The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-09-10
ISLANDS THAT WILL
ENTER INTO PEACE
NEGOTIATION
(By Associated Press. =,

Constantinople, Sept. "a con-
test for the possession of Rabbit, I'm
bros, Tenedos and Lemnos islands is
bound to be one of the principal fea-
lures of the peace negotiations
marking the end of the European
war, according to a neutral diplomat
here. The informant would not have
his name mentioned, but he is a man
wha is considered here as thorough
ly conversant with affairs in Rus
STA.
''One has to look at the map to
realize that the power installed up
Oh the islands of Imbros, Lemnos,
Tenedos, and the group known as
the Rabbit islands, will he the
master Of the Dardanelles and the
approaches to them" said he. THAT
power. at present, is Great Britain.
1t is not for me to say what the
Russian government thinks Of seeing
Great Britain in possession Of such
splendid sites for the establishment
of another Gibraltar. I know,
however, that the Russian govern
ment has already seriously consider.
ed that possibility, and on two occas-
lens sounded the British government
what its intentions were. What the
reply was. do not know"
UP to last October the islands.
with the exception of the Rabbit
group, had been Professionally occu-
pied by Greece by virtue of the
treaty of London. They are of great
strategic Importance owing to their
location and proximity to the en-
trance of the Dardanelles. In addi-
tion to controlling the approaches
to the straight, the islands also
command the adjacent Levant and
European coastlines.
The largest Of the Rabbit islands
is only nine and one-half English
miles from the Dardanelles entrance.
and about five miles from Yenikoi
on the Anatolian coast. 1t consists
of a single, low hill which is said
to be excellently suited as the site
Of a large number of coast batter
iesfl. On the southern coast of the
island a harbor and base for small
war craft, such as submarines, tor
pedo boats and destroyers. could be
easily established. With the great
range Of modern guns. entry into.
and exit from the Dardanelles could
be controlled without difficulty
from this position. A range of nine
and a half miles insures effective
fire. The forts at Kun Kaleh and
Seddul-Bahr could be bombarded by
batteries on Rabbit island.
No less important in such a
scheme is the island of Imbros. Its
eastern shore is situated about ~
and half miles from Seddul- Bahr
and thirteen miles from the main
channel Of the Dardanelles entrance
The bays of the island are suited for
naval stations, while batteries on
the shore south of Cape Cefalo could
efficiently support the batteries on
Rabbit island in an operation
against ships wishing to enter or
leave the strait. What this would
mean is best understood when it is
borne in mind that on March 10,
the Queen Elizabeth's" main bat
terry of 16-inch guns bombarded the
forts of Tschanak Kaleh from dis
lance of about $4,000 yards, or
little more than ten English miles.
Since ships in the entrance would
not have the excellent cover enjoyed
by the Turkish batteries, totally
different result would have to ne
looked for. The batteries on Imbros
and Rabbit islands would fire from
a stationary base and would take
their target under a cross fire.
With the island of Lemnos also in
possession of the power holding
Rabbit and Imbros islands, the
could be closed tighter