The War News.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 4 May 1916, Page 3

The War News.

THE WEEK'S

SUMMARY.

FRIDAY

Dublin Riot Quelled — Troops Command the City — Germans Repulsed near Souchez

It is officially stated that the situation caused by the riots in Dublin is now well in hand. Troops have arrived from England, and St. Stephen's Green has been occupied, and a cordon drawn round the centre of the city, The latest casualties reported are 15 killed and 21 wounded, also two loyal volunteers and two policemen killed, and six volunteers wounded. |v Sir Roger Casement, who was /arrested in connection with the abortive attempt to take arms into Ireland, was landed from a German submarine. The vessel accompanying the submarine was ordered by a British warship to proceed to Queenstown. She started off, but was scuttled by her crew. The vessel was manned by a picked crew, and had on board about 20,0Q0 rifles, also machine-guns and ammunition.

The German squadron which bombarded Lowestbft is believed to have included five battle" cruisers. The bombardment lasted half-an-hour.

The recent Zeppelin raids over Essex, Kent, Norfolk, and Suffolk were met by heavy fire from anti-aircraft guns, which proved an effective defence.

Following a mine explosion, the Germans obtained a footing in British trenches near Souchez, but were driven out. 'An attack in Lorraine was stopped by the French fire.

SATURDAY

The Trouble in Ireland—Sir John Maxwell in Charge — English Compulsion Crisis — British Repulse German Attacks

The situation in Ireland is still serious. The trouble appears to be spreading, especially in the west, although a considerable area of the country is quiet. Martial law has been proclaimed oyer the whole of Ireland. The latest official statement shows that the rioters still hold some important public buildings in Dublin, and fighting in the streets continues. The troops have been strongly reinforced, and are declared adequate to deal with the situation.

Sir John Maxwell, who was lately in command in Egypt, has been sent to Ireland with plenary

powers.

The Bill providing for the prolongation until the end of the war of the service of time-expired men, and the enrolment of all youths as they reach their eighteenth year —which repre sented the first step to give effect to the Cabinet's compromise on the compulsion question —has been withdrawn, owing to its unfavourable reception in the House of Commons.

A French attack north of the River Aisne resulted-^ in the capture of a small wood, 158 prisoners, two machine-guns and a bomb-thrower.

The has been great artillery activity on sectors of the Verdun front. Two German feint attacks were checked. A German communique which has reached France expresses continued determination to capture Verdun at whatever cost. Heavy enemy reinforcements have been brought up, apparently with that object in view. '

The British Press Bureau publishes a German claim that the British-submarine E22 has been sunk in the North Sea, two of the crew being saved.

MONDAY

Fighting in Dublin—Troops clearing: the City—Kut-el-Amara Starved Out—Surrender of the Garrison— -^ British Battleship Mined The full extent of the Dublin disturbances is revealed in a series of cables vividly describing the outbreak of the trouble and the street fighting. The rebel force is estimated at 12,000. The leader is James Connolly, a notorious syndicalist, who was the lieutenant of Larkin. It is stated that the post office, which changed hands several times during the first day of the rising, has been retaken by the - troops. The rebels on Thursday still held a number of buildings, particularly corner houses commanding two or more streets. The organised forces of the rebels are confined to a few ' localities, principally Sackville Street and district. The cordon of troops round the district has been drawn closer. Thepre-Dreadnought battleship Russell, of 14,000 tons, struck a

mine in the Mediterranean and sank. Seven hundred officers and men were saved and 124 of the crew are missing.

Two German submarines were sunk last week.

Greece persists in refusing to allow her railways to be used for transport of Servian troops to Salonika.

Further German attacks in the Verdun area have been repulsed.

Kut-el-Amara has fallen to the Turks after being gallantly defended by General Townshend fo 143 days. The failure of supplies was the cause of capitulation, a final attempt to send in a relief ship being unsuccessful. The garrison, which destroyed its guns and ammunition, consisted of 2970 British and 6000 Indian troops.

TUESDAY

Irish Revolt Broken — Over 700 Prisoners Taken — Improved Position in Dublin — French Landing in Asia Minor

The leader of the Irish revolt has sent messages to his followers in country districts to surrender. The position in Dublin is much more satisfactory, and official hope is expressed that the revolt has been broken. Over 700 prisoners have been taken.

Two cordons of troops encircle Dublin, and the rebels are being cleared out house by house. They were dislodged from the post office by shell fire. Much damage has been done to property in Sackville Street and elsewhere.

The casualties among the troops are unofficially estimated at seven officers and 25 men killed, and many wounded, The civilian casualties are not

numerous

The French have occupied the seaport town of Makri, in Asia Minor, and are establishing a naval base there.

French newspapers note the development of British strength in France, and say that Sir Douglas Haig is waiting the moment to attack.

WEDNESDAY

End of Dublin Revolt—Surrender of Leaders—Hundreds of Lives Lost—Good on Verdun FrontBritish Repel German Attacks

The revolt in Dublin has been completely broken. The members of the " Provisional Republican Government" have surrendered, and ordered their followers throughout Ireland to lay down their arms.' The end came on Saturday afternoon. A white flag appeared, and Pearce and Connolly, the rebel leaders, signed an unconditional surrender.

Half of Sackville Street, Dublin is in ashes. Hundreds of deaths are reported, the roofs of the Four Courts being littered with bodies,

Several German attacks on the Verdun front, principally west of the Meuse, nave been repulsed with heavy loss. East of the river the Germans unsuccessfully used liquid flames in an attack at Douaumont Farm.

The French carried a German trench north of Cumieres,

German attacks on Fricourt, near the point where the British line meets the French, and south of Ypres, failed,

The third convoy of Russian troops has reached Marseilles.

Seven German aeroplanes have been brought down by the French.

THURSDAY

General Compulsion Bill for Britain —Thirty Millions Damage in Dublin—Airship Raid on Yorkshire — French Offensive at Verdun The failure of the British Cabinet to reach an acceptable compromise on the compulsion issue, has been followed by a decision in favour of general and immediate compulsion. Conditions in Dublin are gradually returning to normal. The damage to the qity is estimated at £30,000,000. The French have captured the first line of German trenches south-east of Douaurnont, near Verdun, over a front of 500 yds.