TURKEY’S MUNITIONS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 3979, 12 July 1915, Page 5

TURKEY’S MUNITIONS.

SERIOUS SHORTAGE REPORTED. FALL OF CONSTANTINOPLE SAID TO BE IMMINENT. BELIEF IH GREEK DIPLOMATIC CIRCLES. GERMAN PRESSURE ON ROUMANIA. FRANTIC EFFORTS TO GET SUPPLIES THROUGH. (Received July 11, 4 p.m.) ATHENS, July 11. Diplomatic sources report that Turkey is running short of ammunition and the belief that the fall of Constantinople is imminent is gaining ground daily in all circles. Germany is bringing pressure to bear on Rouinania with a view to securing the passage of war material. One hundred and fifty cold storage vans passing through Roumania were found to contain oueuaband concealed in secret compa? tmsius. The Ail’cs’ ..nips and aeroplanes systematicaiiyy bombarded the coasts from Adramyti to the Phoenix Gulf, and are bombarding Smyrna and Aviali dally, thus preventing Turkish concentratings. Passengers from Co~fu declare that the Kaiser’s villa there has been transformed into a submarine base. The Turks on Sunday night posted a number of mobile batteries near Kum Kale opposite the shore, British aeroplanes at dawn located the batteries and we silenced the guns, the Turks losing heavily. The casualties among the German officers recently have been particularly severe.

Two train-loads of German officers and non-coms, nave arrived at Constantinople

READY FOR “THE DAY.”

GERMANY’S P.REPARATIOXS

AX INTERESTING ILLUSTRATION

(Received July 1.1. 4 p.m.)

LONDON, July 11. 'lue “Daily Mail's’' Paris correspondent says: “For years motor engineers have -been puzzled why the Meicodes motor car chassis, of German make, bad four holes in the rear part, apparently purposeless. It has now been found that the boles are for bolting the supports of machineguns,. Zurich reports that Germany is selling her surplus cotton to Austria. LOYAL PATH AIMS. PROUD RECORD OF A GALLANT BAND. Oleceivod Julv 11,4 p.m.) LONDON, July 11. A hundred Pathan infantry under an officer were taken prisoner by tlio Germans in Flanders, and sent to Constantinople in the hope that, as they were Mohammedans, they could be induced to join the Turks/ They eluded their captors and reached Oabul overland after four months, and are proceeding to rejoin their regiment in India. Sir O’Moore Creagh. late Com-mander-in-Chief in India, said the incident was interesting as another ilustration of German misjudgment and also attests to the Pathans’ great loyalty and shows how, happy in his regiment, the Pathan is accustomed to travel tremendous distances. They probably traversed the Sunni Mussulman territory in Persia. A convalescent had told him that the refugees were well-treated in Afghanistan'—an evidence of what ho wag certain of —the Amir’s loyalty.

EMPIRE CO-OPERATBON.

DOMINIONS AND MOTHERLAND

CANADIAN PREMIER’S VISIT

(Received July 11, 4 p.m.) LONDON, July 11. Reuter interviewed Sir R. L. Borden, who expects to remain in Europe for some Avecks conferring with the British Government on matters relating to the war and visiting the Canadian forces. Ho said a full oral discussion was essential if Canada was to co-operato most effectively with the Mother Country. While the issue of the war was not doubtful, the Empire was facing a task Avliich Avould fully test the resourcefulness, self-control, patriotism and efficiency of the selfgoverning communities. Their resources Avere abundant, but the lack of preparation was still _ strikingly apparent. This Avas convincing evidence that the Empire menaced no one but, even thus unprepared, the Empire would confront the most highly-organised and aggressive military power ever known, trained for half a century for the achievement of world-wide supremacy by force of arms. He said tho spirit of the Canadian people expressed the resolve that tho great sacrifices already made must not be in vain—the barbarous and merciless German militarism must no longer dvershadmv humanity. Great questions touching the status and constitutional relations of the Dominions each with the other .-would arise after the war. It Avas idio and undesiiable to clwelll on them at present, when the supreme issue was the only concern . WAR LOAN. OVER .£700,000,000 EXPECTED. RESULT TO RE ANNOUNCED TO-DAY. SUBSCRIPTIONS POURING IN. (Received July 11. 4 p.m.) LONDON, July 11. Tho City and Midland Bank and Lloyd’s Bank have each applied for 21 mililioHS, and the London County and Westminster Bank 20 millions of the Avar loan. - . Lord Michelam has subscribed £l,l-50,000, and typical subscriptions include tho Underground Railway £300,000, Midland Railway £1,115,000, White Star Co. “£350,000, King Edward’s Hospital! Fund £105.000, Harrod’s Stores £BO,OOO, the Yorkshire Miners £50,0100, the Dockers Union £IO,OOO. ~ , _ 0 Barclay’s Bank has subscribed 12 milions to the war loan. Tho Joint gtoclt Banks have decided to double their subscriptions to tho November war loan, making for the neiv loan, roughly £200,000,000. It is estimated that subscriptions will total at-least £700,000,000.. _ , Mr McKenna will announce the result on Monday.

