GERMANS SHATTERED

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 151, 1 March 1915, Page 5

GERMANS SHATTERED

GREAT RUSSIAN VICTORY GERMANS SHATTERED. Press. Assiceiation —Extraordinary. (Reed. 6 p.m.) PETROGRAD, Feb. 26. Official: A most important Russian victory has taken place at Prasnysh. The Germans were shattered, and are now retreating* (Prasnysh is north of Warsaw, only a few miles south of Mlava, close to the East Prussian frontier, between Soldau and Mlava. This s'eems to be an aftermath of the recent German offensive in that quarter, and in which Russia sustained severe losses of men and material.) GERMAN FORCES SHATTERED. ARMOURED MOTOR CARS WORK . HAVOC. ENEMY RETIRING THROUGH WHOLE FRONT. BIG CAPTURES OF MEN, GUNS AND MUNITIONS. (Reed. 5.5 p.m.) PETROGRAD, Feb. 27. Official: Th'a enemy's losses in the Prasnysz region were very great. The Germans Were shattered by rifle fire and bayonets. The Russians wer'3 well supported by armoured motor ■ cars. The latter poured in machine gun fires at close quarters.

The eniemy are retiring along the whol'a of this front. We captured on Wednesday and Thursday thirty officers, 2,600 men, seven guns, elleven machine guns, and a huge quantity of (equipment and commissariat. We advanced in the Transehovok region on Wednesday with great success, and threw back the Germans who crossed the Niem'an. - Tbpre was obstinate fighting north ctf Grodno, villages changed hands several times. German siege artillery has begun to bombard osow ice. We repulsed th\a Germans between Robe and Edvabno, inflicting enormous losses. AUSTMANS COMPLETELY ROUTED IMPORTANT RUSSIAN CAPTURES. DESPERATE BAYONET FIGHTING, (Reed. 9 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 28. Mr Martin Donohue says that the Russians re-captured Stanislavosz on Wednesday at the point of the bayonet. In desperate street fighting the Austrians were routed and fled in confusion. The Russians also re-captured Kolomyje, after severe engagements; it is fifty miles north of Caernowitz, which place the Russians arte again threatening - • GERMAN RATIONS. BREAD CONSIDERABLY REDUCED. (Reed. 8.25 a.m.) COPENHAGEN, Feb. 28. The bread ration of the German army has been considerably reduced.

RECENT-, FIGHTING. ; A REGIMENT ANNIHILATED, (Reed. 8.25 a.m.) *■ PARIS, Feb. 28: Prisoners taken in the recent fighting report that the 92nd Regiment was eptirely annihilated.

ENOREVIOyS CAPTURES DARDANELLES BOMBARDED MANY FORTSJESTROYEO SULTAN PREPARES TO LEAVE GOVERNMENT REMOVED GREAT WORK BY WARSHIPS GOOD PROGRESS MADE IN FRANCE

GERMANS RETREATING A DISORDERLY FLIGHT. HOURLY CAPTURES OF PRISONERS. ""ress Association —Copyright. Reed. 9 a.m.) PETROGRAD, Feb. 28. Official: The Germans have been put on the defensive almost along the whole front. A battalion with sappers advanced in Bobr Valley, the Russian artillery waited until a part of the column had crossed the river, then they opened ftoja, annihilating the 'enemy with the exception of a few seore of survivors who were captlured. Our artillery at Ossovfe successfully (engaged the enemy's heavy batteries. Our offensive at Prasnysz is being vigorously pushed. We recaptured thja town of Prasnysz. The German retreat extends ov ( er a constantly widening front. In some places it is a disorderly flight, and great numbers are hourly being captured. Our cavalry is pursuing the lje'treaters. There have been desperate Austrian attacks in the Rozuiatoff district, which we repulsed. Nineteen officers and 1,595 n*en were captured'.

