The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1916-01-12
ALLIES FORCED TO
ABANDON GAL[|P0L|
NEWS RECEIVED WITH PANG OF
REGRET BY PEOPLE OF
ENGLAND.

London, Jan. 9.-The remaining
positions held by the Allies of CALI
poll peninsula have now been aban-
doned with the wounding of only one
man among the British and French,
according to British official state
ment issued tonight.
This news has been expected for
several days by the keener observers
of the Near Eastern campaign, for
the retirement of the troops from
Anzac and Suvla bay three weeks ago
left no strategic advantage to the re-
tention of the tip of the peninsula.
Nevertheless, the news will be re-
ceived with a pang of regret by the
people of the British Isles, as well as
the colonies.
Renewed activity of various kinds
noted by the Turkish official COM
munications in the past few days
has probably been in the nature of
preparations for the final act of the
Dardenelles tragedy. Tonight's Turk
ish official statement, covering the
period from Thursday to Saturday,
records increasing effectiveness OF
the reinforced Turkish batteries,
which have been drawing in and con-
centrating on the Allies remaining
positions.
Another pang to the British public
will be caused by the announcement
tonight Of the loss of the battleship
King Edward, VII, which has been
blown up by mine. The brief otti-
cial statement on this subject does
not reveal the scene of the action and
merely says that the disaster occur
red in heavy sea, despite which the
entire crew was saved before the ship
went down.
The King Edward VII represented
an investment of nearly 100000
pounds and was one of the finest Of
the last class of pre-dreadnaughts,
corresponding in general to the
American ships of the New Jersey
and Nebraska type, and was only
slightly older than the Natal, which
was sunk by an internal explosion
about week ago.
On the west and east fronts there
have been no developments OF large
Importance over the weekend. The
German communication announces
that the Germans have completed the
recapture of positions on Hartmans-
Weilerkopf taken by the French. 2
few days before Christmas.
Greek correspondents continue to
assert that the Bulgarians and Ger
mans are fastening plans for an at
tack on Saloniki, but the Austrians
are fighting hard against the Rus
slams and Montenegrins and the Bull
ears are largely occupied in q reso-
lutte attempt to reach the Adrlatlc,
from which they are only 40 miles
distant, at Elbassan, Albania.
England's internal affairs are quiet,
pending the reassembling of parlia-
ment. There will be a full dress de-
bate on the compulsion bill Tuesday,
with David Lloyd George, minister OF
and Arthur Henderson,
labor member who has just resigned
from 'the cabinet, as the probable
star speakers. Sir Henry Dalziel,
who has been one of the most con-
sistent critics of the government, all
so will give his reasons why he sup
ports the government on this matter.
The Labor party will meet early
in the week to consider its position.
Unless, however, opposition to the
bill develops, strength of which
there is no indication now. there
seems small likelihood that the gov
ernment will feel need to appeal to
the country.