MESOPOTAMIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 March 1917, Page 5

MESOPOTAMIA.

TURKS DEMORALISED AND SPENT. grave j:\ents ix coxsTAxmEeccivcd March 13, 8.30 p.ai. London, .March 12. The Daily Telegraph's Rome correspondent states that information from Turkish sources is to the effect that tiie army in Mesopotamia is demoralised and spent. It lacked food, munitions and artillery. The armies in Armenia and Persia are. in a similar condition. The bad weather bad heretofore saved them, but this protection liad now endA Swiss message states that grave events have occurred in Constantinople. GERMANY BLAMED. JVtt TURKISH REVERSE, V'lr.ics Service. Lc-coived March 1-1, 12.-15 a.m. London, March 13, «.faat Hey has left Geneva for Turkey. Beiiry Rev has left Constantinople for Berlin, owing to reported differences between Turkey and Germany regarding the Mesopotamia losses. Turks are holding Germany blameworthy because the best Turkish troops have been sent to defend Austro-Gennany FRENCH ENTHUSIASM. 1 KAISER'S'ORIENTAL PMXfi WRECKED. " _ ' ' 1 Par''.March 12. The Matin says that the capture of Bagdad is the Entente's greatest sueses.-- n the war period, and reduces to nothing. ihe German piar.s for the defence of Mesopotamia. The Petit sf.yj the capture wrecks tho Kaiser'?. ■ wholo Oriental programme. A BRILLIANT * ACHIEVEMENT. r'-TTsn a:~ j ixdiah troops ??.a:SO. lender,, March 12. - the K'onpc oi Commons, Mr. Bo'iar Law :sd the fail of Bagdad was the sequel I'j l. -erics oi brilliant performances by British and Indian troops, who bed shown push and determination beyond praise. There was heavy fighting, especially on the right bank of the Tigris, and severe Turkish losses. The troops, since the capture of Kat, had pursued the Turks 110 miles in 15 days, through country destitute of supplies and in face of heavy weather difficulties, crossing the Tig Vis three times. The final march of 18 miles was in intense heat and severe dust storms. It was a brilliant achievement. There was every reason to believe that two-thirds of tiie enemy's entire artillery had been captured or thrown irtu the T'gris. There were also large number* of prisoners and much booty. Mr. Sonar Daw concluded by paying r tribute to the skill and vigor of the leadership, the valor and endurancei of the troops, the highly successful supply service, the medical arrangements, anil the plans of the general and his staff.

A REASSURING STATEMENT. CONCERNING ARMY IN BAGDAD. Received March 13, S.lO p.m. ( London, "March 12. Mr Bonar Law added that Genera! Maude reports being. satisfied he ean provide for the army's necessities in Bagdad. WHAT THE TURKS SAY. London, March 12. To-day's Turkish official report does not mention Bagdad. Amsterdam, March 12. In the Turkish Chamber Enver Pasha admitted that the TurKS had retired from Mesopotamia and Persia for military reasons.