SHATTERING BLOW IN THE WEST

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2600, 23 October 1915, Page 5

SHATTERING BLOW IN THE WEST

HEAVY GERMAN ATTACK REPULSED ' WITHERING ASTILLERY STORM RUSSIAN COUP BIG HAUL OF PRISONERS AND MATERIAL •SERBS DEFEAT THE . AUSTRIANS ' 1 ' ALLIES PRESSING THE BULGARIANS

Several pleasing features serve to brighten the war news to-day. A lieavy German attack in tlie West, in tlio Champagne region, lias been repulsed by a terrific hurricane from the French artillery, a shattering blow as great in its effective results as a successful offensive attack. In the Eastern theatre, the Russians, by a brilliant coup, have scored heavily against the Germans, as witness the large captures of prisoners and material. A few lines from the Italian theatre have broken rather a prolonged silence in that quarter; the Italians have opened up a general offensive. In tho Balkans the new campaign in Serbia is developing rapidly. The Austrians havo sustained a defeat at the hands of the Serbians, while the Bulgar advance has been severely contested by the Allied troops. While the Bulgarians are pushing an offensive against the Vardai lino in the region of Kuprili, the French are making a oounter-move to cut the Bulgarian line of r&treat. Tlio military situation is intqrestingly reviewed by Colonel Repington, and the Russian newspaper "Retoli." The odds against the Serbs are lieavy, but the situation, though serious, is not desperate. A Turkish attack on. the Allies' lines at Suvla Bay and Krithia, in the Gallipoli theatre, !has been repulsed with severe loss to the enemy.

CRUSHING REVERSE TO THE GERMANS

ATTACK IN CHAMPAGNE SHATTERED TERRIFIC HURRICANE BY FRENCH ARTILLERY The High Commissioner reports;— London, October 21, 4.55 p.m. "Following upon yesterday's bom-bardment east of Reims, on a front of from eight to nine kilometres, extending between the Butte de Tire and Prunay, the Germans renewed the attack which failed so miserably, the previous day. "Despite the violence of preparatory artillery fire and the still increasing density of clouds of asphyxiating gas, the enemy sustained a fresh repulse. On three occasions the assailants attempted to penetrate our positions. Decimated by the fire of our machine-guns and the hurricane fire of our artillery, the enemy were finally stopped before our wire entanglements, unable to gain a footing at any point on our first line of trenches. "In the course of tho night we also repulsed a German attack on the Bois Givenchy. "In Lorraine a surprise attack by the enemy on our listening stations failed completely." KAISER VISITS OSTEND. (Rec. Octobor 23, 0.35 a.m.) Amsterdam, October 22. The Kaiser visited Ostend last week with his son, Prince Eitel, and General Falkenhayn (the German Chief of Staff), and later returned to his headquarters in Luxembourg. Special measures wero taken against possible aeroplane attacks, and the Kaiser's visits, shrouded in the deepest secrecy, were not expected. even by. the highest officers. * j

SERBIAN DEFEAT OP THE AUSTRIA®

TERRIBLE LOSSES INFLICTED BULGARIAN BATTALIONS ANNIHILATED By Telegraph-Pross Association-CopyrJslit m. o . • i. ~ , j Paris, Octob'cr 21. • The Serbians counter-attacked and defeated the Austrians south-west of Belgrade, inflicting terrible losses and capturing many prisoners and ma-chine-guns. Advices from Salonika deny the occupation of Strumnitza. GERMAN TRIBUTE TO SERBIAN RESISTANCE. (Rec. October 22, 8.15 p.m.) mv , r ■ , . v- ~ ~ „ , , London, October 21. The Munich "heuste Nachrichten" observes that tho Serbians are offering a most determined resistance. Position attor position in the Morava Vallov has only been gained after the fiercest figlifoy their rearguards. It must bo admitted that the Serbians are magnificent soldiers, despite their roiHi an poarance. Their armament is irrcproachablo, and their numerous "sharpshooters, concealed m the rugged mountains, have caused us considerable losses. Their artilbry is not particularly good, despite the guns which were given them by the English. Unlike the Russians, the Serbians do not burn or destroy everything. We obtain Urgo supplies of grain and cattle, liio weather continues wretched, and the roads miserable, greatly imt>edin« our progress." "

