PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2599, 22 October 1915, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

The success of the Bulgarians in cutting the Serbian main line of communication—the railway from Belgrade to Salonikar-is a very serious development in the Balkan campaign, and one that must bo expected to determine speedily whether the Allied army landed at Salonika is strong enough to render really effective aid to the Serbians. It is now established that the Bulgarians are in possession of a short length of the Salonika railway at Vrania, fifty miles, south of Nish. It is stated that they suffered a loss of 10,000 killed in their attack on Vrania, but unless the Serbs and their Allies contrive to recover the lino before the enemy is able to develop his success, the outlay.in Bulgarian lives may yield a very profitable return. Vrania is only about 18 miles west of the Bulgarian frontier, and the railway _ across which a wedge has been driven • runs, in this region, through the eastern fringe of Serbia, but it is not less vitally important on that account. The Salonika railway is not the only avenue of communication between Northern and Southern Serbia, but it is - by far the best and most convenient avenue, and it is the only continuous line- of railway. As yet the Bulgars apparently have not been able to develop their success to any great extent, and they are being successfully attacked in Southern Macedonia, a little way north of the Greek frontier.

North, towards the Danube, the Serbs are still holding out gallantly. News of German origin attests the fact that in this campaign the Aits-tro-Germans are fighting not an army only, but a nation in arms. Women, girls, and boys have taken their place in the Serbian ranks, and it is evident thatthe whole nation is aroused to a pitch of desperate and valorous resistance to the invaders for which a parallel must bo sought in ancient rather than in modern warfare. Fighting in this spirit the Serbs are reported to have in some places routed and rolled back the invaders.

It must, nevertheless, be recognised that the capture of Yrania by the Bulgarians represents a serious menace to the Serbian position. Unless' they are dislodged from the railway, a period will be set to the valiant resistance of the Serbs in the northern part of their country, and if that resistance is broken the A'ustroGermans will be in free communication with Bulgaria, and through Bulgaria with Turkey. So far as this phase of the campaign is concorned the only remaining hope is that the Serbs and their allies may be able to deliver such a counterstroke as will neutralise the Bulgarian success at Vrania. ° * •* * » An Athens message just received declares that the counter-stroke has been delivered, that tho Bulgarians have been thrown out of Vrania, and railway communications restored. This good news is not ofiicial, and must await- confirmation, but there is uo particular reason to doubt its U'lltn- 'i'wo disi4iHil. masses fcUte , that 30)000 Allied trucks have re&ojj-

ccl Nisli, and it is reported from Bucharest that other Allied contingents arc moving still further north to assist the Serbians on the north-eastern fronts, where they arc being subjected to joint Austro-Gor-man and Bulgarian pressure. I£ these reports are true, the Allies may yet get the Balkan campaign well in hand before it is too late. Substantial' aid to the Serbs in the critical north-eastern area, wherc-the Aus-tro-Germans and Bulgarians are striving desperately hard, and as yob unsuccessfully, to join hands, would imply that a very considerable Anglo-French force has already been sent into Serbia, for in addition to the troops being sent north, others are engaged with the Bulgarians in Southern Macedonia. # tf # *

Though the presence of a powerful Entente army in the Balkans would bo likely to have more effect than any other argument in inducing Greece to carry out her -treaty obligations to Serbia, it is not impossible that the offer of the Island of Cyprus may serve to sway tho balance against King Constantine and the pro-German faction. Britain has offered to transfer Cyprus to Greece immediately on condition that she enters the war, and unless the events of the Balkans campaign take a more unfavourable turn than at the moment they seem likely to do, the offer may have the effect of assisting to drive the pro-Germans who at present control Greek policy into a corner. .

* * * » That the idea of gaining Cyprus will appeal strongly to the Greek Nationalists goes without saying, if only for tho rea-son that of tie island population of about 250,000 souls tho great majority, nearly 80 per cent., are Greeks. Cyprus has been the home of a numerous Greek population since the days when Athens was at the zenith of its glory. _ Apart from its traditional associations, Cyprus is valuable territory, rich in minerals, and with a considerable agriculture. . The island has an area of some 3600 square miles. It came into British possession by annexation from Turkey when that country made war on the Entente., but Great Britain had previously exercised a protectorate.

