WHAT IS HAPPENING ON GALLIPOLI?

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2569, 17 September 1915, Page 5

WHAT IS HAPPENING ON GALLIPOLI?

STIRRING NEWS EXPECTED ■ V WAR REVIEWED BY MR. ASPTH AND LORD ' : KITCHENER ; NEW ARMIES AND PRESENT • NEEDS ' THE RUSSIAN SITUATION The news from the various theatres of the war to-day' convey no material change in the situation. A' fierce and . stubbornly-contested . conflict is raging on certain sectors of the Eastern front, particularly in Galicia. At the time of writing there "is no news from the Italian theatre, and very'little from the West. Sir John French says the situation on the British front is unchanged. There is rather a striking message from London in reference to the situation in the Dar- ' danollcs. Opinion in London has veered to tho side of optimistic confidence, and expteots stirring news from Gallipoli in the near future. Tho Rumanian Minister at Petrograd has returned unexpectedly to Bucharest, Rearing, it is bo lieved, Russia's latest proposals. The British Prime, Minister (Mr. Aequith) and tho Minister for War (Lord Kitchener) have each from their places in the House of Commons and the House of Lords respectively, delivered a lengthy state- . meht oh the European situation, the former dealing principally with , the financial and men and munitions aspects of tho war, and the - latter detailing the salient features in the military situation in each of the great theatres,* including interesting references to the new British amies and the recruiting problems. STUBBORN FIGHTING IN THE EAST VIGOROUS RUSSIAN ATTACKS DESPERATE STRUGGLE IN EASTERN GALICIA " By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright/ (Bee. September 16, 11.20 p.m.) *-D • m• , . Petrograd, September 16. A Russian official communique states: ''We have dislodged the enemv from two villages north-eastwird of Svientziany. ''We drove back the enemy at'the Vilia Fords, near the railway , , 11,9 enemy, after his repulse on the front southward of.Pripet, is stubbornly counter-attacking with great force. . ' ' 'We captured, north-eastward of D übno, fifty-seven officers and 9OT} rao r, Later the enemy, counter-attacking, threw iack our troops "There was, desperate fighting on the Strypa front, westward of Tram bovla, where we took prisoner fifteen hundred. IremTHE FIGHTING IN EASTERN GALICIA : N .REPULSE OF VON BOTHMER'S ARMY. .("Times"- and.Sydney "Sun" Services.). Correspondents in the east give niost' interesting on the Sereth, in Galicia. Tha/east hank of the been con a veritable fortress, which, combined with the natural conditions of the has made the river enormously strong. On the western outskirts of Tarnonol bridgehead, bomb-proof shelters and trenches have been constructed and 1$ concentrated attacks from the bndeghead the Russians have exerted great nr.* sure upon General von Bothmer's army. After a stubborn bnttln sre;u P rcs (prairie) utterly devoid of trees, andfull of swamps and nS, Bothmer's troops, which included the Prussian Guard, were repulsed On the heights on the east bank of the Strypa, the Austrians are meeting with e nor! mous difficulties. A portion of the army has been forced to remain iW,Vn amidst a region full of stagnant water. Continuous rains have accentual tin' dreariness of the landscape. accentuated: the THE SITUATION BEFORE RIGA DISCUSSED BY. MR. STANLEY WASHBURN, '.("Times"-and Sydney "Sun"-Services.) ' _Mr. Stanley Washburn, the American war corresiwiiden"' t? ; l??" -? e ? ke R'ga is in no immediate danger locally and thlt it Mo »«- « Discussing the military situation Mr. Washburn says: "Li the immedinta front the position does not seem to bo alarming. The first lirin m from the to™, several lines of defence a£lh e Id cost the Germans dear to reach the river, which would still'leave them outside the town. Ihe weather during the past week has become a terrible handicap to the enemy. A three days' downpour flooded every small stream, making the fields seas of .mud, and limiting the mobility of the ghns and transport to the Than 11616 V6ry iB IeSS It Rigl . WHAT CAUSED THE GREAT RETREAT? SENSATIONAL STORY, IN ENGLISH PRESS. mt, « at i» * - London, September 15. The livening Jsews" gives prominence to a story that the Russian retreat iroin the Carpathians was due to lack of smokelessi powder and high explosives required for the army manufactured at Ochta, the Russian Woolwich where German secret service agents bribed the workers to blow up a series of nitrating tanks at Oclita. Petrograd was shaken. Thousands of workmen wp™ 1 HI! Ed, and nearly all the plant destroyed. " The Russian artillery was crippled, and it was impossible to counter von ' Mttckensen. Britain and; France had to give up the thought of a spring offensive and send their reserves of shells and explosives to Russia. ENORMOUS INCREASE IN RUSSIAN MUNITIONS SUPPLY.' 