BRITISH OFFENSIVE RESUMED AT THE DARDANELLES

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2624, 20 November 1915, Page 5

BRITISH OFFENSIVE RESUMED AT THE DARDANELLES

TURKISH TRENCHES CAPTURED

(Rec. November 19, 5.6 p.m.)

- - London, November 18. The Press Bureau states:—"Tho officer commanding in the Mediterranean cables that the 52nd Division carried out a successful attack on November 15. VYe had made careful .preparations for this attack for a considerable time. Three mines were exploded successful] y under tho enemy's trenches in the Krithia nullah at 3 o'clock in tho afternoon. The infantry pushed on immediately, and captured 160 yards of trench east of the nullah and 120 yards west. The captured trenchcs were immediately consolidated. Bombing parlies pushed up to the communication trenches, and ercctod barricades, battleships, two 14-inch monitors, and H.B.S. Edgar assisting to a, bombradinent. The position was consolidated by 6 o'clock in the evening. "Tho enemy's batteries were very erratic. The Turkish infantry suffered considerably from our machine-gun and rifle fire. Their counter-attack on the nijjht of-Novembor 16 was easily repulsed. The British losses totalled fifty killed or wounded. Seventy Turkish bodies were found in tho captured [positions, whilo thirty others, were killed by the explosion of a mine."

A WITHDRAWAL FROM GALLIPOLI FAVOURED BY SIR CHARLES MONRO, .(Rec. November 19, 8.50 p.m.) London, November 18. ■ In tile Houso of Lords, Lord Ribblesdale asked the Government whether it was § in a position to report on the effect and progress of our military operations in the Near East. "It is common knowledge," he said, "that Sir Charles Monro has reported in favour of our withdrawing from the Dardanelles; that he is averse to a continuance .of winter operations. • I would like to know from the Government whether Lord Kitchener has gone to act, or withdraw the "men." He hoped, in the case of the Dardanelles, that we would bo successful in withdrawing our troops—if military opinions favoured tlioir withdrawal, and we were not over-anxiousaboiit our prestige in Europe. *We might yet see a peace arrived at which would not be imposed by anybody, but which would be approved by everybody. It was best not to talk of 'terms of peace. Lord - Lajisdowne replying on behalf of the Government said that the report which Sir Charles Monro had mado, and the evidence accompanying it did not seem sufficient to enable the Cabinet to firrivo at any conclusion as to the questions of policy involved, and theyhad therefore determined to ask Lord Kitchener to visit the Eastern Mediterran'ea,n. Lord Kitchener had a wide experience of the East, and was thoroughly familiar with the views of his colleagues. He had gone in order to report arid advise the Government. The result of Lord Kitchener's mission was still unknown. The visit of the Wax Committee to Paris was a most important/ step. It was a recognition of tho principle of the closest co-opera-tion of the Allies. The development of events in the Near East did not. depend entirely on our will. This was not the moment to consider tho question of peace. Tho country intended to pursue the great struggle which had been forced upon us to a successful issue.

Note.—The original message as it arrived- from tho Telegraph Office had evidently been mutilated in transmission, and the purport of certain, portions of Lord Ribblosdale's remarks could onlv be conjectured. The above is our reading of the message. Below wo publish the text of the most obscure portion of the original as it came to us: —_ . . Might yet see peace arrived at which unimposed by anybody but improving every day best untalk terms peace."] i THE ANGLO-FRENCH WAR COUNCIL ENERGETICALLY TACKLING ITS PROBLEMS. (Rec. November 19, 10.25 p.m.) Par|s, November 19. Tho Anglo-French War Council, in lengthy sittings, confarred with General Joffre, and all the. French Ministers. The activity of the conference has mado an excellent impression. The "Temps" compliments the Council on the rapidity with which it is tackling its problems, the foremost one of which is Italy's co-operation in tho Balkans. ... The British Ministers returned to London to-night. (Reo. November 20, 0.15 a.m.) Londonj •'November 19, The Cabinet Ministers have returned from Paris. TEUTON MUNITIONS FOR THE DARDANELLES. ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) London, November 18. Two Austrian steamers have passed Calafat (on the right bank of tho Danube. ' opposite Widin), towing seven lighters with munitions. They are flying the German flag. _ Twenty lighters have already passed. Later a latrge squadroi; of Austrian vessels,_ with munitions and guns, and escorted by torpedo boats, passed. It is difficult to estimate the time in which tlio munitions will, reach the Turks at the Dardanelles, as most of the railway stock in Bulgaria is required for tho conveyance of troops to Servia and Macedonia: but Germany may be expected to exact tho earhost dispatch, owing to the chronic sboroage of ammunition for the Turks.

