FIRST GERMAN CONTINGENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 280, 24 November 1915, Page 5

FIRST GERMAN CONTINGENT.

EN ROUTE TO GALLIPOLI. NO BLOCKADE OF GREECE. OFFICIAL DENIAL BY BRITAIN.

./" The first German contingent has reached Constantinople, on its way to Gallipoli, where yon Mackensen is expected to command. Two 16i-inch guns intended for the same war theatre have reached Bulgaria. It is reported from Germany that the Allies have resumed the offensive in the Dardanelles, and that a vigorous artillery duel is in progress. The reported economic blockade of Greece is officially denied by the British Foreign Office, which also states that no Greek ships have been held up at Allied ports. This directly contradicts earlier reports, which had caused a great deal of excitement in Greece. A German Dreadnought of the latest type is said to have been mined and sunk in the Baltic, while the Germans are anxiously discussing the fate of nine submarines which went out into the Aegean and have not returned. A Swiss message states that a Turkish transport struck a mine in the Sea of Marmora, the majority of the 500 aboard her being drowned. The Italians are fiercely pressing their attack against Gorz and Tolmino, and it is believed that both of these fortresses will fall into their hands before long.