1 . Paris, September IG. Alt official wireless message states that M. Pohvanoff (Russian War Minister) is satisfied with the improved supply of munitions. Thero has been an enormous increase during tho past fortnight, which will be fully maintained. GERMAN WAR FACTORIES IN BALTIC PROVINCES. ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) (Hcc. September 16, 6.30 p.m.) London, September l.j. A merchant who escaped from, Lilian (in the Baltic) states that the Germans have established four shell factories, which are working continuously turning out twenty thousand shells daily. Transports arrive from Dantzif' iaily, with munitions, food, and winter clothing. From Mitau the Germans havg run a full-gaugo single-line railway along the coast to Libau, thvs linking tlicir »mmuMcationß with tho Prussian aj/stew,

STIRRING .NEWS EXPECTED FROM THE DARDANELLES MARKED OPTIMISM IN LONDON Br Telegraph—Press Association-Copyright ("Times" and Sydney "Siui" Services.) (Rec. September 15, 6.30 p.m.) , London, September 16. During the last few days there has been a marked change of opinion in Loudon respecting the Dardanelles campaign. There is a pronounced note of confidence on all sides. Stirring news is expeoted in the near future. GERMAN PRESS COURTSHIP OF BULGARIA. ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services,) (Rec. September 16, 6.30 p.m.) There is a fresh outburst of German optimism in nf Bulgaria The "Cologne Gazette" says: "iilgaria S a hea 4 policy and friendly agreement with Turkey. Despite enticements and threats! natmal o futnre?" ma am fnendslup for the Central thus securing RUSSIA'S NEGOTIATIONS WITH RUMANIA. (Rec. September 16, 10 p.m.) The Rumanian Minister■ at Petrograde has unexpectedly Returned 16 to Rumania " 18 " nglng fresll Russiall ' Proposals to BRITISH WAR VOTE OF £250,000,000 MR. ASQUITH'S REVIEW ACHIEVEMENTS IN MEN AND MUNITIONS By Telegraph—Press Association-Copyright t ±i tt r r, London, September 15. In the House of Commons, Mr. Asquith, the Prime Minister, moved for a tW tr"] of J e2a0 '0 0 ° ) 00 0- H .e said that this would carry them on to it cA ? i 111 ovem! ? er - They had been spending £3,500,000 daily for the last htty-six days, the mam cause of the growth in the expenditure beinp- advances to their Allies and provision for munitions. Almost three million men had enlisted smpe the beginning of the war. Wo had vastly exceeded any standard dreamt pf before the war but as it proceeded the war was constantly making new requirements, demanding new sacrifices in men, munitions, and) finance He had to raise and equip armies and ships, repair wastage in men, aud secure tho influx into the de.cisivo theatre of war of a steady stream of trained men and an ever-growing supply of war apparatus. in the Creat War Theatres. x Tho position in France and Flanders had been strengthened. Largo reinforcements had been dispatched, and substantial additions had been made to the artillery and ammunition. There had also been an extension of the British line. While the operations at the Dardanelles had not succeeded in dislodging the c j crests or the hills,, there had been substantial, gains. No words ii , mir ?ti° n could bo too strong for the Army-s gallantry and resource, especially bv the Australians and New Zealanders. (Cheers.) Th©Gernians had succeeded for the time being in forcing back the Russian nght-mg line, but the retreat was - conducted) in masterly fashion, and the array was still 'Unbroken. Autumn was rapidly advancing, but the German objective was yet far out of reach. The Tsar's assumption of the command was significant proof of tho unalterable determination of the Russian people. Men, Money, and Munitions. The net expenditure of three and a-half millions had been increased to £4,200,000 by advances to the Allies. The Army and Navy from April to September 11 had cost £371,000,000, and the Army expenditure for September was estimated at £2,000,000 daily. The. present vote brought the total expenditure to £1,262,000,000. We might assume