Gallipoli Evidence Wanted for Public

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 647, 26 April 1929, Page 11

Gallipoli Evidence Wanted for Public

CENSOR’S TIGHT CLUTCH “PRICELESS INFORMATION” (Australian and N.Z. Press Associatioyi) (United Service) Reed. 12.45 p.m. LONDON, Thursday. General Sir lan Hamilton, proposing the toast of the Twenty-ninth Division at a Gallipoli Day dinner, said he hoped the evidence taken by the Dardanelles Commission would soon be published. “Only very slowly is the complete story of Gallipoli escaping the censors’ clutches. However, the first volume of the Official History, published today, looks well. Encouraged thereby, we may hope that the evidence before the Commission may be allowed to see the light. “The public imagine that they have seen the evidence because they have read the Commission’s report. They have not. It gives us priceless information of a character not obtainable elsewhere.” Sir lan contrasted dining amid all the refinements of civilisation beside the survivors of the incomparable Twenty-ninth with the circumstances of the landing. He cited desperate moments in his long military career, but said that nevertheless the landing stood alone as something quite different. “The date April 24 and the Twentyninth Division not only defy, but thrive upon Time's passage. This is all the stranger, because from the ou: set forces political and otherwise were interested in keeping the landing in the shadow, while they turned the limelight from gallantry on to skill and from attack on to evasion, from April 25, 1915, to January 16, 1916. “Yet even while I speak of war as an adventure, I may be singing the swan song of that side of its existence. “The wars of the trenches, with barbed wire, flame-throwers and poison gas, will never more poison civilisation. Ex-service men will not have it. “Remarque’s work, ‘All Quiet on the Western Front,’ has definitely killed it. The author deserves the Nobel Peace Prize for 10 years in succession. When all this immense war literature has been shaken down sufficiently in the sieve of time, there will remain ono big, soft shining ruby caught in the meshes, namely, the landings on ''Gallipoli.” • Migs* .

ALTAR GLEAM OF ANZAC

IMPRESSIVE CEREMONY IN LONDON MAGNIFICENT WREATHS (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) Reed. 9.20 a.m. LONDON, Thurs. Impressive ceremonies characterised the Anzac Day memorial service. It was held at St. Clement Danes, which contained gorgeous floral decorations. The New Zealand High Commissioner, Sir James Parr, was present. The Rev. Mr. Gordon, a bemedalled Australian padre, preached emotionally. “Anzac gleams like an altar on the highway of time,” said he. The High Commissioners led a procession to the Australian war shrine in the church, where wreaths were laid. An Anzac hymn was sung and the Cenotaph ceremony followed. Thousands looked on, and traffic was held up. Earl Jellicoe placed the first iced wreath of New Zealand wild flowers on behalf of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association. A French officer laid a wreath bf Flanders poppies and arum lilies, inscribed: “From old French Dardanelles comrades.” Sir James Parr and Sir Granville Ryrie placed wreaths on behalf of their Governments. Thousands filed past the cenotaph in reverent inspection of the magnificent wreaflis.