THE FIGHT FOR BAGDAD.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 December 1915, Page 4

THE FIGHT FOR BAGDAD.

There ia just the possibility that the stirring and important operations of the Allies in the Balkans, at Gallipoli, on the Western front, and in Russia have overshadowed tha campaign in Mesopotamia. This fight for Bagdad, however, is by no means an undertaking of inferior importance, as is proved by the sanguinary battle which took place at Ctcsiphon, where it is stated that about SO.OOO Turks were defeated by General Townshend, whose casualties are set down as 4567. The locality where this struggle took place is about twenty miles down the river Tigris from Bagdad, and it was at first reported that the victors had advanced a further ten mile? towards the city, but to-day's cables state that General Townshend, after beating off counter-attacks and removing his wounded and prisoners, had retreated towards Kute Labara in consequence of the Turks being heavily reinforced. It also appears that his river boats have been disabled, their guns and engines being rendered useless. The retirement was made in good order, but the fact that a rearguard action had to be fought against greatly superior Turkish forces indicates that for the time being the invading force has been checked. As a matter of course Germany is using her beßt endeavors to bring about the defeat of the British forces in Mesopotamia. It was reported from Petrograd that the Germans had attempted to take the Persian army over to the German side, while from Paris came another report that the Germans and Young Turks have made great efforts to induce the Arabs to declare a Holy War against the British forces nearing Bagdad. It is hardly possible that Persia, would willingly place herself in Germany's hands, and the Arab chiefs aro irresponsive to the offers of bribes, as they consider the Young Turks and Germans are not qualified to preach an Islamic Holy War. The task that General Townshend has to accomplish is beset with difficulties, not the least of which, concern transport matters which naturally retard the invaders, and the damage done to the river boats will further militate against an advance. In spite of these drawbacks and the losses sustained, the success of the expedition is regarded as certain. Bagdad is in every way less important than Constantinople, but its capture may bo expected to exert a great and salutary influence on the Moslems, and may considerably affect those Turks who have not yet come under the domination, of the German-Young Turk combination. In view of present and future developments it is imperative that Bagdad should be under British control.