ZEPPELIN RAID ON ENGLAND.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2437, 16 April 1915, Page 5

ZEPPELIN RAID ON ENGLAND.

EAST COAST TOWNS BOMBARDED NARROW ESCAPE OF CROWDED TRAIN ■ ANGRY TURKS • \ BITTER FEELING TOWARDS GERMANY \ TALK OF .A SEPARATE PEACE There has been another Zeppelin raid on the English East Coast, apparently by a single dirigible. The raid provided a. forty-minute sensation for the towns and ' villages in 'the mid-Tyne district, but aohieved nothing beyond some damage by the incendiary bombs, and apparently trifling injuries to. life and limb here and there. A Zeppelin has also raided the region round the French fortress of Nancy. To-day's news covers a long dispatch from Sir John Frenoh, detailing the British operations at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle, where, we are now told,' the victory was robbed of its fullest value by 'the failure of certain troops to carry out Sir Douglas Haig's clear instructions. Thus it was that the British'were unable to follow up to the desired end their initial victory in the' village itself. A British officer, who has made a tour of the French lines in the Woevre and Yosges regions, gives an encouraging account of what he has seen. The Russian advance in'the Carpathians is maintained, and several attempts by the Austro-German troops to assume the offensive have been frustrated. Italy is watching with deep cdncein the concentration of.German reinforcements in the Carpathians, ind .report states that she will probably declare war on May 12. ' ZEPPELIN RAID ON ENGLISH COAST SEVERAL BOMBS DROPPED • A FORTY MINUTES' SENSATION London, April 14. A Zeppelin dropped several bombs on /the «utskirts of Blyth, a seaport town in Northumberland (population 30,000). ; The Zeppelin passed over. Wallsend,' Beaton, and Cramlington, dropping bombs at each place. . A FEW HOUSES DESTROYED. . i r (Rec.,April 15, 8.15 p.m.) / *, , ' , . ■ ± , . , . London, April 15. The. night was dark, and there was no wind. The Zeppelin destroyed a, few houses, and some of the inmates were wounded, while at Wallsend the bombs narrowly missed a train full of passengers. LATEST NEWS OF THE RAID SUDDEN DARKNESS CONFUSES THE AIRMEN (Rec. April 15, 10.25 p.m.) The Zeppelin by eight o'clock had traversed a large MidTyne. All lights on tho north, coast were immediately extinguished,, including those at Hull. The electricity was cut off at Newcastle, the tramcars were at a standstill and the railway stations were closed until eleven. \ 1 The Zeppelin travelled up tho Tyne. but the extinction of the lights confused the airmen. _ , There was apparently no loss of life, though twenty bombs were counted. A haystack was ablaze at Choppuigtoii, and an outhouse was burnt at Seaton. ■ . _ ' t There were four fires in dwellinghouses at Wajlsend. On? bomb fell into a room where a woman was bathing a baby. The woman was slightly injured. No damage was done at Blytlie. The bombs fell on the outskirts of the town. There was no panic. Some people 'took refuge in cellars, while others came into the open to watch tho spectacle of the bursting inccndiary bombs. ■ _ The raid lasted about forty minutes. (Rec. April 16, 0.30 a.m.) London, April 15. It ; s estimated that the Zeppelin was flying at a height of two thousand feet.,- The special constabulary were not summoned, nor were the troops requisitioned. ' Anti-aircraft searchlights were playing in all directions immediately the alarm was given. No damage was done at Jardow, where the bombs fell into the river. The Zeppelin was finally seen .at the mouth-of the Tyne, heading for Germany. ' ZEPPELIN BOMB-DROPPERS OYER NANCY ■ INCENDIARY MISSILES CAUSE SEVERAL FIRES. Paris, April 14. A Zeppelin dropped bombs on Nancy. There were no fatalities. Incendiary bombs started several fires, and # destroyed a paint and varnish factory. A communique states:—A Zeppelin dropped bombs on Bailleul. They missed the aviation ground, but killed three civilians. Two German aeronlanes were brought down elsewhere, and tho^ aviators captured. Another wa's brought down northward of Verdun. The aviator was wounded. ENEMY RAIDER BATTERED BY GUN FIRE. Amsterdam, April 14. A Zeppelin was damaged by gunfire near Ypres and landed in Belgium in a battered condition. NINE ZEPPELINS LOST DURING THE WAR Borne, April 11. Count Zeppelin's secretary, interviewed, said that Germany possesses thirty-six dirigibles. She had lost nine during the war. This far exceeded anticipations, but types wore being constructed wilh long-range guns and machine puns. Fifteen of these would be delivered in July nexl. They would be armoured and carry two tons of explosives. They would lie capable of attaining; a high altitude. Ton dirigibles would Attack London about August, regardless of losses. Germany had discovered a new process of causing atmospheric perturbations to linns down "oronlauat.

