The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1916-10-08
)f This Most Important Terri.
tory by the Turks in the
Present War.

IsAfA1LIA, Egypt, oct. 7.-Sone Of
be theaters Of war furnishes moro in
sresting features than the zone along
he Suez canal. where the British have
ct up barrier against invasion Of
his most important territory by the
turks. ohicial communicates have
iyen but small idea Of the wonder
lul military organization which has
cen built up here in the desert.
When Leutenant-General Sir Archi-
bald Murray last January assumed
barge as commander-in-chie OF tho
British forces in Egypt they were oc-
|upying positions along tho canal IT.
|eh. Virtually the only avenue Of ap-
roach for the Turks was across the
andy wastes OF the northern half Of
be peninsula, the lower part being
mountainous and impracticable for
aovement OF troops. Up to this time
had been thought that no military
orce could cross the desert during
he hot season (from March until No
ember9 and that the canal therefore
'ou1d be entirely safe from attack dur
az the summer.
Crosses Waterless Tracks.
General Murray. however, after look
dg over the ground, decided that
nile no army ever had crossed the
Faterhss tracts in summer, yet It
Eas possible. Accordingly, he began
D thrust hts defences out from the
nst bank OF the canal until at pres
Mt he has a fortified line established
an average distance of about ten
piles from the waterway and some
tnety miles in length-almost as long
8 the British front in France.
General Murray's policy was vlndl-
lated early last month when an army
& 1900 Turks did succeed in cross
|ng the desert, engaging tho British
I Romani, where they met with dis
gtrous defeat, Had this fight been
saged on the banks Of the canal, even
nth the same results, shipping neces-
artly would have been greatly de-
ayed. AS it was the canal was as
uiet as woodland stream.
In the organization Of his defences
q the canal zone, General Murray
as made use Of the training no had
Iarly In the war In France, when, as
Ihief Of the general staff, under Cen
raj French, he played leading role
IA the skilfui British retreat from
TONS.
An opportunity to study the organi-
alton and see every feature OF the de-
.enses Of the canal was given to a
representative of the Associated Press,
lust transferred from the British front
b France to the blistering heat and
hitting sands OF the Sinai desert.
Constructive Warfare.
General Murray is waging what
hight be called constructive warfare"
IN order to establish and maintin his
roops In the desert It has been neces-
AIRY to construct highways and rail-
Ways. many miles OF which will be OF
|nestimable value to Egypt after the
var, for wherever possible he is build
ng with the idea Of permanency. For
Example, within comparatively short
lime, should the operations continue,
Port Said, Ismailia and Cairo will be
mixed by a rock-ballasted highway
which would do credit to any country.
hi told, the commander has built
|deleted by CENSOR miles of highway
Ind railroad, and the work is being
pushed steadily forward in many
places.
The outer line of defense consists
II series Of fortified positions among
|he sand dunes. The same type OF
renches as are found in Europe have
been used, excepting that there are
|ew dugouts. The soldiers live main
b under canvas or in wooden build
|ngs. Beyond these. extending the en-
Ire length Of the canal, is an almost
Loiid line Of barhed wire entangle-
nents. The correspondent covered
many miles Of this territory on horse
pack and everywhere was seen the
anne detailed preparedness for both
offensive and defensive warfare.
The establishment Of the outposts
las been a difficult matter. All the
excavations have been made in sand
which shifts and slides at the slight
bst touch, involving a vast amount
If digging and snoring. Worst Of all
nas been the heat.
Day after day the soldiers have Ia
|lored under scorching sun thrown
pack from the sands with the fierce
hess of furnace blast. A tempera-
ure of 100 or $50 degrees, Fahrenheit,
IN the shade, has not been uncommon
Ind in the sun the thermometer has
registered perhaps fifty or sixty de-
yrees more. Added discomfort has
been the effect OF the sun, reflected
rom the shimmerfng sands on the
yes. This is not only painful, but It
mas happened that some Of the men
bet sunstroke through the eyes. The
|larkiy -tanned Tommies. however, go
|:heerfully about their duties in the
ace of danger and hardships. Indeed,
many declare that they like the coun-
ry, for even the desert. with its Won
|ierfnI nights, has It's compensauons.
The linking of these desert outposts
with the canal had To be done stimuli
aneousiy with their establishment.
Most Of the garrisons have been locat-
I'D In tractless waterless wastes which,
|1ad roads not been built, could have
BEEN proyisioned only by the employ
neut Of myriads Of slowly moving cam
ais.
General Murray, however, has built
many short lines of railway and high
ways which jut out from the canal at
right angles toward the fighting line.
These do not extend the entire dis
lance, but make 1t possible 10 assem-
Die necessities az Railroads not far
pack, and from the termini supplies
are moved by camels.