The Daily News. THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 1916. WILL GERMANY ATTACK EGYPT?

Taranaki Daily News, 13 January 1916, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 1916. WILL GERMANY ATTACK EGYPT?

Now that the Turkish troops have been relieved of the operations at Gallipoli, the question naturally arises as to what, use Germany will make of her Turkish dupes. There have, been many rumors relative to a threatened attack on Egypt, but according to the latest eahle the Germans now consider that move to be premature, and we are led to believe that the new field for Germano-Tnrkish troops is to be '.Mesopotamia. It may be taken for granted, however, that Turkey will be compelled '"to- Jceep a large force at Gallipoli to guard against a possible attack in the future, but she will doubtless be able to spare troops for expeditionary purpose', and if Germany so decrees, Turkey vill have no option but to obey her Teutonic masters. Britain knows only too well that she cannot trust either the Germans or the Turks, and she is taking no risks either in Egypt or Mesopotamia, but is preparing for any emergency that may arise. For ft long time past defensive measures have been actively in progress in the region of the Suez Canal, which is the objective of our enemies, and the utmost vigilance is exercised to nip any raids in the bud. It was eonsidered in some quarters that the Senussi raid, which was easily smothered by the New Zealandera on Christinas Day, might be the forerunner of a Turco-Gcrmanie attack, -but there is no more warrant for such an interpretation being placed on such an isolated movement than there was in the case of the Bedouin raid at Katizch some thirteen months previously, although small bodies of Turks appeared subsequently and were easily dispersed, as were, the main forces whith followed in February. Since then the German military system has been brought to bear on the Turks, Syrians, and Arabs, who have been well drilled and prepared for war conditions. On the other hand the British have been, as we have pointed out, putting their defences on a thoroughly sound basis, and are now in an immensely superior position to cope with an attack on a large scale. At all costs the Suez Canal must be made secure against attack, and ■it is equally necessary to prevent Egypt being seized by the enemy; hence the need for delivering a crushing defeat on any hostile forces. We have to face the fact that in Egypt, as well as in France and elsewhere, wc are fighting against the Germans, although the actual forces may consist of Turks, Arabs and others, and it is part of tlie Teutonic strategy to create, serious diversions sq as to draw off large forces of their opponents from the particular locality where a dei termincd effort is about to be made to secure a surprise victory. It is well known that German emissaries have been strenuously striving for a lons while past to stir up the Mohammedans against the Dritish; •but whether or not the real object is an attack on the Suez Canal, it must make no difference in the plans of the Allies, who must be prepared to meet such mi attack and to • ompletely defeat it. We have in a

previous issue pointed nut the enormous diflumltipj involved in an attack on Egypt with Syria as a starting point. Then; is only one practicable route for a railway, and this is dominated by the British Xavy, while all the possible routes can he watched and protected by aerial craft. Even supposing the water difficulty could possibly he overcome and motor transport rendered possible, a surprise en masse could not be made without detection in sufficient time to ensure its defeat, while small parties would assuredly be exterminated. The; Allies hold all the trump cards in this game, including the mastery of the sea, and even the long-range guns of whKli we have heard so much would 'be of no avail so far us the Canal is concerned. Germany may order the Turks and desert tribes to make a forward move, but the latter are certainly not to be relied on, and it is doubtful whether the former will be Keen on facing certain defeat. It is more than likely that a considerable enemy force will be despatched to Mesopotamia, and it is reassuring to know that the British forces in that region are being considerably strengthened. Apparently Germany wants to keep the Turkish troops employed, and at this period of the year Egypt would offer a tempting field for the purpose; but if the Turks are as astute as they claim to he they will keep clear of walking into a certain death trap. Of the two campaigns that in Mesopotamia seems to be the more likely.