THE ASIATIC CAMPAIGN.

Otago Witness, Issue 3247, 7 June 1916, Page 53

THE ASIATIC CAMPAIGN.

MESOPOTAMIA EXPEDITION. A TERRIBLE BUNGLE DISCLOSED. LONDON, May 30. A White Paper containing the Meso> potaraia correspondence shows that General Townshend warned the Government that if it desired to occupy Bagdad two divisions were necessary, and it was talking a grave risk in mov» ing on Bagdad with his weak division alone, as the Turks would doubtless send reinforcements. The White Paper shows that neither the Home • Government nor the Government of India was aware of General Town* shend's socalled protest. Mr Chamberlain made inquiries in consequence of rumours that were cir= dilating in London, and found General Townshend's statement entered in the war diary of the Sixth Division on October 3 to the effect that it was absolutely necessary, if an advance from Kut was to be carried out methodically, that two divisions should be employed, exclusive of the garrisons on the lines of communica* tion. About the time that General Nixon received General Townshend's report, General Nixon heard that another division was coming to Mesopotamia, and he communicated that fact to General Townshend. The War Office decided on October 24 that two further divisions be sent from France. Major=general Kembell twice visited general Townshend by aeroplane in October and November, but gave General Nixon no inkling that General Townshend was doubtful regarding the adequacy of his force. General Nixon savs he considered the despatch of two divisions fulfilled General Townshend's conditions. When Mr Chamberlain recently asked General Townshend his reco!lec= tion of the matter, General Townshend said that it was certainly taking a grave risk marching on Bagdad on the one weak division, of which the British battalions were reduced to half their strength. He said, further: " Having called General Nixon's at» tendon to the risk, my conscience was clear; I was prepared to carry out my orders. It would be contrary to discipline to protest in the full sense of the meaning of the word." General Townshend adds: "I in the first instance myself contemplated getting to Bagdad.". WITHDRAWAL PROM GALLIPOLI. LONDON, May 30. Ward Price, giving a detailed story of the evacuation of Anzac and Suvla states: " Sir lan Hamilton estimated that probably the last operations would result in 40,000 casualties. Other authorities directly responsible thought 15 per cent, of the British force would be lost. Lord Kitchener, after a visit, was, however, optimistic, and said : ' If the Government derides upon evacuation we will just sail quietly away.' General Birdwood was al o sanguine, given fine weather and plenty of transports." Mr Ward Price gives General Birdwood the chief credit for organising the withdrawal. S£RSOUSLY THREATENED. PETROGRAD, May 31. A considerable force of Turks, on a 10=raile front, attacked a Russian colnrnn advancing upon Nineveh, but the attackers were routed with heavy losses. . The Turks were apparently troops that had been released by the Kut capitulation. Bagdad has been p?aced in a strong state of defence on the best German methods, but probably the fate of the town will be decided by that of Nine* veh, the loss of which means the isolation of Bagdad. The task of Genera! Lake's force is now to immobilise as many of the enemy as possible in order to assist the Russians. This was probably the pur= poss; of the ride of the Cossacks to the British headquarters to arrange a plan of operations. GENERAL TOWNSHEND AS PRISONER. LONDON, May 30. The Salonika correspondent of a Constantinople journal has interviewed Genera] Townshend, who said he was deeply impressed bv the chivalry of the Turkish Commander Halif Pasha. " Our comfort is consulted, and our wants are attended to beyond all expectation. I shall never forget such magnanimity," said General Townshend to his interviewer. VICTORY AT DARFUR, SULTAN DECISIVELY DEFEATED. LONDON, May 30. Official : Further reports confirm the completeness of tho victory over Ali Dinar, Sultan of Darfur. All the Sultan's Lest troops and commanders participated in tho battle, and most of tho latter are accounted for or have surrendered. The disarmament of th° is proceeding satisfactorily. ■■ > and much ammunition ! •■ been • ndered. Our aeroplane.' : ' day xttle

bombed a large body fleeing from Fashar with Ali Dinar. The latter, when last seen, had only 300 followers, who were facing a 35 hours’ journey over a waterless desert, going towards Geb-el-Marra. Sultan Ali Dinar, of Darfur, was a prisoner to the Mahdi in 1593, and was released by Lord Kitchener. He ascended the throne in 1839. Cairo reports state that the subjugation of Darfur war; due to the fine work of the Egyptian army. Kelly’s column lias occupied the capital. This completes the consolidation of the Sudan. THE MESOPOTAMIA BUNGLE. The Times, in a leading article, referring to the Townshend papers, says : “General Townshend wrote on October 3 stating clearly and forcibly the grave risks of an advance upon Bagdad. A number of people were aware of the existence of this document, and a copy was sent to an official in close touch with the Government of India. We have reason to believe that it was never shown to any member of the Government of India. If Hie original reached General Nixon s Staff, it never got beyond. Its terms were perfectly familiar to us when we wrote a leading article on April 1, which admitted the basis of Mr Chamberlain’s inquiries. Our remarks were not based upon gossip in private letters, but on a document formally signed by General Townshend, which was so mysteriously ignored. As the Government has raised the point, we will be happy to print General .Townshend s real appreciation if it gives us the necessary permission.” AUSTRALASIAN MOUNTED FORCE ENGAGED. ENEMY CAMP*”CAPTURED. LONDON, June 1. Official : The Australian and New Zealand Mounteds, on the morning of May 31, captured an enemy camp at Birsalmana,. 20 miles east-north-east of Katia. They drove the enemy eastward, inflicting considerable loss. Aeroplanes continued the pursuit, inflicting further casualties on the Turks. SYRIANS’ SUFFERINGS. LONDON, June 1. The Times correspondent at Cairo reports that the Syrian community have approached the American agent, requesting American assistance to alleviate their great sufferings. . The Ottoman Government is permitting the distribution of foodstuffs. Refugees bring harrowing details of the distress. Imperative action will be necessary to prevent other regrettable cases which are threatening. THE ENEMY'S STRUGGLES. PETROGRAD, June 2. A communique states: Strong Turkish forces are attempting to outflank a salient we hold near Mamahatun, midway between Erzerum and Erzingan. We have therefore evacuated Mamahatun. AMSTERDAM, June 2. A Turkish communique states: The Russian centre in the Caucasus has retired 20 kilometers to the north-west. THE SUDAN EXPEDITION. COMPLETENESS OF VICTORY. LONDON, June 4. The Sirdar of Egypt estimates that the defeated tribesmen at Zeringia totalled 2600, and the enemy losses prove heavier than was at first reported, their cavalry suffering severely. Up to the present 3200 rifles have been confiscated, and arras are still arriving. The captures include four guns and 45,000 rounds of ammunition. Half the normal population, which amounts to 65,000, have already returned to the town.