GREAT BATTLE NORTH OF VRANIA THE WAR ON THE BULGARIANS. . , L London, October 21. A delayed JNish commumquo admits that tho Bulgarians, after nry fighting on the Vlasiua on Sunday, cut tho railway northward of Vrania. Later advices aro that a. great battle is proceeding, and has not reached ii decision. French troops aro rapidly advancing from Ghevgheli towards Vrania. at i ~ ™ i Paris, October 21. flews iias reached Pans that the French first encountered the Bulgarians at Valandovo. The Bulgarians bombarded vigorously, and tho i'rcnch energetically resisted. 'I'he French and Servians tiieu took the offensive annihilating several Bulgarian battalions. The Bulgarians did not occupy Vrania, but hold the railway northward of Vraaia. A great battle coiitiiiuos.

FRENCH ATTACK BULGAR LINE OF RETREAT (Rec. October 22, 11.35 p.m.) London, October 21. The "Daily Mail's" correspondent at Salonika reports: After tho occupation of Ishtip, the Bulgarians advanced on Kuprili. Serbian reinforcements then arrived, and wo repulsed the Bulgarians with enormous losses. Tho French have crosscd tho Vardar at Krivolak with the object of cutting off the Bulgarian lino of' retreat. Bulgarian attacks on Kumanovo wero repulsed. Tlio Comitadjis (irregulars) and cavalry, who cut the railwav near Vrania have been exterminated. [Krivolak is south of Ishtip.] BULGARIAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. Athens, October 21. 'A Bulgarian communique claims the seizure of tho important stralegical position of Sultan Tepeh, on the Strata in front, with tho capture o£ 2000 Serbians, twelve guns, and ammunition wagons; also the capture of Pantzingrad Hill, southward of the Vlasina. The Bulgarian cavalry put 180 Serbians to the sword, and took fifty prisoners. FURIOUS OUTBURST IN BULGARIAN PRESS. (Rec. October 22, 8.15 p.m.) London, October 21. The newspapers in Sofia furiously comment on tho Salonika lauding. They state that they will not tolerate this concentration of troops, and if Greece is powerless to turn out the Anglo-French troops she must call in the services of Bulgaria, who will undertake the operations. ITALIAN MOVE TO ASSIST THE SERBIANS GENERAL ADVANCE AGAINST THE AUSTRIANS. / (Rec. October 23, 0.50 a.m.) Rome, October 22. With a view to assisting Serbia, General Cadorna has ordered a general advance in the Tyrol, which has already resulted in the taking of Pragasina, tho menacing of Riva, the capture of Brentonico, and the threatening of Roverto., It is estimated that 800,000 Austrians are on tho Italian front. AUSTRIAN OFFICIAL VERSION. (Rec. October 23, 0.50 a.m.) Vienna, October 22. An Austrian official communique states:—Battles on a great scalo are proceeding along the whole of the north-western front. Numerous heavy Italian attacks in the Tyrol failed. THE MILITARY SITUATION REVIEWED 'SERBIANS' POSITION SERIOUS, BUT NOT DESPERATE. (Rec. October 22, 5.5 p.m.) London, October 21. Colonel llepington, the "Times" military correspondent, says.—"There is no doubt that the Serbian army is opposed by superior forces of Austro-Ger-mans, who probably number sixteen divisions; tho Bulgarians have sixteen. Serbia has lost 150,000 in the present? war, and another 50,000 from disease, so that now she has probably 300,000 in the field. The enemy's superiority is therefore two to one, and greater if the Turks are helping. "Tlio situation is not desperate, unless tho main Serbian army is defeated' but it is serious. The Serbs aro defending under tho greatest disadvantage, and the crisis cannot long be delayed. The best course will be for the Franco-British■ troops to hold up the Bulgarian columns at Istib and Strumnitza, and take the pressure off tho Serbs. This assumes the fact that the whole of the Allied force can be delivered at Ghevgeli properly equipped for fighting in this difficult country. On these points no information is available.' 5 Tho Russian newspaper "Retch" says that two Austro-German _ armies, under Generals Kovcss and von Gallwitz, are on tho northern Serbia front. The former army is estimated at four army corps, and is operating at Belgrade and on the Save-, endeavouring to force the Save and . the Danube at tho easiest points, thus facilitating a most difficult task. The second army, which* is" of three and a half army corps, is entirely German. Probably a stronger third German army is concealed behind General von Gallwitz's. left wing,"in order to deliver a main attack ill the Morava Valley, between' the Serbians and the Allies.

