5 FEBRUARY 1916, Page 2

We are glad to be able to record that the

latest news of the Tigris campaign is of a reassuring character. On Thursday was published an official ecrnmvnique from the Indian Government stating that General Aylnier's position on the Tigris is a strong one. We are further told that the floods have rendered a forward movement impracticable. Mr. Candler, the representa- tive of the British Press with the Expeditionary Force in Mesepo7 tenths sends rid Basra, also on Thursday, a telegram which states that the Turkish investing force outside Kut have been obliged to evacuate a great part of their trenches owing to the rise of the river. Geneial Townshend's reconnoitring patrol found twenty-two rows of immensely deep trenches and miles of communication trenches honeycombing the whole position. Our trenches, being on higher ground, have not been affected by the floods. All is Well, we are told, in General Townshend's camp, and he is in daily wireless communication with General Aylmer. On the whole, though there must ho anxiety till Kut is actually relieved, there is no sort of ground for alarm or despondency.