FOOD LIMITATIONS. PRISONERS' PURCHASES PROHIBITED. (Reed. 8.25 a.m.) AMSTERDAM, Feb. 28. The "Vorwaertz" says that the sale of bread at cant'eens to prisoners of war is forbidden. Prisoners are not allowed more bread than civilians. SPY LODY'S WIDOW. GERMANY GIVES COMPENSATION. (Reed. 8.25 a.m.) NEW YORK, Feb. 28. The German Government has given the spy Lody's widow, Avho is an American, £3OOO. THE SAFETY OF CREWS. (Reed. 8 a.m.) VALPARAISO, Feb. 28. The Prinz Ectel Friederich in Decamber sank the steamer Kildarton and the French barque Jean. Both crews were landed at Easter Island. ENGINEERS' STRIKE. ADMIRALTY HAMPERED. (Reed. 8.25 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 28. The Labour situation is creating some uneasiness through the open rupture on the Clyde, where 10,500 engineers are on strike there, hampering operations of the Admiralty. Some workers regard Mr A,skwith's letter as an ultimatum, and the employers declare that it is impossible to concede the six shillings demanded. A mass metetnig is being held to consider the advisability >d£ resuming work.

Hkmiber engineers have accepted a 3s weekly war bonus. RUSSIAN CAPTURES. BY ONE COMMAND. (Reed. 8 a.m.) PETROGRAD, Fab. 28. Official: Since the beginning of the war Brusiloff'fl army has captured 1,900 officers and 186,000 men.

TURKS ABANDON EGYPT' NO MORE ATTACKS LIKELY. (Press Assn. —Extraordinary) (Reed. 8.25 a.m.) CAIRO, Feb. 28. The Turks have retreated so far that any further attacks on Egypt are 'unlikely. A small force is still, at Eluakl, the bulk of the army having gone to Elauji and Beersheeba. Djaml Pasha and many Germans have returned to Conetantinople. FRENCH PROGRESS CONTINUES PARIS, Feb. 27 Official—Progress in Champagne continues. We captured two successive lines of trenches north of Mesail. FRENCH ARTILLERRY'S SUPERIORITY. GERMAN GUNS DEMOLISHED FURTHER GREAT DAMAGE DONE. PARIS, Feb. 27 Official.—From the sea to the Aisne their is no change. In the Argonne our artillery blew up an ammunition depot near St. Hubert. Between the Argonne and the Meuse the enemy sprinkled our advance trenches with flaming liquid, forcing us to abandon them. The occupants were seriously burnt.

A counter-attack immediately stopped the enemy, inflicting losses and capturing prisoners. In the Verdun region, also on the heights of the Meuse, our heavy artillery demolished the German guns, blew up twenty ammunition waggons, annihilated a detachment, and destroyed a whole encampment. At Bois Brunle, fighting continues to our advantage.. A German flotilla threw bombs behind Nieuport, killing a woman and an old man. A French aviator dropped bombs on the barracks at Metz. LONDON, Feb. 27. The Serbian Legation says AustroHungarian atrocities in Servia rival anything the imagination can conceive and recall the tortures of the Middle Ages. Many are unfit for publication. All girls over ten were violated in the presence of their mothers. GALLANT CHARGE BY GERMANS. LONDON, Feb. 27. "Eye Witness" mentions that in one portion of a brickfield a young German officer charged at the head of thirty men, waving his sword. On reaching the entanglements he was killed. He still lies there sword in hand with his thirty comrades dead around him. GERMAN WEST AFRICA. CAPETOWN, Feb. 27. Botha, reviewing the troops at Luderitz, deplored the rebellion, which had necessitated delay in the advance on German West Africa. He hoped soon to be reinforced and press forward.

STIRRINa STORY OF YPRES FIGHTING. LONDON, Feb. 27. "Eye-Witness" states that during the fighting on the 17th south-east of Ypres, a company continued fighting until all were killed or wounded. Only three of the latter were capable of firing, and they kept the enemy at bay until the ammunition was nearly exhausted. Then they sent word to the rear, and seven strong men carried ammunition to the trench. There they found the three survivors standing among dead and disabled comrades, still firing steadily. They came in the nick of time to help to beat off an assault. The position was saved. HOW AMERICA SHELTERS SPIES. PASSPORT FRAUDULENTLY OBTAINED. NEW YORK, Feb. 27. Stegler, a German naval reservist, was arrested on a charge of fraudulently obtaining an American passport. He confessed that Captain Boyed, German naval attache at Washington, endeavoured to induce him to proceed to England to act a* a spy. Boyed denies the charge Stegler declares that Boyed wishes to discover whether the report was true that Britain had fitted out merchant cruisers at Belfast and intended to sink them at the mouths of the Elbe and Weser in order to blockade the ports. After discovering the movements of the British; fleet in the Irish Sea Stegler was ordered to proceed to Rotterdam, give German officers on the frontier a secret password, and continue to Berlin to deliver his information to the secret service bureau.

