VARNA AGAIN SHELLED

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2606, 30 October 1915, Page 5

VARNA AGAIN SHELLED

. POSITION OF RUMANIA STILL IN DOUBT B i r SERBIANS COMPELLED TO RETIRE ! NEW ADVANCE OF i ITALIANS BOMBARDMENT OF ROVERETO '' - i POLITICAL CRISIS IN FRANCE BRITISH WAR COUNCIL FORMATION FORESHADOWED Important political developments arc ill progress both in Great! Britain and in France. It is reported that a. British War Council is to be set up consisting of six or eight Cabinet Ministers. The Council, it is said, will have executive power to carry out decisions without reference to Cabinet, subject to the reservation that-any proposal involving new expenditure or distinctly new departure in war operations must be referred to the full Cabinet. The French Cabinet has been reconstructed under a new Prime Minister. Further progress by the Austro-Germans and Bulgarians is reported in Northern and North-Eastern Serbia, but in Southern Macedonia the Serbs and their ' Entente Allies are gaining ground. Heavy German attacks have been repulsed -by the Russians in the Dvinsk region and in Southern Russia. The Italians have captured additional Austrian positions on the approaches to Trent. In his farewell order to the forces at the Dardanelles Sir lan Hamilton thanked all ranks for the manner in which they had seconded his efforts to lead them to tho decisive victory ' which ho was confident they would achieve under his successor. H.M.S. ■ Argyll; a big armoured cruiser, has run aground on the east coast of Scotland. No lives were lost, but it is feared that the ship will he a, total loss. BOMBARDMENT OF VARNA AND BURGAS RENEWED BY THE RUSSIANS GREATER PART OF DEDEAGATCH DESTROYED By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.). London, October 28. Sofia reports that twenty-five women and children were killed in the bombardment of Dedeagatch, and the greater part of tho 'town destroyed. Rome, October 28. The Russians have renewed' the bombardment of Varna, and Burgas. ■ f BULGARIA AND GREEK NELTRALITY. Amsterdam, October 28. German newspapers state that Bulgaria has notified Greece that if the Bulgarians drive the Serbians into Greece, Greek neutrality will not be respected by Bulgaria. • OFFER OF CYPRUS TO GREECE A CONFESSION OF WEAKNESS , Rome, October 28. The "Idea Nazionale" declares that when the Bulgarian agreement with Germany was concluded in August, 1914, Rumania also entered into an agreement with Germany. A crisis or an Entente triumph were tho only means of breaking the existing understanding. Britain's offer of Cyprus caused an unpleasant "impression in Rumania, where it is regarded as a confession of weakness on the part of the Entente. COMMANDER OF BRITISH SERBIAN EXPEDITION. London, October 28. Official.—Major-General Bryan Mahon has been appointed commander of tho British Serbian Expedition. . n lMajor-General Sir Bryan Thomas Mahon, C.8., K.C.V.0., D.5.0., was appointed to tho command of the 10th (Irish) Division last year. Ho served in India with the Bth Hussars from 1883 to 1888, took part in the Egyptian Campaign of 1886, in the Dongola, Expedition (where ho won his D.5.0.), in the Khartoum Expedition, the Kordofan Expedition and capture of Kalifa. For his services in Egypt he was promoted to colonel, awarded the Osmanieh Order of the 4tli class", the London war medal, and the Egyptian war medal with eiglit Clasfis. In the Boer War he commanded the Cavalry Brigade, and led tiie Mafeking relief column; he was twice mentioned in dispatches, and was awarded the Queen's medal with three clasps. From 1901 and 1004 ho was Military Governor of Kordofan, and fro mli)o9 till his Home command last year ho was in charge of the Bth (Lucknow) Division in India. Sir Bryan was bom in County Galway, and is fifty-three years of age.C BRITISH COMMANDER TO CO-OPERATE WITH THE FRENCH. (Rec. October 29, 8.55 p.m.) London, October 28. Major-General Byron Mahon,. who commands the British expedition in Serbia, has orders to'co-operato with General Sarrail. Major-General Mahon is Sir Edward Carson's cousin, and hais been in command of the 10th Irish Division of the now army,. UNCONFIRMED REPORT THAT ALLIES HAVE OCCUPIED u USKUB. , (Rec. October 29, 8.55 p.m.)

