THE GALLIPOLI CAMPAIGN

Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 558, 23 November 1915, Page 7

THE GALLIPOLI CAMPAIGN

SHOULD THE FORCES WITHDRAW A RUSSIAN EXPERTS VIEW. PETROGRAD, November 22. Colonel Shumsky, in an article reviewing the Dardanelles operations jin the "Bourse Gazette," assumes I that Sir Charles Monro's report favours a withdrawal. From the standpoint of strategy the original landing at Gallipoli was open to serious objection, as it was clear that the ultimate fate of the Dardanelles would be decided at Berlin. 'Nevertheless, it attracted the main body ! of the Turks, and relieved the presisure on Egypt andin the Caucasus. [The capture of Constantinople was j not feasible, as it demanded a larger I force than could safely be spared. 1 The first attack on the Strait proved ! that no fleet in. the world could overcome the coastal fortifications, however weakly they were defended. It is now clear that the Anglo-French forces are divided into three parts, while the enemy is in a single compact mass, hence Sir Charles Monro's report'on the necessity for leaving Gallipoli Peninsula. Colonel Shumsky says it is more than inexpedient to leave the Balkans. The Austrp-Germans cannot be permitted to strengthen their human resources by Balkan contingents, or' to use a 'free - passage through Asia Minor to Egypt. Sir I Charles Monro evidently - recom- | mends the concentration . of the three groups of Allied armies in the Balkans, which is imperatively v demanded by the principles of strategy. Victory in Macedonia will open the road to Constantinople more speedily than the slow siege operations oh Gallipoli Peninsula. •