that the future weekly expenditure would not exceed an average of £35,000,000. These huge figures did not say that even now the country was doing all it might and ought to do, but the attempts that were being made to belittle and disparage their efforts had had most mischievous results. - , The present vote covered not only the Navy and Army, but, all such war expenditure as payments, restoration of oredit, enco iragement of trade and industry, and to facilitate tho raising of funds by Dominions Protectorates, and the Allied Powers. .jThe Minister for Munitions had established twenty "shell factories, and eighteen were in course of construction. Eight.hundred thousand people, were now employed in 715 controlled establishments, and eighteen co-operated foundries under the Department. All that.was now needed to completo the work was an adequate supply of labour. None could do the work better than women. If tho women step forward there will be no hindrance put in their way by the employers and men. Since the outbreak of -war almost 3,000,000 men had offered themselves for tho Navy and Army, though there had been signs of a falling-off in recruiting during the last fow weeks. The casualties were over 381,000, but the rate of recovery from wounds was such that the net wastage was very considerably less. We were liable for advances to other countries of not much below £250,000,000, and had by no means reached tho ultimate limit. A Test ci Endurance. ' All this confirmed the view that the war was to a large extent a test of mechanism, organisation, and endurance. Victory seemed likely to incline to the side which could arm best and stay the longest, and that was what Britain meant to do. The year's survey called for satisfaction at the great'effort and sacrifice made, and regret at some of the mistakes and miscalculations, which, however, did .not call for recrimination—the cheapest and least fruitful form of self-indulgence. Our duty was to satisfy our Allies' legitimate requirements, and discharge the unique burdens imposed upon a free people. To-day we realised more clearly the sincerity of our diplomacy through the mists and sophistry and mendacity with which Berlin had sought to obscure and befoul the international atmosphere. We also realised our passionate love of peace, with which wo had sought to avert the catastrophe of a world-wide conflict. There was no doubt regarding tho ultimate triumr/h of the Allied cause upon the striken field • One thing to be deprecated was the sinister spectre of domestic strife. (Cheers.) "Do not let it be said in the greatest moment of history that our army has been shorn of its strength or that there has been any failure to concentrate upon our unexampled task tho consentient counsels, undivided energy, and' unbroken indomitable will of the British poeple." (Loud applause.) The vote of credit was agreed to. LORD KITCHENER REVIEWS THE WAR THEATRES OUR NEW ARMIES IN THE WEST THE RECENT EFFORTS IN GALLIPOLI By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright T , , ~ . „ . T , London, September 15. Lord Kitchener, speaking m tne House of Lords, said that tho front held by the Allies in the vest had remained practically unchanged during the last few months, but this did-not mean relaxation of the activity of the forces in the field. Continuous local fighting all along the line had called for incessant' vigil- | anco. Meanwhile, the positions had been much strengthened by careful elaborj ation of tho trench fortifications and a largo increase in heavy guns. Tne Germans had recently on several occasions used gas and liquid fire and' b'ombadrcd the Allies' lines with asphyxiating shells, but these attacks now lacked the element of surprise, had failed in their object, and lost most of their, offensive value owing to our steps to counteract the effect of these pernicious methods. Considerable reinforcements from the now armies had joined Sir John French who reports that the units appear to be thoroughly well officered and commanded, and that their equipments are good ; Several units of artillery had been tested behind the firing line. Their Shooting had been extremely good, and they were v quito fit to take their place in the firing line. These reinforcements, amounting to eleven divisions, had enabled Sir John French to extend his lines. ° On the French Front. Throughout the summer, the Frenchmen had fullv held their own alon" the extended front, mid