ANZAC WITHDRAWAL

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2651, 23 December 1915, Page 5

ANZAC WITHDRAWAL

PECULIAR HAZARD PRIME MINISTER'S STATEMENT OFFICERS THANKED By TeleerauliT-Press Association—Cooyriuht ' London, December 21. Speaking m the House of Commons. Air. Asquith said that the withdrawal liom Anzac did not involve a similar operation at Cape Helles, where tho naval and military force commanded the entrance to the Strait. The withdrawal at Snvla and Anzac was taken . after l.ord Kitchener and Major-General Monro had examined all the positions, and the naval and military advisers had concurred. Ihe Government sanctioned the movement with reluctance, especially from Anzac, which was consecrated by bo many heroic exploits. (Cheers.) Here our gallant kinsmen from Australia aud New Zealand won undying .honour. (Cheers.) Tho withdrawal was an operation exposed to. peculiar hazard, one in which the least miscarriago would have led to serious loss. l With the exception of a relatively small quantity of stores and six guns which were left behind and destroyed, the wliolo force from ' both places, with equipment, was removed to perfect security. The total casualties were two .naval and two military wounded. Mr. Asquith asked the House to join the Government in taking the earliest opportunity of expressing its admiration and gratitude to Major-General Monro, General Birdwood, and Admiral Weniyss, who supervised the naval operations. The- splendid troops were embarked for their new destination without the loss of a single life. After a short rest he

was sure they would be ready and eagei •to resume their glorious career. A FIERCE ATTACK SIR lAN HAMILTON'S DISPATCH (Rec. December 22, 11.35 p.m.) London, December 22. Iu the House of Commons," Mr, llcd- , mond made a fierce attack on Sir lan Hamilton. Ho said: "It is something scandalous that Lis dispatch has not been published. Unfortunately, I am in possession of information which points to the fact that part of the whole truth cannot be published with advantage. • But there is no dispatch at all! What is the meaning of this?" Mr. Asquith interjected: "The Government only received the dispatch recently." Mr. Redmond continued: "Sir lan Hamilton was recalled in order to get his report regarding thc> ghastly failure of his action. I Government for not insisting on getting the report," and added: "Mr. Asquith has said nothing about continuing- or abandoning voluntary recruiting, but the decision would have to be made soon." ' "FEARLESS FIGHTERS" TRIBUTE TO ANZAC HEROES "ALL WAS DONE THAT MEN COULD DO." London, December 21. The "Pall Mall Gazette" says that the Dardanelles will always evoke memories of unparalleled vilour, condemned 1 to fruitlcssness by the 'management of the enterprise. It has been a case of "too late and too little." The "Westminster Gazette" says:— "Our men have not died on Gallipoli in vain. While the British race lasts, Suvia and Anziic will be imperishable names, full of proud memory for the Commonwealth, which sent its sons to the Old Country's call, and an undying inspiration to all who are called hereafter to emulate their example." The "Manchester Guardian" says: — "The first landing on Gallipoli is now recognised as the supreme exploit of British infantry in tlio whole of its hisdory." A London correspondent quotes "EyeWitness," who declared:—"Probably there were never such resourceful, fearless fighters as the splendid Australians and New Zealanders. Troy, across tho Straits, never echoed to the feet of euch heroes." He quotes the lines: "All was done that men could do, But all was done in vain." The correspondent adds: "That is the Anzacs' epitaph." SAVING THE GUNS MOST REMARKABLE FEAT ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) (Rec. December 22, 5.5 p.m.) London, December 21. Experts from Gallipoli assert that saving all the guns was a most remarkable feat because the Anzac guns were llilllt In even iu D . l tw guoa .we swsik awamWeiJ.

l?,rfri 10C0 -? t6 ? iU » alul apparently the lurks preferred to allow the taking off macliiiifguns? beiUS maSSaCred b >"° ur THE EIVSffIIuSTBALiA AUSTRALIA IS IN THE WAR TO THE END T . r, . Melbourne, December 22. r/"® P r "no Minister (Mr. W. Al" oVfiiM Col ?™ en J ; ' n S the evacuation Anzac and Suvia Say, said: "I feel I t£ n PCak ?#/ 01 ; Australia when I say f' oVn 61 ) 3 -n • - 10 witll drawal was earned out with insignificant losses was reEl'V s P m J of devout gladness and chastened regret. The withdrawal was [o P tlfo mi Australia is in the war to the eud. lhe evacuation serves but a»,a spur to our resolute purpose. Our soldiers have left Anzac, but their glory I ever remain on that soil, soaked nith their heroic blood. Australia turns serenely and with resolute face towards the enemy, assured that her brave soldiers will in other fields uphold the reputation won on Gallipoli." WILL ACT AS'A SPUR. FOR STILL GREATER EFFORTS. , (Rec. December 22, 7.20 p.m.) Melbourne, December '62. ' Air. Pearce, Minister for Defence, refernng to the withdrawal from Anzac, stated that lie believed lie waa voicing the opinion of the people of Australia when he said: "We do not cavil at the action taken because we have confidence that it was taken with the best object in view. It dii.l not lessen in the slightest degree our determination to fiee the war through, or to raise additional men, but will spur us to still greater effort." EVACUATION JUSTIFIED MR. ASHMEAD BARTLETT'S VIEWS. . (Roc. December 22, 8.25 p.m.) mi ... . Sydney, December 22. J-ho following message dated London, December 20, lias now been released:— Mr. Ashmead Bartlett, writing to the ounday Times" on the Dardanelles, says: 'bir Charles Monro's report is said to be strongly in favour of withdrawal, and a tremendous responsibility rests on those keeping our force there, llio wintry conditions will cause enormous losses, as sickness is inevitable. It is absolutely certain that' the troops in Gallipoli must face sufferings and hardsnips unparalleled since (ho Crimean war. Are the threatened losses worth while? What- are tho advantages if, as 1 think,_ the authorities aro agreed that it is impossible to advance from the present positions?" , A GERMAN FIB BOOTY AT ARI BURNU. (Rec. December 22, 8.25 p.m.)

re , ~ London, December 21. Nt ,„4r German wireless message states: » The booty secured at Ari Burnu is un•j measurable. Thick fog enabled the enemy to escape." TURKISH CORRESPONDENT draws on his imagination (Rec. December 22, 9.40 p.m.) London, December 21. n A t Wlrcless message to German Headquarters at Port Constantinople, dated December 21, from a correspondent at if P e^ ront; ) says: "Since yesterday there t has been herce fighting on all sections, j ><t ij Ur °?m a " ac ' let ' Anafarta and Ari! U if 1 * 11 } 1 ' enemy delivered countorf f ttacks at Sed-del-Ba.hr, which our ■ f ro °P 3 repulsed with extremely heavy losses. Our troops captured important In p° ln sl Jpport near Anafarta and Ari Jjuriui, and our powerful artillery fire i caused hoavy losses in the ranks of the onemy, our brave soldiers, who had been waiting months for this offensive. " "hovving admirable dash and self-sacri-in their violent attacks against the enemy,"