spite of temporary interruptions, the weather was on the whole favourable; and the defeat of the Turks was accomplished in good time. The opening of the river removed all anxiety on the score of supplies; and the rise of the water-level took place at the opportune moment to ensure its navigability by transport vessels and gun-boats in the shallow reaches between Kut and Baghdad. Under these favourable conditions it was possible to follow up the enemy's retreat with a rapidity which allowed them no respite to re-form their shattered forces, and obliged them to abandon their materiel and equipment, together with two-thirds of their artillery. The destruction of their army was thus made decisive. The capture of Baghdad, which followed automatically, was, from the military point of view, of relatively small importance. But in its political aspect it is a notable event which has had far-reaching results. It has re-established our prestige in the East. Coupled with the destruction of their army in Mesopotamia, and their expulsion from Persia, which seems imminent, it cannot fail to be a heavy blow to the Turks, who have further cause for depression in their defeats at El Arish on Dec. 21, at Rafa on Jan. 9, and in front of Gaza on March 27, which have dissipated their dreams of conquest in Egypt. As for the Germans, their press admitted the gravity of the reverse with remarkable candour, while urging the Turks, with characteristic effrontery, to lose no time in repairing the disaster. Where the requisite means are to be procured is not apparent, unless their troops on the European fronts are relieved by Germans or Austrians, a solution which is not likely to commend itself to the German Staff. It has been reported unofficially that many of the prisoners taken in the fighting at the Dahra bend had come straight from the disaster at El Arish, a statement which, if correct, points to the Turkish reserves being at a low ebb. In fact, it seems unlikely that the Turks have either the means or the inclination to attempt an offensive, and their efforts will probably be directed to retaining what is left to them of Mesopotamia and Armenia. Meanwhile the line of communication by the Tigris valley is menaced by the Russian advance; and the column which is falling back on Khanikin is in danger of finding its retreat cut off by General Maude. Since this article went to press, the offensive front of our armies has been extended to the region of Givenchy, seven miles north of Arras. The new offensive, which began on April 9, is an apt retort to the manœuvre by which the Germans attempted to evade an embarrassing situation. Without relaxing his pressure on the enemy's rearguards, Sir Douglas Haig has made use of his existing communications to effect a rapid concentration of force in the region where the new German line merges in the old positions. The results of the first two days' fighting have been highly satisfactory. The enemy having been thrown back four miles down the valley of the Scarpe, his positions on the commanding ridge south of the river have been turned; while, on the left wing of the attack, the Vimy heights, overlooking the plain in the direction of Douai, have fallen to the brilliant onslaught of the Canadian troops. The toll of captures comprises 11,000 prisoners, and more than 100 guns, many of which are of large calibre. Even more gratifying, with a view to the future, is the evidence borne by these striking successes to the ascendancy which our Flying Corps has established over the German air-service in a succession of great aërial battles, fought during the first week of April; for, had not our aircraft been able to act their part without interruption, it is not to be supposed that the work of the artillery and infantry could have been performed with the efficiency and precision which have characterised the operations. W. P. BLOOD. INDEX TO THE TWO HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SEVENTH VOLUME OF THE QUARTERLY REVIEW. The names of authors of [Titles of Articles are printed in heavier type. ments, 495-personal papers, ib.- Army, British, military operations 2 R B. Bagdad Railway, 149, 155–157. Balfour, Rt Hon. A. J., on the mag- Bethmann-Hollweg, Herr von, on Biddulph, General Sir R., High Com- Billet, A., 'La France et l'Italie,' Birth-rate, result of voluntary re- Cahill, J. R., Agricultural Credit Canada, views on Imperial Unity, Capital, proposal to tax, 174-176. Caprivi, General von, on cutting off Chamberlain, Rt Hon. A., on the China, Some Tibetan Abbeys in, -Abbot Squint-eyes, 72-Halls of Christian Belief and Immortality, Churchill, Rt Hon. W., evidence at 'Cosmos,' articles by, 280, 282. Cowell, Prof., interest in wildflowers, Crabbe, George, allusions to wild- Crewe, Lord, on the Indian cotton Cromer, Earl of, Chairman of the Curtis, Mr, 'Problems of the Com- Curzon, Lord, on the Indian cotton Cyprus under British Rule, 401– Dardanelles Report, The, 511-the Debt, Our National, 160-result of Delane, J. T., editor of the 'Times,' Farrer, Reginald, 'Some Tibetan Fawkes, Alfred, 'The Pontificate of Fisher, Lord, position on the War Fleet, British, work of the, 463. - Fokker, inferiority to English ma- |