SUEZ CANAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3200, 14 July 1915, Page 27

SUEZ CANAL.

DEMONSTRATION NEAR ADEN. LONDON, July 10. The Press Bureau states that several thousand Turks crossed the Aden frontier and encountered a small force of British at Lahej. Threatened with being outflanked, the British retired on Aden In consequence of rumours that a Turkish force at Yemen has crossed the frontier of the Aden hinterland, and is advancing towards Lahej, a camel troop went out to reconnoitre, and reported the presence of a Turkish force with field guns and a large number of armed Arabs. The Aden movable column, consisting of 250 rifles and two 10-pounder guns, reinforced the camel troop. The enemy, on July 4, several thousand strong, with. 20 guns , and a large Arab contingent, delivered an attack. We held Our position at Lahej in face of the enemy’s artillery until night, when part of Lahej was in flames. The remainder of

the Aden column was unable to reach Lahej owing to water difficulties, and the small force at Lahej retired, and successfully joined the rest of the column at Birnasr. Ultimately, owing to the groat heat and the desertion of the Arab transport followers, the whole column retired on Aden. The enemy did not attempt to follow. Our losses were three British officers wounded. We made prisoners of one Turkish officer and 13 men. BATTERIES SILENCED. TURKISH LOSSES HEAVY. MITYLENE, July 10. The Turks on Sunday night posted a number of mobile batteries near Kum Kale and shelled the opposite shore. British aeroplanes at dawn located the batteries, and we silenced the guns,, the Turks losing heavily. The casualties among the German officers have recently been particularly severe. MORE ON THE SCENE. TWO TRAINLOADS# ATHENS, July 10. Two trainloads of German officers and non-commissioned officers have arrived at Constantinople. BOMBARDING THE COASTS. ATHENS, July 10. The Allies’ ships and aeroplanes are systematically bombarding the coasts from Adramyti to the Phoenix Gulf. They are bombarding Smyrna and Aivali daily, and so preventing Turkish concentrations there. Passengers from. Corfu declare that the Kaiser’s <villa lias been transformed into a submarine base. From diplomatic sources it is reported that Turkey is running short of ammunition. The belief that the fall of Constantinople is imminent is gaining ground daily in all circles. Germany is bringing pressure to bear on Rumania with a view to securing the passage of war material. One hundred and fifty cold storage vans passing through Rumania were found to contain contraband concealed in secret compartments. AUSTRALIAN WOUNDED. MELBOURNE, July 12. Senator Pearce announced that hospital accommodation for the wounded at present amounts to 4100 beds, in suitable places. Proposed extensions will about double that number. TURKISH AMMUNITION. PARIS, July 12. Official: Hilmi Pasha states that the Turks are making huge quantities of ammunition by home labour. GENERAL GOURAND DECORATED. PARIS, July 12. General Gourand has been awarded a military medal.