Page:EB1922 - Volume 30.djvu/846

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798
DARDANELLES CAMPAIGN


and foodstuffs. The principal exports are timber and sugar. Large granaries and warehouses for sugar stand near the wharves of the port, which also affords storage capacity for over 20,000 tons of oil. Timber pens are at Holm I. and extend for several miles along the bank of the Dead Vistula between Danzig and Plehnendorf.

The port has great commercial possibilities, the natural features of the waterways and surrounding country rendering expansion easy. The port is practically ice-free and is the only gateway to Poland. Thanks largely to the protection afforded by the peninsula of Hela, it has special advantages of security and development. The river Vistula from its source in the Carpathian mountains to its mouth at Schiewenhorst in the gulf of Danzig is 660 m. in length. Harmonious cooperation between the free city and Poland, resulting in security and the capital required for the expansion and development of the port, is essential to assure a prosperous future for the city and a corresponding benefit to Poland.

A constitution was drawn up in 1920 by duly elected representatives of the free city in agreement with the High Commissioner appointed by the League of Nations. This constitution was placed under the guarantee of the League of Nations and the free city was proclaimed on Nov. 15 1920. A treaty between the free city of Danzig and the Polish republic, negotiated by the principal Allied and Associated Powers (Article 104 of the Treaty of Versailles), came into force at the same time. By the Danzig constitution the Legislature is composed of a senate and a popular assembly. The senate consists of a presi- dent (who is the chief officer of the state), a vice-president, and 20 senators. The popular assembly consists of 120 deputies, elected by the universal, equal, direct and secret vote of all citizens, both men and women, who have attained the age of 20 years, in accordance with the principles of proportional repre- sentation. The League of Nations reserves the right of inviting the free city to introduce amendments to the constitution.

By the Treaty of Versailles Poland received the unrestricted use of the port, Polish imports and exports passing freely. The free city and Poland now form one customs area under the Polish customs tariff and legislation. The control and adminis- tration of the railway system within the free city (except that specially serving the port) and of direct communication between Danzig and Poland, as well as postal, telegraphic and telephonic communication via the port of Danzig between Poland and foreign countries, is given to Poland. German nationals or- dinarily resident in the territory of the free city lost their German nationality on the coming into force of the Treaty and became nationals of the free city of Danzig. A diplomatic representative of the Polish Government stationed at Danzig acts as interme- diary between the Polish Government and that of the free city. Poland undertakes the conduct of the foreign relations of the free city as well as the protection of its citizens abroad. Pass- ports issued to nationals of Danzig require the visa of the repre- sentative of Poland in Danzig. The right to fly the Danzig merchant flag is restricted to ships owned exclusively by nation- als of the free city. The Danzig port and waterways are under a board composed of an equal number (not exceeding five) of Danzig and Polish commissioners. Its president is of Swiss nationality, failing previous agreement between the Danzig and Polish Governments.

Of special interest to the British visitor may be mentioned the so-called " Englisches Haus," rebuilt in 1569 as a home for the London cloth merchants on the site of their former house; evidences of early communication between Great Britain and Danzig may be found in the " Englischer Damm " and in the quarters of the town still known as " Old Siotland " and " New Scotjand." The High Commissioner appointed by the League of Nations occupies the residence of the former commander of the German troops.

See P. Simson, Geschichte der Stadt Danzig, vols. I, 2 and 4, 1913; W. Lutoslawski, Gdansk and East Prussia (1919); A. Choloniewski, Danzig, ville polonaise (1919); Les sieges de Danzig et I'occupation franqaise 1807-1813 par le General Bourelly, (1904); Erwin Stein, Monographien deutscher Staedte, Danzig, Band VI. (1914); Simon Askenazy, Danzig and Poland (1919); Treaty of Peace signed at Versailles on June 28 1919; Documents published by the League of Nations. (R. T. T.)

DARDANELLES CAMPAIGN, 1915. The Dardanelles cam- paign of 1915 was brought about by a desire entertained during the early stages of the World War by the Allied Governments, and especially by the British Government, that communications

should be opened up from the Mediterranean into the Black Sea. These communications had been severed on the Ottoman Empire throwing its lot in with the Central Powers three months after the commencement of the struggle. Russia had in consequence been virtually cut off from intercourse by water with the outer world, seeing that the Baltic likewise was closed owing to action of the German navy; no adequate outlet for the Russian Empire's produce remained available; the most promising avenue for the introduction of warlike stores into the Tsar's dominions from without had been effectually barred. The very fact of reestablishing this vital strategical and eco- nomic artery of the Near East by force of arms would, moreover, of necessity carry with it the occupation of Constantinople by Entente forces and would deal a resounding blow at the very heart of the Sultan's realms. There was furthermore, at the juncture when the project of attack upon the Dardanelles was first seriously mooted at the beginning of Jan. 1915, a special inducement offered to the Allies for acting in this quarter any threat to Stambul and the Golden Horn must tend to take pressure off the Russian army in Armenia which was at the moment believed to be in some peril.

War between Turkey and the Allies broke out at the end of Oct. 1914, following on several weeks of strained relations due to the reception of the German warships " Goeben " and "'Breslau" within the Straits. Some British vessels carried out a brief bombardment of the Ottoman batteries at the mouth of the Dardanelles on Nov. 3, but the operation partook merely of the nature of a reconnaissance, and for some time hostilities were confined to a blockade of the Ottoman coasts, 1 defensive steps in Egypt, and the seizure of the Shat el Arab and Basrah.

ANZAC ANoSUVLA

Mil..? < *

Kilometres '1

Form fines at 25 m. Vertical Interval British front line before Aug.ows*-^*

To secure command of the maritime defile that links the Aegean with the Sea of Marmora was, in the opinion of most

'On Dec. 13 1914 the British submarine BIT, Lt. Norman Holbrook, successfully passed the mine-fields of the Straits and torpedoed the old Turkish battleship " Mcssudieh " at anchor. Less fortunate, the French submarine " Saphir " was sunk in a similar attempt to penetrate the inner waters on Jan. 15 1915.