THE DARDANELLES.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15462, 15 December 1915, Page 7

THE DARDANELLES.

IN THE BLACK SEA.

THE RUSSIAN NAVAL SUCCESS. TWO GUNBOATS AND A SUBMARINE SUNK. {By Ca'.ilc.—Press Aceociitian.—Copyright.) (Received December 14th. 7.30 p.m.) LONDON. December 13. A report from Bucharest regarding the recent engagement in the Black Sea says the Russians torpedoed and damaged the. Goeben, and sank tho Turkish gunboats Bourak Reis and Malitia, and also a submarine. An official message from Petrograd on December 12th stated that three Russian destroyers sank tw<> Turkish gunboats near tho Bosphorus. There were no Russian losses.

THE ADVENT OF WINTER.

BRITISH TROOPS SEVERELY TBIED. AUSTRALIANS AND NEW 'ZEALANDERS CHEERFUL. HARDSHIPS OF THE TURKS. LONDON, December 13. Renter's correspondent at tho Dardanelles, in a despatch dated December 3rd, pictures tne wintry conditions prevailing there. Winter, he said, had arrived earlier than was expected, and the trenches at Suvla Ha- »vere Tho stamina of tho British troops had been severely tried, but they stood tho winter better than tho Turks, who quitted their trenches and were ehot bitting on the parapets. Several who were taken prisoners wero in a pitiable condition and poorly clad. They complained that they had been given only half rations, and it appeared as if tho severe weather, combined with aeroplane and warship bombardments were hampering tho Turks' communications. Rocentty the Turkish artillery had been more active, and the New Zcalanders' trenches were subjected to a night attack, which was, however, only haif hearted, and easily repulsed. The colonials, including the Maoris, have withstood the intense cold satisfactorily and cheerfully, and the indications arc that owing to their gplendid physique and resourcefulness they will stand the severe weather ahead even better than their British comrades.

A storm somewhat damaged our boats and barges, but inter-communi-cation has been restored. On two occasions recently the Turks, thinking wo might be evacuating our positions, quitted their trenches at night jn order to reconnoitre in considerable numbers. For the most part they were not molested, our officers wishing to encourage their belief and honing that they would come in greater numbers. The weather is now normal, but is expected to bo severe iu Januarx and February. It is hoped that tho troops will then have received their wetweather clothing, including thigh boots and waterproof canes, and will be better prepared than tho enemy. Tho supply conditions are more difficult here than in France, but every possible elfort is being made to cope with ; tli" unusual circumstances. Later information show«j that the enemy suffered greatly jn the last storm. Many of them had neither blankets nor underclothing, and must have perished. Several bodies and mule* have been washed down into our trenches. WINTER CO3IFORTS FOR OLE 31 EX. (PKE.--S association tjxeoeam.) WELLINGTON. December 14. Referring to Captain Bean's cable regarding winter comforts for tho troops, the Hon. James Allen said that the Imperial Government had undertaken to supply sheepskins and alab watertight trench boots, while New Zealand was sending a large supply of leather waistcoats. A FULLER STATEMENT. (PRESS ASSOCIATION TrLO.r.Ali.) WELLINGTON. l)ecenilM>r J t. Referring lo the ea'oled statement that t!;.- New Zealand troons at Galli)w>li have pot yet. leceived their she?pikui coat; ioi winter v. car. the Minister

for Dofor.co stated to-day that the mattor was in the Ikhids of the Impeiuu authorities, who hu«l said that thoj would supply all winter clothing required by the troops at Galhpoli. The New Zealand Government hail undertaken at one stage to make n certain number of sheepskin coats, and had arranged for the purchase of suitable skins in Australia. New Zealand skins not being of the right weight. but the Federal Government had protested tliat its own purchases wore being made difficult by the New Zealand transactions. and the Dominion Government had decided to retire from that market and transfer the skins already bought to the Australian authorities. Consequently none of the wnts had been made in Xon- Zealand. The Minister said he had no doubtthat the Now Zealand troors would bo properly supplied. He had been told that the New Zealand trenches were particularly well kept and drained, which would be an important factor in security; the comfort and health of tho men.

"THE SPIRIT OF AXZAC."

SIMPLE, UNQUESTIONINGHEROISM. CAPACITY TO ENDURE HARDSHIPS. ("Time?" and * Sydney Suu" ScrvictfO LONDON, December 13. The "Spirit of Anzac" number of tho *' 'The Times' History of tho "War." .say.s that the plain ttory of Gallipoli is enough to stir the pride and rouse the emulation of the British race for generations to come. Tlio deeds that "won the Victoria Cross were wonderful, but the spirit of Auzae was heroic thronchout. General Walker, after tho fight for Lone Pine, mentioned more than 100 men for decoration. '"It- is wrong to regard the Australian ii-s reckless. He has every possible reason for wishing to live—warm affections, well-established homes, and a fruitful country. Life to him is very sweet, but lie has measured tho sacrifice by the stake, knowing that the great aim of maintaining tho happiness of his country has justified his giving himself.''

A tribute is paid to tlio direct methods of tho Medical Corps,'which did not consider traditions, but whose members were icady. in tho causo of duty, to overwork themselves instead j£ waiting for orderlios to act. The Australasian doctors gavo up comfortable incomes and a life of independence for a hard, disciplined fight amidst septic surroundings. They were proving extraordinarily quick and skilled. It is pointed out there was no Imperial organisation. Tho Dominions were kept in tho dark owing to the fear of the icakagc of sccrots. There was no attempt to inform the Press of tho Dominions, which was allowed to flounder along with two articles in ita creed—one of faith in Great Britain, and the sccond, of faith in the unshakeable certainty, of victory. It is stated that the tragedy of Anzac was long in unfolding itself to Australia and New Zealand.' Anxiety ultimately followed disappointment, but nothing could shake their patient confidence in tho race. Tho main produce of tho An?ac adventure uas a renewed determination to see tho war through. Battlefield misfortunes could not daunt the Australians and New Zcalanders, but their leaders began r 4 move towards Londou in. response to the Dominions' determinartion to tnko a greater part in Empire contrcl.

The number contains some interesting sentences regarding the leaders of Australia and New Zealand. Their strength lay in their practicality, directness, and patriotic opportunism, tho product of tho days when' Mr Fisher, Mr Massey, Mr Hughes, and Mr Cook and others were working boys.

The Australians and New Zealanders loathed the Bands of Egypt, but they admitted that they owed to them their fighting strength. Tho fighting qualities of tho Australians and New Zealanders proved equal to every change iu the situation on Gallipoli Peninsula. The men died with tho same simple, unquestioning heroism with which they fought. Tho situation brought forth their wonderful endurance and courage, and their resourco and engineering skill. More striking than the way in which thfcy fated dcatli was the capacity of the Australians and New Zealanders to endure hardships comparable with those of the Crimea. Men deserted at Alexandria and stowed away in ships to Anzac. Sir lan Hamilton hud not the heart to turn back the men, who with tears in their eyes begged to ce allowed to go to Anzac. "fliey spent their blood at Anzac as prodigally as they epent their substance in Cairo. Their officers' sympathetic understanding won that coufidenco which the officers of the British Army have won by their military skill. Their doctors seemed to have a unanimous desir© to go into battle with them. Tho sous of Australia and New Zealand felt that they -were drawn closer to Britain by the common suffering and disappointment.