GENERAL ITEMS

Taranaki Daily News, 20 December 1915, Page 5

GENERAL ITEMS

NOTES FROM THE TIMES. 'PROJECTED INVASION OF EGYPT. INTERESTING SIDELIGHTS. GENERAL GERMAN OFFENSIVE. Received. Dee. 18, 5.5 p.m. Times and Sydney Sun Services. London, Dec, 17. Forecasts of a German offensive are arriving from all quarters. The most, serious to deal with is that on Egypt, which the enemy truculently promises to invade. The diversion of Dutch liners may be due to German advertisements of anti-Egypt plans. Experts discount the excuse of no coal. The enemy's plans are known to be most carefully laid. Water-piles are acocmpanying the light Sinai railway not far from the Canal. After the recent raid numerous mines were fished out of the Canal. Most traffic is done in daylight, and there is positively no danger. Lord Kitchener lias the whole situation well controlled, and the Mediterranean armies are now enormous, well placed, and mobile. THE VULNERABLE POINT. The Daily News' military expert points out that the Canal is the most vulnerable point, involving India ami the Dominions, and therefore the utmost preparations are required to meet the second attempt at invasion, whioli it is known is being planned. It is estimated that troops can toe brought from Beersheba to Constantinople in four days. The Germans are preparing with foresight, energy anil thoroughness, and there is no longer any doubt that Meissner l'aslui, the Bagdad railway engineer, is laying a light railway and pipe line. This will probably strike the AkabaSuez pilgrim track, avoiding the ilanger of a sea attack. If success is possible General Mackeivsen may achieve it. THE TIME OP ATTACK. Other experts ipoint out that the attack may come in a month or in the spring, or the much-advertised effort may be bluff to facilitate a drive through Mesopotamia.

PERSIAN SITUATION. The Novoe Vremya, commenting on the situation in Persia, says that at the beginning of the month the Shah and his "Ministers 'Were within Russian influence, bnt the enemy captured till the military forces. There is a Germano-Persian corps of considerable dimensions, including twelve thousand irregular cavalry, German officered.