substantial progress had been made in soma places, notably at Arras and in Alsace. They had secured an area of great tactical importance —tho hoights of Notre Dame do Lorette—in view of future operations. One particularly commanding aunimit overlooking the left bank of the Rhine had been held in faco of formidable counter-attacks. The French trenches along tho cntiro front woro now a network of almost impregnable fortifications. AVlien ho had visited the Army at General Jotfre'sinvitation, he had been profoundly impressed by the high state of efficiency and moralo exhibited. It was ovident that officers and men recognised that the only possible way to terminate tho war was to inflict on tho enemy a thorough defeat. French aircraft had been particularly active, amf had carried out numerous cuectivo raids on a largo scale. , . ' • Russians' Magnificent Achievement, The Germans since June, taking advantage of their central position, had employed a very large proportion of their forces in strenuous efforts to crush our Russian ally. Great numerical superiority and vastlv preponderating artillery [enabled them to force thcßussians from their defence's. The German objective was to destroy the army as a "lorce-in-being," and thus free numbers for actipn elsewhere. Tift plan had been a signal failure, like other plans arranged by the German Staff. Few episodes stood out more prominently and crcditablv than the masterly manner in which the Russians, distributed along a front of (30 miles were bandied while'facing the violent assaults of a greatlv superior enemy. The success of the great rearguard action was nossible owing to the really splendid Miting qiwlitien of the Russian s qlcUci , wtio in Hv o ry case where ■ tnwymd beoa actual ijoutaot had shown himself as Mnitelj; superior to his ;

Huns have Shot-their. 8011. • u i s \ a i l - a ™y to-day was intact. "Without doubt it had suffered severely in the hard fighting, but the Germans also bad paid heavy toll. "Who mil venture to say, until the present grips are relaxed; which army lias suffered more? Russia, with flier vast territory, lias always been able ultimately to envelop b llat© i invading armies. TJie Germans, at enormous, sacrinee, had captuied' certain fortresses, but experience shows that tlio only fortifications capable ot efiectiyoly resisting the now machinery of war are those which can bo quickly dug deep 111 the soil. The Germans appear to have almost shot tiieir bolt, Ihe advance at one time was carried out 011 an average of five miles daily now it was less than a mile. The forces which the Germans boastingly decribo as broken troops are still doggedly fighting along the whole line, in some places turning and inflicting heavy iosses. Thus German strategy has clearly railed. Ihe victories they claim may only prove to be defeats* in disguise. Hie Italians in a series of rapid and brilliant infantry operations obtained control of all the principal passes in the Carnat/ic Ald's on the Trentino frontier, ihe occupation of Monte Nero was a most brilliant achievement. The feats of the Italian artillery are truly remarkable. The manner in which heavy pieces are hauled to almost inaccessible positions on lofty mountain- peaks evokes universal admiration. Events in Callipoli, ' j; Our lines on Gallipoli were appreciably advanced and positions consolidated m June. After considerable reinforcements had arrived a surprise landing on a large scale was successfully accomplished at Suvla Bay on August 6 without, serious opposition. Simultaneously the Australians and New Zealanders launohed an attack from Anzac, and a strong offensive was delivered in the direction of Krithia. . The French troops took a-prominent part in .the Krithia. action and showed to Oiigh advantage their usual gallantry and fine fighting qualities. A further attack from Suvla Bay on the Turkish entrenchments was delivered on August 21, but aftor several hours' sharp fighting, it was found impossible to gain, the summit of the enemy's hills, the intervening space being unsuitable for defence. Tlu troops were withdrawn to their original positions. Comparative quiet 'has since prevailed, and the troops are being given a muohneeded'rest. The Anzao attack, after a series of hotly-contested actions, was carried to the 6ummit of Sari Bair and Chunuk Bair, which are the dominating positions of -the area. The arrival of transports and the disembarkation of troops at Suvla Bay were