The Southland Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. Luceo Non Uro. TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 1917. BAGHDAD TAKEN.

Southland Times, Issue 17972, 13 March 1917, Page 4

The S outhland Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. Luceo Non Uro. TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 1917. BAGHDAD TAKEN.

The capture of Baghdad is a notable and most gratifying success. It is impossible to say exactly what the effect upon the Turks will be, but the enormous losses they hare suffered since General Maude attacked at Kut-el-Amara, and the loss of their third largest city outside of Constantinople, will go far towards breaking their spirit and increasing their dislike of the German alliance. Precisely what the condition of Turkey is no one knows for certain. Six months after Turkey’s entry into the war Constantinople was alleged to be on the verge of starvation and rebellion. Possibly had the Dardanelles been forced the rebellion might have occurred, but the reports as to starvation in the capital were clearly exaggerated, since Turkey has carried on the war with a good deal of vigour and has lent invaluable aid to Germany. Still the Turks must be suffering privations, and there is no reason to doubt the persistent reports that the people are chafing under the severity and arrogance of the German military dictatorship. Antipathy to Germany and the war will be intensified by the reverses in Mesopotamia. The Turks will want to know why many of their best divisions are fighting in Macedonia, Roumania and Galicia, while the enemy is forcing his way up the Tigris and has taken the great city of Baghdad. The Turks will want to know what they stand to gain from the war to compensate the territorial losses that they are now suffering. They will want to know in any case exactly what they are in this war for and why they should continue it? It is not to be supposed that the fall of Baghdad will be followed immediately by the withdrawal of Turkey from her alliance with the Teutonic Powers. Enver Bey and his German friends are too strongly entrenched at Constantinople to be displaced even by so serious a disaster, but Turkey disappointed, depressed, and dissatisfied, is of much less value to Germany than Turkey exultant and confident. With the fall of Baghdad the savour of success which the Turks tasted at Gallipoli is embittered by defeat. At the best the success at Gallipoli was merely a repulse of the enemy; there was no positive gain. The loss of Baghdad is a very positive and tangible loss, and since it was preceded by a bloody defeat at Kut-el-Amara, Townshend is more than fully avenged. Indeed so far as Britain and Turkey are concerned the honours are distinctly with Britain, and Turkey has no reason to feel satisfied with what she has gained from the war.

Of equal importance Is the probable effect of the success in Persia. The capture of Baghdad spells complete failure for Turco-Gennan propaganda work in Persia. Even before Baghdad was actually in our hands the Turkish troops in Persia, anticipating defeat, had begun to retreat and they will now have to make all haste to get back to the right bank of the Tigris. The object of German intrigue in Persia was less military than political. The Germans were still hoping for the Jehad, the Holy war, that would set India in flames and enormously increase Britain's difficulties. Persia lay next to the gates of India, and the 1 enemy’s advance there was a very serious menace. The capture of Baghdad puts an end to tfae danger and for that reason is as important in a political as in a military sense. Prom the military point of view the feat is notable. General Maude won the second British victory at Kut-el-Amara. The first was won by General Townshend. General Townshend routed the Turks at Kut and poshed on for Baghdad, met greatly superior forces at Ctesiphon, was forced to retire to Kut, where he surrendered with his army after an heroic resistance. General Maude’s position at Kut is very different from General Townshend’s. His communications are better beyond all comparison. Not only has the river service been greatly improved, but a railway has been constructed. The transport service is very much better, and the medical service is superior in every way. General Maude has an army superior to the enemy in numbers, well equipped, well supported, and safe as regards communications. When he drove forward from Kut-el-Amara upon Baghdad, following a routed and flying enemy, he did not take the risks that Townshend took, and it does not appear that he was met, as Townshend was met, by divisions of entirely fresh troops. This time reinforcements were not available, and the Turks were driven belter skelter from Kut to Baghdad and out of the city. The success is a triumph of patient and thorough organisation. The work was begun as soon as the War Office took over the control of the campaign in Mesopotamia from the Government of India, and it has been carried on with unflagging energy to success. All these months of preparation have now been crowned with victory and the capture of Baghdad gives lower Mesopotamia into the hands of the British, ensures Russo-British predominance in Persia, and gives the Turk additional cause for asking himself whetlver it is worth while keeping in the war merely to fight Germany’s battles.