ANOTHER ATTACK ON SUEZ CANAL

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2418, 25 March 1915, Page 5

ANOTHER ATTACK ON SUEZ CANAL

1 TURKS COMPLETELY ROUTED OMINOUS SIGNS IN FLANDERS BIG BATTLE PENDING SLIGHT CHECK TO THE FRENCH AT VAUQUOIS RUSSIANS RETIRE FROM MEMEL LAST SCENES AT FORT PRZEMYSL To-day's war news tells of another futile attack bv a Germanofficered Turkish force on the Suez Canal. The enemy was completely routed, and is now in full retreat. In the light of this latest fiasco, a proclamation which has been published in Syrian newspapers by , Djemal Pasha, the Turkish Military Commander in the Egyptiau operations, adds a farcical touch to a forlorn enterprise. There has been a renewal of hostilities in the Dardanelles, and several forts have been wrecked by the fire of the wnr6hips. In France there are ominous signs of an impending conflict of tremendous proportions on the Yscr, and the English newspapers are preparing tho public for the inevitable and" serious casualties which must follow from what is expected to be a most desperate and sanguinary battle. The French have sustained a 6light reverse at the village of Vauquois, near Varennes, a position of great tactical importance which was successfully stormed by them recently after most gallant fighting. In the Eastern theatre the Russian advance troops which occupied Memel have been compelled to fall back into llussian ground again, but there are compensating successes at Suwalki and in the Carpathian Passes. The final scene at Fort Przemysl is picturesquely described by a correspondent,' and details of the Russian captures after the capitulation disclose enormous casualties to the Austrian forces.

THE FALL OF FORT PRZEMYSL COMMANDER'S APPEAL TO THE GARRISON

NINE GENERALS AND 11,700 MEN TAKEN PRISONERS (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) Petrograd, March 23. General von Kasmanek, tho Austrian commander, stirringly addressed the garrison at Przemysl on Thursday last. "We liave shared the last of our provisions," he said, "and I now lead you to pierce the enemy's iron circle. You must crush everything, and open a way out." .Each soldier ivas given live day 6'" supply of biscuits, warm clothing, and new boots. It was arranged that twenty thousand men should make the sortie. Several units refused. Only the 23rd Honved division, parts of the Landwehr, and the 4th Hussars took part in the sortie, which was principally repulsed by the Territorials and reserve infantry, for the Russian forces were never large. VIVID ACCOUNT OF THE FINAL SCENE OUTER FORTS LIKE A RING OF VOLCANOES. (Rcc. March 24, B.do p.m.) Petrograd, March 21. A correspondent who was proceeding from Lemberg towards Przemysl, writes: "I saw the forts round the town burning like a circle of volcanoes. From the southern and western sectors came a succession of violent explosions, and dense smoke, as the Austrians blew up their ammunition stores. "When the Russians heard the explosions they rushed past the forts and occupied the inner sectors. The A.ustrians meanwhile shot their horses to prevont them falling into tho Russians' hands, and then the parliamentaries announced tho surrender. 1 "Many of the garrison dropped from exhaustion. Some had not sufficient strength to leave their tranches—most of thorn had gnawed scraps to keep themselves alive. "There are twenty thousand wounded among the prisoners. Tho town itself was intact. The outskirts alone suffered. HUGE CAPTURES BY THE RUSSIANS. London, March" 23. Router's Petrograd correspondent states that the Russians at Przemysl captured nine generals and 117,000 men. The Prime Minister has received the following from the High Commissioner (London, March 24, 4.55 p.m.):— \ "Reports from Petrograd state that General Kusmarek, the Commandant at Przemysl surrendered unconditionally, with a garrison of nine generals, 2593 officers and officials, and 11,700 rank and file. " "The Russians entered the fortress and took possession." [Note the disparity in the figures as stated in the Press message and in the High Commissioner's message. The latter's figures. 11,700, are more probably correct.]. "A MOST WELCOME AND IMPORTANT EPISODE." (Rcc. March 24, 5.25 p.m.) London, March 24. The "Times," in a leading article, referring to tho fall of Fort Przemysl, says: "This is the most welcome and important episode of tho war since the New Year, and we congratulate the Russians on this now vindication of thoir prowess and invincible determination, which will stimulate the whole of the Allies to more and more vigorous efforts. The end of the sioge coinciding with the end of the winter ought quickly to result in a general cloaring up in Eastern Galicia.—"Times" and Sydney "Sun" services. RUSSIANS FALL BACK FROM MEMEL CAPTURE OF A GERMAN SUPPLY COLUMN. Petrograd, March 23. Tho Germans have withdrawn'several heavy batteries From Ossowiec. (Rec. March 24, 9.45 p.m.) j Petrograd, March 21. | Official.—"Our detachment which was reconnoitring at Memel has fallen back into Russian territory. ply column in the Suwalki district, and "We have captured a Goneral sup great stores of food." The High Commissioner reports (London. March 24, 4.55 a.m.):— "Petrograd reports that the Russian detachment which undertook the reconnaissance towards Memel, has fallen hack on its own territory. "On Ihe left ban!; of the Nioinen, in the region of Mariaiiipol, a Gorman attack was repulsed with heavy loss to the enemy. Near S/.ipliszki (in the Suwalki region), Russian cavalry, profiting by the darkness and a snowstorm, captured a German supply column. "Th» guns of the fortress lit Owieviw wrhirod tmportsM re«uHi>t slid the fire of tho German aiette batteries, tons slackened greatly."

