The Press. FRIDAY, AUGUST 13, 1915. Constantinople for Warsaw ?

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15356, 13 August 1915, Page 6

The Press. FRIDAY, AUGUST 13, 1915. Constantinople for Warsaw ?

Tho capturo of Warsaw by tho Germans obviously called for some counter-stroke on tho part of tho Allies. Tho indications aro that this is to take tho shape of a great forward , 'dtep in tho Gallipoli campaign, with tho object, of course, of forcing tho Dardanelles. and compelling the surrender of Constantinople. This is tho most effective way in which wo can give assistance to Russia. A s we have already explained, the opening of the Dardanelles would not only mean tho defeat of Turkey, and the almost certain coming-over of tho principal Balkan States to the side of the Allies, bat it would enable necessary supplies to be poured into Odessa, and, most j important of all, it would open up a new and easier way to Vienna and Berlin. Tho new phase on which tho [iailipoli operations have now entered may, therefore, very well prove a turn-ing-point in the war. It is evident that largo reinforcements have arrived, and troops have been landed not only at two fresh points about two miles north of Cuba Tepo (where the Australians and New Zealanders made their historic landing), buc also on the north fchoro of the Gulf of Saros, this latter force commanding the road to Bulair. In other words, as is explained in a cable message, tho British r.ubmarines hiving stopped. traffic in .tho Sea of Marmora and thus cut up ,iho Turkish :ommumcations by sea, Sir lan Hamilton now threatens to cut tho only land highway. Tho Turks on the Peninsula K * thus bo in tho position of an army W in en invested fortress. The lineal of Bulair across the nar—Eon insula which-

constitute the defence of the Peninsula from n land attack, are completely commanded 1»y the naval guns of the Allies, and in all probability the redoubts have already been reduced to ruins. While a new danger to the Turks has been developing from this quarter a general attack of a most vigorous character has been made by the English, tho French, and the Australian and New Zealand troops. To the gallant nature of tho fighting the heavy list of casualties among the officers, which we publish this morning, bears sad, if splendid, witne-ss. We fear that this is the forerunner of a still heavier roll of honour bearing the names of tho rank and file. We have, however, the supreme satisfaction of knowing that these intrepid young soldiers have not fallen in vain. Sir lan Hamilton reports that the area held at Anzac has been nearly trebled owing chiefly to tho gallantry/and dash of tho Australian and X'rVv Zealand Army Corps. The work/n which our men are taking such anjllonourable part is admittedly one of greatest difficulty. A writer in tho "Fortnightly Bevicw," ablo to speak with tho highest authority, described it as '"a great campaign which "can only bo successfully carried " through, and it must be carried " through, by a display of circumspec"tion, of bravery, and of diplomatic "skill, the like of which have probably " never before been required in tho " world's military or political history." Every man in tho Allies' army know that once a landing was effected, they had to hold on at all costs. Thero could be no turning back—it was oither complete victory or a disastrous defeat. It now really appears that wo are drawing appreciably nearer to a victory which will have a material effect on the fortunos of tho war, and whoso glory will live forever in military history I'ortunate indeed are those sons of New Zealand privileged to take part in so great and glorious an achievement.