New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-21
TO the use OF Bulgarian or Turkish
troops for an advance on Salonica.
Salonica MAY BE Objective


The Allied troops al Salonics are be-
ing reinforced steadily, but in view OF
the recent decision Of France and
Great Britain 10 continue the Balkan
campaign. II may be assumed that
every effort will be made 20 conceu-
trate a considerable force on the Ssi-
onica base. This Greek port is within
easy sailing distance Of the Gall poll
Peninsula II is across the northern
end of the Hgean Sea from the penn
sula. less than 200 miles distant.
If recent unofficial advices concern
ing the Egyptian situation are authen-
tic Great Britain may feel the rcces-
sity OF increasing her armed forces
there. II has been represented thar the
Germans and Turks are preparing n
form dable expedition 10 invade
Egypt. capture the Suez Canal and cut
of England from India. According 10
one account this enterprise has been
placed in the hands Of Field Marshal
Won der Goltz, the German commander
Of the First Turkish Army. The Ger
mans are reported to have constructed
a doubletrack railroad TO the Egyptian
border through southern Syria.
Positions Won at Heavy Cost.
p
Dsrdanelles campaign has taken place
az the positions now abandoned by the
British. The Anzac region. which takes
its name from the initials OF the Aus
tralian and New Zealand Army Corps,
has been the scene Of furious attempts
Of the invaders to thrust back the
Turks. Here. as at Suvla Bay, the
Allies have been able 10 achieve no
striking successes, being held by the
Turks TO the zones protected By the
guns of the Allied feet. The loss OF
life at both these positions has been
very heavy.
The Withdrawal of the British troops
from Suyla Bay and the Anzac lode
ends, more successfully than most mill
tary men thought possible. the most
unfortunate chapter OF the British
arms in this war. Thousands of lives
were sacrificed in gaining these posi-
tons, and other thousands in holding
them.
Gave Turk Forces Time.
The question has been constantly
discussed why the generals command
ing the Dardanelles expedition did not
try 10 make a landing near the centre
of the peninsula in the beginning and
cut off the Turkish troops on the lower
end. When the attempt was finally
made 10 win a foothold higher up the
peninsula the Turks were fully pre-
pared to meet II.
Moreover, the British arrangements
lacked several essential features, par
ticularly a supply of drinking water.
The story has been revealed by soldiers
and correspondents returning from the
Mediterranean only gradually and b.
detail. One eyewitness declared that
after the first battalion landed the
men were shot down 20 thickly that
the watchers aboard the ships were
asking, "Why don't our men advance p
and thought the troops were lying
down awaiting orders.
The soldiers found barbed wire en-
tsnglements stretching clear out under
the water when they jumped from their
small boats. To add 20 their suFerings
the supply Of drinking water was very
short.
Many Died of Thirst.
Robert Blstchford. the author. IN a
newspaper article yesterday asserted:
Many Of these men died Of thirst.
There was no ice for the wounded.
There was no place ashore, except in
dugouts under the hilsides, where the
men were ever safe from the cnemy's
shell fire. night or day. Numbers were
sent 10 Malta and England suffering
from dysentery or nervous collapse"
General Sir Charles c. Monro re-
ported In favor of Withdrawing the
troops when he took command ~ the
Dardanelles, but the popular belief.
shared By military men here, was tina,
thousands OF soldiers could not be
taken aboard transports and eFec,
complete withdrawal from their
trenches without calamitous loss OF
life The achievement must have bee
a difficult one. and the country Is re
lieved that il has been done withou,