SUCCESS AND FAILURE AT NEUVE CHAPELLE SIR JOHN FRENCH'S REPORT " WHY THE VICTORY WAS NOT FOLLOWED UF (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) London, April 14. Field-Marshal Sir John French's report regarding the battle of Nouve Chapelle reveals the fact that one of the objects of the British, was to secure positions eastward of the village as far as possible, but that owing to delay after the capture of the village, due to the cutting of tho telephones and tlio failure to carefully carry out General Sir Douglas Haig's instructions, a further advanco was frustrated. Offensive Taken to Assist Russia. "About the end of February, Sir John continues, many vital considerations induced him to believe that a vigorous British offensive should be carried out at the earliest possible moment. He had formed this opinion because of the general aspect of the Allied situation and the necessity for assisting the Russians by holding as many of the enemy on tho Western front as possiMe. Tho weightiest cousideration was the need for fostering the offeusive spirit of our troops after their experiences of tho severe winter in the trenches. "The object of the main attack was to capture Neuve Chapelle and the establishment of our line as far eastward of that place as possible. General Haig, with the Ist Army, was entrusted with the operations. The Germans occupied a strong position at the triangle of roads just north of the village. Opening of the Battle. [ "The 2nd Army, under General Smith-Dorrien, was intrusted to support | General Haig. The battle was opened at 7.30 o'clock in the morning of March 10 by a powerful bombardment, which was effective except oil the extreme northern portion of tho front. Half an hour later the 23rd 'and 25th Brigades 1 of the Bth Division assaulted the German trenches north-west of the village. The Indian Garhwal Brigade simultaneously assaulted and carried the enemy's trenches on the front, where the wire entanglements were almost, entirely swept away by our shrapnel. The 23rd Brigade was .held up, however, by in-sufficiently-cut entanglements. The artillery resumed at 8 o'clock, and the infantry advance was continued. While the 25th Brigade and the Garhwals got a footing in the village, the 23rd's were unable to make progress, owing to tho entanglements, and there were heavy losses, especially in the Middlesex Regiment and the Scottish Rifles. The advance of the 25th, however, turned the enemy's southern flank, which was harassing the' 23rd, and enabled the latter to get through and take possession of the village. All the roads north•wards and south-westwards fell into our hands. _ During the fight our artillery completely cut off the vil'age from the surrounding country, and prevented with a curtain of shrapnel any reinforcing of the enemy. Check to the Advance. ' "Considerable delay occurred after the capture of the village, the infantry being OTeatly disorganised by .the violent nature of the attack and tho passage through the enemy's trenches and the buildings in the village. It was necessary to get the units together before pushing on. The enemy's tiro cut telephonic communication, and this, with the holding up ot' the' 23rds, forced other forces out of tl eir proper'direction, and this required adjustment." In Sir John French's opinion, this delay would not have occurred had General Haig's clearly expressed order been better observed, and the difficulties would have been earlier overcome if the general commanding the fourth corps had been able to bring up his reserves more speedily. "We advanced later in the day to Richebourg - St. Vaast, and Pietre mill, and consolidated the positions gained. "On March 11 the Indians essayed a further advance, but owing to the weather conditions we were unable to direct the artillery by air reconnais-' sances, and wo withdrew the infantry. Field-Marshal's Comments. "The operations were chiefly remarkable for the enemy's violent coun-ter-attacks, and the ease with which they were repulsed. As our object had been attained, I ordered the suspension of the offensive. The casualties were: 190 officers and 2337 man killed. 