Tho position in the Gallipoli Peninsula can only be dealt
with very shortly. Tho published news is meagre, and indis- creet comment or criticism might turn out extremely injurious. We think, however, it may be safely said that we are beginning to find out, as the Spectator suggested some months ago that we should find out, that the task of holding on in our present position in the Dardanelles during the winter is not so difficult as was at one time supposed, and will prove, in view of all the circumstances, the better way. We can if we like, in spite of weather difficulties, keep our troops supplied with food and munitions and reinforcements. Next, their sufferings in the trenches from the weather are not, we trust, going to prove as great as was feared. After all, there is much more sunshine even in the most northerly part of the Mediterranean than there is in Flanders, and the sun is a great healer. The troops, again, will not suffer half as much from illness now as they did in the summer. Finally, we hope and believe that the news of the Turks having at their -disposal vast quantities of muni- tions supplied to them by the Germans so that they can make things impossible for us is not going to prove true. No doubt the Turks aro now getting, and will continue to get, a good deal of munitions from Germany, but not enough for them to be able to " pour out shells like water."
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