The War News.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 17 February 1916, Page 3

The War News.

FRIDAY Important Russian Progress — Local Gorman Success in West— Reported Capture of Enemy Cruiser The Kussians have captured -a crossing over the Dniester, north of Czernovitz, in Bukovina. Reports' from France and Italy state that the situation in Roumania is developing towards intervention. The Germans appear to have a minor success at La ..■^phei, a few miles north of Arras, . where, by capturing some of the French trenches, they have 'straightened their line. An offer by Germany to Belgium of a separate peace, Belgium to receive an indemnity and Germany to retain Antwerp and Ostend, was rejected.

France reports that the work of concentrating 100,000 Servians on the island of Corfu is almost completed, and Albania evacuated.

An unconfirmed but circumstantial report from New York states the German cruiser Roon was captured in the Atlantic by the British cruiser Drake.

SATURDAY French Recover Lost Ground — Fierce Fighting in Galicia — Allied Co-operation There have bsen a number of minor actions along the western front. The French claim to have recaptured a part of the trench recently taken by the Germans near La Folie. The Austrians report increased activity on the Eastern Galician front. There has been fierce fighting near Tarnopol, east of Lemberg. Further North, neai Plnsk, an inundation forced the Germans to abandon several long lines of trenches. It is announced that the ninth New Zealand reinforcement have arrived in Egypt, and have gone to Zietoun camp for further training. MONDAY Salonika Full of Transports — Activity of French Troops — French Advance in Champagne— German Torpedoers in North Sea It is reported that French columns have advanced in a westerly direction from the allies' positions at Salonika, and have occupied strong natural positions beyond the Vardar River.

The activity of the Russians in Bessarabia and Bukovina has caused the enemy to withdraw troops from the Balkans. The success of the Russians in Eastern Galicia, which is endangering the enemy's possessions in Galicia, is said to be due to their vastly-improved artillery.

There have been several brisk actions on the western front. The French have taken 300 yds of trenches in the Champagne, and have evicted the enemy from positions he captured near Frise. The Germans were driven from positions in the British line, where they temporarily secured a foothold.

German torpedo-boats sank a British mine-sweeper on the Dogger Bank, and thereupon announced that they had destroyed a " new British cruiser."

TUESDAY Activity in the West — Series of '. German Attacks — French Hold ■ and Gain Ground — Roumania ■— Old French Cruiser •^•S-unk --■ '; British, French and German communiques indicate remarkable activity all along the western front. The Germans have made attacks at many points, but all appear to have failed — the majority breaking down, and the enemy, in other instances, being driven out of the allies' trenches by counter-attacks. The French have held and extended the position they captured at Mesnil Hill, in the Champagne. The Kaiser, who is said to be anxious to ascertain Roumania's intentions before the Central Powers attack Salonika, has asked Roumania to remember Servia and Belgium. A small 20-year-old French cruiser, the Amiral Charner, is believed to have been sunk by a submarine in the Eastern Mediterranean. The American correspondents of British newspapers declare that the United States has been hoodwinked by cunning German diplomacy. British distilleries have been taken over by the Department for use as munitions factories.

THE WEEK'S SUMMARY.

WEDNESDAY Waiting for Attack — Increased Activity in West — Russian Advance on Erzeroum —Arethusa Damaged by Mine The marked and increasing activity along the western front is being given different interpretations. Some critics believe that the Germans are seeking a weak spot; others, that the attacks are merely preliminaries to a general offensive. The French have captured enemy trenches near Frise.

The position in the Balkans continues to excite much speculation. Koumania has called further classes of men to military service, and is expected to have an army of one million ready in April.

Bulgarian and Austrian troops have appeared in Albania, near Valona and Durrazo respectively. Querrels between the Turks and Germans are reported.

The Russians captured one ot the Erzeroum forts, in Asia Minor, after a bombardment had caused a violent explosion there. Many prisoners and much munitions were taken.

The British light cruiser Arethusa, which won fame in the Heligoland fight early in the war, has been severely damaged by a mine, and is expected to become a complete loss.

The more efficient organisation of the British air defences has been taken over by Viscount French, and an elaborate system, extending over certain districts, is under consideration.

THURSDAY

The Situation Reviewed by Earl Kitchener—Mr Asquith on War Costs—British Trenches Lost at Ypres — Another Erzeroum Fort Taken

Comprehensive references to situation in the varions theatres of war were made by Earl Kitchener at the opening of Parliament. He announced that eight new divisions have been added to the British army in France. He expressed complete confidence in a victorious issue which would ensure peace for this and many succeeding generations.

Mr Asquith gave an interesting review of the financial situation. He stated that the war is costing Britain £5,000,000 per day, foreshadowing a further increase in taxation, and emphasised the urgent need of strict economy in every department of public and private life.

Marked activity is again reported from many points along the western front.

The.Russians have taken another fort, together with 20 guns, at Erzeroum, in Asia Minor.