FIGHTING IN THE CARPATHIAN PASSES (Rec. March 2-1, 0.45 p.m.) Petrograd, March 24. Official.—"Wo have progressed between the Dukhi Pass and the Upper Sail, capturing 3000 prisoners, 16 machine guns, and three guns. "The enemy's attack 011 the Uszok Pass was repulsed." AUSTRIAN VERSION OF THE RESULTS. (Roc. March 24, 9.43 p.m.) Amsterdam, March 21. An Austrian official communique claims that the Austrians repulsed violent Russian attacks in the Uszok Pass, capturing 3300 men, and tlv.it tlicv also drove the Russians from a height near Wyzskow, taking 090 prisoners'. SUEZ CANAL ONCE MORE ATTACKED TURKS ROUTED AND IN FULL RETREAT DISASTROUS MARCH ACROSS THE DESERT The Prime Minister has received the following message from the High Commissioner, dated London, March 23, 9.3 a a.m.:— "Reports from Cairo state that at dawn 011 Monday, a British patrol discovered a party of the enemy near El Kubli, opposite Suez. Shots were exchanged. An aeroplane reconnaissancfa estimated the number at 1000, composed of infantry, artillery, and a few cavalry. _ "The guns at El Kubli opened fire, inflicting casualties, and the enemy, retiring, formed a camp eight miles east of the canal. "Early in the morning a force under Major-General Younghusband attacked, routing the enemy, who is now in full retreat. "Prisoners state that the force came direct from Bir El Saba, making a twelve days' journey. The force was under General von Traumer, and three other German officers." Messages in briefer terms from the Press Bureau, and by the "Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services cover the same ground. TURKISH REMNANTS DESERTED BY THEIR COMMANDER. (Rec. March 24, 7.20 p.m.) . . London, March 24. Mr. Martin Donohoe (the "Daily Chronicle's correspondent), writing from Constanza, says that the Turkish Army is retreating from Egypt as rapidly as its enfeebled condition will permit. Thousands arc perishing from hunger and thirst in the desert, falling a prey, to the vultures which in droves are following the retreat. 'Ihe Commissariat is an utter failure. Djemal Pasha (the Turkish Commander), has bolted, leaving his command to struggle back as it may. Other officers are straggling into Constantinople. Tho Russian Fleet has bombarded several Turkish forts on the Asia Minor coast. DJEMAE PTiSHA "HOPES TO ENTER CAIRO." (Rec. March 24, 9.45 p.m.) „ , , , . Amsterdam, March 24. Djemal Pasha s proclamation, published m tho Syrian papers, announces that he is prepared for further operations 011 the Suez Canal, and hopes shortly to enter Cairo. SIX DARDANELLES' FORTS WRECKED | BIG FORTS STILL ABLE TO RESIST (Reo. March 24, 7.20 p.m.) _ . . . . Athens, March 24. The injuries to the French battleship Gaulois are chiefly confined to rents in the hull, due to mines. It is expected that she will bo repaired in three weeks. ' In spite of the severe damage wliioli has been inflicted, it seems that Forts Chahak, Hamidieh, and Kilid Bahr are still able to resist. A number of German howitzers have been mounted on rails, enabling the guns to move rapidly from point to point, and many mobile batteries have been posted along the straits. Rome, March 24. The correspondent of "La Tribune," writing from Tenedos, states that tl\o Allies' ships wrecked six forts on Thursday. The Turkish losses were very heavy. The inhabitants on both sides of the Dardanelles attempted to escape to Greek Islands. It is reported that the Turks massacred the fugitives. ITALY LAYING IN COAL STOCKS

