The War News.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 11 March 1915, Page 3

The War News.

THE WEEK'S SUMMARY.

FRIDAY Nearer Constantinople — Warships Winning Their Way •=- Dardanelles Forts Silences — Victory in Eastern Qalicia —Six Thousand Austrians Captured Naval operations against the Dardanelles forts were resumed on Monday morning, the allies, warships attacking from the straits and from the Gulf of Saros. At Athens reports state that the allies' warships have silenced three more forts, and ha^||dvanced two miles. The Russians continue to act on the offensive in all directions" In Eastern Galicia an important success was gained in the forcing of the Lomnitza River. Six thousand Austrians, with guns and transport, were captured. In Northern Poland the fighting continues to favour the Russians. Several attempts by the Germans to approach the fortress of Osowiecz were repulsed. The United States Note to Britain and Germany suggests that no isolated drifting mines be laid, and that all mines be constructed to become harmless if they break loose from their anchorages. It is further suggested that Britain agree that foodstuffs be not included as an absolute contraband. —[Cool cheek.] /

SATUKDAY Battle in East Qalicia — Russians take 300*0 Prisoners—Dardanelle Operations—Excitement in Italy —Qeimans' latest Devilment The Russians are attacking on the line between the Vistula and the Niemen. As a result of a battle in East Galicia they claim 3000 prisoners. The Austrians continue to attack ceaselessly in the Carpathiano, and have sustained great losses without compensating advantage. The allies are continuing their attacks on the Dardanelles. Warships operating from the open sea destroyed an observation station, a bridge and additional guns. The coast of Asia Minor has also been bombarded. Italy is reported to be conscious that the allies' operations against the Dardanelles are bringing her day of decision very lieaJ. The Germans have employed against the French a new stratagem which causes shocking injuries, In one instance they sprayed the French trenches with petrol, and threw hand grenades, thus setting the trenches on fire The French have gained the ascendancy in recent fighting in the Argonne. Accurate artillery -fire has demolished some of the enemy's trenches in Flanders, MONDAY More Submarines Sunk. — Forcing the Dardanelles. — A Russian Strategy in Poland. —How the Germans were Trapped The German submarine U8 has been sunk by British destroyers in the English Channel.. The crew were taken off. A French warship shelled and hit another submarine, three times. The submarine disappeared. JJombardment of Dardanelles has been continued by a powers ful allied squadron, indding the new British super-Dreadnought, the Queen Elizabeth. The im« portant forte at the Narrows were engaged with satisfactory results, a^nd landing parties were sent ashore to clear the ground at the entrance to the Straits. JK*£,is estimated that General ■ttjlJjpHindenburg lost over aquarter of a million men last month, and that nearly 30,000 were killed at Prasnysz. The Austrians have evacuated Czer~ $gw;itz, the capital 'of Bukov|na.! A 3?rengh official estimate places the minimum German losses, including sick and prisoners, at three millions. TUESDAY Greece Urgent for. War—The King Favours Neutrality. —Unlocking; tjjie Dardanelles—Constantinople I^ahic-stricken "' ' ' The Prime Minister of Greece anclthe. Cahjnet have resigned oir {account, of the King'-s refusal to g,ceest their advice that Greece gh@uld join the allies. King Constantine, who wife is sister of the Kaiser, has offered the Premiership to an advocate of neutrality. The populace demands war, and it is held that the present crisis will merely delay the entry of Greece. The qperations against the Dardanelles . continue. • . rJ.'he

Queen Elizabeth has bombarded the forts at the Narrows from the Gulf of Saros, and it is reported that the batteries on the' Smyrna heights have been silenced. The Turks are using floating mines extensively. Constantinople is panicstricken, and it is feared the approach of the allies' warships will be the signal for a massacre of Christians. WEDNESDAY The Dardanelles. — Expeditionary Force Ready. — Russian Fleet Operates. — Submarine Warfare Renewed In the bombardment of the Dardanelles the allies' warships have used direct fire against the forts at the Narrows. Two forts and a battery have been silenced. The Russian Fleet has bombarded ports on the Turkish Black Sea coast, about 120 miles east of the Bosphorous, doing considerable damage. The French Government has decided to concentrate an expeditionary force in North Africa in view of the Dardanelles situation. i German submarines have re newed their attacks on merchant shipping. There are indications of renewed fighting in Flanders. In the eastern theatre the enemy's offensive movements show signs of exhaustion except in Galicia.

THURSDAY Three Steamers Sunk—Torpedoed without Warning.—New Cabinet in Greece.—Policy of Neutrality Three merchantmen^ have been torpedoed off the English coast without warning. In one case only one man of the crew of 38 was saved. A fourth steamer was chased by a submarine, but escaped. A former Greek Minister of Finance, M. Gounaris, has formed a Cabinet, the foreign policy of which is described at neutrality, marked by a .favourable disposition to Servia. Greek newspapers are urging partibipation in the war.

Austrian atrocities in Servia are certified to by a Government Commission. Over a hundred persons were fastened together and buried alive in a trench.

The Germans appear to be massing great forces on the frontier of Prasnysz.