Evening journal., 1915-03-03
death STROKE" SAYS FRENCH
MINISTER, BOASTING THAT SHIPS
WILL BE BARRED FROM GERMANY
Naval Head Says Blockade Of German Ports Will Starye
the KaiSers Empire Out in War Game, and Says
IeutOn Threat Of Starving England is
Bluff Which Cannot Be Made Good
ALLIES REPULSED IN DARDANELLES,
RUSSIANS CLAIM HEAVY AUSTRIAN LOSS

! "We shall not let up until the city
falls. We don't expect to open the
Dardanelles without effort, but we
will get through in good time. Just
how long that will be ! can't say, be-
cause that depends upon many things.
The hardest work will be from the
middle OF the Dardanelles TO the Sea
of Marmora. Once the fleet IS
through. which is merely question OF
/ comparatively little will re-
main TO be accomplished"
what effect will the fall OF Con-
stantinople have on the war?' was
asked
1.-THE effect will be far-reaching;
that is certain replied the minister
with emphasis. but It Is difficult to
/ foretell the exact result. Certainly il
/ will be one OF the wars turning
points"
do you foresee any trouble be-
! tween the United States and Germany
over the war zone proclamation"
81 do not believe Germany stupid
enough to fire on American ships
was the reply II am unable to see
.
for certainly such an act would not
be calculated to increase American
sympathy for her. But still, as Lord
Admiral Beresford said TO the London
correspondent of the United Press.
Germany might sink an American
ship In order TO save her face by
bringing America into the war and
then claiming that the world was
against her"
what about the Dacia?" / asked
"There will be no trouble over the
Dacia,' smiled Augagneur. The re-
. lations between France and America
always have been friendly I don't
anticipate the slightest trouble in this
instance
You are satisfied with the work
, Of the fleets so far?"
Amply We have done our share
!. : with comparatively no losses. II
I we have not done more it is because
the enemy has not given us the op-
pcrtunity"
g You don't fear a German surprise
!, and loss Of the mastery OF the sea,
then ?' l remarked IN leaving.
- I'VE don't fear any surprise Ger
I many has 10 offer in the air. on the
sea or under the sea. said Augagncur
4 with a satisfied smile. I'VE viii keep
: control of the sea. Germany's alleged
p blockade already has proved a fiasco.
= We are not at all panicy over Il. We
- shall continue TO protes' as a matter
- Of course against piratical attempts
{ contrary to all the laws of civilization.
In the meantime we have taken all
{ precautions to hold the number of
victims down to the minimum. AS
said before, an occasional vessel is
8 bound to be sunk, but without affect
- ing the result in the least.
our real answer to Germany's bar
barrie methods Is this-we will see that
: no more ships will be allowed to
! leave her ports. We will starve heI
Z out. We are fully satisfied with the
. trend of events in every theatre ol
: war"
2 Augagneur's hair and mustachc
: are almost white. He reminds one
+ somewhat of portraits of General
4 Miles, He loves the navy and speaks
h of Frances battleships almost as q
r they are his children.
Like the other French ministers. h,
z is at his desk early and works until
e late. His health is vigorous, despite
e hard work. He is to the navy what
Millerand is to the French army. He
j. is very democratic and approachable
/ and a thorough master Of his depart
rent and a lover of discipline