WAR REVIEWED IN PARLIAMENT

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2697, 17 February 1916, Page 5

WAR REVIEWED IN PARLIAMENT

FIGHTING ON THE YPRES SALIENT

RENEWED ACTIVITY.ON RIGA-DVINA FRONT

LORD IITCHENER ON THE OUTLOOK EGYPT AND THE CANAL ' MR. ASQUITH PREACHES ECONOMY i A determined assault on .the Britisli front along the Ypres salient has resulted in the occupation of a few hundred yards of front trench by the Germans. Other attacks in the same region all failed. Activity is also reported from points along the line as far as Alsace, the advantage generally resting with the French. From the Salonika . front come reports of a German concentration of 200,000 troops in that region. There is renewed activity on the Russian northern flank, where our Ally's artillery l'as been doing effective work. The present situation, the progress and the difficulties of the great war, have been strikingly reviewed in the House of Lords by the Secretary of State for War (Lord Kitchener), while Mr. Asquith (the Prime Minister) had added some new facts, not the least interesting of which is the announcement—for the iirst time—of the conquest of the Cameroons, in West Africa. The little war there has been brought to a" "triumphant conclusion."

BRITISH LINE ATTACKED : 4 HUN GAS FACTORIES GETTING READY By Telegraph—Press A6Bociation-CopyrisW \ (Rec. February 16, 10 p.m.) ■ e- t> i tt • _z „t . , London, February-16. H,. 5L£ 0 ? S f fll r ?° rtS: W n,gh !' a ! te i a hear y bombardment along the whole front of the Ypres salient, south of Hooge, the enemy delivered several infantry attacks between the Comines Canal and the Ypres-Comines railway They broke into our front trenches for a distance of about sis hundred yards., A heavy bombardment by both sides continues." - The High Commissioner reports:— "t„ m. xi -o , , London, February 15, 4.20 p.m. W ,9 h ampagne, f° f„ r f. nch h ave recaptured portion of the sections occupied by the enemy on the 13th on the road from Tahure to Somme-py." „, . . „. , . , London, February 16, 1 a.m. of th <r VI C ° nVOy bombarded afc E P a gny station, wes* the crater ll6 Arg ° nne ' at U Fille Morte ' ' we s P ran S am ™ .and new occupy i. ,"In Alsace, oast of Seppois, the German positions were heavily bombarded. \ FRENCH OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. (Rec. February 16, 10 p.m.) a v \ «• i '' • "x l „. , Paris ' February 16. A French official communique states: "A destructive fire has been maintained on the enemy's works north-east of Soissons." JWHAT THE GERMAN COMMUNIQUE CLAIMS. < \ ' (Rec- February 16, 10 p.m.) _, J _.. . . Amsterdam,' February 16. The German official communique states: "South-east of Ypres after on abundant artillery, bomb, and mortar preparation, we captured eigh't hundred metres of the English position, killing the majority of the defenders and capturing one officer and some dozen men. > ■ i "North-west of Reims the French attempted gas attacks, but failed " \ GERMAN GAS FACTORIES ALONG THE LINE i ■ 'HUNS WAITING FOE, FAVOURABLE WEATHER, ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) (Rec. February 16, 5.5 p.m.) ™. n u tvr t j • • , . Lo " don > February 16. The Germans have established poison gas factories at various points on the Western front, and are waiting for favourable weather to use the fumes The Abbe Noreaux, the French Astronomer,'advises the Allies to bomb the gas-piping and air-raid the factories.

KAISER AND CROWN PRINCE EN TOUR. (Rec. February 16, 11.10' p.m.) ™ v • , ~ n r, ■ •«. Zurlch > February 16. ihe Kaiser and the Crown .Prince, with a numerous suite, are visitin" Lower Alsace, near tba Swiss border. a

GERMAN CONCENTRATION BEFORE SALONIKA

AN ARMY OF 200,000 BULGARIAN DIVISIONS IN GERMAN UNIFORM By TeleEraph—Pre;6 Association—Copyright „ r ~ ~ Rome, February 10. The correspondent of the "Giornale d Italia at Athens states that L J OO 000 Germans arc concentrating between Ghergheli, Doiran, and Strurnnitza. ' The "Morning Post's" Athens correspondent says that the forces at Doivan include at least threo of tho best Bulgarian divisions, who are wtariuy Cinrmau uniforms, which tliej recently donilfid it, Sc&a.

