BRITISH VICTORY IN MESOPOTAMIA

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 6, 2 October 1917, Page 7

BRITISH VICTORY IN MESOPOTAMIA

; THOUSANDS OF PRISONERS ; TURKS SURROUNDED AND ■ FORCED TO SURRENDER PASSENGER LINER 1 TORPEDOED , SMART RESCUE BY JAPANESE DESTROYERS A reminiscence of former battle movements, with sweeping cavalry tactics, hot fighting, and an enemy forced to surrender, flavours a stirring dispatch from the British front in Mesopotamia to-day. A signal victory has been won on the Euphrates, some sixty miles, west of Bagdad. The British forces, with, the town of lkmadie as thoir objective, initiated an enveloping movement, which was so successful that the enemy, completely surprieed, was effectively surrounded, and after a severe aTlday battle forced to surrender. Thousands of prisoners have been captured, including- the Turkish general and liis staff, while the haul of booty is in proportion. A high compliment is paid to the British troops for the tenacity and gallantry displayed in fighting under most difficult conditions. On the other battle fronts the only material development of importance is on the Italian front, where a sudden attack ousted the Austrians from positions on high ground on. tho Bainsizza Plateau. The comparative lull on the Western front continues. A passenger liner, escorted by Japanese destroyers, has been torpedoed in the Mediterranean, but smart work by the escorts effected the saving of over 600 lives. BRITISH VICTORY IN MESOPOTAMIA ENEMY SURROUNDED AND FORCED TO SURRENDER i ■ THOUSANDS OF PRISONERS AND GREAT BOOTY By Telegraph-Press Association. Copyright (Rec. October 1, 10.10 p.m.) . • London f September 30. A British dispatch from Mesopotamia states: "We attacked an advanced position at Mussaid, four miles eastward of Eamadie, on Friday. After occupying the Mushade Ridge we attacked the enemy's main positions in the region of liamadie from the south-east. Meanwhile our cavalry moved in a wide sweep round to the westward of tho town. Aftor a severe battle, which lasted all day, we carried tho enemy's main positions, encircling Rumadie eastward, south-east-ward, aid southward, two miles from the town-. The cavalry completed t.he.land cordon to the Euphrates, which runs along the north side of the town. The enemy attempted at night-time to break out to the westward, but our cavalry headed them back; Our attack was resumod at daybreak on Saturday, and by nine o'clock in the morning the enemy was surrendering everywhere. : "Our captures include guns, arms, ammunition, much material, and several thousand prisoners, including Ahmed Bey and his staff. The enemy was entirely surprised, and practically the whole of Ramadie fell into our bands. Our troops displayed great-gallantry; determination, and ondura.nno under most difficult conditions. Another <;olunin from Bagdad on Thursday night encountered the enemy's cavalry. A sharp skirmish followed, and Ave inflicted Casual ties."— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Router. [Ramadio is situated on the south bank of the Euphrates, 62 miles west of Bagdad.] ITALIAN COUP ON THE BAINSIZZA PLATEAU V • __ , HIGH GROUND CAPTURED , . WITH SUBSTANTIAL "BAG" OF PRISONERS ■. (Rec. October 1, 10.10 p.m.) . London, September 30. An Italian official report states: "By a sudden.attack we improved our position on the south-eastern edge of the Bainsizza Plateau, capturing the high ground southward of Podlaka and south-eastward of Madoni, and taking prisoner 49 officers and 1360 men. We maintained these positions against violent counterattacks. The onemy's attempts to dislodge us between Selladil and Monte San Gabrielle failed completely."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. . LULL. ON THE WESTERN FRONT ARTILLERY ACTIVITY AND AIR RAIDS London, September 30. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "There is reciprocal artillery activity.. We dis-. perotd a concentration of infantry enst of Polygon Wood, aiid .drove off a bombing party east of Loos."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter, (Rec. October 1, 9 p.m.) London, September 30. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "Early this morning threo attacks against oppositions between Tower Hamlets and the .Polygon Wood were repulsed. The first was aimed southward of Reiiterbeek, and beaten off by our fin before reaching our positions. Shortly afterwards the enemy's infantry advanced astride ihe Tpres-Monin Road under cover of thick smoke and a barrage, and accompanied by tiammenwerfor detachments. These drove in our forward post, but an immediate counter-attack recaptured it. The enemy raided our trenches eastward of Loos but when they wore retiring across No Man's Land we pursued and recaptured ..their only, prisoner. . • ' . . , , , , "Despite unfavourable weather our aeroplanes continued vigorously to bomb the enemy's aerodromes, billets, dumps, and railways, thoir chief target being the Gontrode aerodrome, where a large fire was observed."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.Reuter. GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT. (Rec. October 1, 9 p.m.) • , \ r _ London, September 30. A -German official report states: "There is strong artillery activity on the coast between the Yser and the Coiuines-Ypros Canal."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.Reuter. v ' ' ON THE FRENCH FRONT London, September 30. A French official communique states: "The day has been quiet except for : heavy cannonading on the Aisno, and on the right bant- of the Meuse. lliere has been no infantry action." —Aus.-N.55. .Cablo Assn.-Reuter. (Rec. October 1, 7.50 p.m.) London, September 30. A French official communique states: "There is considerable artillery activity at the Pantheon, Hurtebiso Farm, Craonne, and on tte right bank of tho Mouse. Mutual raids have occurrcd elsewhere."-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. (Rec. October 2, 0.25 a.m.) ' < ■ ' Paris, October 1. A French official coramuniquo states: "Threo German attacks at Berry-au-Bau were repulsed. German aeroplanes bombardod Dunkirk. The French airmen on tho night of September 28 bombed the station at Colmar and tho enemy's establishments north of Soissons."~Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Reuter. OVER 40,000 GERMAN LOSSES IN ONE WEEK Paris, September 30. Among tho latest troops facing the British in Flanders aro numerous large contingents from the Russian front. The number of Germans killed, wounded, or taken prisoner during the past week is estimated at 42,000.—Au5.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ■ THE NAVAL AIR OFFENSIVE ON THE BELGIAN COAST ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL SWOOP. London, September 30. Tho Admiralty reports: "Naval aircraft dropped many bombs on Saturday afternoon on tho St. Denis Westrem aerodrome, and 6cored direct hits on the sheds. One bomb exploded amongst five machines lined up in the aerodrome. All the attacking aircraft'returned."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assu.-Routcr.

