Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-05-05
NEAR EAST SITUATION

ersed, and under the most discour-
aging conditions
British Drive British forces in
l.. ,r, Mesopotamia con-
Closer to Mosul. t4nue their deter
mined drive for Mosul, the base of Turk
ish operations in the regions of the
near east. During the past two weeks
they have advanced twenty miles near
err to the Mosul through well prepared
operations and have inflicted large
losses on the enemy. They continue
their efforts and ere long the menace
to Mosul will be genuine and demand
immediate Turkish attention II the Of
toman leaders are to retain this city
and continue their activities in the
near east with the degree of success
that the German and Turkish higher
commands have hoped for.
While the British are striking north
ward in Mesopotamia Gen. Allenby's
forces in Palestine likewise are on the
move and in recent days have defeated
the Turks both to the east and west
Of the River Jordan well above Jerusa-
lem and toward Ell Salt. The Turks in
this region have been endeavorinE to
resist the British units, but SO far have
combat the enemy with the power
Turkish armies once showed.
1t is a noticeable fact that Turkish
resistance has weakened during the
err command laid elaborate plans for
operations toward the Suez and the
near eastern regions. and even dis
patched large units of troops and on
GERS to aid and guide the Turks The
aspirations Of Turkey were keyed high.
COnSfantinnnla n N
for its efforts in the war on the side
OF Germany large tracts in Africa as
well as the return of a greater portion
OF old European Turkey.
realized the Turks have suffered re-
verse after reverse; and, as the war
drags on, German support is being
withdrawn, leaving the Turks largely
upon their own resources. Even the
large stores of wartime necessities
which once were furnished the Turks
have been withheld. while Berlin shows
a stronger inclination to hold tight to
it's purse strings. Turkey. 1t is report
disgruntled. Whether or not this state
of mind is responsible for the weak
ened efforts of-Turkish. armies in the
near east and in Palestine remains to
be seen. but one fact Is certain, the
ernment and army have been punctured
by continued allied success during the
past year and half. The Turks no
longer think so much of territorial an
nexations as they are thinking Of
something to eat and the preservation
of their country.
The advance Of Turkish forces in
Transcaucasia, where the Russian
forces have been withdrawn, cannot
in any sense of the word be termed
a success. The Turks meet no resist
ance. They simply march on, applying
the torch to the homes of innocents,
and exterminate the Christian popula-
ton. 1t is not a military operation
in any respect. The Transcaucasian
campaign is one of arson. murder
and rapine. Kars' has been taken,
according to latest reports. but should
the British efforts in Mesopotamia and
Palestine continue with their present
degree of success there is every rea-
son to believe that eventually Turkish
influence will be completely wiped out
In the near east, despite any success
that may be scored by the Turks in the
Caucasus. When the allies win the
present war Turkey naturally will
face a reckoning, and even should the
Turkish armies spread over the entire
east the fruits Of their military con-
quests will Re taken from them. for
the allies are as DESTROYS of seeing
Turkish barbarity forever curbed as
they desire to see the German nation
eat humble ME -toe all NmA t. coma