SUCCESS OF SOUTH AFRICAN TROOPS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2717, 11 March 1916, Page 5

SUCCESS OF SOUTH AFRICAN TROOPS

GERMANY DECLARES WAR ON PORTUGAL '

Though reports at the moment are a little meagre as to details, general indications are that the Verdun battle is developing in everincreasing violence. The French art counter-attacking and gaining some, ground in the area west of the Meuse, and at the same time are meeting furious attacks, pressed by the enemy in great strength, eastward of the river. According to one estimato the Germans have already lost in this battle a quarter of a million effectives, killed and wounded. Germany has declared war on Portugal,' presumably on account of the Portuguese seizure of German ships. It is'reported that the German Fleet has returned to harbour, after a brief excursion in the North Sea. According to tho Rome "Tribuna," the Austrians contemplate an attempt to rush two of their latest Dreadnoughts through the Dardanelles, and this, it is suggested, accounts for the reported removal of mines from that waterway. In Mesopotamia, General Aylmer is within 69ven miles of Kut-01-Amara, and is in touch with the Turks, who occupy an entrenched position, from .which he has as yet failed to dislodgo tfiem. General Smuts reports a for- , ward movement of somo importance in East Africa.