HILL 60 ATTACKED BY THE GERMANS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2442, 22 April 1915, Page 5

HILL 60 ATTACKED BY THE GERMANS

s r 0 i DESPERATE FIGHTING 0 j "OUR LOSSES WERE HEAVY" ■ I ! DASH UNDER TURKISH ■ BATTERIES : BRITISH SEAMEN'S GALLANT EXPLOIT ; "DELIVER THE GOODS" MR. ASQUITH'S CALL TO THE WORKERS The war news to-day indicates the progress of serious operations in West Flanders. The capture by tlio British of Hill 60, near Ypres, has been followed by a terrific onslaught by the Germans to recover this important position, which, despite our heavy "losses, is still held. The British squadron which is co-operating off the Belgian coast has bombarded the German coast positions. Elsewhere along the Western front there is nothing to report. In the Eastern theatre the Russians have countered a heavy attack on a portion of their lino in the Carpathians, and fighting is also reported on tho Bukowina-Bessarabia frontier. The return of fine weather has opened up opportunities for increased activity amongst the aircraft, and various exploits, including a. thrilling fight in the air, are reported to-day. From tho Dardanelles comes a most inspiring story of British gallantry under heavy fire. The destruction of the beached submarine Elo was necessary to prevent the vessel falling into the hands of the Turks intact, and the task was carried out under most trying circumstances by picket boats from tho warships. The Austro-Italian crisis is still in suspense, but to-day's news leaves very small doubt as to what is about to happen, and on Italy's decision, wo are told, rests that of Rumania. There has been another excursion from Bulgarian territory into Servia, and Servian troops havo been sent to deal with the affair. An essential condition of Greek intervention, it is stated, is the participation of Bulgaria on the side of the Allies. Mr. Asquith, tho British Prime Minister, has made a powerful appeal to the British workmen to "deliver the goods" of war. THE AUSTRO-ITALIAN CRISIS LAST HOURS OF GRACE ' INTERNED STEAMERS SEEK FRESH SANCTUARY (Bv Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) „ • • , „ , London, April 20. The Paris journal "Figaro" says that it is rumoured in Rome that Italy has iised to-day as the last day for a definite Austrian answer to her demands. The "Echo de Paris" states that Italy is perfecting her transport arrangements towards the front, and many fresh units are being hurried forward. J The 1891 class of reserves have been called up. SHARP LOOK : OUT FOR FOREIGNERS. , , Rome, April 20. The police in Rome are keeping a sharp look out'for foreigners. The Rev. Mr. Lowrie and a number of other Americans, who were arrested on suspicion of being German spies, were released with apologies. AUSTRO-GERMAN STEAMERS ORDERED TO DALMATIA. ■ London, April 20. Reuter's Agency states that Austro-German steamers that have been in refuge at Ancona, an Italian port on the Adriatic, have been ordered to Dalmatia (on the Adriatic), nndor an Austrian destroyer and an Italian submarine escort. GALLANT EXPLOIT IN THE DARDANELLES DESTROYING THE BEACHED SUBMARINE The High Commissioner reports:— London, April 20, 3.50 p.m. Submarine El 5, which grounded on Kephez Point on Saturday, was in danger of falling into the enemy's hands in serviceable condition, and great effoits were made by the Turks to secure het. "Attempts to destroy her by long-range fire from tho battleships failed, and during Sunday niglit two picket boats of H.M.S. Triumph were sent out. Lieu-tenant-Commander Eric Robinson commanded the expedition, assisted by Lieutenant Arthur Brooke Webb, Midshipman John Woo Hey, aud Lieutenant Claude Godwin, of H.M.S. Majestic. "The boat 6 were manned by volunteer crews, and attacked the submarine under very heavy fire, estimated at over 200 rounds, by Fort 8, which was only a-few hundred yards distant, and a -number of smaller guns at sliort range. "Notwithstanding the fire, the submarine was torpedoed and rendered useless. The Majestio's picket boat was holed aud sunk, and tho crew waß saved by the other