The Greek mobilisation, still maintained, has necessarily involved very great expense and considerable disorganisation of the country's orclin-. ary business. Provided always that tho Serbs and their Allies are able meantime to hold the Austro-Ger-mans and Bulgarians definitely in check, the Greek Government can hardly respond otherwise to the plain demand of tho Entente for an open declaration of policy than by either ordering a demobilisation or declaring war on Bulgaria. Adoption of the first-named alternative would not improbably result, now that Cyprus has been thrown into the scale, in the fall of the Government and the return to power of M. Venizelos at tho .head of a Government pledged to intervention.

Though the Balkan situation has monopolised attention of very, important events arc in train in" other theatres. The costly and almost invariably unsuccessful coun-ter-attacks by which the Germans in the Western theatre have replied to the recent Allied offensive have culminated in a, tremendous assault on the Allied front east of Reims, which up to the present has completely and disastrously failed. Available reports of the battle indicate that the enemy attempted and failed in an enterprise on nearly as greats a scale as the Allied offensive in the Champagne district, which attained so large a measure of success. , The German assault was delivered on' a six-mile front, extending from one _of the outermost Reims forts to within a few miles of the area in.which the Allies have lately penetrated for two miles and more into the enemy's fortified line.. Poison gas was used by the Germans to supplement the effects of a prolonged bombardment, and they contrived to gain a temporary foothold at some points in the Frenoh front line, but ware ultimately everywhere dislodged. They have thus absolutely nothing to show for the losses sustained in their fruitless attacks.

Equally satisfactory arc given 'of the position on the British front south of La Bassec, which is another storm-centre in the Western campaign. There, as in the Champagne district, the Germans have lost heavily ill attacks which have brought them very little gain. The futility of the German elforts is the more striking, in view of the fact that they have been heavily reinforcing their Western line for some time past. On this point definite evidence is supplied by Sir John French in the statement that since September 28 the enemy has been reinforced by 48 battalions on the front south of La Bassee. Encouraging in its immediate import, the current news of developments in the Western theatre has an important bearing upon events in the Balkans since it indicates that the Germans are likely to find extreme difficulty iu providing the force necessary to a vigorous prosecution of the campaign in that area.

A successful test of a machine-gun I fitted lip at tho Government Workshops, Petone, was made yesterday afternoon, at the rear of tho premises. Tho weapon is Said to be well up to military requirements. It is stated that the discs, which were imported, were so accurately fitted that the uso of a file was not found necessary. On Wednesday evening, for the first time, tho lamp in the Karori Roek lighthouse was lit. It is over two years sjneo the construction of tho lighthouse was commenced. The light is an umvalched ncetono acetylene flash light of 2790 candlo power, is situated at a height of floft. abovo tho sea, and lis visible at a distance of fourteen miles. The initial test is stated to havo been quite satisfactory. The newly-formed Laundry Workers' Union, which secured registration on October 5, held a well-attended meeting last- evening. The principal business dealt with was tho matter of i claims for the new award which will' shortly bo sent on to employers in tho laundry business in the Wellington and suburban area.

At a meeting of the Pet olio District High School Committee hold last evening tho following resolution was carried:—"That the Hon. tho Minister of Education's attention bo drawn to tlie fact that Mi amendment was required to tho Education Act, by way of accepting from persons applying for Government positions the certificates of education that are issued under authority by tho Boards of Education of Great Britain and Ireland." Upwards of £70 has been colleoted for tho Hutt Valley Labour Day Carnival. Proposals for a new award have been fded by the Wellington United Storemen and Packers' Union. It is asked that tho working week shall consist of 44 hours, instead of 48 as at prosent. Tho present minimum wago is £2 10s., and the union asks that this be increased to tho following rates: Head storeman or packer, on only storeman or packer, £3 10s.; storenion and packers, £3 55.; junior storemen, from £1 at 17 years'of ago to £2 15s. at 21; casual hands, Is. 6d. per hour. Tho usual public holidays are asked for, also ono holiday of two weeks on full pay on completion, of each year of service. Other clauses in the demands relate to meal hours, notice to overtime, engagement at tho union office, and a new form of preference. The dispute will bo heard by the Conciliation Commissioner oil November 2.

