The Washington times., 1915-04-18
TURK WARSH|P SUNK,
100 BR|TONS PERISH
MosIem Torpedo Boat Attacking
English Transport Near
Chios Island Is Destroyed.

LONDON, April 1S.-The admiralty re-
ceived no further information today
clearing up the mystery concerning the
naval battle between the allied war
ships and a Turkish torpedo boat near
the Island of Chios yesterday.
One hundred men aboard the British
transport Manitou. which was attacked
by the hostile craft, were drowned. the
admiralty announces, but at the same
time the official statement asserts that
none of the three torpedoes fired by the
enemy struck the Manitou.
The battle was fought Off the Island
of Chios, near the Gulf of Smyrna, and
about 100 miles south of the entrance to
the Dardanelles. 1t is believed here the
transport was torpedoed and sunk after
she had landed British troops on the
coast OF Asia Minor.
Tho torpedo boat is believed to have
emerged rom the Gulf of Smyrna. pene-
trating the blockade maintained by
Vice Admiral Peirses fleet since the
bombardment of Smyrna
The appearance Of the Turkish craft
was the signal for a concentration OF
British warships in tho vicinity. Led by
the cruiser Minerva, a squadron Of
destroyers attacked the Turkish ship,
drove 1T ashore and destroyed it.
Allied Fleet Withdrawn.
The attack on the Manitou, made "in
an attempt to interfere with the prep
arations for the resumption OF the
operations against the Dardanelles and
Asia Minor" indicates to authorities
here that the allied feet has withdrawn
from its advanced position before
Smyrna, and, further. that in addition
to land operations against the straits
proper the plan OF operations formulated
by the allies contemplatcs a serious
land demonstration against smyrna and
an advance on the Dardanelles overland
from the Asiatic side.
While the bombardment OF the straits
was actively progressing strong Anglo
French fleet advanced to within strik-
ing distance OF the Smyrna fortifiCations
and for several days maintained Wig
orous fire against them. The fact that
q Turkish torpedo boat could reach
ChiQs and attack transport off that
island seems to show that the squadron
has retired from its position before the
ports defenses. Chios lies to the south
Of Mitylcne Island. with the entrance to
the Gulf of Smyrna between tho two.
and is approximately sixty miles from
the city itself
Few Landing Spots Available.
LanI operations based on transports.
1t is believed. will present many diff
ficulties owing to the rocky character
OF the terrain. Few points along the
coast are available for landing troops,
and it is assumed these points are well
protected by mobile artillery. once es-
tablished ashore, however. observers in
London are confident the allies will be
able to command sufficient force to
crush Ottoman opposition and clear the
way for threefold cooperative attack
on the Darda nelles-by tho feet up the
straits and by land assault from the
Asiatic hills and by the Gallipoli pcnin-
sula. on the European side
The long talked Of occupation by tho
allies of Htylene Is now said to be
! imminent. Spotted fever has reached
| here two cases already having been
| reported.
The Manitou. one OF the Atlantic
| Transport line steamships, taken over
| by the British admiralty. made her last