FORCING THE STRAITS.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 August 1915, Page 12

FORCING THE STRAITS.

ODDS OF 2 TO 1. BABDANHTXES DIFFICULTIES. London, July 1. After ft trip under Turkish auspices aiong the whole line of forts guardang the Dardanelles, the Constantinople eorlespondeiHt of the Daily Telegraph declares that it is impossible to expect a speedy forcing of the straits by the Allies. "The Turks have taken advantage of the past three months to increase immensely their defensive resources until ,tjh* whole path wMdh the Franco-British must travel is one great fortress, bristling wifth artillery, crowded with troops excellently trained, well equipped and undeniably brave," says the correspond'e::t. "The presence, of numerous German officers and men is a guarantee that all the jirpwuiiicus arc being made with Teutonic thoroughness"The forts are all built along the same lines, the walla being raised about 30ft aibove the fortifications and constructed übout «oft deep of rivetted earth, with usually tight embrasures with a 6-inch gun in each. These guns are of the old type and lack the rapid fire features of the most modern artillery, but this is n» great handicap in operating against ships in the narrow passage. The ship's shells have no appreciable effect on the fortrew unless they make a direct hit on the gun embrasures, which is difficult m*rkmanehip. "The Turkish troops outnumber the Allies in Gallipoli two to one, and have all the advantage of salient positions."