MESOPOTAMIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 May 1916, Page 5

MESOPOTAMIA.

BRITAIN'S HEAVIEST BLOW. GERMAN OPINION Received May 1, 5.5 p.m. Amsterdam, April 30. German newspapers attribute the •Turkish success at Kut to General von der Gnltz's prepaartions.

Tlie Vossiche Jieitung says that the fall of the garrison is the heaviest blow that has ever struck Britain.

MR. MASSEY'S VIEWS By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Yesterday. A brief statement on the reverse in Mesopotamia was made by the Prime Minister. "There is no disguising the fact that the news from Mesopotamia is bad/' said Mr. Masscy, "but we have to remember that we ennnot expect to get through a great war such as this without reverses. There is no doubt that General Townshend and liis troops have done everything possible under the cirsumstances, surrendering only when there was nothing else left for them to do. The full story of their endurance lias yet to be told, and we shall find when it comes to hand there has been •nothing done which will in any way tend to the discredit of the Army or the Empire. "As British citizens we must on no account allow ourselves to be discouraged by what has taken place. On the contrary, we should he stimulated to fresh efforts. A reverse such as this should only strengthen our determination to win at any cost, and I am confident it will have that effect. We "have taken up the burden of Empire, and must carry it willingly and cheerfully. No doubt the enemy will be elated over what they will boast of as an important victory, but our answer must 'be to fill up the gaps by sending troops, and still more troops, from every part of the Empire to where they are most urgently leiuurcd." ~

JUBILATION IN GERMAN^ Amsterdam, April 30. German newspapers are jubilant and German and Turkish flags are displayed in every direction. The newspapers hope the Irish rising will succeed. The Tageblatt Leipzig says: "Our hearts are with the rebels, but it would be foolish to say ire fomented the reWlion/e ;