New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-21
Abandon AnZaC and
SuvIa-Will Hold
Sed-ul-Bahr.
SENT TO GREECE,
LONDON BELIEVES
Seek TO Forestall Teuton
Drive on Salonica and
in Egypt.

London. Dec. 20.-The announce
ment that 100000 British troops had
been withdrawn from Gallipoli over
shadowed all other war news TO-
night for the British public. The
abrupt War Office statement marks
the end Of one Of the great chap
ters Of the wars history.
The shock Of the news was hardly
broken by the fact that rumors had
been current in the street for some
days. and that the withdrawal Of
the forces had been a matter Of wide
spread discussion over since Lord
Ribblesdale's famous speech in Par
lament, in which he declared that
withdrawal had been recommended
by a high military authority.
The feeling OF the man in the
street was generally one Of relief
mixed with regret. A popular half
penny paper sums up the British
public's attitude as follows! Thus
ends the enterprise on which the
highest hopes were built, and which,
if it had succeeded, would probably
have turned the tide Of the war.
Our troops from first TO last were
within few miles Of victory"
The policy underlying the Darda-
nelles expedition may yet be carried
to a successful issue In some other
quarter of the Near East, but the
prospect of forcing way to Con-
stantinople through the famous
straits is apparently relinquished.
Still Hold sed-ul-B Bahr.
British troops continue TO occupy
the tip Of the peninsula at Sed-ul-
Bahr. commanding the entrance to
the straits. where many British have
declared new Gibraltar will one
day arise. The position here is pro-
tected by a double line Of ships, and
it Is assumed that this will be held.
Many see in the withdrawal the pos
sibilty OF the return Of Lord Fisher
10 the Admiralty, which is now being
strongly advocated by many Of the
most faithful followers OF the Cabinet.
Tho importance OF holding up 2OO,OOo
Turkish troops who might turn the
scale In Asia Minor is fully recognized,
and Il 10 believed that, together with
the retention Of sed-ul- Bahr, the navy,
which Sir Ian Hamilton described as
tho father and mother OF the Darda-
nelles expedition. will still remain in a
position 20 keep the Turks busy.
"The Daily News" Parliamentary cor
respondent says that the official state
ment that there were only few cas-
uslties in the withdrawal OF the Britieh
from the Gallipoli Peninsula is literally
true and that not even one machine
gun was lost. He adds that the gov
ornment is anxious that the story
should be told in detail and that ar
rangements are being made to do so.
Turks Taken Unawares.
Tn. following official statement was
issued here to-day:
All the troops at Suvla and Anzac,
together with their guns and stores
have been successfully transferred
with insignificant casualties, TO an
other srhere Of operation.
Without the Turks being aware OF
the movement, i great army has been
Withdrawn from one Of the areas oc-
clpied on the GsllIpoli peninsula, al
though IN the closest Of contact with
the enemy. b. this contraction oil
the front operations st other points
of the line will be more effectively
carried out.
Sir Charles Monro gives great
credit for this tkiifully conducted
transfer OF forces 10 the generals
commanding and the royal navy.
The report Of the French War ofice
Continued on page 6. column