The War News.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 11 May 1916, Page 3

The War News.

THE WEEK'S

FRIDAY

Rebel Leaders Shot—Pacification of Ireland — French Gain near Verdun—Destruction of Zeppelin

Three signatories to the Irish regublican proclamation, Pearse, Clarke, and Macdonagh, have been tried by court-martial under the Defence of the Realm Act, and shot. Three other men have been sentenced to three years' penal servitude. The trial of Sir Roger Casement is to be pro-, ceeded with as early as possible.

A Zeppelin has been destroyed in a storm on the coast of Ni^ay. Several of the crew weW killed.

A brilliant French attack at Mort Homme, north-west of Verdun, carried German positions. The French captured 100 prisoners and four machineguns.

SATURDAY

Move in the Balkans—Occupation of Creek Town — Civil Trial for Casement — Great Majority for Compulsion

The French, who previously had not been heard of much west of the Vardar River, have occupied Fiorina, a Greek town 80 miles west and slightly north of Salonika, and a few miles south of Mon astir.

The Bill providing for general and immediate compulsion has passed its second reading in the House of Commons by 328 votes to 36. Mr Lloyd George stated that the military authorities declared that it was essential to call up every availalle man.

Fir Roger Casement is to be charged before a civil court with high treason. Over 3000 prisoners have been taken in Dublin. They are mostly boys of wretched physique.

The French have consolidated their recent gains at Mort Homme, north-west of Verdun.

MONDAY

Zeppelins Shot Down — Warships Account for Two — Enemy Destroyer Sunk—German Offer to America — Bulgaria Menacing

Roumania

The destruction of two Zeppelins by the fire of warships is reported. The Zeppelin L 7 was brought down off the Qchleswig coast by British light cruisers and finally destroyed by a British submarine, which rescued seven of the crew. A Zeppelin which was approaching Salonika was set on fire by the guns of the warships, and fell in flames near the mouth of the Vardar River.

A French submarine has sunk an enemy destroyer in the Lower Adriatic. The same day four Italian destroyers pursued ten enemy torpedo-boats into Pola.

Bulgaria is said to have concentrated over 200,000 men on the Roumanian frontier.

Fighting has been resumed on the southern Russian front. A Hungarian regiment was annihilated in Volhynia.

Five more leaders of the Dublin rising have been court-martialled and shot. Other leading rebels who were sentenced to death have been reprieved.

It is stated to be " practically certain " that America will accept the assurances as to the cessation of illegal practices by submarines, but will allow the German condition to remain in abeyance ; but if Germany again " breaks her promise," America will sever diplomatic relations.

TUESDAY Activity near Verdon — Violent German Attacks—Peace Rubbish '^^■pfcjKan Advance on Bagdad The Germans have renewed their attacks on sectors of the "Verdun front with great violence The fighting has centred round Hill 304, north-west of Verdun, and towards Fort Douaumont. Movements of German troops in Belgium are interpreted by a French military writer to foreshadow an attack on the British line.

It is reported that the Germans have concentrated near Constantinople 80,000 Turkish and 40,000 Bulgarian infantry, intending to use them on the western front.

The American Ambassador to Germany is said to have informed the State Department that there is much peace talk in Germany, and that the Kaiser is anxious for the United States to initiate negotiations with the allies.

Among the Irish rebels who have been reprieved are the Countess Markievicz and Count G-orge Plunkett, Director of the National Museum of Science and Art, Dublin.

SUMMARY.

WEDNESDAY

Anzacs Reach France — Voyage Without Incident — Four More Rebels Shot —Ground Won near Verdun — Russian Progress in

Armenia

It is officially announced that New Zealand and Australian troops, under General Birdwocd, have arrived in Northern France, and taken over a portion .of the front. In order to make up the full quota, recent drafts from the Dominion and the Commonwealth were largely drawn upon.

Four more Irish rebels have been executed, and 22 sentenced to vaiious terms of penal servitude. Replying to Mr Redmond's plea for the exercise of clemency in Ireland, Mr Asquith stated that the death sentence.would be used as sparingly as possible.

Russian artillery fire has driven the Turks from their first line of trenches near Erzihgham, 86 miles south-west of Erzeroum.

It is reported that a German submarine was sunk by a mine at Varna, on the Black Sea.

The Russian town of Eupatoria on the west coast of the Crimea has been bombarded by the cruiser Breslau.

The French have re-taken trenches reported to have been lost in the region ot Haudremont Wood, north of Verdun.

Two German aeroplanes have been brought down in the Verdun region.

, THURSDAY Fighting in France —Anzacs Repel a Raid —Eager for the Offensive — French Gains near Verdun—New Naval Dispositions — Increase in British Forces

The Australasian force in France^has had its first encounter with the Germans. Its casual" ties for a period not stated are, given as eight officers and 76 men killed and 168 men wounded.

The New Zealand and Australian troops received a warm welcome from the French people, and express delight at their new circumstances.

The First Lord of the Admiralty, Mr-Balfour, states that attempts to make naval raids on the English coast will be far more dangerous to the enemy in the future than in the past. The naval position, is f so gopd that, instead of keeping the battle fleets in the north, Britain can spare important forces for the south.

The French have retaken all the ground on the Verdun front lost during the recent renewal of the German offensive.

It is stated that in consequence of the losses sustained at Verdun the Germans are calling youths of 17 to the colours.