TIGRIS CAMPAIGN

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9613, 20 March 1917, Page 5

TIGRIS CAMPAIGN

STRONG POSITION CAPTURED ENEMY CONTINUES RETREAT NORTHWARD. High Commissioner’s Cable. LONDON, March 18, 5.40 p.m. In the fighting on Wednesday on the right bank of the Tigris the ’Dukish rearguard was driven back To a strong position covering the railway station at Mushiudes. Wc continued tho attack during the night. •

Tho position was finally captured on Thursday, the enemy retiring hastily* Tho, retreat continued on the afternoon of Friday ot the remnants of three Turkish columns in the direction of Samarra. On Friday morning tho enemy was straggling over a distance of twenty miles, with his rearguard twenty-five miles north of tho scene of Wednesday’s fighting. PROGLAMTIONjO BAGHDAD “NOT AS CONQUERORS, BUT AS LIBERATORS.” liy Telegraph—Press Association— Copyrlgh* Aus. and N.Z. Cable Aean. and Reuter. (Received March 19, 6 p.m.) LONDON, March 18. A Press Bureau announcement states that General” Maude has issued the following proclamation at Baghdad;— The British come not as conquerors hut as liberators to relievo you from tyranny and bondage. The Turco-Germans despoiled you, and made Baghdad for twenty years tho centre for assailing the British power in Persia and Arabia- Tho Entente hopes the Ariib race Will again rise to greatness. The British Crown will invito representatives to participate in the civil management of the city in collaboration with British political representatives accompanying the army. DESTROYER RAID FUTILE BOMBARDMENT OF KENTISH COAST'. High Commissioner’s Cable. LONDON, March 18, 12.40 a.m. Official report:-Destroyers approached tho Kentish coast early this morning and fired a number of shells on coast towns. There were no casualties, and the material damage, was slight. REGRUITINGJ_ AUSTRALIA SURGICAL OPERATIONS FREE TO VOLUNTEERS. By Telegraph—l*raafl Association —Copyrlffc* 'MELBOURNE, Morcli 19. Senator Poarco (Minister for Defence) has announced that men willing to undergo surgical operations to enable them to enlist will be sent to military hospitals. RUSSIANS IN ASIA MINOR ENTRY INTO VAN ON EAST SIDE OP LAKE. By Telegraph—Pres* Association—Copyrl/th* Router's Tcloerama. LONDON, March 18. The Russians have entered Van, on the east side of Lake Van, in Asia Minor.

GAMPAIQN_IN PERSIA IMPORTANT POSITIONS TAKEN BY RUSSIANS. By Telegraph—Pre«« A-esoclation—CopytTgU* Acs. and N.Z. Cable Absxi. and Keuter. Admiralty—-Per Wireless Press. LONDON, Marti 18. A Russian official message states: In cho region of Ognot wo occupied Warab, a Tillage in the direction of Sakkiz. 'Vo occupied Saranabara. through snowhigher than a man oil horseback. The troops are sheltering in snow caverns. Our cavalry forced a Turkish column retii-ing towards Kcrmanshah into the roadless mountains. IVe captured a bridge westward of Eermanshah. FRENCH POLITICAL CRISIS RESIGNATION OF CABINET. By TelcerabL—Proa. Assoclalion—Cnoyrltb* Australian and N-Z. Cable Association. LONDON, March 18. The French- Cabinet has resigned, PARIS; March 18. The “Petit Parisian" says that General LyaUtcy’s resignation precipitated tho crisis. M. Painlevc and M. Moulens both refused the office of AVar Minister, whereupon M. Briand resigned rather than reconstruct the Cabinet.