SUEZ DEFENCES

Evening Star, Issue 16088, 13 April 1916, Page 1

SUEZ DEFENCES

The following letter throws some interesting light on ihe steps that have been taken for tho protection of Egypt and the Suez Ca.ua 1: "The. defence of tho Suez Canal and the Bitter Lakes has been organised in as formidable iiind methodical manner. To have any chance of success the TurcoGerman attack would have to be sudden and swift—a 'simoon' of war. Obliged to wait andl fret in Syria and tho desert, the enemy are being decimated already, and will suffer still more from tho heat, the lack of vater, and the difficulties of provisioning. There was fioino talk of an attacking army of 300,000 men, All twaddle! If the Turoc-Germans succeed in getting 100,000 men as far as tho canal they will ha.ve dono admirably; but that will be all in vain, and defeats aro m store for them. On the vest, from the edge of tho Libyan desert, there are no thing but hordes of nomads and robbers, and thees, although armed by the Germans, could do little or nothing against the flying columns of regular Anglo Egyptian troops, On this side the enemy can gain nothing ; all he can do L& to en deavor to stir up the natives, , It is possible that, there may be alai'ms here, and wo may have to pass through some critical moments; but, speaking for myself. I am convinced that, both from tho military point of view as well as in regard to its effect on the internal situation of the country, the Egyptian exjwdition —if it really conies—will lie a lamentable failure. The English know too well how much is at stake, not to have assured themselves of all the trumps; their hand is of such a nature as to make us all optimists."

Rendered deaf, dumb, and blind at Pestubert, Corporal Joseph Preekleton, 7th King’s Liverpool Regiment, gradually recovered his sight and hearing, but remained dumb until December 31, when, after dancing at a wedding at which he was best man, -4,0. yawned, I and recovered his full speech. Ho then sang a song, to the great pleasure of the wedding party. s