New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-11-30
BRITISH RETREAT
ON THE TIGRlS
Withdraw from Ctesiphon
as Enemy Brings Up
New Forces.
TURK DIVISION
LOST IN BATTLE
Invader Expected to Resume
March on Bagdad as the
Season Advances.

London, Nov. 25-The British victory
over the Turks at Ctesiphon, near Bag
dad, as reported last week, has not, as
many persons believed, sealed the fate
of Bagdad
An official report issued tonight says
that, having successfully completed the
removal of his wounded and prisoners.
General Townshend, the British COM
mander. in the face of the arrival of
Turkish reinforcements again has
withdrawn his force TO position lower
down the Tigris River. The Turkish Of
fetal says that the British were forced
TO retreat hastily, leaving behind more
than one thousand dead.
While this announcement will prove
q disappointment 70 the uninitiated,
those who know the country through
which the British have forced their
way are not surprised that every pre-
caution is being taken to prevent re-
verse. or even check. in the march
upon Mesopotamia.
The country is very Inhospitable, and,
especially at this time Of the year, it
is necessary that the army should keep
near the river where there is plenti-
full supply Of water and where it can be
reprovisioned and supplied with NUM-
tons and guns by the heterogeneous
feet which accompanies il.
The defeat inflicted on the Turks pre-
viously appears. from all accounts, to
have been serious. OF the four Turkish
divisions engaged in the fighting one
was virtually wiped out. General
Townshend, according TO the first &C
Of ha haF a aA To-
one British division. but he probably
will be better supplied with guns than
his opponents so long as he keeps near
the river and has the assistance of
ar.led steamers and tugs, which have
been converted into floating forts. II
is expected that he is receiving rein
forcements which will enable him soon
10 resume his advance on Bagdad.
As the season advances the march IS
expected TO become less difficult Here
tofore the British force has had to con-
tend with the intense heat and lack of
water. but the rivers are now rising
and there should soon be plenty of
water for the men and horses and for
navigation.
BRITISH OFFICIAL.
The statement given out by the
British War Office says:
The enemy's strength at the battle
of Ctesiphon is estimated at four d.
visions. One of these is stated by
prisoners to have been practically
wiped out. This is confirmed by our
own observations, but the approach
of turkish reinforcenents is re-
ported.
General Townsnend. having sue
cessfully completed the removal OF
his wounded and prisoners, has with
drawn his force 10 a position lower
down the river.
TURKISH OFFICIAL.
The statement issued at CONSTANT
nople says:
Concerning events on the lrak
front, on November "a our continu-
Gus counter attacks up to the evening
prevented hostile detachments who
had penetrated our advanced posi-
tons from establishing themselves in
them. On November Is, by strong
attacks lasting until evening, we
elected the enemy from these posi-
tons.
The enemy was obliged TO retreat
hastily, leaving behind a great num-
Der of wounded and dead men and
animals, together with war material
of all kinds. We counted more than
one thousand corpses and captured
three machine guns, one flag and
arms and projectiles.