359 officers and 8174 men wounded, 23 officers and 1728 men missing. The .enemy left several thousand dead on the field, and removed twelve thousand wounded. We captured thirty officers and 1657 men. "All tho v gaps causcd by the fighting between March 10 and 15 were filled within a few days." ' i Sir John French expressed to General Haig his fervent appreciation of the magnificent gallantry and tenacious courage of all ranks. The work ofthe Flymg Corps was of the greatest value in tho raids. Most of the objectives wore attacked from an altitude of a hundred feet; in one instance of only .fifty feet. "The use of the deadly rifle and machine guns renders heavy casualties unavoidable. The power of defence conferred by modern weapons is tho main cause of the long duration of present-day battles, which can only be shortened by the use of the most efficient and most powerful artillery." Sir John commends the Prince of Wales's work as a Staff officer. THE WEEK'S CAMPAIGN ON THE BRITISH FRONT London. April 14. Sir John French reports"The situation has remained unchanged throughout the week. On Friday morning we successfully exploded a mine in the vicinity of Armentierev- with the result thit the loopholed walls of a house held by the enemy were destroyed. Twenty-nine German casualties were counted. Thq enemy replied by bombarding our positions, but without inflicting "Early on Wednesday tbe Germans exploded two mines on our tight, but failed to damage our trenches. Similarly harmless exp'osions occurred on our left on Friday evening : ' HIGH COMMISSIONER'S REPORT The High Commissioner reports:— London) April 14, 4.10 p.m. Army casualties: , , r • Killed. Wounded. Missing Men 149 925 8 Officers 3 -4 . ' "France is calm genially. On Tuesday a Zeppelin dropped bomhs' at Bailleul (north-west of Lille,, and killed three civilians. Two German aeroplanes wore forced to descend at Braine-Luneville, and the aviators were made prisoners. A third machine was winged at Ornes." A WEEK'S CASUALTIES. Press Association. London, April 14. A week's casualties, covering Neuve Chapelle and Saint Eloi, totalled 2638 killed and 5488 woinded or missing. THE BATTLE-FRONT IN THE VOSGES AND THE WOEVRE REMARKABLE ASCENDANCY OF FRENCH ARTILLERY. ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) London, April 14. A British officer with the French troops toured in the region of Thann and St. Miliiel. He states that in tho Southern Vosges the hostile trenches are close to the fighting line, which frow Flanders to the summits of the range extends for a distance of six hundred thousand metres (375 miles). The slopes are very steep, the valleys very deep, and the whole is cotered with pine forests. On the -Gorman side of the frontier tho main roads arc splendid military highways, built by tho Germans with a- view to tho transport of the heaviest guns. , ■ The villages are too far from the fighting line to allow billeting, and encampments have been constructed in the woods. Whero the roads were exposed to the view of the enemy the French planted trees and branches as a screen, and tho heaviest guns were dragged up tho mountains and cunningly established. 'Die French can now shell the railways, factories, and the cantonments used bv the Germans in the valley. "The troops are full of confidence; thoy know they have got the upper hand. The snows have disappeared, except on the highest peaks. The hardships of winter are past, and it is safe to predict that tho Germans -will never again obtain the ascendancy they lost when the conditions were entirely in their favour. , ' "In Gerbeviller only five hundred remain out of the original, two thousand inhabitants. Men. women, and children were massacred in cold blood, and everv house was burnt when the Germans were forced to retreat. Luneville suffered little damage, probably because it harboured so many German 6 "in the sector of Nomeny, Pont-a-Mousson, and -St. Miliiel, the French artillery has obtained a rfmarkable superiority. The German trenches canbe clearly seen, twelve hundred yards below,_ but there is ho sign of life anywhere, because tlio French artillery has'forbidden all movement- by day. The Germans' salient at St. Jfihiel is ono of the most remarkable features of the whole front. Their position is very strong, _ their artillery being ' specially favoured by the wooded heights on either side of the river." IF RUSSIA SWEEPS INTO HUNGARY ALARM IN AUSTRIAN CAPITAL HEAVY CONCENTRATION OF GERMAN TROOPS Rome, April M. - The German concentration to help the' Austrians in the Carpathians is being ivatched with deep concern. II Russia sweeps into Hungary it is expected lliht Austria will sue for peace. Advices froui Vienna slate that the city is alarmed. News is leaking out respecting the army's plight. The wealthy classos have alread.' left. "The general impression is that the Austrian Government has lost its head, and doas not know what moum's* to adoot U movent or delay. lhu disa&'tett

