ROUMANIANS TORTURED.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 February 1917, Page 2

ROUMANIANS TORTURED.

a Tale of Horror(Australia & N.Z. Cable Association) Rome, Feb 26 Italian newspapers give prominanco to a honible story of an escaped Roumanian prisoner, a robust voueg peasant. He wa-; imprisoned at various camps and later was sent to the Italian front to build roads.

He says sixty compatriots in one camp died from hangar. The AustroHungarians throughout treated the Roumanians as ti;o K»i?er ordered his Bcldiora to treat the Chinese Boxers. *Vheo they entered tho Roumanian villages ibay deslroyed everything not of immediate usa, including farm buildings, and orchards, shooting old kdou aud vvomi n cu ihe nute suspicion.

Life in the prison camps «> s a constant tortare. All the prisoners were starved and forced to woi k from morn till night under the threat of the whip, •

Some proFcr/cre ata a ft. -v seeds with which they weie sowing the Qaida, and a general puuishm nt was ordered, she pt-iac>oe>s being beaten with thick sticks arm! iheir spiueg were almost broken. Some were hoisted nntil their toss barely touched the ground and were thus left for hours, or were doubled up, tied with ropes, and left lying on the ground all day. Many fell dead from hangar in the fields. Only those of robust constitution escaped the privations.

Rush for Stores.

London, Feb 25

Grocers shops at Liverpool were besieged by people anxious to purchase immense quantities of goods mentioned in the prohibited and restricted imports order.

Grocers refused to sell, except of bona fide needs.

A Dutch View-

Amsterdam, Feb 25

The Dutch socialist organ, Hetvolk, in reply to the German Socialist, press, says it trieß to expound to us aud other neutrals that cruel necessity, whereto German taciica are bringing ns, ought to inspire us to more energetic action to secure peace, but peace inspired by agony and terror does not appear to us precisely what we understand by Socialist peace. The frightfulness of the submarine warfare has, for the time being, radioally compromised all hopes of peace, The Laconia Sunk. London, Feb 26 Six Americans aboard the Laoonia and 170 passengers were rescued. The Laoonia was torpedoed while en route from ISTjw York to England, without warning, Toriiedoau. (Received Feb 27, at 9 a.m.) London Feb 26 The Falcon of Cardiff of 2144 tons waa torpedoed and sunk. Mr Wilson’s Request, Washington, Feb 26 President Wilson addresses Congress immediately, asking power to protect American lives and property on the high seas.

It is understood that his future policy will be an armed neutrality. Later. President Wilson has asked Congress for authority to arm merchantmen and to take any other means to protect American lives and interests on the high &eas. He declared the time had arrived when influences, other than material things must be considered, if United States is to up. hold her citizens’ rights.

Italian War Loan

Rome, Feb 2G It is officially announced that subscriptions to the new Italian War Loan exceed 87 millions, whereof 58 millions are new money.

Food Thefts in Vienna

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter.)

Geneva, Feb 23

Thß burgomaster of Vienna, Dr Welskircbn6r, threatens to resign Hungary continues to refuse to Sond food to Vienna, according to ’ repor ,. s received here. He is quoted as sayiEK that the prisons are tilled, chiefly witb women and children cor victed of faay . ing stolen food, whiP j housewive3 are afraid to go f(jr food even jn the principal at reets owing tQ rob _ beries and ass? G j ts The Swir 3 uad Q dl , maa p a p ers a re crowded w j tb advertisements fGr Swiss Servants to go to Germany, the reaso T j being that every Swiss in Garraar iy is allowed to receive fiom home y' eekly ten pounds of foodstuffs.

“Wm-ihe War ” Day.

Sydney, Feb 26

The latest return of the Win-the-War Day is that 40,000 new members were enrolled.

Mr Asquith ill

(Australian &N.Z. Cable Association)

London, Feb 23 Mr Arqaith is reported to be seriously indisposed.

Ministers in Disgrace

London, Feb 21

The Times correspondent at Jaa*y (temporary capital of Rumania) states that the Government has compulsorily retired certain Ministers who weie sent on missions to Austria and Turkey, and remained in enomy teiritory, contrary to orders.

General Soccn has been sentenced to five yeaas’ imprisonment for misconduct at the Battle of Arges.

Next Peace Bid to Coma Before

Easter.

London, Feb 23

Efforts for peace by Germany will from now forward take on much the appearance of an auction, according to an article in the Spec‘ator, which claims to have knowledge from an unusually welt informed source that her next bid has actua'iv been settled ou already, is framed in concrete terms, and will be made before Easter. The new bid is described as beiug of a “ passionate ” character and forced on account of the spectre of famine which indeed cannot bo said to be a spectre now, but a grim reality which is pointing its finger to Germany’s doom.

Coming Offensive

New York, Feb 23

Captain Arnold Wmtridge, who has been serving with the Royal Field Artillery in the Britieh army since the beginning of 1915 is here. With regard to the conditions on the Somme the captain oaid that the big attack next April would put the artillery firing during the last summer ou the Weateru Front into the discord completoly. The British had any amount of shells at the present time aud were piling up a big reserve. Thera was some bombarding going on continuously from day to day, hs continued but the lakes of mud on the roads made it very, difficult to move big guns, which are hauled by traction engines.

CaptaiD Whltridge was mentioned in despatches during the eaily fighting in the Somme where he was wounded and spent some time in a hospital in England.

Lost Dutch Ships.

London, Feb 26

All tbe Dutoh vessels sailed on Tharsday from Falmouth, where they arrived on various dates and were released at the request of tbe Dutch Government.

Official—The Dutch Legation privately instructed the captains as to the proper course. Tbe vessels carried lights, clearly illuminating them. A abort distance from Falmouth a submarine attacked aud sank three and severely damaged four.