CURRENT WAR TOPICS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 41, 23 May 1916, Page 5

CURRENT WAR TOPICS.

The news of the linking up of a ’ force of Russian cavalry with the British south of Kut-el j Amara is startlingly good news to hear. There can be no doubt of the truth of the information as Reuter’s message is confirmed by an official one from the commander of the British, General Sir Percy La)co. But the puzzle is, Where did the Russians come from ? Assuming that they were part of the force which we last heard of as occupying Khanikin, they would then be about 80 miles north-east of Bagdad. To have run the gauntlet of the Turks in the vicinity of the Sacred City, mountainous and poorly-roaded country, and to have reached the British 100 miles to the south below Kut-el-Amara, would, indeed, bo a “bold and adventurous, ride,” as the cable puts it. It certainly lets daylight into the future operations of the Allies ip, jfjheir attack on the Bagdad, for if it is possible for the Russians to get through, there must be a way for the British, Army.

On the other hand, they may have come across the ranges, and be pait of the Russian forces that some time ago were at Ispahan, the ancient capital of Persia, which is almost due east of General Lake’s troops on the right bank of the Tigris. The fact that we have' not heard of the advance to the frontier of late is rather against this opinion, but still it is feasible, if highly improbable. Again, could they have come by way of Basra, on the Shat-el-Arah, 70 miles from the Persian Gulf? To the daring Russian * Cossacks, almost any thing would be possible if they set'their minds to it, for the progress ahd success of the past few months in the fighting campaigns in Asia Minor has been most remarkable. As the most probable of the suggestions thrown out, the writer, with one pick, would have the first, viz., the dash past Bagdad. One could have wished for further details of the plucky and successful effort,

but in the meantime can only wonder » why it was not possible before the fall of Kut and the unfortunate loss of that fine soldier General Townshend. with his force of 10,000, and the consequent loss of prestige to the British arras. Until the shadows-of the censor be removed, the source of the mysterious Russians must- simply be guessed at. In the meantime, Echo answers Where ?

Before the Russians occupied Khanikin, they captured Kasr-i-Chi-rin, the kasr or citadel that guards the passes through the mountain road that connects Kcrmanshah and Bagdad. This road is the main caravan ■ route from Persia across the border into Mesopotamia, and is said to bristle with opportunities for defence, which the invaders overcame. The Russians were then just about as near Bagdad in the north-east as the British were in the south. Some critics argue that this does not follow that the Russians had any real intention of making for Bagdad, but that they would be satisfied to draw as many Turks as possible away from the Tigris. Certainly, this policy might suit them for a time, but now, it seems, a startling offensive has been taken. It was expected that rapid denouements would follow the advent of the invaders into the valley of the Tigris, and now there is nothing left for the Turks at Kut but to withdraw on Bagdad. We shall see. - The Turks will have their hands full to protect the Britishers whom they captured at the fall of Kut. Such a number will not be easily disposed of. and to-day we learn that the majority of them are still at Kut and Bagdad. As was pointed out in this column at £die time of the capitulation, they may be a great hindrance to the carrying out of the enemy’s plans in the event

of the Turks being pushed into a corner, and there is now every probability that a rescue will be, effected in the near future, as the llusso-Britisb ring is drawn tighter round Bagdad. General Townshend and staff, are having as good a time of it as is possible under the conditions of captivity. They are on the island of Prinkipo, one of the Princes Islands, a group of nine in the east of the Sea of Marmora, fifteen miles south-east of Constantinople. Four of these isles are inhabited viz., Antigoni, Klialki, Prinkipo, and Proti, and are much frequented for their beauty and the mildness of thenclimate. Everybody will be pleased to know that General Townshend is putting in his time under such pleasant conditions, for ho deserves the greatest consideration as a soldier and a man. The population of the Group number 10,000.

What’s doing on the Western front, and in the Balkans, with the Russians in Asia Minor, and in Russia itself? Not a lino comes through the censor to-day concerning the operations in any of these campaigns except a short message describing tile aerial fighting in France. This has reached such a pitch of excellence' that the battleplanes are able to continue operations throughout the night, even unto tindawn, owing to the bright moonlight/ so that the contest is really a continuous one. But, then, message comes from New York! Why should it not come through the usual channels oi Amsterdam, London, etc.? As far as the West is concerned, the question might bo asked: Is the German offensive at its height and the result is not yet in sight?

The town of Verdun is quite empty except for Wdiers and police. Its civil population numbers, according to one temporary member of. it. just three. Most besieged towns are like that nowadays, directly ti siege is even threatened, unless, of course, something or other prevents the, people getting away. The streets of Verdun arc vacant, no shops are open, and everywhere there is silence except for, the crashing of shells and the sound oi splinters falling on the roofs. Still, one is often stopped suddenly (according to the English correspondent who tells the story) walking down the vacant streets'. “There comes a rush of wings in the air, and instinctively one makes for the nearest doorway, ducking as one goes. Then.there is a big explosion, and one goes on.” Sightseers in Verdun go first naturally to the cathedral, for fear that the Germans will smash it, as is their habit with buildings of the kind. But, luckily for the Verdun Cathedral, it cannot bo seen from where the enemy are, and so, except for a hole or two in its roof and the breaking of all its glass, it is so far safe. In spite of German shells the gendarmes keep a good watch in Verdun. There is no pillaging, and the refugees who in their hurry left their house windows open and doors unlocked are able to sleep easy, except in so far as an enemy projectile may reduce them to powder. Just near one of the gates there is a ho.use with shutters and windows open. It seems that just before the evacuation the owner of that house had some special occasion to celebrate. Looking through the window one can see a table laid for 16 persons and everything prepared for an excellent meal. There was a beautiful clean tablecloth with napkins folded mitre-shaped for every guest. Decanters of wine, red and white, wore standing beside each plate, and on the sideboard piles of oranges and 'apples were waiting for the party that was never to eat them.