THE BRUTISH OFFENSIVE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16546, 20 November 1915, Page 7

THE BRUTISH OFFENSIVE.

A THOROUGHLY SUCCESSFUL MOVEMENT. CAPTURED TRENCHES CONSOLIDATED. LONDON, November 18. (Received Nov. 19, at 5.5 p.m.) The officer commanding in the Mediterranean reports: The 52nd Division carried out a successful attack on the 15th inst., for which careful preparations had been made for a considerable time. Three mines were exploded successfully in the enemy's trenches in the Krithia Nullah at 3 p.m. The infantry pushed on immediately and captured IGO yards of the trench east of the nullah and 120 yards of the west trench. The captured trenches were immediately consolidated, and bombing parties pushed up the communication trenches and erected barricades. The battleships assisting by bombardment, the position was con. solidated by G p.m. The enemy's batteries were very erratic. The Turkish infantry suffered considerably from machine gun and rifle fire. A counter-attack on the night of the 16th was easily repulsed. The British casualties totalled 50 killed and 70 wounded. The Turkish bodies in the captured nositions numbered 30, and others were killed by the explosion of the mine. THE QUESTION OF WITHDRAWAL. RAISED IN HOUSE OF LORDS. AUTOMATIC PEACE SUGGESTED. LONDON, November 18. (Received Nov. 19, at 5.25 p.m.) Lord Ribblesdale, in the House of Lords, when asking the Government whether the report on the position was that effective progress was being made by the operations in the Near East, said it was common knowledge that General Monro had reported in favour of withdrawing from the Dardanelles and adversely to the continuance of winter operations. He would like to know from the Government whether Lord Kitchener had gone to act or to withdraw the men. He hoped that in the case of the Dardanelles we would be successful in withdrawing the troops if military opinions favoured their withdrawal, and that we would not be over-anxious about our prestige. Enrope might yet see a peace arrived at which would not be imposed by anybody but which was being imposed every day. It was best not to talk of terms of peace. HIGH COMMISSIONER'S CABLE. LONDON, November 18 (7.30 p.m.). The High Commissioner reports: At the Dardanelles the 52nd Division carried out a very successful attack on the Turkish trenches last Monday. Careful preparation had been going on for a considerable time. Three mines were exploded successfully under the enemy's trenches in the neighbourhood of Krithia Nullah, and the infantry, pushing forward immediately after, captured 260 Turks and a trench east of the nullah and 130 yards west. The captured trenches were consolidated by bombing parties, who pushed 1 up the communication trenches, erecting barricades. Simultaneously our artillery opened on the enemy's reserve and support trenches, with 214 in monitors and H.M.S. Edgar bo-operating. They maintained their fire until the position was reported consolidated at 6 p.m. The enemy's batteries replied heavily, but very erratically, doing little damage. The Turks in the neighbouring trenches, who fired heavily, were caught by our machine gun and .rifle fire and bombs, suffering considerably, their fire becoming wild. A counterattack made two nights after was easily repulsed. Our' casualties were under 50 killed and wounded. Over 70 Turkish dead were seen in the captured positions, and wounded prisoners report that over' 30 were buried by the explosion of "one mine. GENERAL MONRO'S OPINION. NOT CONSIDERED SUFFICIENT. LORD KITCHENER'S VIEWS WANTED. LONDON, November 18. In the House of Lords Lord Ribblesdale said it was common knowledge that, General Monro has reported in favour of our withdrawing from Gallipoli and avoiding a winter campaign there. Lord Lansdowne said that the Government considered this opinion insufficient, and had sent Lord Kitchener to the Mediterranean. LORD LANSDOWNE'S ANSWER. LORD KITCHENER'S MISSION. ALLIES MUST BE CONSULTED. LONDON, November 18. (Received Nov. 19, at 8.50 p.m.) Lord Lansdowne, in reply to Lord Ribblesdale, said that the report GeneraJ Vlonro had made and the evidence accomDanying ' it were not deemed sufficient to enable the Cabinet to come to any contusion, considering the great questions of jolicy involved. The Cabinet therefore leterrnined to ask Lord Kitchener to visit ;he Eastern Mediterranean. Lord Kitihener had wide experience of the East, md was thoroughly familiar with the news of his colleagues. He had gone in >rder to report and advise the Governnent. The result of Lord Kitchener's niss : on was still unknown. The visit of the War Committee to 'aris was a most important step, and a ecognition of the principle of the closest o-operation of the Allies. The developnent of events in the Near East did not lepend entirely upon our will. This was ict a moment to consider the question of leace. The country intended to pursue he great struggle forced upon us to asucessful issue. ANOTHER "GERMAN RUMOUR ATTACK ON SUEZ CANAL IMMINENT AMSTERDAM, November 18. The Hamburger Nachrichten publishes iie following wireless message, alleged to ave been received from Alexandria via alonika: "It is understood that half a million .nglo-French troops are concentrated long the Suez Canal, expecting a Turco[erman attack in tho next few days, everish preparations for the defence of 10 canal are in progress. The British "eadquarters Staff does not expect to have ' isturbance in Egypt, the agitators who uii-ed trouble being now under lock and ey. while suspects are being closely Served." ' Greek newspapers doubt the accuracy of ] le above message, and express the belief lat unfavourable occurrences are being mcealed.

A TURKISH REVOLT. DJEMAL PASHA AND THE DRUSES. TO WORK WITH ENTENTE POWERS. LONDON, November 18. The Exchange Agency correspondent at Athens reports that Djemal Pasha, Turkish Minister of Marine, whilst on a mission to Syria, Tevolted from the Government, and induced the Druses to join him. The movement has spread to Arabia, where Djemal Pasha is co-operating wit'n the Entente. ROUTE MARCHING. AUSTRALIAN AUTHORITIES ANTAGONISTIC. SYDNEY, November 19. The military authorities have disapproved of route marching on the grounds that the time wasted on marching would be better spent on drilling. AUSTRALIAN WAR FUNDS. STATES COMPARED. SYDNEY, November 19. The Government Statistician has prepared a table covering all the war funds in the commonwealth to October 31.

The total was £4,492,737, New South Wales leading with £1,995,119. On a per capita basis New South Wales contributed £1 Is 4d, Victoria 16s Id, Queensland £1 Os 6d, South Australia 16s lid, Westralia 8s lOd, Tasmania lis lid.

SITUATION IN PERSIA.

GERMAN INTRIGUES FAIL. PETROGRAD, November 18. The Turkish, Austrian, and German Ministers have left Teheran. They completely failed in their efforts to influence the Government's policy.