THE DOMINION PREMIERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3215, 27 October 1915, Page 27

THE DOMINION PREMIERS.

ATTENDANCE DESIRED IN LONDON.

LONDON, October 20.

In view of the questions that have arisen over the Dardanelles operations, leading Australasians urgently desire the presence of Mr Andrew Fisher and Mr Massey. Australasian representation on the War Council has become imperative, and it is understood that the Imperial Government would welcome it owing to its desire for closer touch with Australasian feeling. No one desires to take the Dardanelles situation in other than a sportsmanlike way, or to make any distinction between Australasian and British sacrifices or the interests which comradeship at the Dardanelles has further intertwined ; but obviously it is impossible for Australasia’s present representation in London to do what is necessary. The Agents=general have cabled urging the Premiers to come to London in December or January, to study the financial situation and express Australian war sentiment, as it would increase the weight of Australian opinion here. STATEMENT BY MR MASSEY. READY TO GO. WELLINGTON, October 21. When the cablegram was referred to Mr Massey this evening he said that he had received a communication from the High Commissioner in London conveying something to the same effect. “ I am prepared to go wherever my services can be of most value,” said the Prime Minister. “Of course,” he added, “it would only involve a stay of three or four weeks. The proposal is one for the Cabinet to carefully consider, in view of the very important matters which have to be dealt with here.’’ VON SANDERS CONFIDENT. THE FORCES COMPARED. NEW YORK, October 22. The Constantinople correspondent of the Associated Press visited the Turkish lines. He estimates that the 115,000 British troops in the Anafarta. region are opposed by 130,000 Turks, with 80,000 effectives in reserve. The Turks hold every advantage of terrain. General von Sanders says: ‘‘l am too old to be an optimist, but I am confident that unless something extraordinary occurs we will hold the Allies where they are.” The Turks estimate that the Allies lost 12,000 killed and 25,000 wounded in the assaults on Anafarta between August 20 and 27. TURKISH ATTACKS REPULSED. ATHENS, October 22. The Allies yesterday repulsed Turkish attack? at Suvla and Krithia, inflicting severe losses. ARMENIAN ATROCITIES. WASHINGTON, October 21. The Turkish Embassy here has issued an official report stating that the Russians are committing atrocities against the Moslems, and that the Armenians themselves are torturing the Turks whenever possible. The Turkish Embassy asserts that the Armenians pierce Turkish babies so that they starve to death. Unofficial reports reaching Washington indicate that over 1,000,000 Armenians have been exiled, of whom three-quarters have been killed or enslaved by the Turks, while 200,000 have fled into Russia. NEGLECT OF AUSTRALIAN WOUNDED. LONDON, October 21. The New South Wales Agent-general (Mr B. R. Wise) has informed Sir George Reid that be has received well-founded complaints of neglect of soldiers, which suggested that there was insufficient organisation to deal with the wounded in the hospitals. They do not receive their pay, and are unable even to obtain stamps to post letters to friends. When the men leave the hospitals they are penniless and inadequately clad. Mr Wise adds: ‘‘The men suffer from the cold 1 . This is regrettable in view of the large supplies of warm clothing sent from New South Wales.” He complains that all this is due to want of organisation. The War Contingent Committee are ineffective to deal with 7000 wounded men. Mr Wise suggests the appointment of an officer controlling a certain number of hospitals, who would see that soldiers’ needs are attended to, and would keep the High Commissioner’s department in touch with the men. GENERAL ITEMS. LONDON, October 21. The cases of dysentery at the Dardanelles show a gratifying decrease for the month. Lord St. Davids is raising the question in the House of Lords as to whether a full meeting of the Privy Council should discuss the whole war situation. Lord Robert Cecil said that the Government was inquiring as to restrictions on British prisoners in Turkey, who were said not to he allowed to receive letters. MALTA, October 21. A commission has gone to Sicily to consider the establishment of hospitals for convalescents and slightly wounded from the Dardanelles,

FREMANTLE, October 22. A hospital ship with 630 sick and wounded New Zealanders aboard, including 300 cot cases, has arrived. SIR lAN HAMILTON’S RECEPTION. LONDON, October 23. Sir lan Hamilton received a hearty reception at Victoria station. He is appar« ently in the best of health and cheerful. He drove off amid the cheers of the crowd, which included wmunded from the Darda-« nelles, and was much touched by the reception. General Monro left London yesterday. NEW ZEALAND WOUNDED. LONDON, October 22. There are now 4600 New Zealand wounded in England, and the cost of supplying the necessary comforts has made great inroads on the funds of the War Contingent Committee. Unless further assistance is immediately received from New Zealand the committee will find a difficulty in view of the approach of whiter to supply the needed comforts. Several thousand pounds are necessary t<3 tide over the next few months.