6 NOVEMBER 1915, Page 14

The speech also included a very interesting passage dealing with

our Mesopotamian expedition. After praising the skill and success with which the operations had been carried out, Mr. Asquith added : "Sir John Nixon's force is now within measurable distance of Baghdad." That is good news, for though there must of course be grave risks attaching to these operations, the capture of Baghdad, if it could be carried out, would be a very serious embarrassment to the Turks, and would greatly increase our prestige in Asia.