Anzacs Reply: "Vive Ia France!"

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 30, 10 May 1916, Page 5

Anzacs Reply: "Vive Ia France!"

" Australasians Face the Germans "AS YOU WERE" AT VERDUN Russians Advance in Asia Minor Loyalist Casualties in Irish Rebellion 521

CURRENT WAR TOPiGS.

The arrival of the Anzacs in the trenches at the Western front is an occasion. of much importance to the young Nations in .the Antipodes, -n----like idle opinion of one resident of Stratford, who, on hearing the ne.vs last evening, expressed his sorrow thereat, this scribe looks upon ifc as a red-letter day in our history, and rejoices with much joy at the great opportunity afferded the Australasians of continuing their good work, which was< initiated under such tragic and glorious conditions on the peninsula of Gallipoli. Metaphorically holding his hands above his head in horror, the conversationalist 'of yestereve referred to the poison gas, the bombs, and the cruel German, as opposed to the mildeyed gentle Turk with whom our boys had "got along so well!" That is one view of the landing of the Anzacs in France, of course, but that it will be the general opinion of Australians and New Zealanders themselves either at the front or at home, one would bo sorry to believe for a moment. Better far that the brave fellows wh6' earned for themselves 'an unperishable name'.as 'fighters of the first water hn& consecrated by the blood of their fellows trie ground' which holds 'their dead should bs frglitiug, aye, and if need I 'be, giving up their lives in defence of the' Empire, than that they should "be allowed to mark time in the sands of Egypt or elsewhore, risking death by disease and accident; laying themselves open to the charge of an attack of "cold feet," or else that they were playing upon the reputation so dearly bought at the Dardanelles.

The' immense welcome from'the people of France and the of that country and the' world over is cheering in'the'extreme, and in an indication sure of the Value • tvhich s-11 moil •now 'place upon the Anzacs' services. Out of the mouths of the-'Aus-tralasians from far over the seas, looking for fresh fields to conquer, the cry of, "Vive la France!" in'reply to the'welcome, would have'been a tonic for the gods.

The toll of the casualties in tho unfortunate revolt in Ireland makes sorry reading. The British Premier gave -ne numbers to the House of Commons yesterday, showing that the killed number amounted to 124, the wounded to 333, and the missing to 9—in the aggregate a total of 521. These, however, it must \ be remembered, refer only to the Loyalists, the brave men of the miltary and police, together with a few members of the Navy, who laid down their lives in the service of their country at the call of duty. With these ligures before the reader, he will only be able to guess at the casualties on the sitle of the rebels. There must be a thousand at least, judging from .the severity of the attac". on their entrenched positions by machine guns and rifle-fire. And tu this must be added those who have and .will suffer the extreme penalty of the law. The year 1916 will be long remembered with regret by the friends of Ire; land at Home and abroad, but already there is a general cry for a cessation of extremes in dealing out punishment to those who, after all, are merely misguided humanity, an inherent characteristic of whom is to err. In this case the Home authorities might well recognise this weakness and act accordingly. Ituskin it was, who said that punishment is the last and worst instrument in the hands of the legislator for the prevention of crime.

The Russians are pushing their way west of Erzoruin. \\ e read that under the pressure of heavy artillery fire from the direction of Erzingham the Turks evacuated the whole of their first line of trenches. This is good news, without doubt, as it shows that our brave Allies' are keeping the enemy on the run. Erzingham is the chief town of the vilayet of Erzerum on the West Eurphrates. 86 miles west by south from the town of Erzerum with a population of about 25,000. This movement is not connected with that of the Russians moving towards Bagdad, as the column with this objective in view is south of Lake Van and was lately reported in the region of Diabekir which is 400. miles at least from the feacred city near the junction of the Tigris and the Euphrates.

The Turks have always been held in better estimation by the soldiers of the Allies than the Germans, and-to-day, we read that the captor of General Townshend and ' the forces from Kut expresses unqualified, admiration for thq gallantry, exhibited in the trying times "before the/fall. The ■.cable's! have told us that 'General-'Townshend had been allowed to .'retain his sword, which ■in itself is, recognised in military circles as a great honor under the circumstances, and now. we learn that special consideration' for. his welfare as well as that of the troops und<ir Ins'care was expressed by Khalid Pasha, the Turkish commander. General' Townshend will ' cherish ' the thought for as many years as he is spared to live that the enemy in the height of their success, had classed him us an honorable foe.' General Townshend and his aide-de-camp are now. en route to Constantinople, where they will remain as prisoners of war. While all will regret the loss of such a gallant soldier, there is comfort in the fact that he is still in the flesh, arid at the, end of the war due' recognition will .be made of the plucky and resourceful fight that he put up during those' five.trying months when he was hemmed in on a triangle of the Tigris, safe in his/position from the advances of the enemy, but.'unable to move out' for supplies! Thus was he starved into surrender.

J Eupatbria, the scene of the latest episode of the notorious Breslau, is a seaport town on the west coast of the Crimea, Kussia, and lies 42 miles north by east of Constantinople across the Black Sea. Under the khans (chiefs) of the Crimea, it was a flourishing place, and enjoyed a large trade in wool and leather. The mosques, walls and bazaars are among the finest veiics of tba old Tartar civilisation. of the Crimea; fchi? applies in particular to the mosque of Juma-Jaim, which was biii!; in 1552. ,Among tin population of about 20,000 there an a large number of Jews, the Karaite sect Having there principal synagoguc,n the town. The place is not fortified and only the satisfaction of hay-' mg' effected wanton destruction will repay the Breslau crew for their act. rt'bich some day will be brought home to them.