Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1915-10-21

The following letter from an Associ-
danelles front is Of interest in view
of the assertion of Lord Miner in the
house Of lords last week that the
panhsua SIsn haa bsen on fasre thu eapa hera
have been no changes of great import
ance since the letter was written.
The position Of the allied troops on the
Anafarta- -Ari- -Burnu front of the Gall
lipoli peninsula can hardly be decribed
as promising one. Such at least was
the impression gained by the Associa-
ted Press correspondent during an
eight day stay in the war arena in
question.
The factors upon which this con-
,lusion is based are thorough in
spection Of the Turkish and allied
trenches and artillery position and the
statements of Turkish officers and al
lied prisoners of war. What is per-
aaps of more Importance is the result.
If four major military actions which
occurred while the correspondent was
On this front. They consisted Of an
attack by the allies on Turkish posi-
ion north Of Kodtatchemen Dagh on
The afternoon of August 20, an assault
in Turkish trenches in the same gem
aral locality on the same night and two
attacks on Anafarta on August 26 and
~. Ir each instance the allies were
permanent advantages were gained by
them.
Losses Are Enormous.
A..
means light in any Of these operations
but the allies. acting on the offensive.
suffered heavily. Their losses for the
four actions are estimated at 1900 to
10000 dead and double that number Of
wounded.
The ground held by the allies was
that part OF the coast region which
could be commanded by their naval
artillery.
Thus far the allies have landed in
the Anafarta region about 49, 900 men,
a large part Of which force already
has been used up. 1t is safe to say
that they are today opposed by about
1S5.OO0 Turks. who are actually en-
trenched. with about 10000 in reserve.
Every advantage Of terrain is held
by the Turks whose trenches are To-
Gated on higher ground than those OF
the allies.
with important positions lost. the
allies today hold themselves in the Ana
farta region solely by virtue of an i'm
mense artillery fire superiority. With
out the support of some 40 line ships.
cruisers and torpedo boats. they would
be thrown into the sea.
There have been moments, however.
when the Turkish troops in the Ana
farta district have been hard pressed.
An attack made by the allies on Aug
ust 26 and 27. in the direction Of Ilir-
etch Tepe ended in terrible slaughters
of British troops. some $500 dead be-
ing counted on August 2S.
Short Of Food and Water.
British prisoners assert that their po-
sition is most trying one. Water is
extremely scarce in the Anafarta ra-
gion, and 1t is said only one we'll is IN
the hands OF the British. The result is
that water must be brought from the
Island of Imbros and even from Sal
oniki One half pint of water at noon
is the only allowance Of this necessity,
prisoners state. that is given.
Up to.a week ago the, food of the
;Hsitish soldiers consisted of six army
Biscuits. a preserved meat ra ton. some
candy and lam. Poor healtb is the re-
suit Of this diet
y ITO other. handicaps ,,of the allied
.trD0ps must be added the great heat
and ever present dust.