The Dardanelles.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 317, 17 June 1915, Page 5

The Dardanelles.

DEFENCE OF CONSTANTINOPLE. " TO THE LAST DROP OF BLOOD." Times niul Sydney Sun Services. Received. June 10, li.lo p.m. London, Juno 15. (Bucharest reports that the celebrations at Constantinople commorating th& Turkish, capture of the city in the ilifteoiith century indicates tlie Turkish resolution to defend Constantinople to the last drop of blood and blot out the stain of its first political ait. THE BRESLAU DAMAGED. TURKISH TORPETOERS SUNK. Received June 17, 1.35 a.m. Athens, June 10. The Breslau has been- seriously damaged bv the Prussian fleet in a recent engagement. 'Some Turkish torpedoers were sunk and twelve Turkish officers and eighty sailors were drowned, RUMORS OF SUCCESS. STATEMENT BY MR. ASQUITXI. Received June 10, 5 'P.m. London, June 13. Replying to Mr. Dalziel in the House of Commons, Mr. Asquith said there was no truth whatever in the constant rumors that the Allies were through the Dardanelles, which operation was of the highest importance and would be pushed through to a successful conclusion. TRENCH WARFARE. THE SITUATION' I'AYORAIiLE. London, June 15. The Press Bureau states that the situation on the Gallipoli Peninsula has developed into trench warfare. After the success of June 4 the Turks evidenced great respect for our offensive, and have had to submit daily and nightly to the capture of trenches. Two British lvgiments, on the night of the 11 tli, made a simultaneous attack on the advanced trenches, and, after severe lighting, including the killing of many snipers, succeeded in maintaining themselves in the captured position, despite bombs. Fifty Turks, on the morning of t'.ie Kith, attempted to rush the position with hom'bs, but were annihilated by the naval machine-gun detachment. Thirty todies were counted at that spot. The situation of our forces is favorable, hut progress is necessarily slow, owing to the difficulties of the ground. The. Turkish offensive has sensibly, weakened. THE LANDING AT GALL!POLL EXTRACTS FROM A CHAPLAIN'S DAIRY. A WONDERFUL CHARGE. GALLIPOLI CAN NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. 1 The Wanganni Chronicle publishes the ( following interesting extracts from the diary of Chaplain Captain H. L. lila- j mires, of Trinity Methodist Church, Wanganui. Mr. Blaniires, who went with the Alain Expeditionary Force, H ( at present senior chaplain at the Cairo , base, and his diary, which came to hand yesterday, refers to the return of the incn who were wounded on the occasion of the Gallipoli landing. April 28—Have just been writing letters for some of our wounded men, after a long and busy day. Now I have to break the sad news to one of our officers ( of the death of his brother, who died ' of wounds, and was Juried at sea while (

on the way back from the Dardanelles. Trains are coming in daily, and we are kept very busy looking after the sick and wounded. Much of it is ghastly, but our men have done bravely. It was a wonderful charge, and opened the way for others. (Jallipoli can never be forgotten. New Zealand lost in landing on the Gallipoli Peninsula 150 killed and 700 wounded—a total exceeding our losses during the South African war. This is part of the cost to be paid for victory. Auckland and Canterbury lost most heavily. Our troops fixed bayonets while in the water neck deep, and charged over the hill at the Turks, yelling Arabic cries. We took no prisoners. They fled from the cold steel and the fierce onslaught, but a flanking fire killed many of our men. Chaplain Captain McKcnzic, of the Salvation Army, Australia, is reported killed while encouraging his men. April 20—Our reinforcements soon go forward. News has readied us of heavy casualties. The hospitals are all prepared for the wouned, who are expected to-morrow. Sad news for some New Zealand homes. Chaplains' work is increasing. Had a conference of chaplains to-dav. Three more chaplains are want, ed for British regiments, on loan for hospital work. Jt seems T am required as base senior chaplain to administer chaplain's work here for a time. April HO—This evening I visited the TTeliopolis Hospitals. All visitors, including staff oflieers, were excluded. As chaplains, we went through. Most of the men here have shrapnel and shot wounds "in the arms, legs, and feet, and are not very serious. At 10.30 p.m. I met a trainload of fresh arrivals. Our men are verv cheery. The train stops at the hospital gates. We do all we can to care for the sick and wounded, and arrange social enjoyment and sport for the spare hours of the more lit. j.etters may be brief now. '