PALESTINE.

Taihape Daily Times, 26 September 1918, Page 5

PALESTINE.

THE CAPTURE OF HAIFA LONDON, September 24 The British, capture of Haifa is regarded as important, providing a useful harbour, with a railway in the direction of Lake Tiberias. The Turks eastward of the Jordan are falling back towards Amman, • along the Hedjaz railway. Their situation is critical, owing to communications being broken at Deraa, and the fact that Arabs occupy Maan. ALLIES GIVEN GREAT WELCOME LONDON, Sept. 24. Reuter's correspondent at Palestine Headquarters, writing on Tuesday states: A few hundred Turks left behind Haifa resisted our advance. The configuration of the ground, with a marsh on one side of the road and the slopes of Mount Carmel on the other, prevented our troops deploying on extensive lines and sweeping up the Turks, who were thus able to concentrate fire on a narrow front. Our men gradually worked their way forward to drive out the Turks from their positions. They, however, held out till the last. The population gave the men a most enthusiastic reception, even German colonists participating in the welcome These Germans are mostly quiet emigrants from Wurtemburg, who came to Palestine for conscientious grounds They complain bitterly of Turkish exactions. There was some looting by the natives before the entry of the British, the Turkish commander having told the inhabitants to help themselves to Government stores as there was no time to destroy them. However, everything is orderly. The administration was taken over without the slightest hitch. The disposal of thouands of prisoners is a real problem. It is a pathetic sight to see the unending succession of convoys, more than 2000 strong, in charge of a few guards, wearily footing it along the dry, dusty roads towards the railhead. The men look ; weak and exhausted. Many fall out, and are picked up by the lorries. '..,., , ~..,., ~.,,,-.... , GENERAL MAURICE'S REVIEW " Sept 24. General Maurice opines that von Liman is seeking to cover Damascus by making a stand on the northern the mountain Druses and■ Lake Tibeside of the Yarmuk valley, ■ betweenrias. As an interim measure he will try to block the Yarmuk gorge, southwest of the lake, long enough to ensure the escape of part of the 4th Turkish army. i; , •:;,-■'..._ OVER 40,000 TURKS CAPTURED. Received 11.40 a.m. • NEW YORK, Sept 25. Over 40,000 Turks have already been captured- in Palestine, with 265 guns. ■■■•" ' **'' ■'■--■ '■ ' * ' l ,