DISPOSITION OF THE AUSTRO-GERMAN ARMIES. Petrograd, April 14. It is estimated that the Austrians and Germans have 1,260,000 troops in the Carpathians. General Weirsch (German) commands the front between Cracow and Tarnow, Prince Eugene the line between the Duratz River and Bartfeld, General Boierovitch is opposito Mezolaborcz, General Bermermoli is in the valley ol' tlie Ung, General Fintzinger in the Baskid Pass, and General J'flanzer on the extreme right. ITALY'S DECLARATION OF WAR RUMOURED DECISION ON MAY 12 Paris, April 14. It is believed hero that Italy will declare war upon Austria prior to the meeting of the Italian Parliament on May 12. One journal states that .Austrians refused the Italian demands on the ground that they could not have been asked more even after a victorious war. . Rome, April 14. The Italian war party urges prompt intervention in order to secure the material advantages held by a winning combination. POPE'S PEACE INTERVIEW DOUBTED t WRITTEN BY A GERMAN-AMERICAN. (Rec. April 15, 10.10 p.m.) mi im r, ~ „ Rome, April 15. rhe newspaper U Corriere Delia Sera" states that the Vatican has been overwhelmed with telegraphic inquiries and , protests from Roman Catholic clergr and laity in the. United States, Britain, and France. Probably the Pope will disavow the interview. ' , lii its forthcoming issue, the "Osservatore says that the interview nas written by Mr. Karl von AViegand. a German-American, who had previously supplied the "New York World" with interviews. ,^ le 'Corriere Delia Sera" doubts whether the interview occurred. The Vatican organs, in reproducing the interview, omitted- the phrase urging Presidont Wilsonto do nothing toi prolong .the war, which has been interpreted to mean that he should stop the exporting of munitions to the Allies. . message from London, dated April 12, stated that the newspapers in Britain and America had_ given prominence to an interview with the Pope, published in the "New York World," in which His Holiness asked America to work unceasingly for peace, avoiding everything that might prolong the struggle. The entire world is looking to America to take the initiative toward peace when the favourable moment comes, and the Holy See will support her efforts. ] EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES BY GREEK GOVERNMENT EX-PREMIER VIRTUALLY A PRISONER. rm. n l , . , Brlndlai, Aoril 14. the new Government at Athens has f&ken extraordinary measures to check popular expressions of feeling in favour of M. Venizelos, the ex-Premier. The street where he lives has been closed and is guarded by soldiers with fixed bayonets. Members of Parliament are not allowed to call on him. Men are bemg brought from the provinces to clieor the now Government and terrorise thosn favouring M Venizelos. There have been mauy arrests of those disapproving of the Government ANGRY SCENE AT TURKISH COUNCIL OF WAR VON DER GOLTZ'S RETURN ■ TURKEY MUST FIGHT ALONE (Rec. April 15, 8.15 p.m.) ~ A telegram received by the Paris "Temps" from Constantinople"' states ™ fi v - al - ld Council of War, Field-Marshal von der Goltz reported the results of/his visit to Berlin. He promised Turkey a' big advance from Germany's war loan of £360,000,000, but regretted that he kd £ unable to persuade the German Government to send Ln Austro-Germnn nrmv to invade Servja and create from the Dardanelles. Germany and SR is Ax," ■'*" * " " ,s ,b *° lu "" A violent discussion followed. Enver Bey (Turkish War Minister") bitterlv lea " Ug Allies aloneTLn^ General von Sanders, lie ad&d: "If GermLy i k such a state tboi it high time that Turkey concluded a separate peace!?' ' 13 HIGH COMMISSIONER'S REPOBT. / The High Commissioner nt ' on, r '' P-m----"Fighting continues in the region of the Uszok Pass. On Tuesdav nieht the Russians progressed slightly and repelled repeated counter-attacks on ?ho heights of the Valossate-Bukowec, capturing a thousand prisoners The enemy s attempts to assume the offensive south of Koziowa, in BukoXfailci" 16 ' ' aud b tte resion of Czernorich have