THE DARDANELLES.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 October 1915, Page 5

THE DARDANELLES.

A TURKISH REPORT. THE USUAL SUCCESSES. Constantinople, Oct. 20. A communique says: There have been artillery duels and skirmishes at Anafarta. Our coast batteries at Ari Burnu silenced the hostile torpedo boats, which were unsuccessfully bombarding our position. The enemy on Sunday fired over a thousand shells at Seddul Bahr without result. i THE ONE GREAT RID~DLE. ACCORDING TO GERMANY, ' (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) London, Oct. 20. The Chicago Daily News publishes a Berlin telegram that Salonika is still the one great riddle of the war. It is reported that most of the British and French there have been taken from Gallipoli, indicating, if true, that the Allies admit the complete failure of their effort to open the despite their loudly proclaimed successes in the papers, which have turned out disastrous defeats. .It is a fact that now the terror of the Allies lias been increased by the activity of German Bribmarines in the Mediterranean, which gave a deathblow to the Dardanelles operations last spring. . - ■-< AN ABSURD SUGGESTION. IDLE WORDS PROM "GRANNY." (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) London, Oct. 20. In view of the questions that have arisen as to the Dardanelles, leading Australasians urgently desire the presence of Messrs Fisher and Massey. Australasian representation on the War Councils has become imperative, and it is understood that the Imperial Government will welcome it, owing to the desire for closer touch with Australasian feeling. No one desires to take the Dardanelles situation in other than a sportsmanlike way, or make distinctions between Australasian and British sacrifices or interests, which the comradeship at the Dardanelles has further intertwined, but obviously it is impossible at present for the representatives in London to do what is necessary. NO GREAT VICTORY LOOMING. SAYS THE DAILY MAIL. (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) ' London, Oct.' 20. The Daily Mail, in a leader, referring to the recent Ministerial utterances, says: "We say plainly, and take the responsibility for so doing, that it is not true that, 'as every German and Turkknows, we are on the eve of a great victory in the Dardanelles.'" WHO WAS HE? COMMANDER AT THE SUVLA BAY LANDING. Received Oct. 21, 7.5 p.m. London, Oct. 20. In the House of Commons LieutenantCommander Wedgwood asked who commanded the troops at the landing at Suvla Bay, and whether he was still in command. Mr. Tennant replied that the officer was no longer in any command, and he thought it was not in the public interest to say any more.

ONLY MINING OPERATIONS. GENERAL BUtDWOOD'S REPORT. AN UNPLEASANT EXPERIENCE. Received Oct. 21, 8.10 p.m. London, Oct. 20. The Press Bureau announces that Major-Genera 1 Birdwood reports that there is little to say about the operations above ground last week. There is considerable mining activity on both sides. The Turks iiretl a mine, at Hill 80, which, unfortunately for them, exploded beneath their own lines, c.iusinc much damage to a Turkish trench, but none to ours. _ Elsewhere they exploded our trenches, from which the garrisons had been already withdrawn, tat five miners, who were buried and given up for lost, reappeared three days later. Thev'had dug themselves out, and wen; little the worse for the ordeal.

WITH A GRAIN OF SALT. PRIVATIONS AT GALLTPOLI. Received Oct. 21, 11.30 p.m. London, Oct. 21. British prisoners at Constantinople have informed the Associated Press Agency's representative that the position at Gallipoli is a trying one. Water is scarce at Anafarta, where only one well is in the hands of the, British.' This has been replenished with supplies brought from Imbros Island and Salonika. From this well the British forces are supplied in half-pints daily. The allowance of food is six biscuits, preserved meat, candy and jam, and poor health is the result. There are several cases of dysentery, and the heat and dust are severe handicaps to the Allies. It could not be said that the troops who recently landed on the Peninsula are of the first class, as they are too young.

"A PITIABLE FAILURE." GERMAN VIEW OP THE SITUATION. Received Oct. 22, 1.45 a.m. Berlin, Oct. 21. The Nordeutche Allegemeine Zoitung says that the Anstlo-French action in the Dardanelles, as all the world knows, has been a pitiable failure. The Turkish bravery leaves no alternative between an inglorious departure or complete destruction. The newspaper adds that an artistic end may be arranged

THE CHIEF SICKNESS. GETTING READY FOR THE WINTER. Received Oct. 22, 1.45 a.m. London, Oct, 2L Mr. Tennant, in the House of Commons, said that, the chief sickness at the Dardanelles is dysentery, but there had been a remarkable decline since the beginning of the month. The War Office is supplementing the local timber supply for winter huts from England, and is also sending huts in sections.