JAFFA OCCUPIED BY THE BRITISH

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 48, 20 November 1917, Page 5

JAFFA OCCUPIED BY THE BRITISH

RAPID,ADVANCE BY MOUNTED MEN AUSTRALIANS AND NEW ZEALANDERS UNOPPOSED By Telegranh-Press Association-Copyright London, November 18. An official report from Palestmo states: "The Australian and New Zealand mounted troops occupied. Jaffa on Saturday without opposition. The enemy appears to be continuing his retirement to the north."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.Reuter. A WEEK OF WONDERFUL SUCCESSES FALKENHAYN'S PLANS DISORGANISED. (Rcc. November 19, 7.45 p.m.) London, November 18. The exploit of tho Australians and Now Zealanders, which culminated in the occupation of .Taffa, crowns a week of wonderful success in Palestine, and provides the Army with an important port for its supply, relieving the singlo railway lino connecting Palestine with Egypt. It is believed in military circles that General Allenby's sweeping drive has thrown the Turks into complete confusion. Tho decisiveness of his repeated strokes lias seriously embarrassed and possibly defeated von Palkenhayn's plans. It is understood that tho latter, from Aleppo, is sending reserves to retrieve the situation. It remains to be seen whether he will await General Allonby at the northern exit of tho Sharon Plain or push on towards Jerusalom.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. FIGHTING ON HISTORIC GROUND CORRESPONDENT'S INTERESTING DISPATCH. London, November 18. Router's correspondent, writing from Headquarters in Palestine on Friday, states: "Tho cavalry entered Earnleh and Lydda last evoning. Both plaoes have innumerable historic associations, and Earnleh contains many relics of the Crusaders, especially a fine church, long since converted into a mosque, but in cxcollent preservation. Both places aro veritable oases of cultivation. The latest reports aro that the cavalry is approaching Jaffa, which it is understood has already been evacnatcd. Tho Turks in retreating destroyed or abandoned large quantities of ammunition and other material. "At El Tineh station, where tho line to Gaza branches, immense supplies were found, includiii" 10,500,000 rounds of cartridges. It was a rather bloody business at this place. Thousands of Tnrb'sh stragglers were busy looting, when an armoured motor-car got among them and mowed them down, excepting 300 survivors, who were captured. Our bombing aircraft wrought great havoo behind tho Turkish lines. At one place they caught a convoy and destroyed nearly fifty wagons. Tho place was liko a shambles; too unpleasant to describe. The loads loading northwards are lined with the carcasses of horses, bullocks, and buffaloes, mostly Turkish;'but our cattle also suffered through tho great heat and dearth of water. It was a pathetic sight to see largo bunches of horses waiting their turn at the village wells, where the water was slowly drawn up in buckets. Frequently the animals went thirty and forty hours without a drink, Happily wo have reached a region where wator is somewhat more plentiful. A captured officer told the British to go on to Jerusalem. 'They are nil waiting for you with open arms,' ho said. 'They are tired of Enver Pasha and the Germans.' —Reuter. TURKISH CAPITAL SEETHING WITH DISCONTENT YOUNG TURKS IN BAD, ODOUR. Berne, November 18. A Constantinople message states that the masses are-seething with discontent. The leaders of the Young Turks aro amassing enormous fortunes. The British victories in Palestino have stirred tho popular indignation, and it is cxpeoted that the result will bo the downfall of the Young Turks' Cabinet—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.