The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-26
OTTER FORTS OF | STRAITS SUBDUED | AFTER A FURIOUS ATTACK FROM SEA Fall of Forts Officially An
 nounced By British Ad- miralty-Operati0ns Are Continuing THE BRITISH CABINET CONSIDERS U. s. NOTE ON NEUTRAL TRADING Allies Believe Germany's Shipping War Will Embroil Her With Neu- trsl Nations-More Ships Are Sunk

Are Sunk London, February 25.-(Midnight.) An the forts at the entrance of the | DardanelIes have been reduced by the allied fleet. This announcement was made officially tonight.
 The announcement of the secretary of the admiralty follows:
 "The weather moderating, the bom- bardment of the outer forts of the Dardanelles was renewed at o'clock this morning (February 25). After a period of long range firing the squad ron of battleships attacked at close range. All the forts at the entrance of the straits were successfully re- duced, and the operations are con tinuing."
 London, February 25.-d1 p. m)-The American note. the contents of which remain secret, but which in general seeks to bring about an understanding regard ing the war zone prescribed by Germany and the shipment of foodstuffs to the civ ilian populations of belligerent countries, was considered at meeting of the cab | inet No intimation as to the official at IV ttude toward it has been obtained. Press and public, however. on the sup position that President Wilson has sug- gested that Great Britain should not carry out her threat to place an embargo on turn. Germany should not enforce her submarine blockade against the British isles, already have expressed their disap- proyal of acceptance of such propos- ttion.
 While eight British ships have been de- ktroyec in the week that the blockade has been in force, it is pointed out that they are for the most part small vessels. and that most of them, instead of having food for this country, either were in bal last or carrying coal or other freight for neutral countries.
 Ii is believed here, also, that the de- struction of neutral ships and cargoes will embroi Germany with neutral countries, and that in the long run the losses the allies suffer will be more than offset by the anger aroused on the part of the neu- traIs and the possible refusal of coun- tries, such as Norway, to allow goods to be shipped from their ports to Germany
 Diplomatic Questions
 This and other diplomatic questions such as the possible entry of Italy and Roumania into the war, which again is being agitated. have largely overshad- owed news from the battleheds, which in military circles is considered of para mount importance. Military experts are keeping their eyes on operations along the eastern front, where battles of i'm mense magnitude are developing.
 The Germans, apparently having found the Russian fortress line around the East Prussian frontier too strong for them are attempting to make their way tt Warsaw from the northwest, and start ing from Mlawa. which has been the base of several previous offensive operations have penetrated as far as Przasnysc They claim to have captured there 1O,OO Hr}SOEcTS anu mucn war iildlclldl
 The Germans also claim to have hat successes in North Poland so that they must be in strong force in that terri tory.
 On the Bzura and Rawa rivers, directly west of warsaw, from which direction the Germans early in the year made suci desperate attempts to reach that city the Russians are on the offensive, ant according to the German reports. hay, made slight advance in the vicinity O Bolimow.
 Battles In East
 In western Galicia and along the Car pathiaE ranges battles are still beinI fought without any slackening, and thenc through eastern Galicia and Bukowini che Russian and Austro-German force are fighting stubbornly.
 In this war area the temperature re mains unusually high and the armie are contesting every foot of ground unde the most urfavorable conditions. men horses and guns sinking deep in mud.
 The armies in the west face the sam difficulties. and as far as the allies ar concerned they are confining themselve to bombardment of the German posi- lions along the coast and to offensiv operations in the Champagne, the AT eonne, on the heights of the Mouse an Sn the Vosges. where, on the highe ground, they are not so seriously al fected by the thaw.
 There has been further contact betwee the Russians and the Turks in the Cau casus. where both claim to have bee successful.
 Tn the House of Commons today Sl Edward Grey, secretary of state for fol eign affairs, made the important ar nouncement. which was received wit cheers that Great Britain sympathtze
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