HOLDING THE GATE, SUPERB DEFENCE OF YPRES. GENERAL FRENCH’S DESPATCHES. COUNTER-EFFECT FOR THE POISON CLOUD. DIGNIFIED PROTEST AGAINST GERMAN BARBARISM. (Received July 12, 12.5 a.m.) LONDON, July 11. Sir John French’s despatch, dated 15th June, says:— Since April 5 the Army has been heavily engaged on both flanks, and Ypres has again been successfully defended against vigorous and sustained attacks by large forces, supported by masses of heavy field artillery, which, in numbers, weight, and calibre, arc superior to any concentration which had previously assailed that part of the Jine. In the south the First Army lias taken a vigorous offensive, during which a largo area of entrenched and fortified ground has been captured, whilst valuable support was afforded the French attack on Arras and Lens. “I much regret that the fighting on tho enemy’s side was characterised by a cynical and barbarous disregard for the well-known usages of civilised war, and a flagrant deiianco of tlio Hague Convention. All tho scientific resources of Germany are apparently brought to play to produce a gas so virulent and poisonous that any human being brought into contact with it is first paralysed and then meets a lingering and agonising death.

The enemy invariably preceded and prepared and supported his attacks by the discharge of a stupendous volume of these gas fumes whenever the wind was favorable. Such weather conditions only -prevailed to any extent in the neighborhood of Ypres. The fumes materially influenced oner actions at Ypros_ until experience suggested effective counter-measures, which have since been perfected, rendering the fumes innocuous. The efficiency of the gas in practice shows that tho G ermans must have harbored the designs for a long time. As a soldier, 1 cannot help expressing the deepest regret and some surprise that an army which has hitherto claimed to be the chief exponent of chivalry in war, should stoop to employ such devices against gallant foes. Describing the capture of Hill 60, Sir John French states that the hill afforded the enemy an excellent artillery observation.

Brigadier-General Bn,fin planned the preliminary operation and tfie mining, and limn Majoi-General Sir Charles Ferguson carried out the attack on April 17, wnerein the Frencn and Belgian batteries assisted. An attempt to recapture Hill 60 on May 1 was supported by asphyxiating gases, which caused nearly all the men on a front of 400 yards to be immediately struck down by fumes. Tho splendid courage with which the lenders rallied the men and subdued the natural tendency to panic, combined with the prompt intervention of supports, drove back tho enemy. There was a severe gas attack on May. 5 under much more favorable conditions, which enabled the onemv to recapture Hill GO. In a few days means of counteracting the gas, which have since proved so effective, were introduced • otherwise the attack on May 5 would have been resuftlos*. Sir John French goes on to describe the first use of gas on April 22. He says: Our aircraft at 5 o’clock reported a thick yellow smoke issuing from the German .trendies between Langemarok and Bixs.liooto. What follows almost defies description. The effect of the gases was so virulent that it rendered the whole line held by the French division between Skoen-strat-to and Poet Ohapelio road practically incapable of action. At first it was impossible for anyone to realise what had actually happened. The smoke fumes hid everything.

