IS CONSTANTINOPLE DOOMED?

Taranaki Daily News, 18 September 1915, Page 5

IS CONSTANTINOPLE DOOMED?

CONFLICTING ANNOUNCEMENTS. (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) Received Sept. 17, 6.25 p.m. London, Sept. 16. The TMes' correspondent at Salonika gives instances of conflicitng reports as to the conditions at Constantinople. An American who has returned states that Constantinople is the greatest city in Europe, and there is no apprehension that the Dardanelles will ever be forced or that the Allies will reach the city. But a well-known Anglo-Armenian, who has just returned, says, the conditions in Constantinople are nearly desperate. The people are convinced that the city is doomed, and believe that the Aliies are drawing nearer every day. The Turks in the city fret under German restrictions and hate the German officers. Food is at almost prohibitive prices, and. the Turkish casualties are enormous. Innumerable buildings have 'been turned into hospitals, and are filled to overflowing. The wounded in the city exceed one hundred thousand. The correspondent points out that these contradictory reports are both undoubtedly honest, but each is based on personal experience. The American moved chiefly in official circles and received official information; the other spoke for the masses. A French officer, invalided from the Dardanelles to Salonika, states that the Allies are progressing. The Turkish losses have been enormous, and he is confident that Constantinople will be taken before the end of September. THE FATE OF ARMENIA. CAMPAIGN OF EXTERMINATION. (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) Received Sept. 17, 5.15 p.m. London, Sept. 10. All witnesses agree as to the terrible character of the Turkish atrocities on the Armenians. It is believed that the official intention was a campaign of extermination, involving the murder of a million persons. TURKISH REPORT. Received Sept. 17, 9.30 p.m. Constantinople, Sept. 17. A communique states:—"Our troops near Anafarta, on Tuesday night, boldly surprised and dispersed the enemy. We bombarded and prevented the enemy trench digging at Seddul Bahr, our artillery silencing two batteries. The straits batteries successfully bombarded the troops at Cape Helles and Tekkeneusnu, and silenced a battery at Hissarlik. GENUINE IN STATEMENT. THOROUGH IN PERFORMANCE. When we tell you that our service is not to be excelled, it is no wild flight of imagination. We mean what we say, we do what we promise. We pass entries expeditiously, deliver goods safely, promptly, remove furniture in careful, painstaking fashion. No delay, no bother, but good work in every department, —Hie N.Z. Express Co* Ltd-