TERRIFIC CANNONADING HEARD FOR MILES

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2408, 13 March 1915, Page 7

TERRIFIC CANNONADING HEARD FOR MILES

WARSHIPS IN THE DARDANELLES » PANIC AND CHAOS IN CONSTANTINOPLE i Paris, March 11. The' Turkish artillery on Mount Elijah (commanding the Dardanelles) is weakening daily. Two big cruisers for the first time since the opening of the bombardment passed the night in the Dardanelles, protecting and illuminating the mine*sivccpers. . • . (Rec. March 12, 11.50 p.m.) Sofia, Maroh 12. Reports from Dedegatch, in Bulgaria, state that a terrific cannonade is in progress ill the Dardanelles and the Gulf of Saros. Violent explosions exceeding anything yet heard were audible for miles inland. ! TURKS MAY HAVE TO EVACUATE CONSTANTINOPLE, (Rec. March 12, 1J.50 p.m.) Cairo, March 12. The Turkish authorities have posted notices in Syria which state that they may have to evacuate the Dardanelles, for strategical reasons. (Rec. March 12, 7.10 p.m.) London, March 12. • Refugees arriving at Bucharest (the oapital of Rumania) declare that the Turks are dismounting their guns in order that upon the -Allies entering their capital they will regard Constantinople as an open city.—"Times", and Sydney "Sun" Services. , ■ RUSSIAN BLACK SEA FLEET'S ACTIVITIES. (Rec. March 12, 7.15 p.m.) < London, March 12. A report from Petrograd states that the operations of the Russian Black Sea Fleet will materially weaken the small fleet of ; Turkish transports, without which it is impossible to rapidly convey troops to the Anatolian coast. The destruction of the port buildings at Zuguldak (on the Asia Minor coast, to the eastward of the Bosphorus), will deprive Constantinople of an important coal supply. A coal famine is threatened.—"Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services. HOW GERMANY GLOSSES. OVER THE ATTACK, (Rec. March 12, 7.15 p.m.) London, March 12. An official message from Berlin states that the results of the bombardment of the Dardanelles forts have been negligible. Several of the Allies' ships were damaged, especially the Queen Elizabeth, while a French cruiser was put out of action, and two mine-sweepers sunk. The British have been defeated in Mesopotamia, losing numerous prisoners, and three guns. The resignation of M. venizelos from the Greek rrcmiersliip is a hopeful sign.—"Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services. • ' SINISTER GLIMPSES OF CONSTANTINOPLE RIOTS AND CONSPIRACIES. London, March 12. The exodus of foreigners from Constantinople continues. The families of the German and Austrian Ambassadors have gone to Philippopolis, which is crowded with refugees. A conspiracy against the Young Turk Party has been discovered. Two hundred Armenians have heen arrested and a depot of bombs seized. GOEBEN LYING STRIPPED AND DISABLED.: (Rec. March 12, 11.30 p.m.) London, March 12. Mr. Martin Donohoe, reporting from Constanza, states that there is frequent rioting in Stamboul. The shops in Galata and Pera have been closed, and the owners have fled. Soldiers are guarding Pera against looting. The coal supply is barely adequate for naval needs. -The wealthy residents are refuging in Therapia "and Sentari. 'The Goehen is lying stripped and disabled. It is impossible to tow her to the dockyards at the Golden Horn, owing to her draught. The German commander declares that he will blow her up if the Dardanelles are forced. Two German officered Turkish regiments have mutinied, and the leaders have been executed. The mutineers have been imprisoned at Sentari. • The seeds of an anti-German revolution aro fructifying. j THE TURKISH FIASCO IN EGYPT TWENTY THOUSAND BEDOUIN. DESERTERS. London, March 12. Djemal Pasha has been awarded a goM medal for his services in Egypt. It is believed this has been done with a view of hiding the failure of tne expedition. Twenty thousand Bedouins and others have deserted from the expedition, carrying away their arms. • Most of the German officers with the expedition are returning to Germany* (Rec. March 12, 11.20 p.m.) Perth, March 12. 'An Australian soldier writing from Egypt says that the Turks who attacked the Canal were a poor lot. None of them were youths, the ages ranging from 40 to 70. It was a shame to shoot them. The prisoners say that the German officers shoot them if they refuse to advance to the front. They were absoluely driven by the officers.