THE WAR IN THE NEAR EASTERN ARENA

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2778, 24 May 1916, Page 5

THE WAR IN THE NEAR EASTERN ARENA

OPERATIONS ON THE SALONIKA LINE ("Times" and Sydney "Sua" Services.) London, May 22. A Salonika message says that the rise in the river Vardar apparently destroyed the Strumnitza Bridge, which the Germans had rebuilt. There been a violent cannonade for three days west of iTio Vardar, but storms have interrupted communications with the front. Mr. Calvert, the "Times" spepial correspondent in the Balkans, writing from Salonika, says that increasing numbers of deserters are reaching the Greek frontier garrisons. They state that largo transfers of Bulbars from the Rumanian to the Macedonian frontier are due to the continued shortago of rations. Though the Germans are well fed, the officers fear to confront the Bulgars except in groups, as the exasperated and hungry soldiers are liable to shoot them when encountering them singly. THE RUSSIAN CAVALRY RIDE TO THE TIGRIS ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) (Rec. May 23, 5.5 p.m.) London, May 22. The Russian cavalry which has reached the Tigris is probably General Baratoff's column, which seized Kasrishbrin, near the Thrysh frontier, a fortnight ago. The Russians probably came from Kermanshah and Chardowar, over the Pusht-i-Kuh Hills to Bedrai, and then over tho desert, a total distance of 200 miles,, through country inhabited by hostile Kurdish hillsmen. The achievement'~was a remarkable and dashing one. CLEARING THE TIGRIS LINE I PROGRESS OF THE BRITISH ADVANCE.' London, May 22. General Sir Percy Lake reports that the'south bank of the Tigris was clear .of tho enemy on. Saturday as far as the Shatt-el-Hai, except for a small rearguard covering a'bridge five hundred yards below the junction of tho Shatt-el-Hai and the Tigris. Our main force has reached the Magassis-Dujailah line. The enemy still occupies Sanna-i-Yat.' THE LATE GARRISON AT KUT. London, Mnj 22. Official advices from Constantinople, received through the United States, state that General Townshend and his staff aro quartered at Prinkipo Island (one of tho Princes Islands in the Sea of Marmora). They are allowed full liberty. The majority of tho soldier prisoners are still at Kut-el-Amara and Bagdad, and some are to go to Damascus. . v