"NO HALF-MEASURES IN MACEDONIA." (Rec. October 22, 11.35 p.m.) \ London, October 22. The "Manchester Guardian" demands no half-measures in Macedonia. At least a quarter-'of a. million men are wanted within a fortnight. "Thus we will both save Serbia and retain our hold on Gallipoli." THE SHUFFLING OF THE GREEK REPORTED ASSURANCE AS TO HIS INTENTIONS. Rome, October 21. It is stated in diplomatic circles that Greece is willing to give formal assurances that she will not sido with tho Austro-Germans in any event. London, October 21. The "Daily Chronicle" says that Greeco's attitude becomes more obscure every day. Her inaction suggests that she is waiting to see ivhieh sido wins, and then will join the winner. But Greece is not an unpledged neutral, and the Serbians and Allies have the righiy to resist her breaking the Serbo-Greek treaty. Tho offer of Cyprus is a splendid one. If tho Greek nation allows M. Zaimis to reject it tho world will havo to revise its views with regard to the seriousness of Hellenic aspirations.

SENSATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS IMMINENT. (Rec. Octobar 22, 8.15 p.m.) London, October 21. The leading Greeks in London highly approve.of the proposed cession of Cyprus. They point out that the revenue shows a surplus of £50,000 annually. Cyprus gave fifteen thousand volunteers for the last Balkan War, and could have raised sixty thousand. Tho Athens newspapers, commenting on the Cyprus offer, are unanimously of the opinion that the hour has come for Greece to make her decision. .Telegrams from Athens show thai, tho feeling throughout Greece is undergoing a rapid change, and sensational developments may happen at any moment. The Government is beginning to perceive that an international atmosphere is being formed, which is fast becoming insupportable. . The restlessness of the Vcnizelists and tho army's hatrea of Bulgaria, due to Bulgar atrocities, is increasing the tension. There is feverish activity at the Greek Ministry of War. The army is insisting that contact with Serbia must be maintained at all cost. The arrival of the first of the French and British wounded at Salonika is causing a deep impression amongst the excitable Greeks. ITALY PREFERS COMPULSION TO CONCESSIONS. (Rec. Ootober 22, 8.15 p.m.) London, October 21. An Itlian doctor, writing from Rome, says that the Anglo-French generosity towards Greece is causing heartsearchings in Italy. Tho newspaper •'Reanazione" demands that Greece should no longer be cajoled, but constrained. Greece, is in the hands of the Quadruple Alliance," it points out, "and if Italy's thorough and whole-hearted co-operation is desired, vigorous and methodical action must be taken against Greece."

THE ENTENTE POWERS' LAST WORD FINAL EFFORT TO INDUCE GREECE TO HEAR REASON. (Rec. October 23, 0.35 a.m.) Athens, October 22. • The Entente Ministers have had frequent interviews with M. Zaimis in a final effort to convince him that Greece necessarily should assist Serbia, in return for Bulgaria's exclusion from the Aegean. FURTHER TERRITORIAL CONCESSIONS. (Rec. October 23, 0.35 a.m.) ... • London, October 22. In addition to the cession of the British island of Cyprus, the Allies have offered Greece an extension of territory on tho Aegean Coast, and Greek colonies in Asia Minor. These represent the. Entente's last word. The Greek Government has also been assured of military and adequate financial support. THE TRAIL OF THE HUN SWORD MURDER AND OUTRAGE IN BELGRADE. . Bucharest, October 21. The Serbian Minister has protested to the American Minister against the German excesses at B.elgrado, whore the male population was exterminated, while women were subjected to tho most frightful violence,

BULGAR GHOULS AT WORK. Paris, October 21. 'l'he "Petit Parisien's" correspondent at Athens states that the Bulgarian invaders of Serbia arc massacring civilians, burning towns and villages, and mutilating the wounded and prisoners. TURKS REPULSED ON GALLIPOLI SEVERE LOSSES INFLICTED BY THE ALLIES. (Rec. October 22, 11.35 p.m.) Athens, October 32. The Allios yo&'cnliiy repulsed Turkish attacks at Suvla, Bay and Krithia, .iaflictwc severs losses.

ALLIES SAID TO BE OUTNUMBERED.

