ENGLISH PRESS COMMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 18, 24 December 1915, Page 5

ENGLISH PRESS COMMENT.

London, December 22. The press again devotes the principal columns to the withdrawal from Anzac and Suvla. The outstanding feature is the universal references to the Australasians, who brilliantly carried out their part in the Suvla operations. The Westminster Gazette points out that only the rarest qualities of skill and nerve could have enabled the withdrawals to be made without loss of guns and stores under the eyes of the enemy. It is to soon to reckon up the enterprise. If it . faded in its original purpose it has enriched history by a chapter of unequalled daring and heroism, which probably prevented renewals of attacks against Egypt. Let none say that the brave men laid down their lives in vain. While our race lives, Anzac will be an imperishable name and full of proud memories for Australasia.

The Evening Standard says that the ill-starred, ill-considered enterprise, begun as minor naval operations, was continued as major naval operations, which achieved nothing save an epic of fruitless valor. It has wrecked political and military reputations, and ended like all gambles. The paper hints that it was a mysterious distinguished colleague of General Monro who recommended the withdrawal. The Times says that the standaicl of the enemy at Gallipoli appears to have equalled in numbers our own army, and was composed of the flower of Turkish fighters. If they discovered that the retirement was proceeding and did not try to interfere, one can only conclude, in vulgar phrase, that “the stuffing had been knocked out of them,” and that their morale had degenerated. We feel the disappointment of the Australasians deeply. The world has rung to their deeds, and it

is a sad ending to their first great enterprise. It is hoped that the disappointment will be assuaged by the thought that they were only withdrawn to give them new opportunities under conditions more promising for success.

The Daily Mail says that what is wrong with the conduct of the war is the management of the politicians, not the conduct of the soldiers on the field. There has been nothing more splendid as a military operation than the withdrawal from Suvla and Anzac with the loss of only four men wounded. Nothing has been more unpardonable than the vaccilation and feebleness of the Ministers who left a large force marooned len months while trying to make up their minds to remove them.

OPINION OF THE OTHLR SIDE. The President of the Reichstag says that the evacuation of Gallipoli is a military and moral defeat for England and a triumph for the Turkish arms. THE AUSTRALIAN PRESS.

Melbourne, December 23. The disappointment that Australians naturally feel at the necessity for withdrawal, and surprise that it was so splendidly carried out, are the burden of newspapers’ comment on the Gallipoli position. The Argus says that the whole land occupied at Anzhc and Suvla was evidently tainted for months, and the troops suffered far more from sickness than at the hands of the enemy. The weekly reports of hundreds being stricken with sickness become monotonously doleful and depressing. Australians and New Zealanders will be glad tc see their soldiers fighting in some other-field, seeing that the plans of responsible leaders have so decided

The Age says that progress being ing physically impossible the Allies * were obliged to choose between an indefinite stalement and abandonment. Whatever the retirement indicates it offers a guarantee that the Australasians will serve henceforth in a sphere where the foe will be more accessible and without all ; the advantage, lyjiug, ■ on his side. ; > ’• '’ ‘T 1: 1 TIKKE BURNU. * * : ■ : , ' •i * * .. 1111 1 i j TURKISH BOMBARDMENT

ENEMY OVERRUN EVACUATED

GROUND, LIST OF DISCOVERIES. * ' ' (deceived 9.25 q.nj.) • | ; ; • t y;. London, December 1 25. A Turkish communique states: Our artillery on the .Anatolian coast of the Straits successfully bombarded landing places at Tikke Burnu. We sank near Tikke Burnu a small ammunition, vessel. , ’ Jr>We found in!one sector cleared of the enemy provisions Sufficient for an entire army coips foiv, a long timi| including one million- sandbags, one thousand tents, five hulfdred stretchers, one mortar near Oghinedere, and many mortar bombs hidden in the ground. COST OF THE CAMPAIGN. TOTAL CASUALTIES 112,921. (Received 9.25 a.m.) London, December 2-3. Official.—The Dardanelles casualties to December 11 total 112,921.

PARTICULARS DISCLOSED. SUVLA OFFICERS “CARRY THE BABY.” < (Received 1 p.m.) London, December 23. In the House of Commons Mr Tennant said that the total casualties at the Dardanelles to December 11th were: 1609 officers and 23,670 men killed. 2969 officers nnci 72,222 men wounded, 337 officers and 12,114 men missing; there were also 96,683 sick in hospital for the same period.

Mr Tennant added that it was undesirable to publish the names of the Suvla officers who were relieved of their commands, though none were cashiered.