The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1914-11-03

With Russia, but Has Hurled De-
fance at the Triple Ente ente-Move-
ment Of Troops Follows Assault on
Russian Seaports--German officers
Command Turkish WarshIps.
London, Oct. S1.-Turkey is not
merely at war with Russia. She has
nagrantly thrown the gauntlet to the
triple entente. Her warships within
twenty four hours have attacked the
cities of Odessa, Theodosia and No
vorossysk, have sunk the Russian
cruiser Donets, have shelled the
French steamer Portugal and have
destroyed or damaged Ave Russian
merchant vessels.
simultaneously she has put her
troops in motion, evidently launching
an attack against the British in
Egypt. A dispatch from Cairo states
that Turkish cavalry divisions are ap-
preaching the Gulf of Akabah. the
most easterly projection Of the Red
sea, and that the British and native
forces in Egypt are prepared for an
attack.
The Ottoman empire, casting her
lot with Germany, went to war with
out warning. The bombardment of
TheodosiA and the threat at Novoros-
sysk was quickly followed by another
raid into the harbor of Odessa and
the attacks by the German cruisers
Goeben and Breslau upon Russian
shipping in the Black sea. There are
credible reports that the Turkish war.
ships are commanded by German of.
| ficers and that navy and army are In
control OF the German government
II is ofiicially reported by the Rus
sian government that two Turkish
destroyers ran into the harbor OF
Odessa and opened fire on the city
and shipping. 1t is probable that the
authorities at Odessa were not aware
that state of war existed and that
Turkish ships had already attacked
elsewhere In the Black sea.
The Russian gunboat Denets OF
1,224 tons was hit by torpedo and
went to the bottom. The destroyers,
turning their guns, on, the merchant
vessels, damaged the Portugal, which
flew the French flag, and hit three
Russian steamers, the Lazareff, WI
tiaz and WhampOa. The destroyers
also threw shells into the city, killing
or injuring citizens and damaging a
sugar factory. Apparently an attempt
was made to ruin oil storage tanks,
which were in full range of the guns,
but these we're not injured.
Merchantmen Sunk.
simultaneously the big battle cruis-
or Goeben, sold or loaned to Turkey
by Germany, and still manned. ac-
cording to report, by German officers
and seamen, went into action against
Russian merchant ships operating be.
tween the Sea of Azov and the Black
sea- A dispatch from Petrograd
states that the Goeben intercepted
and torpedoed the steamships Yalts
and Kazbek, and that seventy-three
sailors and passengers Of the Kazbek
perished. This raid was first heard
Of in Kertsch, q Crimean port.
; A dispatch from Rome states thai
the Goeben and Breslau have proba
| bly, destroyed other vessels, since
they have been active since Thursday
. morning In lanes where Russian yes
sells are common The Breslau was
off Theodosia, on the Caucasus sea
board, OH Thursday morning. 1t is
entirely probable that bombardmenl
of seacoast towns has been com
menced.
Russia's action was immediate The
czar's government proclaimed a state
, Of war against Turkey and the Rus
sian ambassador and suite left Con
!. stantinople after the protection o.
/ Russian citizens and interests in Tur
, key had been placed in the hands o.
; the Italian ambassador. The minis
= ter Of marine at Petrograd sent In
a attractions to the commander Of thu
a Black sea fleet to search out and en-
! gage the Turkish fleet. Russian con
/. suls in Turkey have been withdrawn
A dispatch from Vienna says that Rus
\ ala has already attempted to invade
/, Turkish territory in Europe. but tina
a the attempts have been unsuccessful
HUNDRED DROWN