FEELING FOR EARLY PEACE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3197, 23 June 1915, Page 25

FEELING FOR EARLY PEACE.

LONDON, June 14. The Daily Chronicle's Athens corre> spondent states that the latest news from the Dardanelles shows that the Allies' position continues to materially improve. The Turks still occupy Krithia, which is a ruined village, but a strong defensive position. The Australians and New Zealanders hold an impregnable position dominating Maidos and Kilid Bahr. The feeling against Germany is steadily rising in Constantinople. Even the Germans recognise the hope= lessncss of the efforts, and that an early peace alone can save Turkey.

SITUATION AT GALLIPOLI. MORE TRENCHES CAPTURED. TURKISH BOMB-THROWERS ANNIHILATED. LONDON, June 15. The Press Bureau states that the situation on Gallipoli Peninsula has developed into trench warfare. After our success on June 4 the Turks evidenced great respect for our offensive, and they have to submit daily and nightly to captures of trenches.

Two British regiments on the night of June 11 made a simultaneous attack on the Turkish advanced trenches, and after severe fighting including the killing of many snipers, succeeded in maintaining themselves in the captured positions, despite bombs Fifty Turks on the morning of June 13 attempted to rush a position with bombs, but were annihilated by a naval machinegun detachment. Thirty bodies were counted on that spot. The situation of our forces is favourable, but progress is necessarily slow owing to the difficulties of the ground. The Turkish offensive has sensibly weakened.

A PREMATURE RUMOUR. LONDON, June 15. Replying to a question in the House of Commons, Mr Asquith said : “ There is no truth whatever in the constant rumours that the Allies are through the Dardanelles. It was not in the public interest to say anything now about the Dardanelles, which is an operation of the highest importance, and would be pushed through to a successful conclusion.” AUSTRALIAN ITEMS. SYDNEY, June 16. A memorial service was held for a soldier officially reported as killed, but subsequently officially reported as wounded. Private H. C. Marter, son of the subeditor of the Daily Telegraph, has been wounded at the Dardanelles. The military authorities point out that the care of the wounded is entirely a military matter. They are converting the home for destitute children into a military hospital, with a staff of 114, including a nursing staff of 80. If this should prove inadequate, they will accept some of the numerous private offers.