New York, October 22. The Constantinople correspondent of the Associated Press, who has visitod the Turkish linos, estimates that there are 115,000 British troops in the Anar farta region, opposed by 130,000 Turks with 80,000 effectives in reserve. TJio lurks hold every advantage of terrain (ground). General von Sanders says: "I am too old to be an optimist, but I am confident that unless something extraordinary occurs, we will hold the Allies where they are." The Turks estimate that the Allies have lost twelve thousand in killed, and 25,000 in wounded during the assaults on Anafarta between August 20 and 27. GERMAN PRESS ON THE DARDANELLES SITUATION m n v ~vr it . , „ • London, October 21. lhe Berlin paper "Norddeutsche Zeit.ung" says:—"The Anglo-French action m tho Dardanelles, as all the world knows, is a pitiable failure. Turkish bravery leaves 110 alternative between an inglorious departure and complete destruction." The newspaper adds: "An artistic end may be arranged."

DASHING COUP ON RUSSIAN FRONT

AN IMPORTANT SUCCESS LARGE CAPTURES OF MEN AND MATERIAL By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright . . . Petrograd, October 21. A Russian official communique states: "After a dashing coup de main our troops carried Gorman positions south-eastward of Baranovitchi, capturing eighty-five German and Austrian officers, 3552 men, cannon, and ten machine-guns." i HIGH COMMISSIONER'S REPORT. The Higli Commissioner reports:—' London, October 22, 5.50 p.m. "Petrograd reports that at Jakobstadt tho Germans, in an obstinate fight, were beaten back to the village of Russiaky; we took 220 prisoners. ' "In tho Pripet region a number of villages were captured below Rafolovka; we took 400 prisoners "The Germans near Kolky were thrown back with enormous losses. "In the Styr region the Germans used explosive bullets exclusively." NEW DOUBLE-TRACK MILITARY LINE. Petrograd, October 21. Ten thousand men, mostly prisoners, under American engineers, are constructing a double railway 1200 miles long from Petrograd to Katerina, on tho Peninsula of Kola (on the Arctic coast), which is permanently free of ico (?). It will open a" valuable port for war traffic. [Katerina is within the Arctic circle, and the reference to an ice-free port is therefore somewhat puzzling.] (Bee. October 23, 0.35 a.m.) ,• Petrograd, October 22. Archangel is ice-bound. THE GERMAN MENACE ON RIGA HEAVY REINFORCEMENTS FORCING AN ADVANCE. (Rec. October 23, 0.35 a.m.) Petrograd, October 22. The latest telegrams suggest that German reinforcements are endangering Riga.- T'lic.v have reaohed Olai, twelve miles frosi Rija., aiid heavy fighting i"> going on, on ihe plateau at Oiai, dominating the marshy plains on both sides of tlio Mitau-Riga railway. The path of the German, advance is hampered by thick woods, intersected by swampy streams. The Germans liave also reached the Dvina at Borkowitz, eighteen miles up stream from Riga. ,

"THIS FOUL CRIME"

THE GERMAN OFFICIAL MURDER IN BELGIUM UNAVAILING EFFORTS TO SAVE NURSE CAVELL Br Telegraph—Presß Association—CourriEM London, October 21. , The Foreign Office has issued a dispatch (a portion of which appeared in The Dominion" yesterday) from the American Legation at Brussels, showing that untiring efforts were made to savo Nurso Cavell when she was arrested on August 5. Mr. Brand Whitlock, the American Ambassador, notified the German authorities of America's concern in tho case, and asked for the fullest particulars. But lie was never allowod to see Nurse Cavell. The Germans oven refused to allow her to consult her lawyer before her trial, and tho lawyer was shown none of tho documents of the prosecution.

OTHER EXECUTIONS SUSPENDED

POPE'S INTERCESSION SECURES A PARDON. ! Madrid, October 21. The Kaiser has telegraphed to King Alfonso of Spain announcing the pardon of tho Countess do Belleville, Madame Thuliez, and the other Belgian and French prisoners'. [As a result of the British and Belgian Legations' appeal to the Pope, t'ho latter induced the Kaiser to suspend, pending further investigations, the executions of the Countess Jeanne do Belleville, of Madame Thuliez, and of seven other Belgian and French prisoners.]