A free telephone for motorists lias been installed in Mr. Davidson's house at the bottom of the Eimutaka Hill, on the Featlierston side, by the Wairarapa Automobile Association. The telephone is connected to tlie Featlierston Exchange between the hours of 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. After ten p.m. it is connected to Mr. H. H. Stewart's Garago, Featlierston. A proclamation requiring all males between 17 and 60 years of age to register is published in the Gazette for the week. The proclamation comes into operation on October-26. and the time allowed within which the 'requisite information must be furnished to the Government Statisician is 14 days. The price of butter in Dunedin has been advanced id. per lb., and is now being retailed at 16. ss&. per lb. Shareholders in the Bank of New Zealand are reminded that a special general meeting will be held at the banking house at 11 o'clock to-day to consider proposals for amending the deed of settlement. At next week's meeting of the Wellington Harbour Board Jlr. Cohen will move: "That if the goods, materials, and sundries used in the general operations of the hoard have materially increased in cost, then tlio whole of the charges for wharfages, etc., on goods . alld charges on ships bo recast to meet such extra increases." The Hon. John Barr, speaking at the meeting of the Christchurch Tramway Board, said it was rumoured that the board had recently passed a resolution to dismiss all single men medically fit from the board's employ. The rumour seemed to be fairly widespread. The chairman of the board (Mr. J. A. Fleslier) said tho rumour was quite wrong. What the board had done was to strike off the list of applications for employment the names of single men.

At yesterday's meeting of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, Mr. C. M. Luke said that a statement had been made in public that charitable aid expenditure was greatly increased, and that sufficient care was not taken in inquiring into the cases. That was not so, and he thought the public should know that particular care was taken to get information in each case. Mr. J. Smith and other members expressed similar views. A conference of the cloTgy of the Roman Catholic Deanery of Wellington was held in Masterton on Wednesday, when various matters affecting the diocese were discussed. Sixteen delegates were present, most- of whom came from Wellington., No fewer than thirty-two recruits were registered at the Masterton Recruit ing Office on Wednesday. Tho Camp Commandant has advised the secretary of the Wairarapa War Relief Committee that it is impossible for Sergeants T. Y. Seddon and Downie Stewart to come to Masterton to address a recruiting meeting.

In a letter to Monsignor M'Kenna, V.G., of Masterton, Chaplain M'Menarrn'n, of tho Welline:toii Infantrv Battalion, who is 011 active service at Gallipoli, savs: "I can say that no troops. British or Indian, have excelled our own boys for bravery and determination. M.v predominant feeling in this terrible time is one of immense pride in our New Zealand soldiers. How they did fi"lit I Though at times tliev seemed in danger of being wiped_ rielit out, thev never broke for an instant. I wi'sli I could say the saino for the others engaged here."

A man was arrested by Detective-Ser-geant Cox and Detective Carno.v yesterday on three charges of theft. The case will bo called in the Magistrate's Court this raorniiiK. A Gazette Extraordinary issued last evening publishes for the general information a list of artioles which are regarded as contraband of war, and those regarded as conditional contraband. Commissioner Hodder, of tho Salvation Army, has been giving special consideration during the last few days to extensions and developments of tho social work. Meanwhile the needs of tho existing work are not being ncgleoted. Some of tho appointments recently made include lieutenant Umbers, who goes from tho Training College to the Maternity Hospital at Auckland, and Cadet Lieutenant Sutton, also from the .Training College, goes to the Maternity Hospital at Christ-church. In connection with self-denial, the cadets liavo done some excellent work both in the back-blocks ,and in tho cities.

