CONDUCT OF THE WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 October 1915, Page 5

CONDUCT OF THE WAR.

I ASCATHING INDICTMENT. BY MR, ASHMEAD BARTLETT, THE DARDANELLES FAILURE . AND THE BALKANS. ENTERPRISE. j Received Oct, 18, 0 p.m. | London, Oct. 17. The Sunday Times printa an account of an interview with Mr. Ashmead Bartlett, who is enthusiastic about the wonderful fighting qualities of the Australians and New Zealanders. Mr. Bartlett says: "The results of the fighting at Gallipoli have been highly unfavorable to ourselves. Apart from the conception and doubtful paternity of the expedition, we were committed to every conceivable blunder in the methods of carrying it out. Eew of the minds engaged in the enterprise knew tho Turks' fighting qualities or geography of his country. "The appalling slaughter at Gallipoli has not altogether been in vain. The blood of Australians, New Zealanders, Britishers and Indians has proved that we are still a great fighting people, and our prestige is higher than before the war, despite the reverse, which was so serious. "We cannot fulfil the wild promises made to Serbia. As usual we have been scrupulously fair to our enemies, and warned them in time to be prepared. The Allies ought to have occupied Serbian Macedonia two months ago, instead of Bulgaria, who waited until the failure at the Dardanelles was manifest and then joined Germany. "It is out of the question for the Allies to win a victory in the Balkans this -winter. They will require half a million men (to even win a victory in the Bpring. If defeated, the Germans will merely retreat toHheir frontiers, leaving us to keep.Bulgaria and Turkey in subjection. The few divisions already sent to Salonika can do little. "The time has come to seriously reconsider our position, without self deception. We can no longer exhaust our resources in enterprises of secondary importance." AS SEEN BY JAPAN. THE WAY TO HELP. BRITAIN TOO SLOW. Received Oct. 18, 8 p.m. Tokio, Oct. 17. Baron Kato, in a striking speech on the proposal to despatch Japanese troops to Europe, declared that the plan was an impossibility. The difficulties of transport were insurmountable, and the cost of sustaining reinforcements in Europe would amount to a thousand million yen annually. It was impossible for Japan to fight at other countries' charges, and assuming that Japan resorted to loans how would she be able to raise money to redeem the loans' The best and only way is to supply the Allies with munitions. Having'lived in a comfortable atmosphere for many years, Britain, said Baron Kato, seems a little slow in bringing her power into full play. The artistocracy are voluntarily going to the front, but the majority of the people are apparently quite unconcerned.

THAT CENSORSHIP! ANXIETY AT HOME. OVER THE DARDANELLES CAMPAIGN. Received Oct. 18, 11.30 p.m. Lpndon, Oct. 18. The Daily Mail, commenting on the Australian reception of Lord Milner's suggestion to evacuate the Dardanelles, says that owing to censorship the Australian and New Zealand public have not been allowed to know all the facts, though they have Sir lan Hamilton's glowing communications, the war correspondents' despatches, and Mr. Churchill's and Lord Robert Cecil's amazing prophesies. Despite official optimism, rumors are circulating in Australian and New Zealand quarters in London that facts regarding the Dardanelles are being hidden. These are causing grave perturbation in colonial circles, and suggestions have been taade to hold a meeting in London at which leading Australians and New Zealanders propose to acquaint the Government of their anxiety as to affairs at Gallipoli.