Norwich bulletin., 1915-02-26

Almost simultaneously with the, declaration in the house of lords bs- the British foreign secretary that Great Britain is in entire accord with Russia's desire for access to the open sea, comes the announcement by the British admiralty that all the forts at the entrance to the Dardenelles have been reduced.
 For several days the allied British and French fleet has heen pounding greatest obstacle to passage of the straits. Within the straits and in the Sea of Marmora, are other forIi- fcations, but these are believed to be of a weaker structure.
 The officials statement says Shat the operations are proceeding and that after Q period of long range ire the Warships attacked at close range.
 Straits Guarded by Mines.
 The straits are guarded also by lines of mines, believed to number at least seven. It was under some of 1l.ese lines that the British submarine B II in command of Lieutenant Commander Holbrook dived last Decembe~ and tor pedoed the Turkish battleship Mes sudieh. Recently the Turks, fearing the entrance of the allied fleet into the Sea of Marmora, sent troops anG heavy artillery to all the islands in that water.
 
 If once they force the straits. the British and French warships which are thought to number between thirty and forty, would likely attempt a land ing with a subsequent march on Con- stanttnople.
 The Bosphorus. the narrow strait about eighteen miles in length which connects the Black sea with the Sea of Marmora, also is strongly fortified and it is though this strait that che Black Sea fleet of Russia would have to come in order to reach the open.
 Within the boundaries of the Black sea powerful Russian fleet has been bottled up together with hundreds of steamers which might be used for troop purposes, if Russia deemed that desirable. Furthermore should the aI- lied fleet be successful in its present undertaking Russia, would be enabled to release millions of bushels of wheat.
 Merchant Ships Being Sunk.
 In the meantime merchant ships are being sunk by mines and torpedoes and the American secretary of the treasury has issued an order whereby all ports in British Isles have been made special ports, requiring special rates of war risk insurance from the gov ernment bureau and the special port zone on the continent is made to in Clude Bordeaux.
 Berlin reports the capture of Przasnysz. an important town to the north of Warsaw. There the Ger mans took 10000 Russian prisoners and it is believed that their intention IS to march against the Polish capital from the north.
 Russia Claims Germans Exaggerated
 Success.
 Russia officially declares that the German statements regarding recent successes ill East Prussia have been greatly exaggerated; that many of the Russian troops who were said 10 have been annihiIataed made good their retreat and that the German lines are being held in check.
 The fighting in the western zone. ac- Cording to the latest official commu<li- cations issued by the respective gov ernnents. seem to be of a minor na> ture.
 4 news agency despatch from Ven ice asserts that the Austrian govern ment is confiscating all stocks of grain and flour in the monarchy wfi .h will be apportioned per capita when an approximate estimate of the available supply is made.