New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-20

cisive nature at the Dardanelles or IN
Mesopotamia would free Turkish forces
for another field of operations, which.
the Germans say, is an invasion OF
Egypt.
No Advance Promised.
At the Dardanelles the Allies are
still bombarding the Turkish trenches.
but there have been few signs that an
advance Of any magnitude will be at
tempted at this time. Statements have
been made in Paris and London that
If the Allied forces did not quit the
Dardanelles before long they would be
thrown into the sea.
In Mesopotamis, according TO Con-
stantinople, the Turkish guns are de-
stroying defence works Of every de-
scription in front Of the British main
positions near Kut-el-Amara, TO which
the British retreated after pushing to
within ten miles of Bagdad.
According to Constantinople advices
received by way Of Amsterdam by Reu-
ter's Telegram Company, two British
monitors have made an attempt TO
break the Turkish lines besieging kut-
el-Amara.
With repeated reports that the Ger
mans were preparing activey for a
march on Egypt has come increased
speculation here as 70 where forces 70
oppose such an expedition will be OBJ
tanned. The abandonment of the Oar
danelles campaign might release some
and the quitting of the Gallipoli sd-
venture has been frequently rumored.
Again, it has been said that the British
wanted to withdraw from the Balkans
TO meet this menace 10 the Suez Canal.
Arms Are Pouring In.
The Abyssinian army of which the
French are talking might help to stem
the tide. But with continued pressure
on the British forces in Mesopotamie
il may be necessary to send reinforce
nents to General Townshend. Thus
the Turks would be working in diff
ferert direction toward a move on
Egypt. BY dverting Allied forces to
the Tigris field they would be weaken
ing the opposition along the Damascus
road.
Arms and ammunition for the Turks
have been pouring over the Belgrade
Constantinople railroad. opened by the
Teutonic drive through Serbia. The
Turk forces under Won der Goltz are
reported to be equipped with German
rifles With the extension OF the rail.
road to the Egyptian frontier, the road
for drive such as the Germans
threaten would be paved. The line IS
said now to be completed to point
within fifty miles of the Sinai PENN
sula, to the east of the canal. The
completion of the road, says Berlin,
will be accomplished by February.
Anglo-French squadrons and Allied
land batteries yesterday bombarded
Turkish positions at Ari Burnu and at
Ali. on the Gallipoli Peninsula, ac--
cording to the official statement issued
to-day by the Ottoman War Depart
ment.
TURK OFFICIAL.
The Turkish official statement says;
Irak front: Our troops continue
TO destroy defence works of all kinds
before the enemy's main position
near Kut-el-Amsra. Our heavy ar
tillery is successfully bombardins
the trenches and other works of the
enemy.
Dardanelles front: Near Anafarta
there were intermittent artillery en-
counters. One of two enemy mines
exploded destroyed British trench.
Our patrols have captured IN enemy
trenches bayonets and ammunition
and various other kinds of war ma
terial.
Near Ar Burnu the enemy fired Il
great number of bombs against our
right wing One cruiser and three
armored monitors, as well as land
batteries. bombarded our positions
from different directions. Our ar
tillery successfully replied.
Near Sedul- Bahr our artillery on
December II sank one of two tugs IT
the narrows which were debarklng
men and ammunition. The debarka-
ton was interrupted.
One cruiser and one monitor bonn
barded the neighborhood Of Ali, but
caused no damage.