WANDERING AND DESTITUTE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 135, 25 February 1918, Page 5

WANDERING AND DESTITUTE

London, February 22. Tho "Daily Chronicle's" correspondent at Moscow, who conversed with Austrian and German prisoners who woro roaming the streets, found them dejected and indignant. They desired to rotum to their homes, but were not permitted to go through their own front, and wero sent back under promise that they could return via Finland, which routo was now closed owing to tho upheaval. Fourteen hundred Austrians and Germans are living in the railway trucks at the Moscow station. They are penniless and dependent on the charity of the L'olsheviki for food and drink.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.

THE TRAPPING OF RUMANIA

(Rec. February 24, 5.5 p.m.)

Amsterdam, February 22. According to Vienna newspapers, a peace with Rumania is likely to be speedily attained favourable to all parties. Negotiations will open either on Sunday or Monday. The Central Powers are particularly desirous of obtaining maritime communication with the Ukraine, via the Danube estuary, and will therefore endeavour to reach a rapid and friendly agreement with Rumania, imposing most moderate terms.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. BRITISH CAPTURE JERICHO RICH, FERTILE REGION SEIZED JOINING UP WITH THE ARABS (Rcc. February 2d, 5.5 p.m.) London, February 25. An official report from Palestine states: "Our forces, advancing on Thursday morning, encountered slight opposition. The Australasian mounted troops entered Jericho and established themselves on a line from the Jordan to the Wadi Duja. The weather is bad. Our casualties on Wednesday were slight. We extended our positions-north and north-west of Jerusalem."— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Pieuter. London, February 23. An official report from Palestine states: "The enemy, after leaving Jericho, retired northwards to the Wndi Duia, leaving posts on the high ground on the left banlf. He also retired eastwards across the Jordan, holding the bridgehead at El Ghoraniye."— Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-lleuter. ALLENBY'S FLANKS NOW SECURE (Rec. February 24, 5.5 p.m.) London, February 22. Renter's correspondent is authoritatively informed that the British adi vance on the Jordan will greatly help to establish touch with the Arabs, thereby greatly encouraging these Allies. "General Allenby's position is now ! well defined. His right flank the Dead Sea and the left on the Medi- ; (erranean. Hence a frontal attack alone is possible for the enemy. We coni trol the Dead Sea, and have access to the rich lands on the eastern side and ; also menace tho railway to Damascus. Ahead of us aro easier country and | better roads."—Reuter. STORY OF THE ADVANCE, (Rec. February 24, 5.5 p.m.) London, February 22. Mr. W. T. Masscy, writing from British Headquarters in Palestine on February 21. says: "General Allenby's army has driven the Turks from a strong position east of Jerusalem, tho London troops capturing all the commanding positions overlooking tho southern Jordan Valley. The Australian and New Zealand mounted troops entered Jericho to-day. The enemy was entvenched on a series of hills. He was attacked by tho London infantry on a twelve-mile front. Tho Turks were defeated everywhere, and suffered heavy losses. The country is extremely difficult—a mass of hills, valleys, kloofs, dongas, and worn, rock-faced hills. One place, Wadi Farar, has'a perpendicular cliff-side five hundred feet high, but the infantrv routed out the enemy from trenches that he had cut and blasted on the ridge spurs of the mountain ranges, showing tho greatest gallantry. In some places the Turks retreated during the artillery bombardment. In the centre one battalion had to assault three'times before winning a system of trenches. During Tuesday night the infantry moved to attack the range from Talat ed Dump to Ekteiff, the key to Jericho. The Jerusalem road runs through these hills. On Dumm is 'Good Samaritan Lnn,' and the remains of a Crusader castle. The hill is known to Ihe Arabs as the 'Hill of Blood.' I saw the Londoners carry the liill in splendid style early in the operations, after most accurate artillery fire but the enemy held on stubbornly to Ekteiff, whose southern face is as precipitous as Gibraltar. Marching during the night, the troops had great difficulties on the rough ground. One column took nearly eight hours to cover slightly over three miles. In some places tho men walked in single file. The enemv was cleared off Ekteiff in the afternoon ''Meanwhile the Anzacs moved through desperatelv hard country, threatening the enemy's rear. They were held up for a considerable time in a defilo' through which only two men could pass abreast. The Turks were brMßing several guns to bear on this point. By nightfall wo had occupied all the positions commanding the southern Jordan Valley, and the Turks hurriedlv retired. The Annans made a rapid march this morning, entering Jericho at eight o'clock. Yesterday th e Turks burnt their stores on the northern shores of the Dead Sea.. Our operations will retard, 5 f not entirely prevent, an important source of grain supply for the Turkish forces. —Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.