//Ed. note: This article was published in
the Istanbul journal 'Sebil'ür Reşad' on 22
August 1918, in the waning months of World
War I, evidently after it had first been published
in the 'Zaman' newspaper.//
Victory of the Islamic Fighters in Tripoli
Zaman Newspaper has published this article as it was printed in the
New Rotterdamishe Coronet (probably a Dutch newspaper of the
day.)
"Enver Paşa has succeeded in retaining the influence and fame he
won among the population of Tripoli, and particularly among the
Senussis, during the (Ottoman-Italian) war five years ago.
Consequently, the Moslems of Tripoli are implementing his orders
and instructions today (World War I) without reservation and without
hesitation."
"It can be said that the Moslems of Tripoli have completely re-taken
Tripoli, with Italian control henceforth relegated to a few spots along
the shore. The Italians have no sway whatsoever among the people
of the interior."
"Maintaining a communications link in some way or other between
the Ottoman State and Tripoli remains essential. Today in Tripoli
there is a fully-equipped Ottoman contingent made up of thousands
of soldiers and excellent cannon. How this contingent was formed
and how the cannon were transported there is known only by a very
few. Lately, this contingent has been able to take some positions on
the shore by means of independent detachments and 'allied' (probably
German) submarines have been able to bring provisions and
equipment for the contingent."
"A short while ago (Ottoman) Prince Osman Fuad arrived in Tripoli
and was met with an outpouring of love by the populace. The prince
is now 25-years old and he is well trained in military science and
knowledge, having studied in Germany and having attained the rank
of lieutenant in the Sultan's 'Hassa Alayı' (Imperial Guard Regiment).
Now, as a captain in the Ottoman Army, the prince is in Tripoli to
represent the Sultan to the people and to the (Ottoman) contingent."
Prince Fuad in Germany 1916 click here for
the first of a four-part TNT series about
Russian Moslem POWs in Germany and
their transformation into soldiers in the
Ottoman Army.
"Currently, the Ottoman contingent is firing land-based cannon at the
ports under the control of the Italians, while Allied Powers' warships,
including submarines, are firing at the Ottoman contingent with long-
range guns. Because a fleet of (probably German) submarines is
always patrolling the waters off Tripoli, such large enemy ships had
not been seen here for a while."
"On the other hand, our allies' (again probably German) submarines
are effectively providing aid to the besieging Ottoman contingent, so
those being besieged (Italians) have been forced to seek assistance
mostly from Europe. Other than the radio and telegraph stations, all
communications links between Italy and Tripoli have been destroyed
over the past few months. And the ships the Italians have sent to
deliver provisions to their besieged troops on the coast have either
been sunk by (probably German) submarines or, if they succeed in
reaching the shore, their crews are captured by the local fighters, who
take the crew members into the interior."
"Italian newspapers are full of stories about the attacks of the local
fighters. In fact, one report noted that as the result of an attack by
local fighters on 26 June, the violent counter-firing of Italian shore
batteries enflamed the entire Mısrata coast and that the local fighters
were dispersed only with great difficulty."
END of PART ONE
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