GUERILLA WAR IN MONTENEGRO ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) ~ _. ._ . ,„„.,,,. London, February 15. Mr. W. Jeffries, the "Daily Mail" correspondent at Athens, says that a Montenegrin officer asserts that guerilla warfare in Montenegro is proceeding, under tho leadership of the patriot Kovtsi. The Aiistrians captured Prince Mirko (second son and sixth child of the King of Montenegro) while he was ill in hospital at Podgoritza. They also made prisoner three of the Ministers who signed the falso peace. GREECE AND ITALY: A CONTRACT TERMINATED. ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) (Rec. February 16, 5.5 p.m.) London, February 15. Greece has refused to renew her contract for Italian officers to organise her gendarmerie. The Italian Government has instructed the officers to leave Athens. GROWING DISCONTENT IN BULGARIA (Rec. February 16, 11.10 p.m.) Bucharest, February' 16. There is growing discontent in Bulgaria over the dearncss of food, and'distrust of the Germans, who are domineering in their attitude. Several German submarines and two seaplanes are at Varna, where the defences have been considerably strengthened. There aro altogether two German divisions •in Bulgaria. The Germans supervised the fortifications on tho Rumanian frontier. THE RUSSIAN ATTACK ON ERZERUM ANOTHER FORT AND TWENTY GUNS CAPTURED. Petrograd, February 15. Another fort at Erzerum and twenty guns have been captured by the Russians.

ATTEMPTED GERMAN OFFENSIVE EFFECTIVELY COUNTERED BY THE RUSSIAN ARTILLERY By Telegraph—Press Association-Copyright' Petrograd, February 15. Violent artillery duels,, followed by infantry actions, have been going on for a week on the Dvina-Riga front. The Russians, holding fast to their ground, have repulsed all attempts at the offensive, and have even taken some lines owing to the murderous lire of their artillery. DISSENSION IN TWELFTH GERMAN ARMY. Petrograd, February 15. A violent disturbance has broken out in the Twelfth German Army at Vilna, Forty officers and many soldiers were oourt-martialied.

KITCHENER REVIEWS THE SITUATION

EIGHT NEW DIVISIONS IN FRANCE RECENT EVENTS IN THE NEAR EAST By Telesrapli—Press (Rec. February 16, 7.35 p.m.) J , „., , ' ' London, February 15. Lord Kitchener, Secretary of State for War, addressed the House of Lords on the progress of the war and the general outlook. The House listened with intense interest to his review cf the operations'. His Lordship said that, although the Indian troops had been withdrawn from France, our forces there had materially 1 increased by fully eight new army divisions. After some experience of the working of the voluntary group system, the Government realised how seriously the numbers immediately obtainable had been affected by the exemptions. Time alone would show what the results would be, but lie trusted on a future occasion .to be in a position to reassure the House on the chances of obtaining the numbers he required. In the Main Theatres. _ The speaker went on to review the outlook on the Western theatre, the situation on the Russian froiit, and the Austro-Italian campaign. Since the capture of Loos and the forward movement in Champagne, he said, our lines in France and Flanders had practically remained' unchanged. Throughout the winter the moralo of the French Army had maintained the same high level, -and the fighting qualities of our neighbouring ally wore never greater or more highly developed than at present. The British troops there, which had been reinforced,. were constantly carrying out active operations, and giving no rest or respite to the enemy. Regarding the • Italian front, the positions occupied by the enemy were so strong-that they barred for the present the possibility of a forward movement, which the splendid courage of the Italian troops, he felt sure, would eventually pus h nome . Notwithstanding the heavy blockade, and the consequent losses Rus s i a had suffered last summer—which would probably have overwhelmed a les s tenacious and courageous people— her army had been thoroughly reorgani se( i i n readiness for the coming campaign. The Balkans, Egypt, and Mesopotamia. ■ Referring to the Balkans, he said that the securing of direct communication between the Central Powers and Constantinople, had undoubtedly been the prinoipal object of the Austro-Germans in this theatre. The AustroGermans had cleared all obstructions frcm the path to Constantinople. The political situation in the Near East, had thereby been gravely affected, and the Turkish Army had been able to organise a movement of troops either against Egypt or to strengthen their forces in Mesopotamia, and simultaneously bring far more powerful attacks to bear on our positions.at Gallipoli. It had therefore been decided to withdraw our troops from the Peninsula to reinforce Salonika and Egypt. "The success, of the withdrawal," said the speaker, "exceeded my most sanguine expectations." The Franco-British forces in Macedonia, lie added, were being gradually concentrated on a strongly entrenched position, surrounding Salonika, and in order to emphasise the principle of unity among the Allies the supreme command had been given to General Sarrail. It would be remembered, he continued, that last winter an abortive attempt was made on the Suez Canal, which had been easily brushed aside by a small British force; but a. more serious attempt had been threatened by the Turks to invade Egypt from the "East. "We have made adequate preparations to defend the Canal, and attempts by hostile Arabs on the western flank have resulted in complete failure." Lord Kitchener added that be thought that this movement might still cause a certain feeling of unrest. The admirable loyalty of the people of Egypt had formed an effective barrier to the penetration of these raiders into the cultivated areas. In Mesopotamia, General Aylmer was awaiting reinforcements before Tenewing his forward movement to junction with General Townshend, who had sufficient supplies to maintain his forces for a considerable period. Complete Confidence In the Issue. After alluding to the recent changes in the 'higher commands, Lord Kitchener urged the employers to do their best to _ release the young men for service in the Army, and concluded By_ reaffirming His complete confidence in a, victorious issues for the Allies, which would ensure peace for this and many suceeeding's generations.' The Marquis of Crewe emphasised the financial assistance which England was giving tie Allies. If, he said, the Allies • had' been self-supporting, the present taxation would enable us to pay a far larger share of the current expenses of the war than ever they would have, supposed it. conceivable that any Power could pay during the course of a great war. "It 'is our duty to exert upon Germany every sort of pressure—naval, military, and commercial—and do it quickly."

