GALLIPOLI.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 209, 15 May 1915, Page 3

GALLIPOLI.

Gallipoli, now shaking with the thunder of the guns of the Allies, is the door through which, in 1358, the Turks first entered into their European possessions. And the entrance came about in a surprising manner. In that ye;ir an earthquake shattered all the cities of Thrace and overthrew the walls of Gallopoli. The inhabitants fled, while the Turks, for whom the earthquake had no terror, crossed the Hellespont and marched upon the deserted city. Emperor Cantacuzenus protested, but Sultan Orkhan calmly replied that* "Providence had opened a way to his troops, and he could not disregard so clear an indication of divine interposition." Thus was taken the first plunge that has kept the Near East bathed in blood for cenuriee.