THE DARDANELLES

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 5, 6 May 1915, Page 5

THE DARDANELLES

a reports from the enemy. Titles and Sydney Sun Service. (Received S a.rn.) ‘ London, May 5. Tonedos reports the arrival of two thousand Turkish prisoners. Constantinople declares tlte 1< relic i troops have been completely driven oil the Asiatic side. The British at Galatepe tenaciously maintain their position on the coast, but they have not succeeded in improving their position. GERMAN AVIATORS ON TURKISH AEROPLANES. (Received 8.45 a.m.) London, May 5. ‘ Two Turkish aeroplanes dropped bombs on the warships at Sedd el Bahr, but did no harm. The warships downed the machines. Both aviators, who were taken prisoners, turned out to be Germans. DUTY OF THE WAR OFFICE. (Received 11.20 a.m.) Eondon, May 5. The Hon. L. V. Harconrt (Colonial Secretary) in reply to Mr McNeill, said be personally had sent a congratulatory telegram to Australia and New Zealand, but publication of the details rested with the War Office. 800,000 TURKS UNDER ARMS. United Press Association London, May 5. The Constantinople correspondent of the Chronicle states it is estimated that 800,000 Turks are under arms, excluding 200,000 Christians, who are digging trenches and constructing roads and bridges. General von der Goltz comanmds 100,000 around Adrianople, the Cbattaldje lines and Constantinople -j DjeI mal Pasha with 150,000 is threatening ■ Egypt; there are 50,000 at Bagdad, and 180,000 in the Caucasus; General I Von Sanders has 70,000 at the Dardanelles ,and there are 35,000 at Smyrna, while picked drafts are with the headquarters at Gallipoli. 1 The Turks believe that unless the |Allies land 300,000 troops it will be impossible to force the Dardanelles. I Their chief nervousness arise); from (the fear that Bulgaria will co-operate with the Allies. ■{' The Germans man the fort of Hamilean, while the other forts are garri- | soned, by Turks with a sprinkling of Germans,

The campaign in the Caucasus' i-s at a standstill, owing to typhus, 150 men dying daily. Meanwhile the Egyptian expedition is absorbing more and more jof the Turks’ energies. Their next attempt, which is to he!in June, is to bo , formidable.

| A light railway branching off from the Headjad line north-east of Akahr jis to he finished in six weeks, and , howitzers with German gunners are iheing sent tliere. SEVERE TURKISH DEFEAT. Koine, -May 5. A telegram says tliere has been a determined offensive against the Turkish corps under Khalil Bey. The 'enemy was completely defeated, and they left 3500 dead on the field. We captured a Turkish hospital with the entire staff. The pursuit of the enemy continues. ADVANCE OF THE BRITISH. Times and Sydney Sun S^iivior. London, May 4. The Mitylone message is not confirmed, hut it is true it indicates substantial progress hy the British expedition. i The Australasians were operating from the north-west base of Sair Bari on the other side of the peninsula from Maidos. ' The other British troops were operating from the south-west base on the extremity of the peninsula. On Friday it was reported they had advanced live miles form tin's point. Athens, May 5. Heavy naval guns are cooperating with the army. An isolated number of Turkish columns at various points on the peninsula were forced to surrender. The enemy burns every village abandons.