boat. The only casualty was one man, who died of wounds. "Vice-Admiral de Robeck speaks in the highest terms of all concerned in the gallant enterprise. Lieutenant-Commander Eric Robinson lias been promoted to be Commander, by the Admiralty, and a report lias been called for on the individual services of the othor officers and men, with a view to their recognition." THE WRECKED TURKISH TORPEDO-BOAT. (Uec. April 21, 6.15 p.m.) London, April 20. Jhe Turkish torpedo-boat which wab driven ashore and wrecked off Chios after tho attack on the transport Manitou, was of a thoroughly modern, fast type. Her torpedo-tubes and maxims were made at Schoortzkopf, Berlin, in 1910. Bombs had been left on board to blow up a boarding party if that should have arrived. One of tho bombs was intended to ignite when the door of the chief cabin was opened, The deck was littered with English charts, German novels, and French picture postcards of a very Parisian type.—"Times" and Sydney "Sun" services. RUSSIANS MINE THE ENTRANCE TO THE BOSPHORUS „ , .. , , . Paris, April 20. A coirespondent at Salonika says thai, the Russians have milled the ontrance to tho Bosphorus, and that two .Turkish destroyers have boon blown up and sunk. The remainder «f the Turkish Heet aro unable lo enter owing to the fact that llieir mine-sweepers are rapidly exhausting their coal. EXPECTED ATTACK ON SMYRNA. London, April 20. The "Daily Mail's'" correspondent Salonika report? that civilians hm departed from Smyrna in »*ps':tfltion r.f t.h« AJlifed Ho**, UiHms The garrlwa remains, and preparations lev debute see being rushed fomrd.

ESSENTIAL CONDITION OP GREEK INTERVENTION London, April 20. The "Daily Chronicle's" Athens correspondent says that the Government has informed the Entente that Greece will join in tha war if the Allies can obtain Bulgaria's participation. GREEK EX-PREMIER IDOLISED AT ALEXANDRIA. . Alexandria, April 20. M. Venizelos, Greek ex-Premier, has arrived here. There was a frantic demonstration on the quay. The Sultan's brother welcomed him, and the French and British colonies presented addresses. RUMANIA WAITING FOR ITALY (Roc April 21, 6.15 p.m.) London, April 20. M. Fihpsco, ex-Minister of War in. Jiumania, states: "We are negotiating for a final agreement with Italy, and waiting for her to complete her military preparations. Italy will co-operate with the Entente.—"Times" and Sydnev "Sun" services. ANOTHER BULGAR RAID INTO SERVIA SERB TROOPS DISPATCHED TO MEET THEM. , (Rec. April 21, 11.5 p.m.) * Nlsh, April 21. Two hundred further raiders from Bulgaria hare entered Serbia. Troops have been dispatched to deal with tho raid. HEAVY FIGHTING IN WEST FLANDERS THE CAPTURE OF HILL 60 DESPERATE COUNTER-ATTACKS BY THE ENEMY t-■ , London, April 20. Sir John French's bulletin states: — 'The enemy heavily shelled our trenches near St. Eloi (south of Ypres), S ilj? a m ' n ®> injuring the parapets, which wo promptly repaired. ? enem y suffered heavily by the explosion on Hill 60, which was immediately followed by an attack winch gained us the possession of the whole of the enemy's trenches on the hill. We put the trenches in a state of defence during Saturday night, despito a heavy bombardment, which caused many casualties. 'Tho enemy resumed the bombardment towards morning, and made a determined counter-attack at 6.30. This attack was pressed home, aud stiff ba,nd-to-hand fighting ensued. Our infantry, with great gallantry and determination, and well supported by the artillery, completely drovo off tho enemy. Uur losses wero heavy, but those of the Germans were more severe, ar ,f.ni ,v frora our mac hino guns, which caught them in mass formation. Ihe enemy repeated their despera to efforts throughout Sunday to regain tile position, whioh is of great importance, and at one time gained a footing on the southern slopes. They were, however, promptly driven back. The wnole hill is in our hands, and our positions lvere consolidated by nightfall. l , ® nem .y' s attacks ceased on Monday morning, but they continued to bombard the hill. The prisoners taken by us totalled forty-nine. 