The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-11-05
APOLOGY FOR THE
 ACTION OF TURKISH
 FLEET NOT ACCEPTED
Porte Unwilling to Dismiss German Nfficers From the Navy-Spsculation
 Rife as to Balkans
 Actions
London, November 4.-(9: 80

London, November 4.-(9:30 Turkey has definitely broken off dip- lomatic relations with Great Britain, France, Russia and Servia. Her dip lomatic representatives in capitals Of these countries, acting on orders from the Porte, today demanded and re- ceived their passports. ss me already have left, while the others will depart tomorrow.
 Although no statement to this effect has been given out, it is understood Turkey s apology for the actions of her fleet in bombarding Russian Black sea ports and Russian ships was unacceptable to the not prepared to aecede to demand that not prepared to acced to demand that German officers in her service be dis missed and the ships purchased from Ger many dismantled.
 The powers with the Ottoman govern ment thus decided already are taking warlike action against Turkey. 'che French have destroyed Fort Akabah, in Arabia, the Russians have invaded Asia Minor and an Anglo-French fleet is bonn ssi tiins fho iolrs Of sslev yaldsn-I .ss. N oa that Turkey has aligned herself among the nations at war, speculation is rife as to what the other Balkan powers will do Greece is said to be preparing to take sides with the allies. while Bulgaria has given assurances of her neutrality. Bull garia, however, is mobilizing, for, us a in the area of the war, Bulgaria must be prepared for any eventualities'
 Ships Off English Coast
 Next to the Turkish situation, the ap- pearance of German warships off the English coast is causing most of the dis cussion in this country today. There is a disposition among naval men to believe that no serious raid was intended, but that the Germans hoped to induce British warships to follow them, and, by laying mines as they retired, to catch some of the bigger ships, as they did the subma- rine D-5.
 The fact that the Germans did lay mines seems to lnulcale 10 the naVal experts here that the ships engaged in this work were old ones. The experts argue that Germany would not take such risks witr new vessels. As if to prove their con tention. the experts say that the firing at the British cruiser Halcyon, which re- suited in slight damage to that vessel. showed that the Germans were not armed with modern guns.
 official reports of the fighting on land as issued today recorded only advances at various points and repulses of enemy attacks at others. There is, in fact nc great change in the situation. according to these reports It Is definitely an- nounced that the Germans have given up their positions along the Yser, having been driven out thereby the flooded coun- try and the gun fire of the allied troops and warships.
 Keep Up Attacks
 The Germans. however. have kept up their attacks on the allies lines around Ypres. where the British troops are fight ing. Although there is evidence that the ne wmain effort of Emperor Williams forces to break through at this point has not really commenced, the Germans con tinue to bring up endorsements and. under the eyes of the Emperor. are pre- paring to make another big attempt to get through to the coast.
 Military men here say that the allies have just as good means for bringing up endorsements to the lines as have the Germans. and express confidence that a
 tContinued on Page Two)