TOWNSHEND'S ADVANCE ON BAGDAD

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2750, 19 April 1916, Page 5

TOWNSHEND'S ADVANCE ON BAGDAD

QUESTION AND ANSWER IN PARLIAMENT '".' By Teloerapß—Preßß Association—Copyright . . ' - London, April 17. 'Hep-lying to a question in the Hou so of Commons as to whether the Indian or the British Government had authorised 'the advance oir Bagdad, Mr. Austen Chamberlain (Secretary of State for India) said that the Commander-' in-Chief in Mesopotamia made the proposal for the battle at Kut-el-Amara, General Townshend, in reply to the King's message, says: "All ranks-were inspirited by your Majesty's message. The knowledge of our Sovereign's sympathy will be our sheet anchor in this defence." THE PROBLEM AT KUT-EL-AMARA. , ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) London, April 17. Mr. David Forbes, a well-known expert, says that General Townshend's problem is ithe disposal of the large Arab civilian population of Kut-el-Amara. He must deplete his provisions or compel.the civilians to enter the Turkish lines, involving the freedom of potential spies. TURKISH ARMIES IN ASIA BROKEN UP "REGULAR ARMY" HAS PRACTICALLY CEASED TO EXIST i ; ' By Telegraph—Press Assocfation-CopyriKlit ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) London,/ April 17. The "Times" Petrograd correspondent states that Turkey's Regular Army in Asia Minor has practically ceased to exist. The Dardanelles campaign cost the Turks three hundred thousand at the lowest estimate. The disastrous fighting at Erzerum wrought further havoc.. Though tho Turks still have several hundred thousands of men armed, they are scattered, disunited, ill-trained, and ill-supplied. The presence of Bulgars among the Turks defending Trebizond emphasises the Turkish weakness. , 'The obstacles to the Russian Army are now mainly climatic' and topographical, and affect, supplies snd communications, not the resistance by an organised enemy. The most trustworthy information from Constantinople is that tho people are bitter-against the Germans, who are able to maintain dominance by force only. Turkey has becon\e a dead weight on Germany, and a drain upon her financial" resources. '. HOW THE RUSSIANS SMASHED THE TURKISH PLANS (Rec. April 18, 9.30 p.m.) ■m, i. • c t -xi. *• i- • Petrograd, April 18. The brief references in the official communiques did not do justice to?the recent fighting in the Caucasus. The Turks made a supreme effort to oppose the Russian, advance, and in addition made a determined stand from the Black Sea to Bitlis. . They "organised an offensive with the object of recapturing Erzerum. Their plan of action was a sudden pressure on the Russian right hoping that this would cause the Grand Duke Nicholas to transfer troops towards Trebizond, the Turks then meaning to break the centre of the main Russian forces west of Erzerum. There followed sjx days of the severest fighting. The Russians mot all assaults until the Turks fell back leaving many prisoners'. ' ." - ' ' THE WAR IN THE BALKANS RAID BY FRENCH AEROPLANES. , , , , Salonika, April 17. French aeroplanes dropped bombs on the railway station at Strumnitza and on tho enemy's positions northward of Ghcvgheli. , TRANSPORTING SERBIAN TROOPS THROUGH GREECE Salonika, April 17. Greece has fleoided not to oppose the transportation of Serbian troops, but has formally protested, • GRAECO-ITALIAN. RAPPROCHEMENT. i ■ . Rome, April 17. In the Chamber Baron Sonuino said that dissensions between Italy and Groece were nearing a satisfactory solution. Greeco was beginning to understand the strategic necessity which led to the occupation of Salonika. The relations between tho two countries were improving daily.

THE DOUBLE INCOME TAX By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright London, April 17. The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr. tl. M'Kenna), in the House of Commons, said he was willing to consider a request that he should, after Easter, receive a deputation on tho double in« come tas.

PACIFIC ISLANDS BILL PASSED Bv TeleßraDli—Press Association—Ooryright (Rec. April 18, 9.30 p.m.) London, April 18. The House of Lords has passed the Imperial Institute Management Bill and the Pacific Islands Regulations Validation Bill,