GALLIPOLI DESPATCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15964, 8 July 1915, Page 8

GALLIPOLI DESPATCH.

'OPINIONS IN THE PRESS. HISTORIC FEAT OF ARMS. NEW LAURELS FOR EMPIRE. (Received July 8. 12.15 a.m.) i London, July 7. General Sir lan Hamilton's despatch is described as one of the most important and nobly-worded documents in European history. It is now evident that it was impossible to land at Bulair, at the i isthmus of the peninsula, because | the cliff were too high and steep. i The most northerly landing place i judged to be practicable was the I spot at which the New Zealanders and Australians disembarked. Even there it was impossible to get ashore heavy artillery and supplies. The main force of the colonials scrambled ashore and remain a thorn in the side of the Turks, but the principal army, with heavy impedimenta, was bound to land at the I extreme end of the peninsula. The j enterprise was extremely difficult, but it was not a wild-cat scheme, and with the exercise of patience, skill, and heroism, those engaged may look to final success. The Times states :— The first overwhelming thought that surges up on reading Sir lan Hamilton's ; stirring words is pride and admiraI tion for the gallantry and devotion lof our heroic troops and those of

Fiance. Sir lan Hamilton's references are vague, but they really mean that the transports carrying war material were ordered back to I Alexandria because they were deI feetively loaded, and their contents I had to be taken out and rearranged. ! The public is entitled to know 1 what excuse, if any, can be | offered for the fundamental mistake jof trying to force the straits | without military aid. Apparently, i Mr. Churchill was responsible. j The truth can have no effect at the j present stage. The operations may ; require infinite patience, but the , unflinching courage which inspired I the troops on the narrow fire-swept j reaches will carry them to their goal." i The Morning Post says that the ' landing must rank as one of the finest feats of arms in history. The Dublins. Munsters, Hampshires, Australians, and New Zealanders have added to the imperishable traditions of the British Army, and the lustre of their achievements is worthy of their forefathers. The Daily Express, states that General Sir lan Hamilton's tribute to the New Zealanders, Australians, and Indians is fine and just. It is neither exaggerated nor understated. The object of the expedition is not yet fully understood by the general public. When it is the invasion of Gallipoli will rank easily as the most astonishing feature of all this astonishing war.

A DISCORDANT NOTE. LONDON PAPER'S VIEW. (Received July S. 2 a in.) London, July T. The Daily Mail says :—" All the world knows that the expedition was bungled. In spite of the unprecedented bravery of British, French, Australians, New Zealanders, and Indians, we have hardly advanced through the hills and ravines. The expedition was started by politicians who were even unaware that the Germans had a submarine capable of travelling to the Dardanelles."