. The Ambassador adds that Nurse Cavell, at the trial, without trembling, admitted that she had hidden English and French soldiers in her house, and had facilitated the departure of Belgian subjects, by furnishing them with money and guides in order to cross the frontier. She even said she had received letters from soldiers in England, thanking her for her help. Asked why she did this, Miss Cavell said sho believed that tho Germans shot soldiers, and therefore it was her duty to save their lives. A DEPLORABLE DEED. REFERENCE IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS. London, October 21. Lord Lansdowno, speaking in the House of Lords, described the execution of Nurse Cavell as a deplorable incident. Nothing in recent months had moved the people more than the manner in which this poor lady was exeouted in cold blood. Doubtless she was liable to punishment, but sho might have been executed with a measure of that mercy which no civilised country would refuse to a brave and devoted woman who had given her energies for the mitigation of the sufferings of others. Th©f American and Spanish Ministers had endeavoured up to the last moment to obtain a reprieve. Thero was nobody in Britain who would not join in a protest against this terriblo occurrence. WHAT WOULD NELSON HAVE DONE? CRIME DENOUNCED BY THE BISHOP OF LONDON. London, October 21. The Bishop of I<ondon, in tho course of his Trafalgar Day sermon, delivered to a crowded congregation at St. Martin' s-in-the-Fields, . said that ■in former times chivalry lightened the horrors of war; but it was otherwise with our present enemies. Their foullest and latest crime was the murder in cold blood of a poor, defenceless English girl—a orimo dwarfing oven that of tho Lusitania.

What would Nelson have done in such a cast) as Nurse Cavell's murder? He would not have resorted to diplomatic _ inquiries; he would liavo made inquiries with the thunder of the fleet's gtuia. Nelson's spirit would bo dead in our young men if they did not want to know the roasou why t'his foul crime was committed. "MOST DAMNABLE 011IME OP THE WAR." (Rec. October 22, 11.35 p.m.) London, October 22. Tho newspapers publish the completo documents dealing with tin; martyrdom of Nurso Cavoll, and in their leading articles denounce Germany's "crowning infamy." The ".Daily Graphic." characterises tho deed as the most dainuablo crime of ihe ivu-

ARE ELIGIBLE MEN LEAVING BRITAIN?

"EVENING NEWS" RUMOUR ROUNDLY CONDEMNED. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, October 21. Referring to the circulation by tho "Evening News" of a rumour (published yesterday) that the authorities would restrict a sudden rush of eligibles out of Britain in consequence of Lord Derby's recruiting scheme. The ""Daily Express" characterises - this statemeut as disgraceful. The "Express" inquired at the Dominion' Offices, where the suggestion was merely repudiated. Thero was not a word of truth in it. A Commonwealth official stated that no men of military age were emigrating to Australia. officials declared the idea was positively ridiculous. ' The "News" now learns officially that there has been for a fortnight a pronounced increase in the number of eligible men making applications for passports to leave Groat Britain.

TO WARD OFF ZEPPELINS

AEROPLANES ALONE ARE NOT SUFFICIENT. By Telegraph—Press Association—Oopyri'Losidon, October 21. The First Lord of the Admiralty (Mr. A. J. Balfoui') said that in no circumstances did the authorities consider JTiat aeroplanes alone could provide adequate defence against Zeppelins.

WOMEN IN MUNITION FACTORIES

MINIMUM WEEKLY WAGE OF £1. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, October 21. Mrs. Pankhurst, speaking at a recruiting meeting, said that Mr. Lloyd George was prepared to fix the minimum of £1 weekly for women working at munition-making.

ALLEGED MEGLECT

TREATMENT OF COLONIAL WOUNDED. Br Telegraph—Press AsenmHon—Oopyrforht London, October 21. The Hon. B. E. Wise (Agent-General for New South Wales) has informed Sir George Eeid (High Commissioner for Australia) that ho lias received woll- ' founded complaints of the neglect of soldiers, which suggested insufficient organisation to deal with the wounded in the hospitals. Tho men do not receive their pay, and are unable to even obtain stamps to .post letters to their friends. When the men. leave the hospitals, they axe penniless and inadequately clad. Mr. Wise adds: "The men suffer from the cold. This is regrettable in view of the largo supplies of warm clothing sent from Now South Wales. Tho complaints are all duo to want of organisation. The War Contingent Committco is not effective to deal with seven thousand wounded mon." Mr. Wise suggests tho appointment of an officer to control a certain number of hospitals and see that tho soldiers' linens ore attended to, and keep tho High Commissioner's Department ia touch tvil'h tig men.