THE DARDANELLES

Southland Times, Issue 17455, 9 March 1915, Page 5

THE DARDANELLES

PANIC AT CONSTANTINOPLE MASSACRE OP CHRISTIANS FEARED HASTY ATTEMPTS AT FORTIFICATION (By Tctcgrapn—Press Assn—Copyright) I,ON DON. March S. Received March S. 11,5 p.m. The Times' correspondent at Sofia says that Constantinople is puniestrieken and thousands of refugees from Gallipoli increase the alarm. It is feared that tlie appearance of tlie Allied Fleet will be tho signal for a general massacre of Christians, and many have alreadv lied. In tlie event of an outbreak 'it is expected that the instigators of a holy war will lie tDo first vielmis of Moslem fanaticism, the German officers being unpopular with Hie masses. Great efforts are being marie to fm ify tho environs of tlie city, under t.ie direction of Enver Pasha, ALLIED MINISTERS RECEIVED OVATIONS WHEN DEPARTING LONDON, March X. Tlie Times' Athens correspondent reports that the British. Russian and Belgian Ministers, when leaving the> legation received an ovation. The ■ ttsh Ambassador was earned should, t high in front of the. German Legation. TURKS USE FLOATING MINES GUNS SKILFULLY HIDDEN DETAILS OP THE BOMBARDMENT A SPECTATOR’S STORY A MAGNIFICENT SPECTACLE many forts engaged LONDON. March 8. Received Mareii S, 9 p.m. The Daily Chronicle's correspondent at Athens stales that Hie Turks are using many floating mines in the Dardanelles, some of which have floated as far as Tcnedos. The heavier Turkish guns are skilfully hidden and it is necessary to put each one out of action individually, a task calling for the most skilful markmanshlp. Already fifty have been UeA spectator on Mt. Ilias watched Hie opening bombardment, which he describes as a magnificent spectacle. J he Allied fleet was ranged in semi-circles at the entrance and shells from their guns screamed out. every two minutes. Huge masses of earth and stonework were thrown up. The din was terrific. As the Turkish batteries refused to he drawn one British and one French warship stood in, spitting tiro and smoke towards Sedtl-el-Babr. , As Hie ships sped under the batteries lire fountains of water sprang high in Hie air round them, but none of the shots were within 109 yards. Immediately the batteries were disclosed the fleet opened a terrific lire from its heaviest guns. Each projectile appeared to create a frightful inferno. One section of the fleet, sheltering behind the extremity of the Gallipoli Peninsula, fired over a hilly promontory at the Kum Kale forts, while another section under the coast to the north-east of Tenedos, concentrated a galling fire on the same spot, also demoralising groups of Turkish troops on the mainland. THE QUEEN ELIZABETH ENGAGES TWO FORTS GENERAL SHELLFIRE PARIS, March 8. Official : The Queen Elizabeth from the Gulf of Saros bombarded two large forts on the Asiatic coast near Chanak

ami simultaneously 111" battleships within tlic Dardanelles bombarded Dardanus on the Asialii' ('oast, and Hofthanherc on (hr Kuronean coast. ENTOK PASHA INTERVIEWED THE DARDANELLES DEFENCES INNER FORTS INTACT AMSTKIIDAM. March S. Deceived March 1.i1.l a.rn. Tiic Frankfurter Zeitiuiß' publishes an Interview with Knver Dasha. who declares that the subjection of the outer furls of tlie Dardanelles was expected. The real defences are further in. where a. narrow defile is commanded by mines and artillery, which will prevent warships manoeuvring. These defences so far have not been affected.