The Times. PUBLISHED ON TUESDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOONS. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1917 THE TAKING OF JERUSALEM.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 338, 14 December 1917, Page 2

The Times. PUBLISHED ON TUESDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOONS.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1917 THE TAKING OF JERUSALEM.

"We nothing extenuate, not let down auaht in malice

The rapid and successful pursuit of the Turks in Palestine has culminated in the surrender of Jerusalem. This is of special interest to us, because our own troops in co-operation with their British and Australian comrades, have played an important part in driving the Turk from the Holy City. The pursuit has been conducted with such rapidity that the enemy has been unable to organise defensive positions, even among the encircling hills. The Turks found it impossible even tc attempt to make a .stand without sufferisg heavy losses. Their desperate effort to cover the Jerusalem railway proved \of nc avail, nor were they attended with any greater success in theii attempt to chech the British advance at the River Rubin the southernmost of the few perennial streams. Its course is a continuation of the " Valley of Sorek," through which runs the braucli railway to Jerusalem. A stubborn defence was tnade on the upp?i reaches, but the British swept on until they came within easy reacb of the Jaffa-Lydday railwa. Communication with Damascus by rail was clo e ed to the Turks, whe were thus compelled to rely on such supplies as it was possible tor them to transport down the valley of Jordan. The recent capture of Jaffa, the ancient seaport and the modern entrance for the tourist traffic to Jerusalem, Still further facilitated the British advance. And now, apparently, without making any serious attempt to hold it. the Turks have surrendered the historic city to our gallant crusaders. The question naturally arises, How have they left the city ? Has the surrender been preceded by a carnival of plunder and destruction such as accompanied the retirement of th? German troops from the Noyon salient in Francs ? A veritable mass of riches, including religious collections of rare and exceeding value, were locked up

inside the walls of Jerusalem. Let us hope they have not been ruthlessly despoiled. From the point of view of its military significance as well as from its moral aspect the surrender of Jerusalem must surely have the effect of Impressing upon the minds of the Turkish people the unwisdom of their continued cooperation with the Central Powers