The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-01-12
WHY THE BRITISH
LEFT GALLIPOLI
Arrival of German and Aus
trian Big Guns Made It
Necessary.

CoNSTANTINoPLE. Dec. rs. (Cor-
respondence of the Associated Press)
The withdrawal OF the Allied troops
on the Gallipoli Peninsula has been
almost coincident with the arrival at
the Turkish front of heavy German
and Austrian batteries, which are so
formidable that the people of Constan-
tinople believe there is no longer the
slightest doubt as to the ability Of
the Ottoman army to clear the PEN
nisula of the invaders. Large ship
ments of ammunition for the Turkish
artillery also recently reached the
Dardanelles coast batteries and the
field guns, and according to indications
In the Turkish official report, the OF
toman troops are constantly increas.
ing their fectiveness in artillery
fire.
During the last interview which The
Associated Press correspondent had
with Field Marshal Liman Won SON.
derS Pasha, the latter pointed out that
with sufficient artillery at his disposal
the Allied troops would find it diff
cult to remain on the Peninsula, es-
pecially II their artillery was able to
keep the British and French men of
war from coming close to the coast.
AS pointed out in previous dispatch
es, the lack of sufficient artillery and
ammunition proved at times sore
problem to the Turkish troops. Turk
ish artillery fire was always weak,
and the Allied warships were able to
take the Turkish positions under the
most CALLING fire without running the
slightest risk, except that occastoned
by the presence OF the German sub
marines. 1t was only occasionally that
one of the Allied ships, venturing in
too closely, was hit. The fire of the
British monitors, also, by reason Of be-
ing high curve. made certain exposed
trenches of the Turks next to unten-
able. But the Turkish infantry stood
its ground so brayely that it has be-
come a popular saying in Constanti-
nople that they defended Gallipoi
with their naked breasts"
The installment of the heavy Ger
man and Austrian guns will make it
necessary for. the British monitors,
torpedo boats and cruisers to keep at
a respectful distance after this. With
the AIlleu lEeuClte2 dLoO VAPOSSu ~
the fire of heavy, mortars, 1t is de-
clared that the fate of the British and
French troops on the Gallipoli Pen
insula is sealed. In fact, say the TURK
ish authorities, to take them away
while there is yet chance would be
an act Of mercy. The prospect OF sue
cess for the Allies are declared to, be
SO slight that it would require an eX-
penditure of men and material twice
as great as has already meen made TO
bring the British and French any
closer to Constantinople.
Although tens of thousands OF the
Turkish infantrymen fought for. some
time with rifles of the antique Enyder
TYNE, they have all now been equip
ned with modern models, notably the
rifles taken from the Russians. The
great scarcity Of machine guns in the
Ottoman army is also a thing of the
past. Everything that could tend to
place the Turkish army on an equal
footing with the best organization IN
Europe has been rushed there since
the opening of traffic on the Danube.
Today it has become question
whether or not 1t is possible for the
allies to remove the rest oof their
troops without losing a great share OF
them. The transports, IL brought IN
shore to embark the troops, would be
under a terrible fire by the new Turk
ish batteries, even If powerful BTU
ish and French feet were assembled
to protect the retreat.