THE ADVANCE' IN THE BALKANS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 19, 17 October 1918, Page 5

THE ADVANCE' IN THE BALKANS

DURAZZO CAPTURED

MANY PRISONERS TAKEN The New Zealand High Commissioner reports:— London, October 15, 5.30 p.m.. An Italian official report states: — "Durazsso (the Albanian naval base en the coast of Albania, which was recently bombarded by tho Allied Fleet end' its usefulness destroyed) has been captured." A Press Association message from London adds that many prisoners were taken. (Rec. October 16, 10 p.m.) London, October 15. An Italian official report states: "In Albania, after forcing the defences on the heights- of Paljamaj and Sassobinaco, the Italians captured Duraswo, taking prisoners and mater-ial."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assii.-Reuter. THE ADVANCE IN SERBIA BRILLIANT OPERATIONS. London, October 15. A French Eastern communique states: "Tlie Serbians, supported by the Allies, continue to liberate territory. Greeks are participating in the warfare, and are reoecupying Eastern Macedonia. In the course of brilliant fighting, resulting in. the capture of Egrizend and Mitrovitza, the French captured a number of prisoners, including the Austrian general who was in command of the administration in Albania, A large quantity of booty was captured."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.Reuter. AUSTRIAN OFFICIAL REPORT. London, October 15. An Austrian. official message 6tates: "In the region-northward of Nishwithdrawal engagements continue, the civil population participating. Enemy pressure is especially strong in the Morava Valley."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.Reuter.

LENIN AND TROTSKY FALL OUT

FACTION FIGHTS AMONG THEIR PARTISANS. (Rec. October. 16, 7.40 p.m.) Copenhagen, October 15. There are reports of serious conflicts between Lenin and Trotsky, and violent fights between the rivals' partisans.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. BRITISH OFFICIALS RELEASED FROM PRISON (Rec. October 16, 7.40 p.m.) London, October 15.'_ Advices from Moscow state that it has been decided to release all the remaining- British officials who are imprisoned in Russia.—Reuter. -

TREATMENT OF PRISONERS OF WAR

* EXPERIENCES OF BRITISH. y ESCAPEES. (Rec. October 16, 7.20 p.m.) London, October 15. Mr. Justioe Younger's Committee's report, based on the • testimony of upwards of seventy escapees, legarding the German treatment of war prisoners who were taken during the spring offensive, says: "It is almost an exact counterpart of the treatment, of earlier prisoners. The enemy totally failed, in some cases for forty-eight hours,' to provide the prisoners with any food. This may be explained by the number of prisoners exceeding expectations, but their sustenance thereafter was inadequate. Tlio prisoners were also forced' to do unauthorised work near the battle-front. Many of the compounds were without warmth, shelter, or sanitation. Some of the guards were cruel, a.nd a few of the doctors were brutal. Prisoners H Villers were forced to live- in the open for a fortnight. They could not dry their clothes and could not wash." The report adds that the Red Cross was flown over German ammunition, dumps. In one instance a prisoners' hut was six hundred yards behind the line. It was shelled and often hit, and fourteen British prisoners were killed. A prisoner named Ellis, who was suffering, from, a bullet wound in the lung, cried out in pain. The doctor hit him on the jaw and the man died next day.—Aus.-N.Z. •Cable Assn.- ' Reuter.

THE LEINSTER CRIME

CROCODILE TEARS IN GERMANY. London, October 15. Herr Erzberger, German Director of Propaganda, in an .interview,' said he considered the Leinster tragedy extraordinarily regrettable. There would be the deepest sympathy with the- innocent women and children involved in it. His view had always b«pn the same since the Lusitania was sunk. It was high time the submarine campaign on its present lines ceased.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. • > MASS MEETING OF ANGRY SEAMEN. (R'ec. October 16, 9.40 p.m.) London, October 15. A mass meeting of; Liverpool seamen demanded full German reparation for tho Leinster. outrage and the overthrow of tho Kaiser and militarism. It decided to extend the boycqtt to Germany for another year, until this was secured.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

AUSTRIA'S MANY PREMIERS

THE LATEST TO GO. (Pec. October 16. 7.40 p.m.) Berne, October 15. Advices from Vienna state that the Emperor has accepted Dr. Hiissareek s resignation of the Premiership, and charged Count Tarouka wlt!l tlie duty of forming a Ministry—Keuter.