TURKISH DELEGATES AT ATHENS. ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) ■ London, November 18. The Central News Agency asserts that Turinßh delegates hiave arrived at Athens in view of a Turco-Greek agreement. WHAT OVERSEA GREEKS THINK A£OUT IT. Sydney, November 10. "An enthusiastio meeting of Greeks in the Town Hall sympathised with ths Allies, and expressed the conviction that the destinies of Greece lay in the Allied pause. . RUSSIA AND RUMANIA'S NEUTRALITY M. SAZONOFF CREATES AN EXCELLENT IMPRESSION- ; ROme, November 18. The Italian journal "II Secolo's" Bucharest correspondent says that an excellent impression has been created in Rumania by a declaration by M. Sazonoif, Russian Foreign Minister, that Russia never faced . lie possibility of a Russian army traversing more than a .small part of Rumanian territory without the Government's consent. VIOLENT PRO-ALLIES' DEMONSTRATIONS. ("Times"- and Sydney "Sun" Services.) London, November 18. Tho'Paris Press quoted a statement by the Rumanian Minister of the Interior regarding Rumania's supposed intervention in the war. The Minister is reported to have said: "Mere love of Latin civilisation will not account for possible results. We will act in accordance with our own interest, and at an opportune moment." _ \ IWultuous demonstrations by pro-Allies occurred at Galatz, Rumania. The windows of Germanopliilo newspapers jwore Bmashed. • There wero seventeen arreßts. . . . M. Braiiauo, the Prime Minister, it is alleged, told the Chamber of Deputies that lie wished to continue Rumania b-neutrality, and did not desiro to coerce M. Filipisco andotlier opponents. A DOUBTFUL REPORT OF DEVELOPMENTS IN EGYPT WfIAT A' GERMAN NEWSPAP ER SAYS. Amsterdam, November 18. The German paper "Hamburger Nachriohten" sta/tes that tho following wireless message has been received from Alexandria, via Salonika"lf is understood that half a million Anglo-French troops are concentrated along the Suez Canal, expecting a Turco-German attack during the next few days. FeveriiA preparations for defence are progressing. The British Headquarters Staff do not expect a native disturbance. Agitators who have caused trouble arc under lock and key, and suspects are being closely observed." Greek newspapers doubt the accuracy ot the message, and express a belief that unfavourable occurrences arc being concealed.

REPORTED REVOLT IN SYRIA DJEMA.L PASHA HEADS INSURGENTS. London, November 18. Tho Exchange Agency correspondent at 'Athens roports that Djemal Pasha, the Turkish Minister of Marine, whilst) on a mission to Syria, revolted against the Government, and induced tho Dm sea to join the movemont, which has spread to Arabia, whore Djemal Pasha, is 00-oporating with the Entente. _ . [The Druses are a neoplo and a religious sect of Syria, living chiefly in tho mountain regions of Lnbnnq.i «»ul Ailti-Lltyttim, Mid tin; district; IIWfW). Tlwy are fanatical and warlike, and have liiw bloody conflicts, wM tliW WW*, vbourg and Maroniteß.l • ' * *"