Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-08-12
Capture Of Constantinople
Looked on as Best Way
to Aid the Russians
ANOTHER ARMY IS
STARTING CAMPAIGN
Defenses Across Neck Of the
Gallipoli Peninsula Are
Seriously Menaced

London, Aug. II. Recognition OF
imperative importance to the allies OF
forcing the Dardanelles, as the short
est road to retrieving Russian re-
verses and regaining the initiative now
in the hands of Germany, Is demon
strated amply by the sudden landing Of
British forces In the vicinity of Kara
chali, on the north Of the gulf OF Saros,
and resumption Of the offensive both
at the southern end of Gallipoli penin-
sula and north of Gaba Tepe.
The Australians and New Zealanders
recently have been Strengthening their
positions at Gaba Tepe. The new land
ing place on the gulf OF Saros, being
on the flank and rear and Bulair lines,
IL developed, would menace the strong
Turkish defenses across the neck OF
the peninsula. Coming at this time,
when there Is 80 much discussion
whether Germany will attempt to
crush Serbia preparatory to linking
forces with Turkey by way of Bulgaria,
these developments at the Dardanelles
assume 4 special importance.
AS yet there Is no proof that the
Germans have withdrawn or are pre-
pairing to withdraw any considerable
proportion Of their forces from the
eastern front. On the contrary, the Of
fensive which led to the fall Of Warsaw
has not been relaxed and the position
Of the retiring Russians Is still peril
GUS.
Partial dismantling of Wilma, prepar-
atory to evacuation as reported from
Petrograd, is somewhat puzzling to
British commentators. inasmuch as
the Russians assert they have repuls.
ed German attacks around the fortress
Of Kovno. which Is sixty miles north
west Of wilma.
The Zeppelins reported yesterday
over Holland, sailing In the direction
OF the Scottish coast, have not been
heard from.
Germans Still Gain.
London. Aug. 1.-The German at
tack on the fortress of Kovno has
been pressed close. Reuters cores
pondent at Petrograd points out that
the village Of Piple, on which the Ger
mans have retained their hold, not
withstanding the fierce counter at
tacks Of the Russians. Is only six
miles west Of Kovno. 1t lies on the
left bank Of the Niemen
Preparations are under way for the
possible evacuation Of the fortress.
All military supplies and government
property have been removed and fac
tories are being dismantled.
A Zeppelin has appeared for the
first time over the fortress of Dvinsk.
on the Dvina. 10 miles southeast OF
Riga The airship circled the ram
parts.
Turks Not Alarmed.
Constantinople. Aug. IL Enver
Pasha. the Turkish minister OF war,
declared today that according to his
information the entente allies in their
latest operations at the Dardanelles
had landed three divisions Of troops,
comprising about $4,000 men. The
losses among them, however, he as
serted, already had been very heavy.
Enver Pasha's statement was made
in an interview with correspondent
Of The Associated Press. The Turkish
war minister said:
II am fully confident that we Will
be able to keep the allies In check on
the Gallipoli peninsula, even II other
large reinforcements are coming. We
knew the allies action OF two days
ago was due and we prepared for it,
with the result that we were not
caught mapping.
According to my information the
allies landed three divisions, about
50. 900 men. No doubt part OF them
no longer count, considering the
heavy losses they sustained IN attacks
incident to the new offensive. The
allied losses have been very heavy 50
far in this new attempt to force the