; London, October 28'. Tlio report that the 'Allies hayo rcoccupied Uslaib is not confirmed, but if true it would still ho possible to forward supplies for the northern Serbian army to the Mitroviza railhead, and thenco by road. A Salonika telegram states that the French have occupied the new Erivo-lak-Radovitza-Struimtxa lino, and are .advancing on Ishtip. GERMAN PRESS ASSUMES RUMANIA WILL' JOIN THE ALLIES (Rec. October 29, 5.15 p.m.) . London, October 28. 'A Copenhagen message asserts that tJip G'lormau Press Assumes that Rumania is joining tho Allies. They hayo given up the idea of tho reconstruction of the Bucharest Government in favour of Germany, and think that the Allies' influence is growing daily. SERBIANS COMPELLED TO RETIRE SOUTHWARD. (Rec. October 29, 11.5 p.m.) Paris, October 20. 'A Serbian communique says tlio Serbians on I.ho right bank of the Morava ire re compelled to retire southward, and also retired to tho Tresibabn. Heights, twenty miles north-east of Nisi). Fighting continues on tlio Zaitoliar front. The Serbians in the direction of Konotchoul attacked and retook the mouth of tho Koutchaul Pass. Tho High Commissioner reports;— WnHptli Dclobnr 211, '-l.Sij j),m, "On XJuw»daj tho Russian Navy shelled .Varaa, in the Black Sea,'l

A GERMAN OFFICIAL MESSAGE. (Rec. October 29, 8.55 p.m.) London, October 28. A Berlin official message states that Generals Callwitz and Koevess contimv? to progress in North Serbia. Tlio Bulgarians have crossed the River Timok on a large front, and liaro captured Zaitchar and Kniashevati!. FALL OF PIJIOT AFTER A SANGUINARY FIGHT, (Rcc. October 30, 0.40 a.m.) Amsterdam, October 29. Sofia advices state that the Bulgarians captured Pirot after a long and sangiiinary fight. Bulgarian newspapers admit that most of tho inhabitants of Vrania were : massacred on the ground of firing from windows and for white-flag treachery, ! TURKISH TROOPS TO DEFEND BULGARIAN COAST. (Rec. October 30, 0.40 a.m.) rm.' -tin -i m■, ~ „ t, i , London, October 29. i. , j. h ® ■ Da,l -V Telegraph's" Petrograd correspondent states that three Turkish divisions in the Caucasus have been transferred to Bulgaria to defend the coast. RUSSIAN FLEET BOMBARDS VARNA'(Rec, October 29, 11.15 p.m.)' nt, . , „ m , Petrograd, October 20. A Kussian communique states: The fleet's bombardment damaged tho batteries and harbour irorkfi at Varna-. Hydroplanes also dropped bombs on the harbour front. "German submarines attached our ships, but were driven off, and the fleet returned to Sebastopol -undamaged." PRIME MINISTER OF FRANCE RESIGNS COALITION MINISTRY FORESHADOWED LEADING STATESMEN WITHOUT PORTFOLIOS TO BE INCLUDED By Telegraph—Press Association-Copyright ar v • ■ .i • i • J ' PariS| Ootobor 28 - JU. Viyiam, the Premier, has resigned. M. Briand (Minister of Justice) has been asked to form a Cabinet A Router message statfs that it_ is reported that M. Briand is to' succeed 51. Viviani, tho latter becoming Minister of Justice. M. Viviani found it impossible to patch up the Cabinet, and particularly to find a successor for M. Delcasse. M. Viviani's personal and political friends firmly convinced him that a complete change of Government was essential. The resignation foreshadows tho formation of a Coalition Ministry for national defenco, including the best brains of Parliament. The President (M. PoincaraJ received MM. Viviani and Briand. It is expected that M. Briand will bo Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary, M. Cambon Foreign Under-Secretary, 11. Viviani Minister of .Justice, M. Gallipi Minister of War, and Admiral Lecaze Minister of Marine. The other Minister will remain as at present. An important change will be_ tlio inclusion, without portfolios, of leading statesmen—M.M. Defre.vcinet, Molino, Bourgeois, Combes, Gucsdes, and Baron Cochin—all parti® lining tlnm represented. fM. Briand has twice previously been Premier of Franco, succeeding M. Clemenceaiix in 1909, and M. Poincare in January, 1913, when that statesman was electcd President of the Republic. M. Briand hold office until March of that year, when his Ministry was defeated in tho Senate on the Electoral Befonn Bill, M. Barthou taking office. Last year was fraught with many political changes, M. Ribot and M. Doumergue holding office, tho latter until the General Elections-in April, resigning in June. M. Viviani failed to form a Cabinet. M. Ribot succecded, but held office for only a day, and then M. Viviani was called upon again, and his selection of Ministers held office untii tho reconstruction on August 26, in order to include representatives of tho various parties, who thus joined together to present a common front to the enemy.]