AMERICAN HINT TO RUSSIA MUST SHOW PRACTICAL RESETS FOR ASSISTANCE - CHINA EAGER FOR THE FRAY Washington, September 30. It is reported that the United States has informed Russia that she must continue her efforts if she expects the continuance of assistance. Further reports indicate that tho Radicals will be overwhelmed. It is learned that China is anxious to take an active part in the war, and desires to have transportation provided for 200,000 trained soldiers.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE CONSTITUTIONAL MELTING-POT PARTY RESOLUTIONS AND STIPULATIONS. Petrograd, September 30. The Minimalists and Revolutionary Socialists, at the Democratic Conference, voted in favour of a Coalition Cabinet, including representatives of tho bourgeoisie but excluding the Constitutional Democrats. 31. Kerensky has conferred with tho representatives of Moscow commerce and industry regarding heir entry into tho Cabinet. They stipulated that the Cabinet must be wholly non-partisan.— Hsuter. LENIN THE ANARCHIST. . ... . Petrograd, September 30. The Maximalists will not allow Lenin to attend the All-Russia Democratic Conference, owing to the Government's threat to arrest him immediately after-wards.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo A6sn. Rome, September 30. Eenin lias left (?for)"Switzerland.—Auk.-N.Z. Cable Assn.' • GERMAN TERROR AT RIGA. Paris, September 30. A telegram "from Petrograd states that the Germans at Riga have hanged 150 Russians belonging to various political and Socialist organisations.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. FRESH TROUBLE IN FINLAND I PRESIDENT AND DIET: DEFY THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL. (Rec. October 1, 7.50 p.m.) ' . Petrograd, September 30. The Governor-General of Finland sealed the doors of the Finnish Diet, but the President, broke the seals and eighty Socialists held a sitting. They passed Bills establishing an eight hours day, equal rights for Jews, and' conferring on the Diai sovereign power, making the Senate responsible to tho Diet. The Governor-General subsequently ordered the prosecution of the President and the eighty .members.—Reuter.