The Dardanelles

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 17, 23 December 1915, Page 5

The Dardanelles

RAID ON CONSTANTINOPLE. KRUPPS' FACTORY DESTROYED. [Unitjsb Press Association.] ■ (Received 8.30 a.m.) Copenhagen, December 22. A traveller from Turkey reports that British airmen destroyed Krupps' big new ammunition factory at Constantinople.

AUSTRALIAN PRESS COMMENT. ! Unit«d Peess Association. (Received 9 a.m.) Sydney, December 23. The papers are gratified that the Gallipoli withdrawal was achieved at such light cost, but they are disappointed that the glorious achievements and sacrifices of the Australians and New Zealanders were resiiltless. The Herald says: That the evacuation was desirable if possible, they could have very little doubt, even if it had not been in accordance with the advice of three very distinguished officers. 'The Telegraph says that the retirement is dramatically disappointing, and is an anti-climax to the Dardanelles campaign. Its moral effect will be literally disproportionate to its material importance, and will assuredly give new heart to the Turks and cause them to believe they are winning the war a delusion which will only tend to make the prospect of peace more remote.

THE ENEMY'S STORY.

United Prim Association London, December 21

A German wireless states that much booty was secured at Ari Burnu, and an immeasurably thick fog enabled the enemy to escape. A wireless from German headquarters' at the port of Constantinople, dated December 21st, from a correspondent at the front v«ays 3 Since yestjei";day there has been fierce fighting on all sections. . Our troops attacked AnafartaUtajd Aittbumu, and the enemy,, delivered* cbuhter'-attficks I at' Sedd-el Bahr, which our troops repulsed with extremely heavy losses. Our troops captured important points of support near Anafarta and Ariburnu, and our powerful artillery fire caused heavy losses in the ranks of the enemy. Our brave soldiers who have been waiting for months for this offensive, are showing admirable dash and self-sacrifice in their violent attacks against the enemy. ' '

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

Unhid Press Association

London, December 21. Experts f that the sjiving S un * w^ ft m oß * the Anzae in the, advanced mostly assembled* •at 1 Cho'cqflie Hill , t , but apparently .the Turks preferred to : allow the British to take off the guns rather than being massacred by our machine guns \ Sydne, December 22.

The following message, dated December 20, is now released:—Mr Ashmead Bartlett, writing to the Sunday Times on the Dardanelles question, says that General Monro's report was said to strongly favor withdrawal. A tremendous responsibility rests on those who are keeping our forces there under wintry conditions, for enormous losses from sickness are inevitable. It is absolutely certain that the troops at Gallipoli must face sufferings and hardship unparalleled since the Crimean war. They are threatened with losses that are not worth while. "What are the advantages if, as I think, the

authorities are agreed that it is impossible to advance from the present positions?" Then follows a message cabled on December 20, commencing: "Germany's threat is empty bluff." Melbourne, December 22.

Senator Pearce, Minister of Defence, referring to the withdrawal of the Anzacs, said: "I believe that Tam speaking the opinion of the people of Australia when I say that we do not cavil at the action taken, because we have confidence that the authorities have taken the best object in view. It will

not lessen in the slightest degree our determination to see the war through or to raise additional men. hut will spur us to a still greater effort.