ALLEGED POLITICAL UNREST IN ENGLAND COLONIAL PRESS COMMENTS REASSURING MESSAGE FROM MR.' BONAR LAW By Telegraph—Press ABsociation-Oopyrijht (Rec\ October 29, 9.45 p.m.) London, October 28. Tho several cabled comments of the Australian and New Zealand newspapers elicited an important message from Mr. Bonar Law, Secretary of State for the. Colonies, regarding tho so-called political warfare in England. Sir John M'Call, Agent-General for Tasmania, directed Mr. Boner Law's attention to the statement in an Australian paper that it was lamentable if the appeals for recruits in Australia met with tlie retort, "The people of Britain are quarrelling among themselves. Why should we enlist? ' - Sir John M'Call added that tho comments of the Australian and New Zealand papers show tho existence of considerable unrest and uncertainty at the outlook, which was accentuated by the hint of tho possible withdrawal of our men from Gallipoli. What are most required at the present orisis are definite and strong statements from responsible Ministers. The, Whole Nation is Absolutely United. Mr. Bonar Law, replying to Sir John M'Call, welcomed tho opportunity of sending a messago to_ Australia and New Zealand, and added: ".Regarding the statement that political warfare in England was calculated to Injure Imperial solidarity, it would be a great misfortuno if it were supposed that at tho present time there was political warfare in England. I have, been a member of the Cabinet for four months, and can saj; with absoluto confidence that no political .issue of- any kind has been ever raised. This is true of the Government, and, as far as I can judge, also of tho country. The whole nation is absolutely united in its determination to carry the war to a successful termination ; the only difference of opinion is as to whether tho strength which ought to come from this material unity was being most efficiently used for the prosecution of the war. From this view-point there may be much criticism of the Government, regarding which, as a member of tho Cabinet, I can say nothing, but our kinsmen beyond the seas can be sure that there would be no weakening on the part of the Mother Country. I may add, greatly as we at Home prize the honour and sacrifices which have been'made and tlie splendid heroism displayed by our colonial fellow subjects, I as a colonial by birth may he permitted to say that in my opinion tho rest of The British Emoire has a right to bo proud of the part that is being played in this war by men of tho Old Country." WAR COUNCIL WITH EXECUTIVE POWERS TO BE SET UP. (Rec. October 29, 9.15 p.m'.) . . London, October 29. Tlie "Daily Telegraph" says it is understood that Mr. Asquith will announce on Tuesday the formation of a War Council not exceeding six or eight Cabinet Ministers, who will be clothed with executive powers to carry out decisions without reference to Cabinet, but with the reservation that any proposal involving new expenditure, or a new departure, in the war operations must be referred to the full Cabinet. ITALY'S CAMPAIGN IN THE MOUNTAINS TWO SUMMITS CAPTURED ENORMOUS AUSTRIAN LOSSES IN THREE DAYS By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Rec. October 29, 9.15 p.m.) Rome, October 29. Although tliero is heavy snow in the Trentino the alpini and artillery scaled the heights for nine thousand feet and destroyed tho Austrian trenches and captured the summits of Seikofel and Syestria, where tho Austrians had c(instructed comfortable winter quarters The first phase of tho Isonzo battle lasted forty-three hours and two Austrian regiments wero annihilated. _ In tho Gorizia battle tho Austrians brought all their guns into action, including numerous 12in. and two 16Jin., but the torrent of Italian shells tore un tho heights and the enemy fled. It is estimated that tho Austrian casualties for the first three days of tlie r.cw Italian advanco were over 340,000. BOMBARDMENT OF ROVERETO BEGUN. (Rec. October 29, 10.20 p.m.) Cenoa, October 29. Tho Italians have begun a bombardment of Rovereto in the Trentino. UNTRAINED MEN BEING CALLED UP FOR SERVICE. (Rec. October 29, 10.20 p.m.) , ... RonUi October 90. ■ AH unUfliiwl Hitiii b»|oHgiiiii to tha third category of the 1886463? classes .haw boon palled iw for. November 6 (