OUR DOINGS IN PALESTINE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 99, 19 January 1918, Page 7

OUR DOINGS IN PALESTINE

AND WHAT THE GERMANS ARE ; THINKING. In tho German General Staff bulletin to tho Press on November 8 reference is made for tho first time to the British military operations in Palestine. The attack on Gaza is described as "something which had been countcd upon for a long time." The "evacuation" of Beerslicba by the Turks is dismissed as "unimportant," tho town having "been held only by weak detachments to check the enemy's adj vance." Gaza, the report continues'; was attacked on November. 2, after ! artillerv preparation, "with gas shells, tanks, 'and all tho other methods used in the European theatre of war.'' As is customary on these occasions; Germans were assured that the whole "main" Turkish front was held and | that tho British attack "broke down in face of the time-tried gallantry of our Turkish allies." It was added that fur : ther and severer fighting was in immediate prospect. The pan-cvcrything "Hamburg News" finds the moment when British troops arc smashing the Turks, in Palestine appropriate for emphasising that the "liberation" of Egypt and its restoration to Ottoman rule is "a firstclass German interest." Tho chief shipping organ acknowledges that this objective cannot be achieved without "a complete victory of the Germanic Powers : and -their allies," and,.that is "wliy woGermnus hear gratofully from Turkey from time to time the pledge that tho Turks will hold out till 6Uch a victory is secured."