SWEDISH STEAMER DAMAGED. / AMSTERDAM, Feb. 27. The Swedish steamer Svarton has arrived at Ymuiden. She was seriously damaged by a mine or a torpedo near the Dutch coast. AUSTRIANS TO SINK SHIPS. LONDON, Feb. 27. The Austrian Admiralty has decided to iink all ships over 500 tons found in the ,Adriatie.

ITALY'S ATTITUDE. RIVAL FACTIONS COLLIDE. Press Associat ion—Copyright. ROME, Eel) 27. Interventionists and neutralists ; Lied at Riggivemila. The troops fired, killing two and wounding five. Several carbineers were injured. Disorders occurred in several towns. The Government has prohibited prowar and anti-war meetings. Interventionists demonstrated in the Chamber at the close of the session. Senor Salandra, in the House of Representatives, said he deprecated that the supreme interests of the eonutry were being weakened by riots. The Government aimed at preserving the country from unhealthy foreign influence. He did not know whether the country ought to march or not, but when the call came the nation would march unanimously at the country and the King's command, ALLIES TO STOP ALL SHIPPING. NEW YORK, Feb. 27. Renter says Britain and her Allies have informed neutral countries that because of German submarine attacks they hold themselves liable to stop all shipping to and from German countries and her Allies.

THE DARDANELLES ATTACK. FOUR FORTS DEMOLISHED. TURKISH FIRE INEFFECTIVE. The Prime Minister received the followiiag from the High Commisisoner:— LONDON, Feb. 27. The Admiralty report most successful operations in forcing the Dardanelles. The forts Seddiel Bahr, Orkhamieh Tabia, Kum Kalassi, and Tabia were ocmpletely destroyed, and the Cape Helles battery partially demolished. We also destroyed new batteries near Tombachiles and at the entrance. The weather and wind were favourable when the attack was resumed by the Queen Elizabth, Agamemnon, Irresistible, and Gaulous at long range. The Helles battery replied, one shell hitting the Agamemnon, killing three and wounding five. The Vengeance and Cornwallis got under the guns and engaged the enemy at short range. The Suffren and the Charlemagne next attacked Seddiel and Orkhamieh within two thousand yards. The resistance was ineffective, and the Vengeance. Triumph and Albion completed the reduction of the forts. Mine sweeping operations have begun. On Friday the Albion, Majestic and Vengeance proceeded four miles up the Straits —the limit of the swept area — end atacked-, forts Dardanus and new batteries on the Asiatic shore. The reply was ineffective. The enemy retired during the afternoon. Our casualties were one killed and three wounded. Operations are proceeding.

TURKISH GOVERNMENT. MOVED FROM STAMBOUL. (Reed. 9 a.m.) ATHENS, Feb. 28. The Porte has decreed the transfer of the !seat of Government to Bruisia. Many leading inhabitants arte leaving Stamboul TALAAT BEY. ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION. (Reed. 9 a.m.) SOFIA, E]eb. 28. It is reported that an attempt was made to assassinate Talaat Bey at Stamboul. The bullet missed. THE SULTAN READY. TO QUIT CONSTANTINOPLE. CONSTANTINOPLE, Feb. 28. Three trains are Kept in readiness to remove the Sultan and his entourage in case of danger. HYDROPLANES USED. ROME, Feb. 27. Three hydroplanes dropped many bombs on the forts on the Dardanelles. OTHER FORTS BOMBARDED. GERMANS ERECTING FORTIFICATIONS. LONDON, Feb. 27. Renter's Athens correspondent says that the Allied fleets entered the Straits and bombarded the interior forts, notably Dardanus. The Turkish reply was feeble. The Germans are strongly fortifying Prince's Islands and placing batteries at Stamboul. TREATMENT OF PRISONERS. LONDON, Feb. 27. Neutral representatives of the International Red Cross toured the war camps in Britain and report that the treatment is excellent. Greater fairness is impossible. Neither the German Govrnment nor families need have anxiety.

REWARD FOE SUCCSS.3 SONUS FOR ZEPPELIN DESTRUCTION. Press Association —Copy right, (Reed. 9 a.m.) PARIS, Feb. 28. French marine insurance companies paid the Government £2OO for division among- he crew of the ship belonging to the second light cruiser squadron that sunk the German submarine off Boulogne en Tuesday. Marquis Ornato has offered £50,000 for the rt- xt Zeppelin brought down in France. TRENCH FIGHTING. NOTABLE FRENCH SUCCESS. (Reed. 9 a.m.) PARIS, Feb. 28. Official: A French cruiser captured the Dacia. The defeat of the Germans at Chateau Heerentage, on the road from Ypres to Menin was due to the cleverness of the French. The fight began on the 19th and lasted three days. The Germans when attacked found themselves exposed 'to initialise artillery! fh;e on their flank. The Germans then with guns at longer range, tried to hinder French reserves. The struggle then centred round the Chateau. A' great fight took plaqe in the taking of the' hist trench. The French dug a cross trench and quietly moved machin'e guns and a mortar and so enfiladed the enemy. An advance followed, ftye French'using hand grenades dashed into the trench and killed its defenders to a man. The Germans lost 400 killed, COO wounded. The French had 50 killed and 80 wounded. A RACING CONTROVERSY. DUKE OF PORTLAND FIRM. (Reed. 9 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 28. The Dnke of Portland is involved in a controversy with the racing authorities. The Epsom Club rooms werla offered to be used as a hospital with certain -!9servations. The Duke considered the reservations unpatriotic and cancelled 0,11 bis entries for Epscm meetings. In a letter of protest lie said, smply for one year the followers of racing should be willing to forjego their luncheons, if holding them would disturb the wounded.

BITTERLY biSAPPOINTED. MEN RETURNING FROM EGYPT. (Reed. 9 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. Captain Bpan carefully points out that all the men returning from Egypt axe not unsuitable. A large proportion consist of thos!2 whose health has broken down often through hard work and exposure, and who ar,9 bitterly disappointed that they were unable to go on. WHY BRITAIN WENT TO WAR BECAUSE OF BELGIUM. (Rje'cd. 12.20 a.m.) LONDON, Feb 28, Mr Lloyd George, in an interview,, said the violation of Belgium had turned British opinion from a desire for peace to insistence for war. Even on the Saturday afC.sr war was declared powerful city finruu-ierE, earnestly hoped Britain would keep cut. By Tuesday, they favoured war, and 89 per cent, of the (electors would tbbn have voted for war. If Germany had not invaded Belgium the Government would not have intervened. "I certainly would not havja bq?n a party to the war," lie added: "Since August we have assembled Th million soldiers, and shortly there will be 2 1 millions. Before tlye spring half a million will join their comrades in France." LOSS OF AUSTRIAN ZEPPELIN. ROME, Feb; 27. A violent gale carried away a Zeppelin at Pola. The crew were drowned in ttye Adriatic. GERMAN AIRMAN'S MISHAP. LONDON, Feb 28. A trawler landed two German aviators at Lowjestoft. They left Ostend on Sunday, but fell into the North Sea. They clung to their machine for two days, and were terribly /exhausted. NO SHOOTiNG AT BISLF.Y. (Reed. 9 p.m.) LONDON, Feb 28. There will be no Bisley meeting in 1915. AUSTRALASIANS IN EGYPT. SYDNEY, Feb. 27. Captain Bean cables that, after ten wjeeks' training, the Ist Australasian Division emerges as one of thia finest fighting units any soldier could wish to see. The same applies to the Light Horse of the 2nd Division, consisting of combined Australian and Npw Zealand troops, namiad the New ZealandAustralian Division. The training is now approaching the advanced starae, and the force deserves all the pride with which Australasia will follow its proofless.