Hundreds of men were thrown into a comatose and dying condition and the whole position, within an hour, was abandoned, together with fifty guns.

I wish particularly to repudiate the idea that the least blame attached to the French division. After all the examples our gallant allies have shown of their dogged tenacity and courage, it is superfluous to insist on this point. If any troops in the world could have held the trenches’, the French division would have held firm: The French retreat made the left flank of the Canadians dangerously exposed, and there was a prospect of the Canadians being overwhelmed, thus enabling the Germans to cut off the British occupying the salient to the east. The Canadians, however, held their ground with a magnificent display of tenacity and courage, and the conduct of these splendid troops avoided disaster. In the confusion of the gas and smoke the Germans captured the bridge at Stecnstraate and works south of Lizcrne. I sent some reinforcements to support - and assist Goneral Pulz, and ordered reinforcements from the Second Army Corps. I had a conference with General Foeh on tho morning of tlio 23rd, ana he asked me to maintain tho British lino while he endeavored to regaiu the trenches belonging to the French division until tho 10th. I concurred, but stipulated that if tho position was not re-established within a limited time the British troops should not be allowed to . remain in the existing exposed situation. Many circumstances combined to render the situation east of critical for two or three days. Fresh units had to he pushed into the firing line in an area swept by artillery fire, which owing to the capture of French guns, we wore unable to keep down. This led to very heavy casualties.

I wish to record my deep admiration for the resource and presence ot mind of the commanders on the spot, uartieularlv Major-General Snow and Brigadier-General Hull Lahore. The division made gallant atfcem])ts to push the enemy north,-but were partially frustrated by gas. The French, meanwhile, had retaken Lizcrne, but, as no further progress was made by the 2Rth towards the recapture of the original hue, i ordered Lieut.-General Sir Herbert Plumer, who was now in charge of operations, to prepare for a retirement. These orders were postponed until) May 1 at General Foch’s request, and wore'then carried out with scarcelv any loss, reflecting the greatest possible credit on Lieut.-General Plumer. Our artillery, assisted by aeroplanes, caused the Germans considerable toss when there was an interchange opposite our now tine and wq were advancing our guns to the new positions. During the whole of June 4 the enemy heavily shelled our evacuated trenches, quite unaware that they were unoccupied.

THE SEA WOLVES.

RUSSIAN VESSELS ATTACKED

(Received July 11, 3.20 p.m.) LONDON. July 11

A submarine sank the steamer Guide, hound from Hull to Archangel. The crew landed at Potershead. The submarine also sank the Russian steamer Anna, bound from Archangel to Hull. The crow landed at Peterhead. The Anna is reported to he still afloat. A submarine sunk the Russian barque Marion Lightbody, hound from Valparaiso to England, off Queenstown, where the crew landed. A submarine sank the steamer •Elersmere near the Smalls. One man was killed and the remainder landed. ' The Norwegian stein-mer Nnordas, bound from Bergen to Archangel,- was torpedoed. The crew; landed at A herdeen. • : ' ■ _ . „ ' During the week ending Julv the arrivals and sailings totalled 1369, anfll -ten shins were submarined, aggregating 310058 tons.

RUSSIA’S SPLENDID RETREAT.

REMARKABLE REARGUARD CAMPAIGN. A MASTERPIECE OF STRATEGY. ENEMY FEARFULLY PUNISHED. mU'JTS H CORRESPONDENT’S WARM APPRECIATION. (Received July 11, 3.50 p.m.) . LONDON, July 11. rlie Times” correspondent, after a visit to the Army holding Zlotalifa, states that it fought one of the most remarkable rearguard actions in history. Despite tho overwhelming concentration of German and Austrian forces, the Russians withdrew during six weeks from Striji to Zlotalifa. taking 53,000 prisoners, besides inflicting <v vcn greater casualties on the enemy. The Russian policy has been to retreat by means of forced marches until they gained a natural defensive position several days ahead of their pursuers. When the pursuers arrived they found themselves facing an extremely difficult position which was held for a few days, the Germans and Austrians being forced to pay tho maximum price for their advanco.

