HAS THE UNDERTAKING FAILED?

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

HAS THE UNDERTAKING FAILED?

AMSTERDAM, October 25.

The Nienwa van den Dag’s Sofia correspondent states that it may be considered certain that the Entente’s undertaking at the Dardanelles has failed. It is stated that the allied troops at Sedd-el-Bahr, Ariburnu, and Anafarta are retreating bit by bit because the bad weather makes it impossible to transport supplies and reserves, and the sea is so rough that the warships cannot assist tire troops. ALLIED POSITION NOT SATISFACTORY. LONDON, October 24. The Associated Press correspondent states that the Turks retook Kiritch Tepe under the German Lieutenant-colonel WUmers Bey. They are masters of part oI the Anafarta region which had been lost. Also, the Turkish forces under German commanders cleared the Allies from an important crest west of Biyuk Anafarta cemetery. The consequence of losing these positions is that the Allies to-day are retaining themselves in the Anafarta region only because of their immense artillery superiority. It is impossible for the Allies to advance from Sedd-el-Bahr by operations conducted within the range of reasonable and permissible sacrifices. From a strictly military viewpoint the. Allies’ position on Gallipoli Peninsula ia more unfavourable to-day than it was on April 26 (the date of the landing). TURKISH ATTACKS REPULSED. LONDON, October 24. Mitylene reports state that the Allies a* Suvla and Krithia repulsed, with heavy, losses Turkish attacks, and the fighting continues. Two destroyers entered the straits and bombarded the enemy tionsTHE SUVLA BAY FAILURE. LONDON, October 25. Mr Nevinson, a war correspondent, in a lecture on Gallipoli, said the men were shot down so quickly at the landing at Capo Helles that the spectators aboard the ships inquired why our men wore resting, not realising that their fighting days were over. The landing was one of the 'most terrible in our history and in this war. The French beat us in laying out their stores for the trenches and encampments. Everything was beautifully engineered. They also boat our organisa-* tion out of sight. The Australians and New Zealanders filled him with a new hope for the race the world over. One of the reasons for the Suvla Bay] failure was the staff work, although he was inclined to attribute it to the use of new troops who were unaccustomed to the country. They were hurriedly landed and rushed into a tremendous battle, not knowing what hardships meant or anything of bloodshed,* wounds, or death- Water vvaa scarce, and the men almost died of thirst. They behaved gallantly for the first night and morning, and then suddenly failed. TURKISH REPORT. LONDON, October 24. A Constantinople communique states:) We bombarded the barricade at Anafarta, destroying three machine guns. We also silenced the enemy artillery fire, both from land and sea, at Ari Burnu. The enemy at Sedd-el-Bahr fired gome thou-, sands of shells at our left wing without doing us any damage, AMSTERDAM, October 25. A Turkish communique states that the!*, gunners damaged an enemy torpedo-boat; off Djug Bair. The injured' warship wat towed to Imbros Island, A TURKISH “VICTORY.” LONDON, October 24. The landing at Karachali, reported by the Turks on August 11, was merely a feint. It was carried out by 380 Cretans, who volunteered for service in the French army. They had previously seen hard service with the French. They advanced inland, cutting the telegraph and telephone wires, and penetrated a considerable distance. The Turks sent a large force in pursuit, being unaware of the number of the invaders. They surrounded the Cretans in a wood, which thd

latter ignited, and escaped under cover of the smoke. They fought a retreat towards the beach, and a small force halted at the cliffs and kept the Turks at bay, while the rest embarked in the warships. Twenty of their comrades ashore were either killed, wounded, cr taken prisoners.

SIR lAN HAMILTON

PRAISE FOR HIS TROOPS. LONDON, October 24

Sir lan Hamilton has reported himself at the War Office. He had a two-hours’ conference with Lord Kitchener to-day. Mr A. Balfour, Lord Derby, and others were also present. Speaking to his friends, Sir lan Hamilton is full of praise for all ranks of the Australians and New Zealanders. He was deeply 'touched by the magnificent send-off he was given at Anzac. Farewelling the men, he said that no worldly honours could give him satisfaction equal to the good-will of the heroes of Anzac. Interviewed by a representative of the Paris Journal, Sir lan said he had no knowledge of where he would be sent norv. He trusted his period of inactivity would be very short. He paid a tribute to the dash and gallantry of the French troops, particularly the Algerians. He added that the British troops were alike splendid, from the Cockney to the Austral’an and New Zealanders. Sir lan Hamilton’s references to the Australian and New Zealand forces was in reply to General Birclwood’s telegram as follows: “ Anzac greatly regrets your departure. Wishing you good-bye. All ranks offer you personally their very best Irishes.”