PREPARING FOR THEIR LAST STAND

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2540, 14 August 1915, Page 5

PREPARING FOR THEIR LAST STAND

DEFENCES OF CONSTANTINOPLE STRENGTHENED THE DIPLOMATIC CONTEST IN THE BALKANS By Telegraph-Press Association-OoDjrlsht (Rec. August 13, 3.30 p.m.) London, August 13. Tlio "Daily Telegraph's" correspondent at Rome says that the recent progress of the Allies on Gallipoli is equal in importance, to any of tho previous successes. Tho Allies havo discovered on the west coast of tho peninsula a vulnerable point in the Turkish defences whicl/ will enable a further rapid advance. Tlio Turks aro hastily transporting artillery, from 13ulair against the new front. .VIOLENT TURKISH ATTACK AT ARI BURNU. (Rec. August 13, 7.5 p.m.) AthenSi 'August 13. Tlio Turks delivered a violent attack at Ari Burnu. Three aeroplanes directod tho Turkish fire. ITALIAN TRIBUTE TO THE COLONIALS. (Rec. August 13, 10.30 p.m.) - Rome, August 13. Tho whole of the Italian Press praises tho valour of the Australians and New Zoalandors at An/.ac. Tho "Corrie ve Delia Sera" says that it was ono of the most noteworthy successes of the campaign. "II Seccolo" says that the Australasians' dash and bravery carried the 'Ja.Y.' . , AIR. BOMBARDMENT OF SMYRNA. (Rec. August 13,' 11.50 p.m.), London, August 13. : British aeroplanes on Tuesday bombarded Idjadik, near Smyrna, destroying the telephone offico and eight houses.' A British destroyer which was accompanying the aircraft bombarded the town. The death-roll is estimated at two thousand. Tho Governor of Smyrna, believing that a general attack was ill progross, • sent eight thousand troops to protect the coast. INDICATIONS OF DIMINISHING MORALE. London, August 12. Router's Cairo Agent states that tho Turks aro losing their morale. It is now much easier to capture their trenches. Their Army Orders reveal manifold threats to stimulate an advance. Officers aro required to pledge themselves to lead tho moil unwaveringly. .New York, August 12. Tho United Press Agency's who visited Turkey, says that the Turks continue to .make feverish preparations for a last stand at Constantinople. Tho best Gorman genius has perfected the trenches west and north. A Russian landing from tho Black Sea will bo met with determined resistance! A hundred thousand Christians constructed tho defences, only Mussulmans.being employed in tho fighting line. Strategic .railways arc being constructed in many directions for assisting in. the defence of Gallipoli, and afterwards that of Constantinople. ■ TYPHUS PESTLENCE IN CONSTANTINOPLE, ("Times" and Sydney "Sun : ' Services.) ■ ' London, August 12. Typhus isravaging Constantinople. There are hundreds of deaths daily. Ismaei Boy, a near relative of tho Sultan, is among the victims, Tho Mohanimeda'ns accuse the Germans of poisoning the' cisterns. THE SINKING OP THE TURKISH BATTLESHIP J 1 OFFICIAL STATEMENT BY THE BRITISH ADMIRALTY. The.High Commissioner reports:— ■ \ 1 London, 'August 12, 9.40 p.m. , "The Vifie-Admiral at the Dardanelles reports that a British submarine sunk a Turkish battleship on Sunday at tho entrance to the' Sea, of Marmora. "A Turkish gunboat and an empty transport were also torpedoed by a submarine. "Tho Turks admit that a battleship purchased from Germany in 1910 has been torpedoed by a submarine."By Telegraph-Press ABsociation-Oowifeht London, August 12. It is surmised in naval circles that the announcement that a Turkish battleship of tho Haireddin Barbarosse class was; lost is intended to cover tho more serious loss of either the Gooben or tho Brcslau. [These messages refer to tho sinking of the Turkish battleship which was reported ill our columns a fow days ago.] SUBMARINE FIRES ON SHORE COLUMN, (Rec. August 13,11.50 p.m.) ■ London L 'August 13. Reports from Mitylene state that after sinking the Hairredui Barbarosse the British submarine drew inshore and shelled a column of troops which was marching towards Gallipoli, causing heavy casualties. • CRUISER BRESLAU AND GERMAN SUBMARINES. (Rec. August 13, 8.50 p.m.) ' . . Copenhagen,' August 13. 'Ah employee of tho. Constantinople branch of a Danish salvage company relates that tho Brcslau is lying in tho Stenia- Dock, covered with canvas, which is hiding tho yawning holes received m tho fight with tho Russian warships. The commander and twenty men are reported to haro been killed. Tlioro is only ono large German submarine, and two of an old typo at Constantinople. ' The former frequently changes its number in order to impress .the Turks with tho Germans' enormous strength in submarines iu Turkish waters. BULGARIA AND THE BELLIGERENTS NEGOTIATING WITH BOTH SIDIES. ... Sofia, August 12. M. RadoslavofE (Bulgarian Prime Minister and •_ Minister for Foreign Affairs).'in an interview, said that Bulgaria was willing and waiting to join tlio Allies' if they guaranteed tho realisation of her national ideals, especially in Macedonia. . ~ , 1, "Wo aro openly negotiating with uoth groups, said tho Premier. "Tho Entente requests full military co-operation; tho Central Powers only ask for neutrality. Bulgaria does not want Constantinople. The fears of some States that they are threatened are groundless. The Bulgarian Army and nation is now better equipped than over. All we ask is to give us back Servian-Mace-donia, and wo will fight in the way to servo you best." German and Austrian Ministers, when visiting M. Radoslavoff. emphasised tho nearness of the Gorman offensivo against Servia, and promised Bulgaria acquisitions of territory in return for a benevolent neutrality. IF THE AUSTRO-GERMANS INVADE SERVIA? , Rome, 'August 12. M. Rishtich, in an interview in tlio Italian nowspaper "Tribmia," referring to the Powers' negotiations with tho Balkan States, remarked that Bulgaria had fully * decided to do nothing. Only one cvont would move her and the other Balkan States —namely: an Anstro-German attempt to traverso Servia to assist the Turks. This # would imperil tho oxistcnce of all tho Balkan States, and would impel Bulgaria- and Rumania to corao to tho rescue. THE WAR IN THE CAUCASUS (Rec. August 13, 3.30 p.m.) Polrograd,'August 13. • An official report from, the Russian Headquarters in the Caucasus states: l "Wo disjiwsnd live foinftajiicß of Twists, which. wem eiitwfted by four bat' twles iu'a river valley tuo OJte JPgwtt. 'Aw ewejoiy I 1& In disoh&K b«Jfc» kw JwwewW 1 :t '