Imperial Valley press., 1915-03-01
(By Ed l.. KeeneJ

London, March 1.-The greatest
fleet that ever assembled during the
bombardment of a fort or city today
is sixteen miles inside the entrance to
the Dardanelles, smashing fortifica-
tions that stand between the Anglo
French warships and Constantinople.
The lighthouse south of Fort Kilid
Bahr, on the European side of the
strait, has been com pleteiy demolished
by shells from the fleet.
The British per-dreadnaught
Queen Elizabeth, the largest fighting
machine afloat, has opened on Fort
Killd Bahr with 15-inch guns. The
effect was appalling and the fort was
soon badly damaged.
French monoplanes are reconnoit-
ering over the Plains of Troy and the
Turks are powerless to drive them off.
The landing of marines and Turkish
soldiers is proceeding a mile from the
Tomb of Achilles.
UncOnfirmed reports say the Allies
plan TO land troops on the Gulf of
Saros and seize the isthmus on the
European side at the narroWest point,
near Bulair This will cut the Eu-
ropean forts off from Constantinople
olIt itpOiC is Iilut IlllS dlfeduN mas
been accomplished.
A Salonika dispatch gives the Turk
ish losses at 5000.
London, March 1.-The great COM
bined fleets of Great Britain and
France continue their bombardment of
the forts lining the shores of the Dar-
danelles on the approaches to Kun
K,,ln
only one mile.
Demonstration of the destructive
power of the 15-inch guns of the Brit
ish dreadnaught Queen Elizabeth, the
fire from which destroyed Fort "a +"
at the entrance to the Dardanelles in
one hour and half is accepted here
as proof that the Barriers at Kun
Kalessi, although more modern and
better equipped than the lower forts,
cannot hold out more than a day or
two longer.
1t is reported from Athens that the
Sultan has decided to surrender Con-
stantinople rather than permit the
city to be destroyed by lombard
ment. The sovereign and his entour-
age are understood to be ready for
flight to Scutari.
The fleet as it is made up at pres
ent is the greatest ever in action. 1t
is led by the Queen Elizabeth, consid-
cred the most powerful fighting ship
afloat It's eight great 15-inch guns
have more than duplicated the feat
of the German 42-centimeters at
Liege.
With the outer forts leveled, more
serious work is ahead, for the all-im-
portant Notifications are at the mar
rOwest part of the straits, which the
monster fleet is now approaching.
There is no doubt, however, that
the allied commanders have instruc-
tions to make their way to Constan-
tinople in spite of all obstacles, and
have been supplied with the best
means of carrying out these orders.
The known British battleships, in
addition to the Queen Elizabeth at the
Dardanelles, are: Agamemnon, lire
sistible. Vengeance, CORVALLIS. AL
bion, Majestic and Triumph. In the
French line are the Gaulois, Suffren,
Charlemaene and Bouvet.
Additional details learned today
show how the outer forts were re-
duced. The fleet, preceded by mine
sweepers. crept into the straits. Com
ing within range of Fort Dardanus
the guns of the huge ships opened
fire. The aim of the gunners was
true and in a short time the Turkish
fort was in a bad way. Fort Intepe
on the Asiatic side, gave up almost
without struggle
Various Turkish encampments back
from the shores also were bombarded
and, according to reports reaching