2 MARCH 1912, Page 2

After a long period of inactivity the Italian fleet has

taken the initiative in a now quarter. On Saturday last a Turkish gunboat and a torpedo boat were sunk by two Italian cruisers at Beirut. The Porte has issued a protest to the Powers against the bombardment alleged to have taken place as being contrary to established laws, and orders have been issued to the Governors of Aleppo, Damascus, and Beirut warning all Italians resident to leave those provinces within a fortnight.