ANZACS IN PALESTINE.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 October 1919, Page 3

ANZACS IN PALESTINE.

THE UNOFFICIAL REPRISALS. VIEWS OF NEW ZEALANDERS. The account of unofficial reprisals by colonial troops in. Palestine upon native wrong-doers, which has been given publicity in Australia, is confirmed in the main by New Zealanders who were present (says the Auckland “Herald”). • The village of Wady Aneed, which was attacked, was occupied by Circassians. Firearms were not used, the ( men being armed with clubs, etc. They set fire to the bouses and put a num/feer of the men to death. Certain of the men, it is reported, risked their lives in rescuing women, who in fear refused to leave burning houses. The same night a Bedouin encampment was surrounded, and some of the adult males were killed. It is stated that a number of officers donnfcd privates’ uniforms ajad took part in the affair. The majority of the men from Palestine hold that the troops were quite justified in adopting reprisals, seeing that these were not taken officially. They state that British soldiers joined with tfie Australians and New Zealanders in their action. British artillerymen actually offered to supply guns if they were needed. Returned men affirm that frequently throughout the campaign, the colonial and British troops suffered through the treachery of certain sections of the inhabitants; and the shooting of a New • Zealiander at Wady Aneed by a thief was ‘th© last straw.” Among those who justify the action are senior officers, although there are a few men who say that notwithstanding the heat of the moment the troops had no right to carry out reprisals in the absence of conclusive evidence that a Circassian killed the New Zealander. New Zealanders do not confirm the statement that Field Marshal Allenby, when addressing the division, said ho would not mention them again. They say that lie-said he was ashamed of the division he once was most proud of, and they do not connect the incident with the omission of the name of the Anzac-s in the field-marshal’s recent statement New Zealanders consider that Lord Allenby gave way to anger when he addressed the division, and they hold that his regret was expressed when the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigado was specially asked for to patrol the delta region on the outbreak of the Egyptian riots. It is pointed out that the reprisals were not carried out by units, 5 i but by a crowd, which represented all ’ the regiments in the vicinity. "At this distance,” said one man, “it may seem, difficult to justify the deed, but people must realise that the force had suffered for a long time Through treachery and their blood was np.”