THE CAMPAIGN IN PALESTINE.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 November 1917, Page 4

THE CAMPAIGN IN PALESTINE.

In face of the depressing news from Italy and the temporary collapse of Russia, the news of the success of our army in Palestine comes as a refreshing breeze The capture of Beersheba was a brilliant pice of tactical skill and organisation, and though Beersheba does not now occupy the position of importance as a Turkish base as was the ease before the British advance into Syria, yet it is one of those strongholds to which the Turks attached a high value, and its capture is therefore a great blow to the enemy, followed lip as it has been ; by a further advance which has forced the Turks from other positions and put them to flight. There may be some who cannot conceive why a campaign in Palestine should be carried on' vigorously when British forces could bo employed at the more vital theatres of the war, but a glance ab the maps should furnish a convincing reply. The safety of Egypt and the iSuez Canal is an absolute'necessity, and this cannot be obtained until the Turks are cleared out of Palestine. Moreover, it is in this theatre that the Turkish forces can be most effectively dealt with, and the simultaneous operations in Palestine and Mesopotamia will go far to break the power of the Turks and furnish some compensation for the set back at Gallipoli, There is also the moral effect to be considered, and in this connection it has to be remembered that Beersheda is only some fifty miles from •Jerusalem which the Moslem considers as the third of the three holy cities, the others being Mecca and Medina. To Moslem and Christian alike this territory is full of cherished associations, and has been the scene of many fierce contests, ibut the Arabs and the Turks have done their -worst towards making it a veritable sink of iniquity and oppression, the once fair and productive land becoming a wilderness. Beersheda was so strongly fortified that it was considered by the Turks as impregnable, Imt the thrilling account of its capture shows what can be done by British and colonial pluck and determination. Such a smashing blow was delivered ab the Turks that it will go far to demoralise them, though it is only reasonable to expect they will continue to fight with their usual fanatical ferocity when they think they have a chance of revenge. At present their ibest efforts are directed toward a speedy retreat. Having onco felt the power of the British Imperial forces they will know what to expect. This expl-oit has completely justified the campaign, for it has demonstrated the Turkish weakness at a most opportune moment. Having once started in to compel the Turks to evacuate Palestine and Mesopotamia, there should be no turning back until the object in view is obtained, even though it is a subsidiary episode to the main military programme. We cannot forget that it was part of the Kaiser's scheme to dominate the Turks, Palestine, Syria, Mesopotamia, and Persia jis a means of securing Egypt and India, eo that now the full measure of Teutonic ambition has been taken it has become a necessity to got in first and safeguard the Empire. The Persian Gulf is, therefore, now completely occupied by British forces; the Union Jack flies over Bagdad, Mesopotamia is largely wrested from the Truks, and when the Palestine and Mesopotamian campaigns are concluded the .power of the Ottoman Empire wilt have been much injured, if not absolutely destroyed. Then will commence a new era for that large but desolute territory where our armies and those of Russia 'have been and are contending against the Turks. Few people can read the narratives of the exploits at Gaza and Beersheba without a thrill of pride in the prowess of the British and Colonial troops engaged in the successful operations. So surprised and terrified was the enemy that he had no time to damage the water supply, without which no ai'rny could exist. The officers and men who took part in this great victory merit {he highest praise, and the success achieved augurs well for future operations in the same theatre.