Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-04-08
SURE ALLIES NOT ABLE
TO FORCE DARDANELLES
Sultan OF Turkey Confident Of AbiI-
ity to Withstand Onslaught
Of Enemies.
IN CORDIAL FRAME OF MIND
Follows With Keen Interest Descrip-
ton OF Recent Operations. und
Puts Eager Questions to Corre-
| SpondentS.
IN CORDIAL FRAME OF MIND

CONSTANTINOPLE. April (via
The Hague and Londonl.-"I am con-
WINGED the Dnrdanelles cannot be
forced. The brave conduct OF the
Turkish troops in the recent opera
lions permits me TO conclude that, al
though the allies use every means at
their disposal. they will be unable to
achieve their purpose"
Thus spoke Mehmed ". Sultan OF
Turkey, and first caliph OF the Moslem
world. to-day In an audience granted
TO the Associated Press correspondent.
The Sultan throughout the audience
expressed the greatest confidence in
Turkeys ability to withstand the on
slaught OF the allied forces, and fol-
lowed with keen interest a description
OF the allies operations OF March Is
agninst the Dardanelles forts, given
by the correspondent OF the Associated
Press. who acted as spokesman for
those who had been accorded the au-
dience.
The Sultan's discussion of tho bonn
bardment showed that he was we'll
informed on the affair. but he was
greatly interested in the human as
pect OF this tremendous action. What
was the effect of the enemy's fire?
What impression was made upon the
mind by the Turkish troops. and what
was the fate OF the population OF the
towns near the forts bombarded /?
These we're eager questions the Sultan
asked.
MANY INCIDENTS BRING
SMILES OF SATISFACTION
Mchmed V. was in most cordial
frame of mind. Many Incidents re-
lated by the correspondents brought
to the Sultan's face smiles OF salts
faction. appreciation and amusement
How the correspondents had been
obliged to make hasty retreat when
kale Sultanie was reached by the al
lies shells appeared to be Of special
interest to His Majesty
When one OF the correspondents told
the Sultan that he had been rendered
nervous in Chanak Knlessi by the e1-
plosions OF large shells, which i'm
PEELED him TO stoop at every detona-
tion. and how an old interpreter. who
also was retreating. touched him on
the arm each time saying. "Yock Kis-
met The Sultan was much amused,
and touched the newspaper man on the
shoulders and explained that tho use
OF the word "Kismet" was improper
under such circumstances, and that
"Kader" should have been used
His Majesty asked OF the sinking OF
the French warship Bouvet and the
British battleship Irresistible That
the former had disappeared within
three minutes brought IL look into the
kindly gray eyes OF His Majesty MS
II he regretted that 30 many human
beings had perlshed without chance
to fight for life.
GLAD TROOPS APPEAR
HAPPY AND CONTENTED
The Sultan then asked IL his troops
appeared happy and contcnted The
answer brought a new smile OF salts
faction to his face.
1T has been said that il was luck
that made our victory on March Is so
complete and great" he remarked,
but we in the Turkish have a saying.
Luck ts infatuated with the efficient
1T appears unjust to me that the
allies want to force the DardanelIes 8
and take Constantlnor.e just to i'm
port foodstuffs from Russia But our
army and coast defense force have
shown their ability and Willingness to
do their duty. am speaking here
not alone OF the Turkish defenders Of
tho Dardanelles. but also those Ger
mans who so efficiently and bravely
co-operatcd with them.
II would thank you II you would say
for me that my admiration for the
German troops In the east and the
west Is so great that 1t is impossible
FOR me to express In words my high
opinion Of their valor and efficiency.
Concerning their chief commander,
Emperor William. / can only say we
In Turkey pray that he may enjoy
the best OF health for many years"
The Sultan was informed that EN-
peror William was sending with Field
Marshal Won 6e. Goltz Iron Crosses OF
the first and second classes. with which
he intended TO decorate His Majesty.
and the sultan appeared highly pleased.
II arm proud OF being presented with
medals which decorate SO many brave
men," he said.
So far the Sultan had occupied him.
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