New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-05
Turkish Firing on Suez
Canal About as Effective
as Sandstone.
BRITISH LOSE ONLY
SIX MEN WOUNDED
Invasion of Egypt Takes Form
of Turkish Prisoners Being
Brought to Cairo.
BIZ OBJ, 70 ,rh. Trlbun.

Cairo, Feb. during r sandStorm
yesterday a small force OF Turks ad-
vsnced from the esst and came into
contact with the British forces IN the
vicinity of Ismails, midway between
Suez and Port Said. As in previous
encounters Of this description, the en-
envy showed no inclination TO come TO
close quarters. They were, however
exceedingly lavish in the use OF ammu-
milton, both Of artillery and rifles. Inc
storm Of shot and she'll was not much
more effective in doing damage than
the sandstone. The enemy's pracuce
was very poor indeed. and when the
firing ceased for the day, about )
o'clock in the afternoon, the casual
ties on the British side amounted only
to six men wounded. The traffic on
the canal and railway was not inter
fered with and ships and trains passed
along throughout the day without
hindrance.
The enemy's loss is unknown, but five
prisoners, including q Turkish oficer
have been brought into the British
lines. Deserters from the invaders
ranks have been coming in during the
last few days. They all express pleas
ure at having been able to get away
from the Turkish army. into which
they were forced against their will.
Several OF these deserters belong to an
irregular body of troops forcibly i'm
pressed from among the Bcdouins and
peasants Of Southern Palestine and
raised by Muntaz Bey, who was for
merly aid to Enver Pachs, but is now
with the advance patrols in the eastern
desert.
"The invasion of Egypt has only tax
en- the form Of Turkish prisoners being
brought TO Cairo In these words the
onemy's operations up TO date are
summed up officially. The report of
happenings on the canal during the last
few days shows that the Turkish efforts
have not only been hopeless attempts,
but have resulted in = complete and
costly failure.
An attack was made during the night
on the Toussoum post by infantry, and
at the same time a determined attempt
was made TO cross the canal by means
OF pontoons and RATS, the pontoon
party being supported by heavy Maxim
fire. The morning light revealed the
enemy advancing on the post at Ious-
SCUM and az the same time their ar
tillery directed their fire on Toussoum
and Serapeum. The British forces re-
piled with artillery fire and battleship
on the canal also joined.
The enemy retired after some fight
ing, which included an advance from
Serapeum. A large number OF dead
were loft on the field in front of the
British position, and officers ard 2s2
men were taken prisoners. Four men
succeeded in crossing the canal and es-
Gaping, but their early capture is eX-
pected.
Warship Twice Hit.
The wsrship Hardinge was twice hit
during the action by shells and ten
men were wounded on board In the
action. which was generally on land,
two officers and thirteen men were
killed and fifty-eight wounded, and of
these one officer and two men of the
killed and Of the wounded belong to
the Egyptian field artillery, which be
haved splendidly in action and lent
most valuable service. At lsmailia
Ferry the enemy was found entrench-
ing about eight hundred yards in front
OF the British positions, and a rife
fire was opened on the British troops
from a force of about two thousand
men. Intermittent fire was kept up
during the day, but the enemy vent
ured no attack nor did they succeed in
inhicting any casualties on the British
side. The British outposts attacked at
FL Kantars early in the morning, and
there the enemy we're quickly driven
Off, with 2 loss OF twenty-one killed
and twenty-five wounded. Thirty-six
prisoners we're taken. A partial at
tack was made later in the day from
southerly direction, but the enemy
would not approach nearer than twelve
hundred yards from the British posi-
tions. Eight more dead Turks we're
later found here. the British casual
ties being one officer slightly wounded
and four Indians killed and twenty
four wounded. II is estimated that the
total enemy force engaged during the
fighting mentioned in this message and
lasting from the night of February 2
till midnight of February 8, totslled
at least $1,000, with six batteries of
guns. high official tribute is pub
lished regarding the splendid conduct
OF the troops, including British,
L.