In spite of the continued bad weather, the progress made
in the Dardanelles luta been on the whole very satisfactory. Our ships have reached the Narrows and are already engaged with the powerful forts there, which are the most formidable in the whole course of the Straits. Silencing them may prove a long and difficult job, but when they are silenced the chief part of our task will be accomplished. Rumours, probably well founded, declare that the uneasiness at Constantinople increases daily, and we hear of the officials and the families of the Austrian and German Embassies having already been sent to Philippopolis in Bulgaria. It is further stated that the Turks have posted up notices announcing that the Allies are attacking the Dardanelles, and that it may he necessary to evacuate the positions in the Straits. It is added, however, that if evacuation takes place it will be merely 'for strategic reasons," and that the victorious troops of the Sultan will return to the Dardanelles. Another item of news which comes to the Deily Mail from its Athens correspondent is to the effect that the Turkish Navy has of late been inactive, and that the ' Gocben' "is entirely hors de combat." She is said to have a hole in her side over fifty feet long, and her secondary armament has been removed and mounted in the Dardanelles forts.
