THE ENTRY INTO DAMASCUS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 10, 7 October 1918, Page 5

THE ENTRY INTO DAMASCUS

AN ENTHUSIASTIC POPULACE

THREE TURKISH ARMIES 1 WIPED OUT

(Roc. October 6, 5.5 p.m.)

London, October 4. Mr. W. T. Massey,' writing from Damascus on October 1, says: "General Allenby's triumphant march northward into Syria this morning drove the Turks completely out of Damascus. The city was enveloped by the British, Australian, and Indian troops. The King.of flejaz's Arab army has marohed in a few Turks who got away : scattered and demoralised. Fully, twelve tihousajid Germans and Turks were taken prisoner in and about the city. A number of guns were captured. The roads were a 'shambles,' whero the enemy resisted—transport smashed, and most of tho war material that was left behind was destroyed by the Germans, though some valuable transport, including a park of artillery limbers, was untouched. The number of prisoners captured since September IS) is probably over sixty thousand. General Allenby has crushed out of; existence the Turkish Fourth, Seventh, and Eighth armies. It would bo impossiblo for tho triumph to be more complote. Our casualties were very slight. "Our army received a great welcome from the population. The people, though of stolid exterior, received us with ecstactic joy, closed their shops, and acclaimed the day as tho greatest in Damascus in its four thousand years of history. Turks and Germans who had gone, into hiding came forward and surrendered as soon as our presence ensured their security. In some cases whole companies of Turkish soldiers were inarched in under the escort of a few Arabs. Never were tablos moro thoroughly turned. We released Dr. Fordor, a missionary of Jerusalem, who had boon a prisoner for two and a half - years in Damascus. Threo Englishwomen were also rescued. They had been serving as nurses at the Victoria Hospitab, which had been converted into a Red Crescont hospital, and wero all well. It was good to hear that a number of British civilians who had been interned in various parts of Central Asia Minor had lately been removed .to Constantinople, in view of an exchange for Turkish crs. 'Damascus bears evidence of tlio permanence of German aspirations hero. Evidence furnished by a huge wireless station, one of tho most powerful in tho world, winch had been established since the war began. Thero was likewise- enormous bakerios and printing works."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

"RICH PRIZE OF THE BRITISH" (Rcc., Octobor 6, 5.5 p.m.) New York, October 4.' Tho New York "Timos," commenting on the capture of Damascus, says: "It is tlio rich prize of the J3ritish, who will know how to protect its people and develop their industrial resource? withouti infringing th'oir personal liberty or meddling with their faith. Sanitation and education will rccoive tho immediate attention of tlio invaders. In tho coming winter there will he more progress in Damascus than lias been .seen for tlio past generation."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assii.

OVER 70,000 TURKS AND 350 GUNS (Rec. October 6, 11, p.m.) ' ' New York, October 5. The total number 'of Turks who- wore captured in.'Palestine by the British and Arabs exceeds 70,000, and of the ,guns, 350.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.CAVALRY CLEARMTHE-COUNTRY (Rec. October 7, 1.80 a.m.) London, Ootober 6. N An official ■ message states:—"The general situation is unchanged. ; Our cavalry northward and westward of Damascus is clearing the ccuntry. _Wej have taken prisoner over-15,000. Since September 18 we have captured 71,000 of the enemy and 350 guns. King Hussein's Arabs have taken prisoner an additional 8000. Included in >these figures are several. Turkish commanders and 3206 Aiißtro-Germanß."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable, Assn.-Reuter.. reoccupationlfTaku probable (Rec- October 6, 5.5 p.m.) New York,' October 4. Tho New York '"Times" Washington' correspondent states that it is reported from dipkmiatic news sources that the British will probably reoccup'y Baku.— Ans.-N.Z. Cable Assn.