The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-10-07
"Lepanto!" is Battle Cry
 of the Italian Soldiers

In the war between Italy and Tur- key, and again in the present war, the favorite battle cry of the Italian sail ors is .Lepanto!'' Every common tar in the Italian navy is familiar with the history of the great battle thus comrnemorated. although Lepanto was fought 344 years ago today, Oct 2, 1571. It was at Lepanto that the ships of Venice led Christian Europe in it's first united fight against the Moslems There the Italians destr oy- ed forever the naval power of the Turks in the eastern Mediterranean
 Lepanto is seaport town of Greece, on the north coast of the gulf of the same name. This gulf, which is 75. miles in length and att tains a width of 12 miles, is one of the most beautiful bodies of water in the world, and is surrounded by lofty and picturesque mountains. Here was fought the, naval conflict which, in a measure, decided the fate of Chris tianity in Europe, and, consequently. in America
 In 1571 war existed between Sultan Selin IT., son of So1yman the Mag nifcent, and Philip II. of Spain, Pope Plus ", and the Venetian republic The three Christian powers fitted out a great armada, which assembled at Messfna, in Sicily.
 The Christian fleet consisted of 200 royal ga1leys,'' of large size, manned by 50,000 seamen, mostly Italians, and 20, 900 Spanish and 5000 Italian sol- diers, comprising many cavaliers of rank and distinction. There were also a hundred smaller vessels This for n1idable armament sailed for Greece and on Sunday, Oct. 2, 1571, just as the sun was rising over the noun. tains, reached the entrance of the Gulf of Lepanto. There they found the Turkish fleet. consisting of 250 royal galleys of unusual size, besides many smaller vessels. awaiting them. Selim's navy carried 12o,o00 men, or a third more than the Christian feet
 The Venetians did not hesitate be-. fore this superior force, however, but formed in battle line on a front of three miles, the right commanded by the GenOese admiral, Doria, the left by the Venetian admiral. Barbarigo, and the center by Don John of Aus tria, the fllegitimate son of Emperor Charles ", who was supported. by the Venetian captain general, Veneiro, and the papel captain general, Co., lonna- The Turkish fleet was com manded by Ali Pasha, Mohammed Sirocco, the viceroy of Egypt, and Ulich Ali. dey Of Algiers.
 You have come to fight the great battle of the cross,'' said Don John shortly before the battle was com menced. t'aand you must conquer or dfes,
 The action began at noon and con tinued for four hours. The Turks were wholly defeated, only 46 of their ga1leys escaping, while 130 were taken and 80 burned or sunk. Twenty-Five tn housand Turks were killed, and ,0a0s taken prisoners. More than 12,000 Christian captives who had been. chained to the oars of the Turkish 'gaiIeys were freed. The yenetians lost 4.60O men. the Spaniards 2,000 and the Romans 1000. Among the Spaniards engaged in this historic conflict was Cervantes, the future author of '.Don Quixotei,'' then 24f years old and serving as a common soldier. He received three wounds, and lost the use of his left hand.
 The victory was received with wild jubilation throughout Ghristend om. and the Venetian sailors, who were largely responsible, were hailed as the saviors of the faith. The Turks were so disheartened byt their defeat that the decline of their power dated from the battle of Lepanto Never again did they cherish the ambition to make their country supreme over Europe Africa and Asia.