THE PRIME MINISTER'S REVIEW FACING THE COST PEOPLE MUST CUT DOWN EXPENSES Br Tclecrapli—Press Association- Copyright (Rec. February 16, 9.50 p.m.) London, February 15. Speaking in the House of Commons, ithe Prime Minister, Mr. Xsquith, referred to the progress of the war, and, apropos of the censorship, observed that it was important that the people should be enlightened and fortified bv the knowledge that they were being told the worst as well as the best of the news. Since the little had taken place in the various theatre? calling for special mention. There had been a recrudescence of activity on the 'Western front, in which the Allies had woli held their own. Tne'Sarbiau crmy, thankb w the ashistanoo of Italy, had wifely evacuated Albania, -*" 1 was now. beina reconstituted am refitted.

Conquest of th o Cameroons, The operations in the Cameroons (West Africa) had been brought to a triumphant conclusion. The situation in Mesopotamia was distinctly improving. General lovnshond's forces were holding their own, while General Aylmer s reinforcements should have reach ed him bv this time, and there was every ground for hoping that their forces would 'bo united. Anything in the nature of a serious British check had been averted. Staggering Loss of the War. There was no prospect, said the Premier, of a reduction in the cost of the war, which was live millions a day. Ho would ask for a very large vote of credit next week. ihc nation's liabilities at January 1 had reached a figure winch would strain our resources for a generation, and staggered the imagination. Our expenses must go on, because there could bo no faltering or flagging m the prosecution of the war. "How is it to be met?" be asked. "I am no pessimist, and have no more doubt about our ultimate triumph than about the righteousness of the Allies' cause, but our people must be got to realise the position." _ The Chancellor, "he added, would have the courage to propose large additions in taxation, hut this would not bridge the huge and ever-widening chasm. The only other way of maintaining our credit was to cut down all unnecessary imports, and the consumption of luxuries, and bring the expenditure of every phase of public and private life to its lowest limit, ine strain of the burden would be great,.but no greater than we could bear. Taking Stock of Resources. / During the last three months the Government had taken stock of our resources in men and munitions. Our industrial and financial capacity, actual and prospective, would enable us to contribute the maximum effort to the common cause. The Navy bad performed its duties in a manner worthy pi the- best traditions of the Navy and of Nelson, while the Army had grown immensely. We had entered the war as a naval Power; we now 'had an army ten-fold larger than we had at the com menccment <Sf the war. In addition to these gigantic duties, we had to take a leading part in providing our Allies and our Dominions with the sinews of war. Britain's responsibilities, the speaker pointed out, were more varied and complex than those of her Allies, and he instanced the Navy—the most powerful and diverse' combination of fleets that had ever sailed the ocean, which with unexampled efficiency had defended these shores, neutralised the aggressive power of the German fleet, and cleared the high seas. He acknowledged the extent to which tho Dominion forces had swelled the Army. Britain had been supplying her Allies with the necessities of war, and shipping. It had been a gigantic and > unprecedented task; there had been mistakes and miscalculations, but long strides had been taken towards the solution. M. Briand's cordial welcome at London and Rome was a matter for congratulation. _ He hoped at an early date that a general conference of all the Allies in Paris would be held for the purpose of reviewing all political and strategic questions; thus effectively would be counter-acted the enemy's early advantage of centralised control.