'Ihe German official statement that we have boen using asphyxiating gases at lpres is false. It was doubtless made in order to justify the enemy's rroe tiso of the6o gases at Hill 60. The Hague Convention eliminates the use of asphyxiating gases. • "The improvement in the weather has resulted in increased aerial activity, to our advantage. British airmen drove off three Tanbes in the Ypres region on Sunday last, then continued their reconnaissance." GERMAN COAST STATIONS BOMBARDED INCREASED ACTIVITY ON THE YSER. „ , Amsterdam, April 20. Ihe Dutch newspaper "Telegraaf" states that British warships bombarded the German positions at Middlekerke and Ostcnd. The inundations of the Yser are subsiding, aud the fighting is now livelier. Trains of wounded are daily arriving at Bruges. The Allies' airmen are active. TRAIN-LOADS OF GERMANS ARRIfING IN BELGIUM. (Rec. April 21, 11.25 p.m.) Rotterdam, April 21. Many train loads of German troops have arrived in Belgiujn. INCENDIARY BOMBS DROPPED 07\ r REIMS. (Rec. April 21, 9.35 p.m.) , . Paris, April 21. Official. — Fifty incendiary sholls were dropped on Reims. "The operations consist chiefly of artillery duels along the'whole front." DAILY LIST OF BRITISH CASUALTIES The High Commissioner reports:— London, April 20. Army casualties: — Killed. Wounded. Missing. Officers 19 32 — Men 84 178 22 NEWS OF THE GERMAN FLEET (Rec. April 21, 11.5 p.m.) Copenhagen, April 21. A big German fleet is guarding the sea north-eastward of Koppartstoiiame lighthouse, Gottland, in the Baltic. THE CAMPAIGN IN THE CARPATHIANS ATTACK AND COUNTER ATTACK FIGHTING ON THE BUKOWINA FRONTIER (Rec. April 21, 11.5 p.m.) Petrograd, April 21. I Official.—"The enemy in the direction of Stryj gained a footing on a height at Arawzik. _ Wo counter-attacked, and recaptured the position, taking a number of prisoners. ""We mined a German trench on the Eastern Rozanka Range, took tho position - with the bayonet, and captured prisoners and guns." HEAVY FIGHTING ON BUKOWINA-BESSARABIA FRONTIESR London, April 20. It is reported at Bucharest that heavy fighting has begun near the frontiers of Bukowina and Bessarabia.—("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN, CAPITALS STRONGLY FORTIFIED. London, April 20. A correspondent at Bucharest says that a reliable recent arrival from Austria states that Vienna and .Budapest are strongly fortified. On the left bank of tho Danube Vienna is protected by long lines of trenches, barricades, and barbed wire. The sum of £2,800,000 has been spent on fortifications. The price of food has risen enormously. Large numbers of troops are being sent to the Carpathians.—("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Service's.) THE NEW MAP OF EUROPE REMARKABLE STATEMENT BY RUSSIAN PARTY LEADER . Rome, April 20. The newspaper "Messagero" has published an interview with l'rofessor Milukoff, Leader of tho Constitutional Democrats in tho Russian Duma. He said: "Russia is ready to fight for a vonr or two. Monthly delays Ho not disturb her patience. Russia's programme provided for liberty in the' Black Sea, and ixissession of the straits loading to it, implying that Russia proposed to occupy Constantinople. A written agreement to that effect has already been concluded between tho Allies. "An international Commission would solvo the question of tho Ottoman public dobt. Six vilayets in Armenia would become autonomous, under the suzerainty of Russia. Another groat Islainistic Empire was probable, under British rule, from Egypt to India. The latter country would be tho scat of a Caliphate. Scrvia would get Bosnia. Herzegovina, and the Dalmatian roast, whilo the old Rumanian territory would bo added to Rumania, ,and Galicia would be a part of Poland, which would lie autonomous. "The Duma would quickly consider the questions of religious liberty. free snee.ch, and ths self-government of Poland. Russia would grant equal rights to Jews. "Bulgaria had been offsred part of Macedonia. but the Buharians had or.kvl H ful.v jnjivsjl lli<- Allien would luvj Tvcuttj, lriests, aud i'ola, aud a share ui Asia Minor."