. When they finally got past the bai--rior they discovered tlmt the main Russian force had again disappeared, only to ho waiting in an equally strong position, a few days’ inarch beyond. Tile Russians’ present position is in heavy rolling country, the river forming a natural barrier of great strength. If tho general situation necessitates,! further retreat, there are at least six natural positions between Zlotalifa and Tarnapol, and each will cost tho Austro-Germans three or four times tho Russian casualties. Hardly a day passes without largo captures of prisoners. Tho A ustro-German losses in the battle at Zlotalifa in prisoners alone exceeded the total Russian casualties. German prisoners state that many companies have been reduced to a hundred. arid many admit ;h»t tln v are direct from the French front.

A Russian official message is as follows: The enemy in the direction of Boliinoif attacked, using gases, hut nowhere progressed. Our offensive at Lublin has extended along tho whole of the region from tile month of the Rod!hie to u stream south of Bykhava. Th e <‘ii. iiiv continues to retreat, while trying u> hold us. We have now taken prisoner over 15.000 men. A Geneva telegram states that a battle began, on Wednesday on the right bank of the Vistula, between Wisniga and C hod el, and terminated in a Russian victory. The Russians attacked with such dash that the enemy immediately retreated, and the Russian artillery accentuated tho retreat. Tho Austro-Germans within 27 hours lost 13,000 killc-d and 20.000 wounded—the. best of their first line troops. (Received July 12, 12.5 a.m.) Encounters arc more frequent between Rrasyz and the Vistula. 'the Germans on Friday night evacuated tho last of the trenches they had! captured near Gouvaine, covering tho withdrawal with a hurricane of fire.. In the: Lublin area south of Urzeloff our troops approached, the river Yi.jliit/.a. The enemy maintains his position on Height 118, south of Vilkolaz. and delivered violent attacks on the village of Bystrzitza, all being repulsed. Our reserves dashingly counter-at-tacked on Friday afternoon and forced tho enemy into a hasty and disorderly retreat.

Between Vierpz and Westerlmt we easily repulsed an attack. The enemy assumed the offensive at Zlotolipa and several times, reached tho entanglements, but each time were repulsed.

THE ITALIAN CAMPAIGN. CAPTURE OF MONTE CELLO. ALPINS’S MIDNIGHT CLIMB A DRAMATIC COUP. KING VICTOR AT THE FRONT. (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) (Received July 10, 7.40 p.m.) LONDON, July 10. The Italians have captured Monte Cello. Alpini, r-oped together, descended several thousand feet to a valley, whence, late in the evening, they began to ascend Monte Cello, climbing the perpendicular side in the starlight and approaching the unsuspecting Austrians at midnight. Only two of the Austrians escaped. The position has been consolidated and will greatly assist the attack upon Port Dacca rino. The Italians are only thirty kilometres from Trieste. It is quite a common sight to see the King of Italy’s modest motor ear speeding along the roads under Austrian fire. King Victor generally carries a quantity of cigars and cigarettes to distribute- among the troops. Ho spent a day amid the Alpini at Monte Nero and gave each, a hearty hand-shake. Amongst them the King saluted a dozen Parliamentary Deputies, including the famous Socialist leader Bissolati, who is serving a-s a sergeant in the ranks. The King rises from an ordinary camp bed at 4 o’clock in the morning, and an hour later speeds to the most critical spot on the front. A strong enemy force of infantry attempted a surprise on our position at Malgalcno and' the Decnc Valley, but completely failed. One of our detachments pushed forward to thoi Terragnolo Valley on the Adige. We captured positions at Malza.sarta and Gost-a Bella, dominating the valley. We repulsed two strong attacks at the head of the Franza valley, on the Upper Cardevolo. Our Alpini daringly scaled Mount, Ofana and surprised -the enemy entrenched in the Travon Auzes valley, taking 20 prisoners. . An artillery duel is proceeding m the Isonzo.

DEFENCE OF POLA.

TAKEN OVER, BY GERMANS

(Received July 12, 12.5 a.m.) PARIS, July 11

Zurich reports that the Germans have taken over control of the defences of Pola. All the forts and barracks are mined and will be blown up if the Italians enter the town.

GENERAL ITEMS.

THE GERMANS IN LUXEMBURG

(Times and Sydney Sun Services.) (Received July 10, 7.30‘p.m.) LONDON, July 10. The Hague reports that travellers assort that Germany has practically annexed Luxemburg and is using the territory as a military base and imprisoning protesting inhabitants. Iho country’s situation is terrible, because the local authorities are powerless, fearing a formal announcement of annegation in case of opposition. The Swiss papers state that six German army corps were recently transferred from the eastern to tho western. frontier.

BRITAIN’S SOLEMN HOUR.

“HEED THE CALL NOW OR NEVER !” LORD KITCHENER APPEALS FOR MORE MEM. GREATEST NEEDS OF THE MOMENT. MEN, MATERIAL, AND MONEY. LONG AND ARDUOUS CAMPAIGN PREDICTED. (Received July 11, 3.20 p.m.) LONDON, .July 10. V ast crowds in the streets -gave an ovation io Loid Kitchener as he was proceeding to the Guildhall. Tie re were many members of Cabinet and politicians on the platform. Lord Kitchener said he was glad of the Lord Mayor’s invitation to the Guildhall to make another larger demand iijyon tho resources of English manhood. Our thoughts naturally turned to the splendid efforts of the Dominions, who throughout had ranged themselves beside the Motherland. Tho Indian armies really were the first in tho field. The Canadians had closely followed, and were now associated with their Anglo-French comrades in Flanders, presenting a solid, impenetrable front. Tho Australians and New Zealanders, combined with the Anglo-French forces at the Dardanelles, had already accomplished a teat of arms' of almost unexampled brilliance, and were pushing the campaign to a successful conclusion. In each of the great Dominions new and large contingents were being prepared. South Africa, not content with the successful accomplishment of the arduous campaign in South-West Africa, was now offering large forces for Europe. Lord Kitchener stated that-Britain, while strengthened by the unflinching support of her fellow-citizens overseas, sought to develop her own military resources to the utmost limits. There was a vitai need for more and still more men. The situation in this re-f-peet was immeasurably better than ten months ago, but the position was j at least as serious as then. Napoleon said there were three necessaries in war: Money, money, money. Our greatest needs of the moment were men, material, and money. The mark-

ed success of the war loan was due to its i.ivorabk reception in the City. ! tie energetic efforts or the new Munitions Department, ho continued, ucie overcoming diffbid ties in regard to supplies. ip- had taken up office as a soldier, not as a politician. Ha had early in the war warned p topic of the et rUiiiity that the. war would be arduous and prolonged and was of the same opinion now. .

The Germans’ thorough preparedness was due to the strenuous high pressure and unremitting efforts of forty years, shown by a military organisation complete, perfect, and elaborately organised for imposing the Germans’ will upon other nations. Her vast resources and military strength were wielded bv an autocracy peculiarly adapted to the conduct of war. The end of a long preparation enabled instantaneous use of the whole of thc-ir resources. Our policy was to gradually increase tne effectives. It was truly said that Germany must decrease. and we must increase. Tilevoluntary system of the nations was a deliberate choice. It necessitated an army in peace time of slender dimensions, with a capacity for potential expansion. AA'e habitually relied upon time being allowed to increase our armies during hostilities. Our military situation in August therefore was normal, he continued, and it became ail immediate task concurrent with the despatch of the first Expeditionary Forces, t-o raise new arms and provide a strong and steady stream of reinforcement* to maintain tiie army in the field at full fighting strength' There had been a satisfactory and constant flow of recruits. He believed the recent slackening in -recruiting was largely due to temporary influences. It was difficult to exaggerate the value of the response to his previous appeal. Lord Kitchener then made another for volunteers to come forward and defend the country. He was unwilling to as'k for men in excess of the equipment available, but happily tile limitations of material had been surmounted. They had sufficient arms and clothing to convert all recruits into efficient soldiers. Therefore he made an unrestricted call for men. The larger the army the greater the need for over-swelling numbers to maintain it at the full strength. Something more was now required than the. enlistment of the large reserve which was imperatively needed. Our gallant soldiers in the fighting line were beckoning with urgency wliicJi is imperious, pathetically urging stayers at home to come out and play their part. Therefore we must go a step further and attract those who, from various causes, had not yielded, to their patriotic impulses. National registration when completed would enable him to note the men between 19 and 40 not required for munitions and other necessary work. Steps would be taken to secure the enlistment of Ml possible, firstly from the unmarried.