designed to enable the troops to support the Anzao attack Unfortunately, the Suvla advance was not developed quietly enough, and the forward movement was brought to a standstill after an advnace of two miles and a half. The result was that the Anzao troops were unable to retain their position on the crest of the hills. After they had repeatedly counter-attacked, they were ordered to withdraw to lower positions. These were effectively consolidated, and now adjoin the line occupied by the Suvla Bay force, forming a connected front of over twelve miles. Catlantry of the Colonials. The gallantry and resourcefulness of the Australians and New Zealanders were frequently the subject of eulogy in Sir lan Hamilton's reports. General Birdwood and his staff greatly distinguished themselves in p'anning and conducting the operations of the Australasian Corps, whose activities were marked with constant success, their determination to overcome being'no less admirable than their courage in hand-to-hand fighting with the enemy. It is not easy to appreciate at the full value the enormous difficulties attending the operations at the Dardanelles, and the fine temper with which our troops met thom. Their is abundant evidence that the process of demoralisation, has 6et in among the German-led, or rather German-driven, Turks, due. doubtless, to their extremely heavy losses and the progressive failure of their resources. It is only fair to acknowbdge that, judged from a humane standpoint, the Turkish methods of warfare are vastly superior to those which disgraced their German masters. Throughout the co-operation of the fleet was intensely valuable. The concerted action of the sister services was in the highest degree satisfactory. . Mesopotamia and South Africa. 1 _ Lord! Kitchener detailed the operations in Mesopotamia. The climate conditions rendered the operations extremely arduous, the heat was intense, and the country almost impassable owing to swamps and marshes.. The highly successful issue of the expeditiion was due to the consummate gallantry and dogged determination of the force. General Botha's capture on July 9 was a fitting conclusion to a brief but brilliant campaign. Our patrols in East Africa had shown considerable enterprise in carrying out reconnaissances all along the frontier. Various successful encounters were reported. The Recruiting Problem. Some of our new armies were already in the field. Others would quickly follow. The country's response to the call for recruits was little short of marvellous, but it must be borne in mind that the provision of men to maintain the forces in the field depends greatly upon a large' and continuous supply of recruits. The provision to keep up recruiting in 1916 had caused auxious thought, which had been accentuated'by the recent falling off in enlistments. Although every effort had been made to obtain the requirements under present systems, the problem of securing an adequate supply of men was engaging close attention, and would, he hoped, very soon receive a practical solution. The returns under the Registration Act would shortly bo available and would give a basis on which to calculate the resources of the country and determine the numbers available_ for the army after providing for the necessary services of the country and munition works. 'Whatever decision is reached, in full light of the facts it must undoubtedly be founded upon the military requirements for the prosecution of the war and the protection of our, shores, and mil, be the result of impartial inquiry as to how we can most worthily fulfil the national obligations. Lord Kitchener concluded': "Although there has been a falling-off in the number of recruits I do not desire to draw any conclusion unfavourable to the resolution and spirit of the country. On the contrary, I think the manner in which all classes have responded to the call of patriotism is magnificent. I do not doubt for an instant that whatever sacrifices may be necessary to bring this gigautic war to a successful conclusion will be cheerfully undertaken." , The High Commissioner's precis of Lord Kitchener's speech ivas read by the Prime Minister in Parliament yesterday afternoon with the following comment:—"l think members will agree that this telegram contains the best news wo have had for quite a long time." (Applause.) > i In the Legislative Council the Hon. Sir Francis Bell read the message, which was received with loud applause.