ENOS AND OTHER PLACES.

Wanganui Herald, Volume L, Issue 14745, 26 October 1915, Page 3

ENOS AND OTHER PLACES.

Tho following interesting comments appear in the Dunedin Star:—The fact that the alleged landing at Enos was not confirmed is a matter for congratulation. Not only have we no forces to spare which we cannot use to better effect, from Salonika, but scarcely a single argument could he put forward for such a landing, and the reasons against it are conclusive. In tho first place, Luos is a miserable little port., utterly inferior for the discharge of troops and munitions to the fine port of Salonika. Its population is about 7000; it has some trade, but its harbour is choked with sand, and ouly small vessels oau enter. Large transports would have to discharge in the open roadstead—a long and labourious operation, exposing the vessels to submarine attacks, There are two possible objectives for such a landing—Dedeagatch and Constantinople. It was suggested in these notes that one of til© first objects of the Allies would bo to seize Dedcagatch. but that was when tho co-operation of Greece appeared certain. We must now cut our coats according to our cloth, and all the Allied forces are needed in the Vardnr Valley. For an attack upon Dedeagatch, Enos is on the wrong side of the Maritza River. Moreover, there are large lakes, and a considerable area of swampy ground extends for some distance on both sides of the river for some hO miles Up streamA worse landing place for an attack upon Dedeagatch could' hardly be chosen. A comparatively small Bulgarian force would lie sufficient to hold a large army in check; moreover, a landing Wee would be attacked- by the Turks, and so be between two fires.

But why not shift the Dardanelles force over there and advance upon Constantinople that way? Because such a move has every possible disadvantage and nothing to recommend it. A force operating from Enos would have the Bulgarians in its rear. It would encounter positions as strong as those at the Dardanelles, and even if it succeeded in forcing its wav to the neighbourhood of Constantinople would lie held up bv the almost impregnable lines of ChaAalia- If the northern shore of the Bosphorus were conquered, the Dardanelles would still remain to be taken, and no decisive advantage-would have been won. Arsenals would be shifted across to Asia, and the Turks would still continue the war. Therefore the advantages of a transference of the forces from the Dardanelles.to Enos are not apparent.