THE DARDANELLES

Taranaki Daily News, 24 December 1915, Page 5

THE DARDANELLES

A SURPRISE FOR THE I TURKS. FLEE FROM AEIBURNU. ■ Received Dec. 24, 1.25 a.m. Geneva, Dec. 23. British warships, unexpectedly bombarding, compelled the Turks at Ariburnu to flee to the mountains. Eight hundred were killed or wounded, BOOTY AT ARIBURNU. A TURKISH REPORT. Received Dec. 23, 5.5 p w. Amsterdam, Dec. 22. A Turkish communique states that the booty at Ari Bumu included many mules. The enemy warships all day long bombarded the camps, endeavoring to de-1 stroy the booty. THE SURPRISED. MR. BARTLETT AGAIN. Times and Sydney Sun Services. London, Dec. 22. In a special interview Mr. Ashmead Bartlett said: "I am afraid the evacuation of Suvla and Anzac comes as a bitter disappointment to Australia and New Zealand, but it has not surprised me, because I have long foreseen that the course was absolutely essential; in fact, it was the only one adoptable, in my opinion. After the failure of the grand attack from August 6 to 10 we stood no chance of advancing from the present positions. "Bulgaria's intervention at once changed the entire character of the campaign, because it became impossible for us to adopt the only .sound strategic scheme by which we could achieve definite and decisive successes, namely, the landing of an army north of the Bulair lines, thus severing the Turkish communications with Thrace and Constantinople. "Since my return from the Dardanelles we have most reluctantly, both in the press and privately, advocated the withdrawal from these two positions. I think the Government acted courageously. It would have incurred terrible responsibility in keeping the troops there during the winter months.

I "Nations have shown the highest qualities, not when they were marching to uninterrupted success, but when facing trials, reverses, and disappointments. The people of Australia and New Zealand will meet the crisis in the same spirit as the heroes of Anzac faced the grim hills of Gallipoli. "I have just returned from a short tour, and I found in every town in England, Scotland, and Ireland the same feeling of affection and gratitude towards the Australians and New Zealanders for the glorious services they have rendered the Empire. It was universally agreed that success counts little compared witli the wonderful page added to history by the courage, determination, and steadfast endurance shown by all our troops on the peninsula, whether fro,m the Dominions or Home. The same moral force will win the war rather than decisive battles in the field. That is why we are on the high road to victory. The lasting unity of the Empire has been sealed with the blood of Gallipoli. "Let us not talk of loss of prestige, for the graves at Anzac will ever keep our honor and reputation alive in the mind of the Ottoman soldiers. If we failed to obtain our immediate objective we should not regard it as a tragedy. Rather let it be an incentive to And another way. "Let us forget the errors of the past and start afresh, determined to complete the work of the heroes who lie buried but never forgotten amidst the grim hilla of Anzac. Whether we lose or win at Gallipoli, Australia and New Zealand have written their names indelibly, not only there, but also on the heart of every Englishman." THE withdrawal. DISAPPOINTMENT AT SYDNEY. Sydney, Dec. 23. The papers are gratified that the Gallipoli withdrawal was achieved at such light cost but disappointed that the glorious achievements and sacrifices of the Australians and New Zealanders have been without result. The Herald says that there could be very little doubt that the withdrawal was desirable, if possible, even if it had not been in accordance with the advice of three very distinguished officers. The Telegraph says the retirement is a dramatically disappointing anti-climax to the Dardanelles campaign. Its moral effect is likely to be disproportionate to its material importance. It will assuredly have given new heart to the Turks; who will have cause to believe they are winning the war, a delusion which will only tend to make the prospect of peace more remote.

i FEELING' IN MELBOURNE. Received Dec. 23, 9 p.m. [ Melbourne, Dec. 23. i , Tlie disappointment that Australians naturally feel at the necessity for. withdrawal, and surprise tliat it was so I splendidly carried out, are the burden of | newspapers' comment on the Gallipoli position. The lArgus says that the whole land occupied at Anzac and Suvla was evidently tainted for months, and the troops suffered far more from sickness than at the hands of the enemy. The weekly reports of hundreds being stricken with sickness become monotonously doleful and depressing. Australians and New Zealanders will be glad to see their soldiers fighting in some other field, seeing that the plans of responsible leaders have so decided.

The Age says that progress being physically impossible the Allies were obliged to choose between an indefinite stalemate and abandonment. Whatever the retirement indicates it offers a guarantee that the Australasians will serve henceforth in a sphere where the foe will be more accessible and without all the advantage being on his aide.