SEQUEL TO BRILLIANT OPERATIONS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3027, 14 March 1917, Page 7

SEQUEL TO BRILLIANT OPERATIONS

THE CAPTURE OF BAGDAD STATEMENT BY MR, BONAE LAW By Tclcsra.ph-Prcea AiEodation-Coiirrishl, (Rec. March 13, 8.10 p.m.). London, March .12. In the House of Commons, Air. Bqnar Law stated that, tho fall of I!:i»dad was the sequel of a scries of brilliant performances. Both British suitl Indian troops had. shown push and determination beyond praise. There was heavy fighting, especially on the right, hank of tho Tigris, and severe lsssos were inflicted on the Turks. Since tho capture of Kut-pl-A.itiara, tljo trespa had pursued tho TurJis .110 miles in fifteen days, through country deßtrtnte «f supplies and in the face of heavy weather diliiculties. They, bad cwaeed tho Tigris threo times. Tho final march of eighteen miles was made iii intense heat and sovcra dust storms, and was a brilliant achievement. 'I'hnre was overy nMsen to bolievß that, two-thirds of the enemy's entire artillery ' was captured «r thrown into tho Tigris, and large numbers of prisoners and lauoh bwt.v were taken. The speaker concluded by paying a, tribute to tho eiffl and vigour of tho leadership, and tho valour and endurance of the fcrovpa, the highly successful supply and service, the medical arrangements, a?.A iko Gen* eral Staff's plans. Mr. Bonar La wadded: "General Maude reports that ho is satisfied that he can provide for the army's necessities in Bagdad."—Aus.-N.E. Cable Assn. , ENTHUSIASTIC COMMENT IN FRANCE GERMAN PLANS TOTALLY WRECKED. Paris, March 12. The "Matin" states that_the capture of Bagdad is th» Entente's greatest success in the war period. It reduces to nothing the German plans for the defence of Mesopotamia. The "Petit Parisien" says tho capturo wrecks the Kaiger's wbele Oriental programme. The "Figaro" says tho immense moral effect of tho capturo will re-eoho throughout the world'.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Aeen. RETIREMENT " FOR MILITARY REASONS " STATEMENT BY ENVEK PASHA. ' Amsterdam, March 12. In the Turkish Chamber of Deputies, TCnver Psshs. (Minister for War) admitted that the Turks had retired in Mesopotamia and Persia, "for military reasons." —Router. TURKISH ARMIES DEMORALISED I • GRAVE EVENTS IN CONSTANTINOPLE. (Rcc. March 13, 8.10 p.m.) London, March 12. The "Daily Telegraph" correspondent at. Rome states that information from Turkish sources reveals the fact that their army in Mesopotamia, i? demoralised and spent. It lacked food, munitions, and artillery. The Turkish armies in Armenia and Persia are in a similar condition. The >atl winter weather has hitherto saved thorn, but this protection has now y.mlwi A Swiss message states that grave events have occurred at Canswnli-nople.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. SIGNIFICANT MOVEMENTS IN HIGH PLACES. (Rec. March 14, 0.35 a.m.) London, March 13. Kifaai Bey (President of the Turkish Senate) has left Geneva for Turkey. , Bedry Bey has left Constantinople for Berlin, owing to reported differences between Turkey and Germany regarding the Mesopotamia losses. It is believed that tho Turks are holding Germany blameworthy, because the best Turkish troops were sent to defend Auslro-Germany.—The "Times." TURKS HARD PRESSED BY THE RUSSIANS (Roc. March 13, 5.5 p.m.) . London, March J 2. A! Russian official communique states:—"We occupied Rissotan, in tho region of Hamadan, on March 8. Tho Turks withdrew to bard pressed by us."—Aub.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter.