THE WAR

Levin Daily Chronicle, 13 February 1917, Page 4

THE WAR

(Auatralia-New Zealanc Cable Serviced A TWOPENNY TIMES. (Times Service). London, February 12. The raising of the price of The Times practically has not affected the circulation. In view of further restrictions in paper supplies The Times desires to restrict circulation, and 'urges the country to re-establish the practise of circulating a single copy amongst several families. The price will be raised to twopence on February 19th. . THE SUBMARINES. London, Feb. 12. There is better news about the submarining. There have been no furthere big ships sunk, though there have been a few trawlers. ((Received This Bay 9 a.m.) TURKS IN HARD PLIGHT. Amsterdam, Feb. 12. A neutral resident from Constantinople states that the Russian (bombardment of Tugul cut off the coal supply of the Turkish fleet and destroyed four merchantmen. Foreign trade is at a standstill. The Germans have been unable to repair the "Goeben, which has been dbcked. The Breslau is the only 'big warship afloat, also some torpedo boats and submarines. Meat, bread and sugar cards have been introduced. The Turks resent this as a "'German innovation." Swindlers ar© sending Government .stores to Germany. No fish is procurable; sugar is 8s per lb, tea 40s per pound l , and boots 60s per pair. The feeling of the people is strongly anti-German though they are afraid to show it. BULGARIANS DESPONDENT. A correspondent at Salonika states that the Bulgarians know that the German strength is ebbing. Recently they hoisted a sign in the trenches "German troops retiring; when they gone we join you." -FIGHTING (WITHIN. Rome, Feb. 12. Gn£v« disorders have broken out at Leipzig, Germany, and the city is isolated. * FRENCH COMMUNIQUE. (A.-N.Z, and Router Service.) London, Feb. 12. A Frenoh communique records minor successes, including two coups de main in the Argonne Sector and 'Hill 304 respectively wherein -prisoners were taken. A French air squadron bombed railway stations at Venay and Dun-sur-Meuse and Athies. "GIVE AMD TAKE" FIGHTING. ' Athies, Feb. 12. A wireless Russian official message says that the enemy under cover of a isnoWr-storm attacked nlarthwiard if Kiselin and penetrated) trenches. They were driven out. The enemy crossed the,ice on the River Dniester and pressed back our field posts. We counter attacked, regaining the position. 'Received This Day. 9.20 a.m. AMERICANS IN' GERMANY. (United Service). New York, Feti 12. A Berlin correspondent who has arrived) at Berne with Mr IGerard, the U.S. Ambassador telegraphs that Germany demanded that Mr Gerard sign a treaty guaranteeing that 'German ships would ibe allowed to leave American harbours in the '©vent of war and threatened to hold correspondents as hostages unles Mr 'Gerard signed. Mr Gerard refused, declaring that if Amerioatts were held the act would be a casus belli. Germany granted the correspondents passports four hours before the train departed. BRITISH STEAMER SUNK. London, February 12. The British steamer Netherlee, of 4227 tons, has been sunk. GOAL FAMINE IN SCANDANAVIA. Copenhagen, February 12. The coal famine throughout Denmark is severe." Strictest economy ij being enforced. Some cities have stopped supplies to gas and electricity works. The situation also is qcuto in Norway, but it is anticipated that first loads will arrive in spring from the Spitzbergen mines, which contain five million towr. AMERICANS AS HOSTA»;f>. (United Cable Service). New York, February 12. The United! States' Berlin c.'frcsf nilGDt who reached Bern 3 with Mr

Ceicre), the United States to Berlin said that Germany was depermission to other A"no - .<'at!3 to leave, as a possible means for retaliatory measures in the event of the United States of America declaring war against Germany. (Reuter'e Service). GENERAL SMUTS AT CAPETOWN. Oapteown, Febnr'-y 1 2. General Smuts was nccorl A a civic reception on his return from active service in East At ica. wa.s suspended. He received a magnificent welcome. JTive thousaad people asfmbled at the City 'Hall, including teir Fowel.l Buxton, General Birtha, members of the Cabinet, ani hunora'is of wounded soldiers. Addresses weie presented on T>ehalf of the cicy; also nl imtish and Iruans.

General Smuts, in replying, euiplu--ired that S'outh Africa had sec ire I a ■voice in the 'disposal |of the -South African continent, and South Africa ha.l pegged out a claim, thereby c.-tab listing her rights regarding the future development of the conti.ienc. Hi! hinted that there was still a possibility •I' General Botha attending the War Corneal in England. RUMOUR. OF SUBMARINE IN SOUTH ATLANTIC. Rio De Janeiro, Feb. '10. I There are persistent reports current here that a German raider has been sunk in an engagement with a British squadron. Pernambuco reports that a British cruiser that had been searching for raiders has arrived here for repairs after repelling an attack by a submarine. The extent of her damage is not 'known, but the cruiser bea'rs no evidence of having been in an engagement. ITALIANS' DEFEAT AUSTRIANIS Rome February 12. Tlio Messagero 1 states that an Austrian attack was begun in brilliant moonlight, at 3 o'clock in the morning, on five kilometre front, between San Marco and Santa Marco and Santa Caterana. The defenders evacuated the front trenches for half an hour, and then delivered massed counter-attacks with the bayonet. The majority of Austrians in the trenches wer.e killed. There was furious hand-to-hand fighting lasting an hour. The Ausitrianis feraiptoyed were piciked troops. The Italian losses were comparatively! slight. A TURKISH REPORT. Amsterdam, February 12. A Turkish official report runs:—We ■repulsed British attacks at Kut, on Saturday morning, inflicting heavy losses. Subsequently the enemy penetrated our trenches, but all positions were retaken by three o'clock on Saturday alfternoon. AVe repulsed a strong British attack, inflicting heavy losses, south of Lake Doiran. (Note.' —British Mesopotamia offic- ' ial cables of February 11th referred to Saturday's events). (A.-N.Z. and Renter Service)' A wireless German official message states: 'We repulsed English attacks eastward of Armentieres and southward of La Basse Canal. We repulsed sis night attacks between Serre and Ancre. The assailants were wearing snowshirts. Theire were heavy losses in a hand-to-hand fight. We evacuated trenches south-east of Serre before the English attacked.