BRITISH CRUISER BRAVES THE MINES

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2412, 18 March 1915, Page 5

BRITISH CRUISER BRAVES THE MINES

IN THE DARDANELLES AMYTHEST STEAMS THROUGH THE NARROWS Athens, March 16. A British trawler, whilst mine-sweeping in the Dardanelles, was blown up. British vessels silenced several mobile Turkish batteries above the fort of Kum Kale. The British light cruiser Amethyst (22 knots, four-inch guns) braved tho mine area and advanced to Nagara (tho regular anchorage of the Turkish fleet, about three miles beyond "The Narrows"). Three shells struck her doing some damage. ITALY AND HER " DECISIVE HOUR " SEMI-OFFICIAL DECLARATION. London, March 16. The nowspaper "Giornale d'ltalia," published in Rome, in a semi-official article on tho problems of neutrality, says: "Italy must, if necessary, sacrifice blood and money. Tho people must, not cradle themselves in tho illusion that neutrality can bo prolonged indefinitely; they must be prepared for the decisive hour which, will make Italy greater, stronger, and happier, and which is inevitably approaching."—("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) ITALIAN-GERMAN MONEY ORDERS SUSPENDED. Roma, March 16. The money order sendee between Italy and Germany has been suspended. GREEK RESERVISTS CALLED UPON TO REGISTER, Melbourne, March 17. The Greek Consul has notified that all Greek reservists must register before March 20. BULGARIA'S STRICT NEUTRALITY. Copenhagen, March 17. The Bulgarian report of a Ministerial crisis is officially donied. Bulgaria is pursuing strict neutrality. GERMAN VIEW OF ITALY'S DUTY The German newspaper "Frankfurter Zeitung" recently published a remarkable artiole from Vienna in Austro-Italian relations, tho most significant passßge in which is the following:— Only one debatable difference-between Italy and the Dual Monarchy can at the most bo said to exist. Austria, from of old, is in possession of territory which is -not absolutely indispensable for her strategical security or trade, which is inhabited by Italians, and which is passionately claimed by Italian nationalists on the ground of national unity. That is the Trentino in South Tyrol and perhaps a little piece on the river Isonozo near Goerz. The administration of the district is entirely Italian, and if anyone there can complain of prejudice it is the Germans. National enthusiasm wishes this territory to ho united into one State. _We cannot believe that an agreement concerning these wishes is not attainable in a friendly way. However well we may understand that on tho Austrian side concessions to such demands would bo regarded as a sacrifice there can, nevertheless, be no comparison between such a view and tho valuos which would be destroyed by a, conflict between both parties. Only to an Italy remaining within tho Triple Allianco can compensation be civen. and, of course, only on the basis of complete reciprocity. . . . The honest path for Italy, which finds herself unable to enter tho war on the side of her _ Allies in accordance with the spirit of the allianco, is to preserve unconditional neutrality. . . . Italy will spare her strength for the great task on the other side of th® Mediterranean, and for her correct and sensible attitudo will receive under the guarantee of' her friend the promise of" the fulfilment of 'her comprehensible desire Any other policy would be foolish and criminal."