Lord Kitchener said that registration would occupy some week.-. Meantime it was paramount that as many as possible should join to expedite training. He appealed to emnloyers to release all qualified for service, replacing them with ineligibles and women. Lack of encouragement on the part of some employers dissuaded many who dare not risk their bread and butter. It was inexpedient to shout abroad the numbers likely to be required, because the figures would be useful to the enemy. He was often urged to afford greater information as to the whereabouts of regiments. This was precisely what would be of value to the enemy. A German prince of high command ruefully admitted' complete ignorance of our new armies. The casualty lists sufficiently indicated the needs at the Front. A large percentage were comparatively slightly wounded and would soon return to the firing line. Referring to shirkers, Lord Kitchener said probably the absolute donothings were fewer than was commonly supposed 1 , but he wished those engaged in patriotic work would ask themselves whether. they had a- real reason for not joining. He thought many who became special constables wore qualified for higher service. Some men said they did not see why they should go until they were fetched. Ho granted they Legally need not. go ir they choose not to do so, but lie added. ‘•‘‘lsn’t it morally up -to you? Will you do your duty only when the law says you must? It is a matter for your conscience. Make up your minds quickly.” In every man’s life there was a supremo hour towards which all earlier experiences move, from which all future results are reckoned. That solemn hour was striking for every Briton. “Let us,” lie concluded, “heed tile opportunity now or never, shirk nothing, shrink from nothing; lend mir full weight to tho impetus which shall carry to victory tho cause of our honor and freedom.”

THROUGH ENEMY EYES.

OFFICIAL GERMAN REPORTS

(Received July IT, 4 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, July 11. A German official message says: “Wo captured between the Maurthe and the Moselle since July 4,179 S prisoners, including 21 officers, and also took three guns, 12 machineguns and 18 mine-throwing howitzers. A Berlin wireless message says:—“Our heavy bombardment of Arras destroyed stores, and the British - are thereby handicapped. We regret that the cathedral at Arras was burnt.

THE ALLIES’ CAMPAIGN.

LIVELY ARTiLLERY DUEL. FRESH ADVANCE AT FGNTEMELLE. 700 METRES GAINED. MANY PRISONERS CAPTURED. (Received Julv I I, 3.20 p.m.} PARIS, July IT. A communique states: There has been a lively artillery night duel around Houchez for a week and a continuous bombardment of Arras and a violent cannonade between the Oise and the Aisne, with mine fighting upon the Plateau Xovxon. By naani:-: of grenade lighting we recaptured trenches between Teycnliavo and Buis ie J’retre. I lift enemy used aerial torpedoes and liquid lire at G'rois des Garriys, and following upon their attack, gained n fooling in our first line. AV'o counter-attacked, ejecting them except Irom the most advanced, points. We were markedly successful at Fontonelle, recapturing our former positions and driving out the Germans from the extensive works and advancing 700 metres on a front of 000 metros. AYe took many prisoners and a great quantitiy of ammunition. The Germans at dawn violently bombarded the lost positions. The repeated German incendiary y bombardment of Souchez and Arras are inflicting irreparable historic and artistic damage in Handers. This clearly justifies reprisals. Official: Prisoners taken at Fonlonelle on July 8 totalled 881, including 21 officers’. Our aeroplanes bombarded the railway stations at Arnahalle and Bayonvilie and military huts at Norroy. Twenty-six bombs of a thousand darts were dropped. A Zurich telegram is as follows:

Trustworthy information from tho front stares that Germany brought only artillery westward from Galicia, there being no attempt t-o reduce the infantry there. The infantrv sent to the west front consists of newlytrained units from all parts of Germany. but five army corps are con-r-outniv-d at Thorn ready for transporta lion westward.

