The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1915. THE THREAT AGAINST EGYPT

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2655, 29 December 1915, Page 4

The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1915. THE THREAT AGAINST EGYPT

Whether the enemy really intends to make a great attack 011 Egypt, or whether the preparations he is reported 1;o *be making are merely a piece of German bluff intended to divert attention from some other hostile movement, appears to be still an open question. An Italian journalist expresses the opinion that the Turks and Germans are only gomg to make a ■ demonstration against Egypt, their real object being to smash a way through Persia. The probability of an invasion of Egypt eannot, however, be lightly set aside. The signs and rumours that a. big expedition is being got ready for the purpose of seizing, or blocking, the Suez Canal and attacking Egypt are so numerous and so persistent that news of- fierce fighting in this locality should cause no surprise. The Germans fully recognise the enormous importance of the Suez Canal to the British Empire, and ever since the commencement of the war they have been eagerly watching for a favourable opportunity for overthrowing Britain s power in Egypt. It would bo a mistake to take pan-German boasting too seriously, but it is well to know'what are the aims and ambitions of the men at ( the helm—what they would do if they could.' The Hamburger Fremdenblatt, in explaining the advantages to be derived from the opening of the road to Constantinople, states that it would provide Turkey with German munitions, and enable her to carry the attack into Egypt, "the very heart of Britain's world- dominion." It is all part of a great plan to establish a compact economic territory which would extend from the North Sea to tho Persian Gulf and the frontier of India. If this goal were reached, the rich produce of tho soil of Asia Minor would , find its way to the Central Powers overland without the British Fleet being able to interfere. This is the dream of conquest with which the \imagination of the German people is being fired. It is quite certain that Germany cannot spare tho necessary troops for an Egyptian campaign; but there is good reason to believe that she is helping to train and equip a large Turkish army for this purpose. A Swiss newspaper recently remarked that though the expedition against the Suez Canal has yet to come, overy kind of preparation is being made. Palestine is covered with Turkish camps. They are to be found in the valleys of Saron and Jezrcel, and one occupies a place on the height over Samaria, the old capital of the Kings of Israel. Jerusalem is surrounded by tents and Nazareth, Golgotha, and the Mount of Olives resound witli tho tramp of armed men.

As soon as Turkey decided to throw in her lot with our enemies, it was taken for granted that she would make an attack on the Suez Canal. The attack was made, and it failed ignominiously. But the second Egyptian -campaign, whenever it comes, is certain to ho a much more serious business. If the Turks could holcl the eastern bank of the Canal they would be able to deprive Britain of one of hor most vital sea routes, and they firmly believe that if they could get right across the waterway the Egyptians would rise in rebellion against British rule. But the obstacles which the. invaders would Hhvo to .overaomn am enormous, In oid&t to roaeJi the Caaal from Sjm.

an almost waterless desert, varying from 120 to 150 miles in width would have to bo crossed. The attackcrs could not move in force across this barrier without constructing a railway or making the roads good enough for motor traffic. It. has been reported that a railway, is being built, but the information on this point is not very definite. But even if this initial difficulty should bs overcome the invaders • would find themselves in an extremely critical situation. In his History of the Tfflr-r Mr. Bvcrxk gives an instructive description of the strategical problem which they would have to grapple with. He reminds us that the Canal is navigable for warships, and that its banks provide splendid opportunities for defence. It, cannot be turned, for it runs from, sea to sea. It has a width of over 200 feet, and _on its western shore a lateral railway runs the whole way from Port Said to Suez, connecting at Ismailia with the line to Cairo. Most of the ground to the East is llafc, and gives a good field of fire to the defenders on the west bank or to vessels in the channel. The enemy might, however, obtain some cover from dimes on the east side, and might gain some advantage from a small rise south of the Bitter Lakes. For this reason' any attack would probably be made in the I'smailiaBitter Lakes section. Information regarding the nature of the British scheme of defence is naturally kept secret, but it is safe to assume that the military authorities have notbeen idle during the interval which has elapsed since the unsuccessful attack which took plaee at the beginning of the present year. If the attempt to conquer Egypt is renewed, both the attack and the defence will be conducted on a much more elaborate scale than on the previous occasion. If the Turks have really decided to make another effort ( they will do so in larger numbers; their organisation and equipment will be better; and the campaign will > more carefully planned and directed. Such an attack would bring the war unpleasantly closc to Australia and New Zealand, and to the Indian Empire. The threat against this important trade route should rouse New Zcalanders to a livelier sense of their responsibilities ill regard to the war,"and spur them on to greater efforts. It is an impressive reminder that _ New Zealand's soldiers al'e fighting directly for New Zealand— for our own freedom and vital interests—as well as for the EAipire. The new danger should be regarded as another ringing call for more men. This is >no time for slackness in recruiting.