THE DARDANELLES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 293, 20 May 1915, Page 3

THE DARDANELLES.

OALLAXT BLUEJACKETS. FRENCH SAILOIiS' TRTHLTE. OARINT! RESCUE AYORK. A despatch from Malta dated March .10 states that sailors who have been invalided there are very rdiccnt regarding the operations in the Dardanelles. In fact, they declare that there is nothing to add to the Admiralty communiques. They emphasise the' fact however that had the Turkish fire been rather more accurate the damage to the war-hips and the consequent loss of life would have been very 1 heavy.

One of the British ships engaging the principal batteries in the Narrows Mas under tire for several hours, shells falling thick and fast all round her. Her escape was miraculous for only one shell landed on board and that did not cause much damage. ]t was not that the ship was out of range, but the Turkish gunfire was absolutely wild, and it is the general opinion that were It not for the mines the warships would already have forced the straits.

The French sailors are full of praise, for the great gallantry displayed by the crews of the British warships which stood by the Irresistible and' Ocean i:i most trying circumstances. After striking the mines the two ships remained afloat for some considerable time, and were subjected to a very heavy crossfire from the batteries of Chanak and Kilid liahr.

Heedless of all danger, the British sailors set about the work of rescue with such energy and determination and daring coolness as excited the highest admiration of their French colleagues, who gave vent to their feelings in rousing cheers. It is stated that the British admiral in command boarded the Irresistible to ascertain whether the vessel could be saved, and when finally the order was given to leave the ship the men left as if they were performing a usual peace-time evolution. There was no confusion whatever and no rush to get to the boats, but perfect discipline and order prevailed. Both rescuers and rescued were afterwards highly complimented by the admiral for their gallant conduct under a very hot fire.

TOSITIOX OP THE TURKS. In a cablegram from Bucharest, dated March 30, to the London Daily Telegraph, a correspondent. states that ho lias obtained details of the; position lit Constantinople.' The Turks, he said, have, between 180,001) and 200,000 soldiers of the first line, but are in need of munitions of war. Four divisions of troops are in the Peninsula of (hillipoli, and the remainder are at Adrianople and between that town and Constantinople. There are 000 German ollieers. The Dardanelles are defended bv Herman olliec-rs and soldiers. A "small howitzer and shell factory is finding difllcnlty in meeting requirements. " The Turks are afraid of an attack by Bulgaria. Almost all the Ottoman Senate, as well as the tirand Vizier and the heir to the Throne, would like to make peace but lack the courage to overthrow Enver Pasha. The. (lerman Ambassador practically governs Constantinople. The guns from Adrianople, which were transported to Constantinople, arc fixed at different points outside the city. F.ven the mosque of Saint Sophia is surrounded with cannon, as well as the new Seraglio (iarden.

At the beginning of the bombardment of the J)ardanollcs crowds of Turks lied to Asia, and a special train was prepared for tlie (sultan. The valuables were removed to Koniii, and everyone Hot ready to seek safely in Asia, 'including the (iei'man and Austrian Ambassadors. The Italian Amdassador ban. received order that, even if the. Allies reaeb Constantinople, be should remain in bis place. Probably the Roumanian Legation will remain also.

f learn that (formally and Austria proposed, during the. government of AT. VeuizeJos, that (Jreoco should take ad\antage of the occasion to attack Nervia in agreement with Bulgaria, and that they should together partition .Servian Macedonia. M. Venizelos replied that <iree.ee was too small a Power to indulge in so great an infamy. The suecessess claimed by th o Austrians in Bukovina are denied.

■Diplomatic, circles believe that the formation of a Coalition (ioveriuneiit in Bulgaria is imminent, but Koumaniaii political circles do not believe Bulgaria will come in before the further bombardment of the JJardanellcs bv the Allies gives them assurance of the success of the Allied fleets.