THE YFRES CANAL. ENEMY FALL BACK. SEVERE LOSSES INFLICTED. (Received July TI. 3.20 p.m.} LONDON, July 11. Sir John French reports: Since the successful enterprise north of Ypres, reported on July fj, the enemy has made r. pouted attempts to retake the lost trenches, hut all counter-attacks have been stopped, with the co-opera-tion of our French artillery. After a bombing duel this morning lasting tv.o days and nights. the enemy fell back along the canal, enabling us to extend our ohms. AYe in addition to prisoners, captured a machiiiegiiu and three trench mortars. All reports indicate that the German losses were severe, particularly during the counter-attacks. LATEST REPORTS. (Received Julv 12. 12.5 a.m.' PARIS. July U. Official: The Belgians repulsed an enemy attack at'a point d’appui or the right hank of the Y'ser opposite the Ferryman's House. A surprise attack in the Champagne area rendered us masters of a ( ermau listening post, the occupants of which were either killed or dispersed. THE ALLIES’ LEADERS. IMPORTANT CONFERENCE AT CALAIS. PREMIER AND LORD KITCHENER TOUR BRITISH FRONT. (Recieved Julv 11. 3.30 p.m A LONDON, July 11. Mr Asquith, Lord Crewe, Lord Kitchener!" and Mr Balfour on Tuesday conferred at Calais with MM. Delc-asse. Milleraud, Augagnem, and Thomas, and General Joffre. Sir John French was also present. Air Asquith and Lord Kitchener visited Sir John French’s headquarters on Tuesday, and toured the British front for two days and inspected, the First and Second Armies and the Indian Flying Corps. They were specially interested in the machine-gun school, where they met King Albert. Lord Kitchener visited the French troops at Arras and returned to London in the afternoon.

A SMART CAPTURE. ITALIAN SUBMARINE TRAP. GERMANS CHAGRINED. (Received Julv 11, 3.20 p.m.; - ' ROME, July 11. The “Giornale d'ltalia” states that u Italian warship caught a steamer belonging to a Balkans neutral State KHloo"witli benzine and naptha. Tiie captain confessed that he was waiting to deliver the cargo to a German submarine. The Italian commander manned the steamer with his own bluejac-ket-s. disguised as merchantmen, and armed (The shin with machine-guns. At the appointed hour a periscope emerged from the sea and greetings were exchanged, and then the commander of the steamer stepped forward and cried: “Take your choice! Surrender or be sent to the bottom 1 The Teutons, stupefied, surrendered, the submarine was towed to an Italian port. _. , It is reported that the Italians desroved three Austrian submarines during the first month of the war. OUTRAGE IN EGYPT. BOMB THROWN AT SULTAN. A FORTUNATE ESCAPE. (Received Julv 11, 3.20 p.m.) ALEXANDRIA, July 11. As the Sultan was going to prayers a bomb was thrown from a window and fell' at the feet of his horses, but did not explode. Tile criminal was net captured. The Sultan went on and performed his devotions. WATCHING THE KONIGSBERG. AUSTRALIAN SAILOR’S STORY. • (Received July 12, 1.35 a.m.) FREMANTLE, July 11. A. sailor aboard a warship winch left Fremantle months'ago on an unknown mission writes from near jubar: “We have been on blockading dutv stopping food supplies entering to the enemy. Our seaplanes make things interesting for tho KonigsbeigWo are looking forward to a naval landing party and think the gunnel s will put up a scrap when we start, to force things. “At Tanga our troops met big resistance and had to abandon the attack. The Legmans were well prepared. Tbev had beehives m the bush with topes attached. The men tripped and upset the hives and got a- warm time, while the Germans, with cleverlv-concealed machineguns. poured a deadly fire on our men.”