WAR IN ASIA MINOR

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2376, 4 February 1915, Page 5

WAR IN ASIA MINOR

QUIET ON SUEZ CANAL

TURKISH DESERTERS MEN MISERABLY FED Sydney, February 3. Captain Bean (official correspondent with the Australian Force) cables that tie second Australian contingent reached Egypt in excellent condition, both men and horses. He reports all quiet on the Suez Canal. Turkish deserters are coming in. One stated that his portion of the force, marched from Jerusajeru along the. coastal route to El Arish, thence by the desert road to Nakhl. The officers are well fed but tho men miserably fed. Another deserter, who bad his hand cut off, explained that a German officor ordered him to cut a telephone. Ho protested that tho wire was too high and the officer drew his sword and hewed off'his hand. The prisoner's condition was absolutely ragged. TURKISH ADVANCE GUARD. UNABLE TO ATTACK THE CANAL. (Rec. February 3,'9.15 p.m.) London, February 3. The "Daily Chronicle's" Cairo correspondent says that the Turkish advance guard of six thousand has reached Nakhl. The men are badly equipped andare unable to attack the canal. The main army has not commenced to advance. The majority of the force is still scattered and badly organised and equipped. Theronavo been many desertions. The camels and horses are starving. MARCH ON ECYPT. TO BE ABANDONED. (Rec. February 4, 0.15 a.m.) Copenhagen, February 3. The Kaisor's General Staff in Palestine has udvisod the abandonment of Iho campaign in Egypt because a seriftus advance ,iB impossible. Tho German Commission on Turkish affairs is unlikely to adopt this advice forthwith, because tho prospective invasion is hailed with joy. Tho Germans will probably accept the advice when a plausible excuse is found. THE SUEZ CANAL. REPORTS CONTHADICTED. (Rec. February 1, 0.30 a.m.) London, February 3. Tho Press Bureau contradicts the Continental reports that tho Sucss Canal is closed. The cnual is open for traffic es ueual, subject to precautions to ensure iho safety, .of .vessels in transit.

TURKS PLUNDERED TABRIZ. Petrograd, February 2. The "Bourse Gazette" Btates that the Turks plundered Tabriz and burned the bazaar before evacuation. Many Persians for refusing to eupply provisions were hanged.