IS BIG BLOW PENDING?

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2696, 16 February 1916, Page 5

IS BIG BLOW PENDING?

.A MILLION MEN FROM RUMANIA i ' BUT NO DECISION H.M.S. ARETHUSA. SUNK " FAMOUS UGH! CRUISER MINED The persistent energy of the Germans at various point's along ile Western line has given rise to the suspicion that the enemy is preparing a blow, though its direction is largely surmise. The Russians \ meanwhile have captured one of tho forts at Erzerum, and advanced their line in Persia, at the same time working havoc with the shells from their warships along the coast. Very little is vouchsafed from the Russian front, while tho prolonged silence which veils the operations in the Italian theatre remains unbroken. Rumania's mobilisation for war is now complete, and one million men. are awaiting the order to advance —but to where? As yet the official . sphinx has not repli^ RUMANIA'S MOBILISATION COMPLETE , ENEMY APPREHENSIVE . -A MILLION MEN FOR THE FIELD • By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright . . ' . Paris, February 14. Tho 'Daily Review states that the mobilisation of Rumania has been completed by the calling up of tho last class. The General Staff is completing the defences of the Carpathians and the banks of the Danube. The Bulgarian Minister at Bucharest endeavoured to show the Premier 'that he ought to unite with Bulgaria and Germany in an attack upon Russia, but 51. Bratiano said he maintained armed neutrality. ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.)

. London, February 14. The "Times"_ correspondent at Milan says that Austro-German anxiety regarding Rumania is increasing, as the Rumanian preparations admit of only one explanation. The National Bank of Rumania has been collecting gold and other metals for many months. The new 1917 and 1918 classes will place a million newly-equipped soldiers at th e disposal ,of the War Minister in April. Much war material and horses have bee 11 brought from Russia. ANTI-FRENCH: KING CONSTANTINE, ACCORDING TO GERMANY. ("Times" and Sydney "gun" Services.) , i London, February 14 A Berlin message asserts that King Constantino of Greece has empowered M. Gounaris to be chairman of a specia 1 committee to govern Greece under martial law. M. Gounaris has recom mended that military commanders should replace the civil governors. 'King Constantino refuses to receive the French Ambassador. SIGNS AND PORTENTS IN THE BALKANS. ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) (Rec. February 15, 5.5 p.m.) ™ .. London, February 14. , ihs , TJaily Mail's" correspondent at Bucharest reports that the German Minister s newspaper .in Rumania is of opinion that an Austro-German campaign is threatening Rumania. "Germany," it srtf's, "knows how to strike swiftly and energetically, and wishes to know immediately on which side Rumania intends to fight." The "Times" Milan correspondent believes that an offensive from Salonika would bring in Rumania. . , Mr. Jeffries (the war correspondent), writing from Athens, states' that all the Bulgars are reported to be retiring to the Rumanian frontier, the Germans replacing them on the Greek frontier. A Salonika correspondent regards the extensive movement by the Allies in Macedonia as portending an offensive by General Sarrail, but the "Times" correspondent there announces an advance along tho Vardar only, by a cavalry column, which is seizing defensive positions. THE AUSTRIAN ADVANCE IN ALBANIA (Rec. February 15, 10.15 p.m.) Amsterdam. February 15. An Austrian communique states:—"Our troops iu Albania have reached the Lower Arzon. The enemy has retreated to the southern bank." THE RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE IN THE CAUCASUS ADVANCE ON ERZERUM COASTAL PORTS EFFECTIVELY SHELLED. 1 • , T3 petrograd, February 14. A communique reports*, lne xuisslans are making progress ill the passes near Erzerum. The ! passes are deep in snow. We captured seven guns beside machine guns and ammunition wagons. A violent explosion was observed at one of the Erzerum forts after our bombardment. We dislodzed 'the Turks at Khnyss, and occupied the tow ti of Khop. "We have occupied Buastebad, in the Hamadan region (Persia) " _ A'naval communique states: Our fleet silenced a portion of the' shore batteries at Yitze, south-westward of Batoum, destroyed six bridges ou the coast road, and sank eight sailing vessels. RUSSIANS CAPTURE ONE OF THE ERZERUM FORTS The High Commissioner reports:— London, February 16, 0.50 a.m. "In the Caucasas, one of the Erzerum forts was captured after an explosion which was caused by our artillery. The Turks were taken prisoners and much munitions captured." NO CHANGE AT KUT-EL-AMARA (Rec. February 15, 10.5 p.m.) : "General Aylmer and General Townshend/on Februarj 13, reported that the weather had cleared. The situation ,is undamage" An acr<) P lane dropped two bombs on Kut-el-Amara, but did no & ENVER PASHA AND THE GERMANS DEMAND FOR CAUCASIAN REINFORCEMENTS. Paris, February 14. llie Echo do Paris" correspondent at Salonika reports a lively dispute i "m. on i ?P v< ; r P as '} a an d the German Generals at the last War Council, after the lurkish defeat iu the Caucasus. Enver Pasha vigorously insisted that as liirkey had not asked the German arm y's help, Turkey ought to bo left free to defend her own territory. He do manded that part of the Turkish array in Thrace and Bulgaria should be transferred to the Caucasus. "We have,'' lie said, "been fighting ,for nearly a year and a half; the Bulgarians have only just started. They alone should help tho Central Powers against Salonika, seeing that we alone bore the brunt, of th-*, Pardsnßll.cs fighting." Despite Enver s protests, however, tie Gerta&u General* insisted on keep* ina the Tuiks m Thia/sa,

