EXCITEMENT IN LONDON.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 December 1915, Page 5

EXCITEMENT IN LONDON.

NEWSPAPER COMMENT. Londou. Deo. 20. The abandonment of Anzac and Suvla is the sensation of the day. Newspapers were hurriedly bought up as the newsboys with placards dashed into the streets. Later editions were in equal demand, in Ihe hope of details beyond the bald War Office announcement". There is much speculation whether it is a prelude to the complete evacuation of Oallipoli. also whether the Anzac men will be given a temporary rest protecting the canal or be transferred to Salonika forthwith. The newspapers ore unanimous in emphasising the services of the Australians and New Zealnnders, printing vivid stories of their doings and reproducing diaries of the principal events in Gallipoli and photographs of the generals. Experts generally state that withdrawal from Suvla Ray was the only course after the surprise of the initial attack had failed. Some newspapers opfne that Sir lan Hamilton reported to this effect, and that Lord Kitchener came to the same conclusion. '"'■e Star comments; "So ends an enterprise on which the highest hopes were built. The troops were always within a few miles of victory. The final cause of failure was the inability of the Suvla men to fulfil their contract with the Australians and New Zealanders advancing from Anzac. The Australians alone lost 25,000 men at Gallipoli. The movement, however, immobilised a quarter of a mililon Turks." MESSAGE TO THE GOVERNOR. Wellington, Dec. 21. The Governor has received the following cablegram from the Secretary of State, dated London, December 20: "In order that they may take part in.other operations all the troops have been transfered from Suvla and Anzac. The transfer was effected without loss of personnel or material." PRIME MINISTER'S VIEWS. Wellington, Last Night. To-night the Prime Minister made a brief statement to a reporter with regard to the news of the retirement from Anzac and Snvla Bay. Mr. Ma s scy deprecated any carping criticism of the Imperial authorities at this juncture, and urged that the duty of every patriotic citizen of the Empire was to join in presenting a united front to the enemy.

'■' The cablegram with regard to tlie retirement is not quite so explicit as we should like, but most people will agree that under the circumstances the proper thing has been done,'' said the Prime Minister. "It may be that mistakes have been made in the past, but it is better to face the position and have done with it for the time being than to gb on with an enterprise that is commonly believed to have been the result of an error of judgment. It is a matter for sincere congratulation that the transfer ha? been effected without loss of life. I trust this will not be made an occasion for the repetition of hitter criticism and the display of personal and political animosity, of which we have had far too much during the present conflict. T do not suppose anything has encouraged the enemy so much as the idea which has heen allowed to go forward that the British people were seriously divided in their opinions with regard to the conduct of the war. Whatever the mistakes that have been made, or whatever our domestic differences may be, they can stand over until the end of the war for discussion, when fighting is over and victory is won. Let us in the meantime present a united front to the c""my, and show the world that every m..stake and every reverse only increases our determination to see the war through to a conclusion which will be satisfactory to Britain and her Allies."

RATHER LATE. A BIG OFFENSIVE. Times and Sydney Sun Services. London, Dec. 20. The Petit Journal says that it is reported in Constantinople that Germany has advised Turkey to undertake an offensive in order to drive off the Allies from the Dardanelles. Important German forces will shortly "be arriving in Constantinople. The journal adds that the offensive so far has not shaken the Allies" position.