It was reported to the Hospital and' Charitable Aid Board yesterday that during the month ended October 12 the health inspectors had investigated 02 eases of infectious diseases, made 164 disinfections, 84 sanitary inspections, and paid 81 re-visits iii connection with the above. T'no infectious diseases were as under, the 1914 figures )>cing in parenthesis Scarlet fever, 07 (22); diphtheria, 22 (8); enteric fever, 2, (2); tuberculosis, — (—); blood-pois-oning, 1 (2): total, 92 (34). Aeroplane Engines—The most 'perfect miule —Imvc shown tho world to obtain the greatest possible powor from an engine it is neccssary to use overhead valves, similar to thoso used on the famoils Chevrolet cars. You will readily understand tho reason for this if you communicale with the Dominion Motor Vehicle, Ltd,i 65 Courtenav Place, who will bn pleased to exuluw fully this fcaturo,<A<m» '

Tho official opening of the Wellington Municipal golf links oil tho Town Dolt at Bcrhampore will bo performed by His Worship tho Mayor on October 30. A Bluff correspondent states that Mr. Adam Adamson, of Mason's Bay, on tho wost coast of Stewart Island, returned to Bluff recently for the first time for twelve months, and brought over 2030 ii. of ambergris, which ho had picked up oil the beacli. Tho value is nn unknown quantity at present, as there has been no demand since tho war. Ambergris is principally used in the manufacture of scents and champagne, and the bottom has dropped out of both of thoso markets. Beforo t'ho war Mr. Adamson was recoiving £2 16s. per ounce, but the market has at times rim up to about £8 per ounce, according to the supply.

For tho last six months Duncdin butchers havo found it exceedingly difficult' to procuro enough meat of the required quality to supply their s!;ops, and tho trouble is now moro acute than ever. There is not enough stock coming to tho yards, and prices for live animals were never before at such a high level. One butcher said: "When I was in tho Old Country we had to pay high prices for our stock, up to £2-i and £25 for cattle, sheep being correspondingly high, but. we got Is. per lb. for lc-"s of mutton and Is. 6d. for rump steak. The people here are not accustomed to such prices. Rump steak, for instance, is at 9d.i yet this week we had to pay up to £24 odd for bullocks, and you could not open your mouths at the yards at anything les6 than £2 for sheep, and some of them small at that."

From October 6 to October 20 the total receipts at the Wellington Zoo amounted to £19 195., as against £22 7s. 3d. for tho same period last year. The Hospital and Charitable Aid .Board yesterday authorised tho matron to expend £80 for the purchase of toys and presents for the inmates of tho Hospital and its institutions at Christmas. With tho establishment of a camp at May Morn, the Salvation- Army have erected a marquee, which is being conducted on the same lines as their other institutes. Chaplain-Captain Walls, of the Salvation Army National Headquarters, Cuba Street, is in charge. At the first official parade, conducted by the captain, 1800 men were' present, and a very successful meeting resulted. The work at Tauherinikau continues apace; a permanent institute is in course of erection.

Interesting—and in many oases amusing—little items of news keep sifting through from the nurses abroad. One, writing to her mother iu Christchurch, describes how the natives polish the floor in the Cairo Hospital, where she is nursing. One sits on a mat, and another pulls him backwards and forwards until the floor is polished to mirror-like brightness! How the corners —bugbears of every housekeeper—are properly done is not stated. The water-races are cleaned out in the same manner. While the "polisher" is being dragged back and forth, by the way, the one who does the dragging keeps up a weird dirge-like chant, and the vigour put into the one performance is always reflected in the other as well. The harder they chant the bettor they work.

In a letter to a Kaiapoi resident, the Hon. James A. Lowther, Speaker of the House of Commons, says nis second son, Lieutenant A. J. B. Lowther, of the 3rd Battalion, Sufl'olks, attached to the Royal Fusiliers, who was shot in the skull at Ypres, is now able to walk, and has also recovered his sight, which he had temporarily lost. It is expected ho may quite recover in a year. The Speaker's eldost son, who is in the Cumberland and Westmoreland yeomanry, is at the front with the 20th Division. Mr. Lowther gives an account of.a Zeppelin raid, near Wickliam Market, Suffolk, and states fhat vlie Zeppelin passed quito closo to the house in which lie was residing. He adds that the New Zealanders lave done extraordinarily well, and ! we are iil pleased witli their skill and bravery." There -will bo a large supply of flat and other varieties of fish on sale at the Municipal Market this morning.