| SEVERE TRENCH FIGHTING IN THE WEST SCORES BY BOTH SIDES ENEMY SUFFERS CONSIDERABLE LOSS . The High Commissioner reports:— n ' London, February 14, 5.15 p.m. "South of the Somme the French yesterday, attacking the German works south of Frise, succeeded in occupying portions of the enemy's trenches. A German.':ountcr-attack was stopped by French fire, which decimated a> German company. One hundred prisoners and several mitrailleuses were taken. Irisoners stated that the enemy's losses wero considerable. "In Champagne, in the course of a German attack yesterday, east of the "ahurc-Somme-py Boad, the French exploded three mines under advanced trenches. The enemy's attempts to push, on to the French supporting trenches completely failed. Despite serious losses, the enemy maintained himself in tho advanced trenches. ' "In Upper Alsace on Sunday night a new enemy infantry action east of Seppois was preceded by a violent bombardment, it gave tho Germans possession of about two hundred metres of trenches, bnt an immediate counterattack gave the French the greater part of the lost ground back again. Violent artillery actions continue." FRENCH POSITIONS EAST OF SEPPOIS EVACUATED. The High Commissioner reports:— London, February 15, 12.50 a.m. "The Belgian artillery exploded a munition depot north of floesinghe. "Owing to an intense bombardment which was directed by the Germans on our positions east of Seppois, in Alsace, we evacuated them; they were entirely destroyed. The enemy's reinforcements were caught by our fire in the same region." REPORT FROM THE BRITISH FRONT (Reo. February 15, 10.15 p.m.) x London, February 15. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—"The enemy exploded seven mines south of the La Bassee Canal. A heavy enemy bombardment south of Fosse No. 8 preceded the mine explosions, which were followed by a small infantry attack. A few Germans entered the front trenches, but were driven out." FRENCH OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. Paris, February 15. A French official communique states:—"We blew up an ammunition depot northward of Boesinghe. "Our curtain of fire stopped the enemy's attempt to debouch fromTerny Road and the right bank of the Aisne. "The enemy, eastward of Seppois, carried out an intense bombardment, and advanced to tho trench elements which we had retaken and evacuated because they had been entirely wrecked. Our curtain of fire caught the enemy's reinforcements, which were advancing from the direction of Niederlarg." / GERMAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. - . - ■ Amsterdam, February 14. . A German communique states: — "North-west of Tahure (Champagne) wo stormed and captured over 700 metres of the French positions. "Neai the French frontier, at Pfirt, we captured 400 metres of trenches. French counter-atatcks were repulsed." • WHERE WILL THE ENEMY STRIKE? (Rec. February 15, 11.45 p.m.) Paris, February 15. The rapid increase of activity on the Western line is tho principal topic to-day, and the men throughout tho line are girding their loins for tho struggle. Questions, are asked: Aro the Germans trying to find a weak spot, or are the various attacks preliminaries for a larger offensive, and intended to conceal its direction? The Crown Prince's presence at Alsace encourages the rumours of an offensive there, but tho "Temps's" military' correspondent believes that the great attack must necessarily be directed at the centre of the French lins.