WAR NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 January 1917, Page 1

WAR NEWS.

<. Per Press Association.—Copyright. MORE. Kiltt WAMED. To Bring ViLtory. (Australia & N.Z. Cable Assocution) LONDON, Jan. lb. Colonel Kopington (military expert 01 “Tlie Times”) declares it is a necessity *for securing sixty new divisions for the West Trout. The belligerents are still very far apart in their views on tho basis and conditions of jreace, and therefore the sword alone will decide, j The present number of French, mulish ail'd Belgian divisions, lie says, aro quite insufficient for a decisive offensive. Supposing we have two million and the French three million men wc must debit the non-fighters. Before the war we supposed that a three to one superiority was not to. great for an attacker. Wo have nothing like this superiority, and victory depends on obtaining it.

Fresh divisions are obtainable by sending to the West those dispersed elsewhere, and by copying tho bßinm*. system of expanding the total divisions, bv creating new home, and dominions and overseas divisions. Our remissness in the creation of a new division and our departure from the conception of Lord Kitchener, who proposed to continue the ceaseless development of our forces until our enemies were exhausted.

Colonel Repington urges the immediate passage of a civil mobilisation bill based on the German law, and even then it will be August before the men are ready.

LONDON, Jan. 15. A French communique says: There was the usual cannonade south of tho Somme in the region of Verdun. [Enemy reconnaissances south of ißorryaubac were repulsed. A Constant FressurePARIS, Jan. 14th. The. “Petit Paris ion” says: The British are harassing the enemy without relaxation from Ypres to the Somme. Tho two days’ battle at Ancre was tlie most important action since November. The Germans regarded the redoubts as invulnerable. Many Huns were captured undressed.

Official Reports. LONDON, Jan. 14. Sir Douglas. Haig reports: The enemy penetrated a post north-west of Seine, but were immediately driven out. We successfully conducted a minor enterprise westward of Wytschate. LONDON, Jan. 14. Sir Douglas Haig reports: We dispersed raiders at Guedeeourt and conducted successful patrol enterprises at Neuve Cliapelle and Armentieres. Russian Campaign. LONDON. Jan. 15. The “Morning Post’s” Pet-vograd correspondent says the first stage of General Demitrieff’s operations Appears v„ have ended. The Germans massed heavy reinforcements, including a large force of artillery , at the threatened points, but tho Russians continue to hold all their gains despite desperate counter-attacks arid are bringing up artillery adequate to cope with the German efforts. A Protest. (Australia & N.Z. Cable Association) r ‘ LONDON, Jan.-15. The Yorkshire engineers have resolved to protest at the number of untrained men who are admitted to munitions works, thereby escaping military service. They threaten drastic action. The position is becoming acute. * The National Amagamated Union of Labour and National Union and General Workers and Workers Union, representing 300,000 have protested to Lloyd George aganist the further “ debaging” of skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled workers.

Palestine Advance. (Australia & N.Z. Cable Association,) LONDON, Jan. 14. Tlie press are now discussing tho possibilities of an advance on Palestine. The “Manchester Guardian” says wo may expect that another quick march will bring tho Anzacs to Zazcs, the key to tho coast road, but the country abounds with good definite positions and a railway inland. If the campaign in Syria continues necessary we can cut tlie rail to Alexandria. Mr Lovat Fraser, in the “Mail” says the splendid exploits of tlie Anzacs and arc valuable because they are worrying the Turks, but we have neither tho time or strength for vast adventures in Asia. ITe believes that General Sir A. Murray will at some time take Jerusalem, but the dreams of a united sweep through Asia Minor and North Arabia are more moonshine.

Food Supply. LONDON, Jan. 14. Tlie two-course meals havo failed. The restaurants report that customers increased their consumption of meat by fifteen per cent. Lord Devonport is considering the question of tlie early closing of eatinghouses or the restriction of prices. Turkish Troops. ROME, Jan. 14. Turkish troops aro now engaged on tho Italian front. A captureLONDON, Jan. 14. A wireless German official message claims tho capture of Vadeni on the praila-Galatz railway.

Enemy Finance. (AuttraUm &N.Z, Cable Asßoci&tim ) Amsterdam, Jan. is. The “Neuespester Journal” says the capitalists of Germany and AustriaHungary are negotiating a gigantic banking concern for the Central Powers. It is stated that fifty million sterling has already bc6n raised. It is a German enterprise, and aims at developing commercial interests during the transition stage after the war. Submarining. COPENHAGEN, Jan. 14. A (German submarine stopped the steamer Ingeborg in the North Sea and compelled her to jettison seven hundred {French and English mail bags consigned to Russia, Roumania and Jap, (LONDON, Jan. 14. The Norwegian steamer Vestfold has been sunk. LONDON, Jan. 14 The Russian steamer Ruby was sunk. H A Railway. WASHINGTON, Jan. 15. A report from Petrograd states that a syndicate propose to construct a thousand mile railroad from south of the Manchurian line at Omsk into southern Siberia.