ted that, strictly speaking, the formal
annexation OF the Turkish vlayet to
the kingdom of Italy is perfectly legal.
since despite the fact that the native
subdued TO the new rule and that the
Turks, aided by the Arab tribes OF the
Interior, are still resisting the Italians
provinces are In ltaly's possession.
Big Army in Trlpoli.
IL is impossible 10 ascertain with
certainty the exact strength OF the
Italian army OF occupation in the two
hatf rr1ou It- he nQti l.
mated that there are fully 100000 men
holding the coast towns and manning
the intrenchments and Notifications
that surround them. distributed more
or less as follows: About $4,000 men
1T Tripoh and the remainder at HONS.
Bengasi. Derna and Tobruk Most OF
these men are under canvas in in
trenched encampments The lines
surrounding Tripoli extend from Gar
garesch on the west to the village OF
Tagiura on the east and embrace the
so-called oasis OF Tripoli.
Four miles farther inland between
the oasis and the desert proper the
Italians have occupied the small oasis
OF Ain cara, which until Dec. was
the Turkish headquarters. The occu-
patton OF Ain lara constituted the
first step toward the Italian advance
in the interior, and it took 10000 mea
days hard fighting. with twenty kill
ed and ninety-four wounded, TO dis
lodge the Turks from their strong po-
sitions. The enemy abandoned eight
guns and considerable quantity Of am
munition and retired with heavy loss
es. Unfortunately, however, the Ital-
ians could not reap the full advantage
of their success, as owing to lack of
cavalry they were unable to pursue
the enemy or defeat Il In any open
battle. The Italians merely captured
the positions of the enem,' and push
ed back the Arabs and Turks farther
inland toward the mountains OF the
Gebel.
Held by a Division.
Ain lara has now been strongly
fortified and 1t Is held by an entire
division OF about 10000 men, II not
more. II is naturally the frst base OF
communications after Tripoli and Of
considerable strategical Importance.
There seems to be no doubt as to the
Italians being able to hold Ain lara
and resist all attempts to capture, but
apparently the Italians are not yet In
a position TO assume the offensive and
take any decisive action against the
enemy. This fact is proved by a COM
paratlvely recent event. which, al
though at first sight appeared not Inn
portant, still shows hat tho Turks,
aided by the Arabs. can hold their
own ground and resist the Italian ad-
vance.
On Dec. 10 an Italian column OF
about LOO men, with only two field
guns, was sent out from Ain lara TO
reconnoiter an oasis ten miles farther
inland. known as Bir Tobras, where
the enemy was reported TO have been
located. The column under the COM
mand OF Col. Fara marched from Ain
cara at in the morning. Owing 20
the darkness and the broken ground
fully ten hours we're spent on the
march before Bir Tobras was reached.
Tho Italians were attacked by supe-
rioE forces. but they managed 70
stand their ground and succe ded In
taking position ON an elevated piece
OF ground from where they could bet
ter resist the repeated attacks Of the
enemy.
Disaster Avertsd.
IL - estimated that from 5000 10
~ Biz Tobrns. Thsy nearly succeeded
Ia surrounding the handful Of Italians,
who. exhausted after long march and
without sufficient ammunition. could
have easily been ovsrpowersd and cut
% pieces. The snGa9e rnsnt lasted from
noon OF the 18th until In the morn
ing OF the z0tt. when the Turks finally
retired The Italians. according TO
official reports, lost only 10 msn Killed
and about 80 wounded. Col Fara, re-
aiiztng that he was surrounded by SUI
psfior forces and that the issue OF the
engagement was doubtful, sent several
officers on horseback 10 Ain lara ask
Ing for reinf0resmsnts Al In tho
sysbins ~ cavalry regiment was sent
on To assist the Italians az Biz Tobras.
An hour later n column OF 5000 men
wac dispatched and later tho entire
division left Ain Tara bound 20 Biz
Tobfas
Strange 90 relate, the cavalry rsgi.
B,EBt, the column and the division lost
thsiP way In the dsssFt and could not
rec cb BaF f0brae Fortunately Col
EaFs succeeded Ia resisting 20 the very
end and by hts vaiOP saved his men
fToFi complete defeat lie led his
tnaH baRk to Ain ZsFa safe and sound,
quite BBsidad, Cot, Para has been pro-
fnOtRd by the king To general foF
yalor gt ths battlefield, a promotion ne
fully deserved, and the battle Of BiT
TobFas ss the engagement IL called IN
the ItRiiaa pFsss, has been considered
as one % tbs most brilliant events 81
the war This fsRt remains, however,
that Col Fara and his msR cams very
neaF being SUI ~ places despite the