THE NEAR EAST

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17156, 8 November 1917, Page 5

THE NEAR EAST

VENIZELOS IN ROME.

CONFERRING WITH ALLIES

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association ROME, November 6. M. Venizelos is here conferring with 'tie allied Premiers and generals.

EX-QUEEN OF GREECE,

HUNNISH CORRESPONDENCE.

ATHENS, November 6. Ex Queen Sophia's correspondence is incomplete, as tho wireless telegrams are missing. The ex-Queen described the bloody events in Athens on December 1, 1916, as " a splendid victory of the four Great Powers," and asked when the German and Bnlgar forces would be sufficiently reinforced to take the offensive against the Entente. The Kaiser replied urging Constantine to attack General Sarrail. The Entente's blockade followed. The Queen telegraphed the Kaiser saying: " We have no food and no munitions to enable Constantine to attack General Sarrail," and again imploring him to hasten to the Greeks' assistance. The Kaiser replied with'a blank refusal.

When , the Crown Council met at Athens, and were finally forced to accept the Entente's ultimatum, the ex-Queen telegraphed to the Kaiser that the Allies wcro infamous swine.

These telegrams will be used at the impeachment of the Gounaris, Skouloudis, and Lambros Cabinets.

BEERSHEBA FIRMLY HELD

TURKISH FRONT NOW RESTRICTED

ASSISTANCE FROM WARSHIPS.

LONDON, November 7 (Received No. 8, at .1.10 a.m.)

Mr Massey telegraphs: Beersheba is now firmly held. All the high ground to the north is in our possession. The Turkish front of 30 miles has shrunk considerably, and tho enemy are able to concentrate greater, strength at threatened points. General Allenbv has now attacked the seaside defences of tho Gaza area. Warships harassed enemy communications, destroyed several ammunition dumps, and put up a terrific bombardment with all their guns before the infantrv rushed Umbrella Hill, capturing everv living Turk, tanks assisting. The enemv made desperate attempts to regain the 10-t ground, throwing in four counter-attacks, but the Scottish and East Anglian troops broke every Turkish line with rifle and machine-gun fire. Out casualties were considerably smaller than was anticipated.