•London, March 23. 'Hie Cardiff Coal Exchange reports that the Italian Government' has secured a number of steamers on a month's charter, and is making extensive importations of American coal.—"Times" and Sydney "Sun" services.

OPERATIONS IN THE WESTERN THEATRE GREAT BATTLE PENDING ' FRENCH TEENCH LOST AT VAUQUOIS The High Commissioner reports (London, March 23, 4.30 a.m.):— "Paris reports that the enemy has _ bombarded Reims. An aviator dropped bombs, and there were two or thveo civilian victims. "In the Champagne region tho French progressed slightly. "In tho Argowie, two violent counter-attacks of the enemy were repulsed. London, March 23, 7.5 p.m. "General French reports that on Saturday and Sunday the enemy.'s aircraft showed unwonted activity, the weather being particularly favourable. Bombs dropped at Lillers, St. Omer, and Estaires. Buildings were damaged, but they were neither occupied by soldiers nor used for military purposes. The bombs were dropped from a great height, in one case 9000 ft., preventing tho airman aiming deliberately. Any military objective in this procedure, he says, is a tribute to tho respect in which the enemy holds tho British airmen."' London, March 24, 1.15 a.m. "In the region of Nieuport the French artillery • destroyed several observatories and attacking points. The occupants were seen to take flight. "North-west of Arras tho Allies demolished German trenches and took prisoners. "At Soissons. a new attempt at a bombardment was stopped almost immediately by French artillery. "At Les Eparges (south-east of Verdun) two enemy attacks were stopped." _ [The Press Association messages are to tho same effect.] SIGNS OF IMPENDING GREAT BATTLE GERMAN ARTILLERY MASSING ON THE YSER, (Roc. March 24, 10.30 p.m.) Amsterdam, March 24. j All the German guns west of Neuve Chapelle have been transferred to the Yser. A big battle is imminent. People living near the railways havo been ordered to leave the vicinity. PREPARING THE NATION FOR THE SHOCK. (Roc. March 24, 11.30 p.m.) London, March 24. The "Daily Mail" declares that Austria and Germany together have at least six million men available. The Allies' losses at the battle of Neuve Chnpelle provides a gauge for the stupendous effort which is required to forco the enemy out of Belgium and France. "Conscription alone supplies the men r.ccessary to fill tho gaps in the enemy's lines." The "Daily Graphic" declares that when _ viewed in perspective a few months' hence tho battle of Neuve Chapelle will appear a minor struggle in the terrific conflict. "\Ve must steel ourselves for eusualty lists of fa"moro lamentable proportions. The time is surely approaching when, if the nation does not disperse the unreality with which in a considerable part it continues to view the crisis, it will receive a harrowing shock. Desperately sad days are coming, and it behoves everyone to strengthen the position by feeling that each is doing "his. part." GERMANS PREPARING FOR A DEFEAT ON THE YSER. London, March 23. An Amsterdam message states that the Germans scattered round Bruins and Ghent are being gathered into garrison at Antwerp, because the Germans expect the Allies to make an early movement, and if the Germans are unable to hold the line of the Yesr it is not expected that Ghent and Bruges will be defended.—("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) FRENCH CHECK AT THE VILLAGE OF VAUQUOIS DRIVEN FROM TRENCHES BY INFLAMMABLE LIQUID. (flee. March 21, 9.1,3 p.m.) t,, Paris, March 24. Official.— I "The Germans sprinkled trc-nehes at Vauquoia (near *11 h Hutttlils fWMMa tfftxiltill.mj !h U'UMIW, wried » Iwe gf tim-het. kUniuawu Weilerbpf (in