GREAT AUSTRIAN ROUT

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 154, 4 March 1915, Page 5

GREAT AUSTRIAN ROUT

FEARFUL CARNAGE SERIOUS GERMAN DIFFICULTY IN EAST PRUSSIA HER ARMY CUT IN TWO RETREAT THREATENED RUSSIAN PLANS DEVELOPING DEAD STREW MOUNTAIN SIDES

SUCCESS IN EAST PRUSSIA. GREAT SLAUGHTER OF AUSTRIANS. A RUSSIAN REPORT, P.-ess Association —Copyright, (Reed. 8.55 a.m.) PETROGRAD, March 3. An official message states: The offensive on the Niemen and Vistula continues. A successful advance was made south-west of Grodno, the Germans resisting stubbornly, A furious all-day battle was fought in the Carpathians, near Ondawsan, which culminated in hand-to-hand fighting. There were enormous Austrian losses, many detachments being annihilated; The slopes of mountain* and the ravines were strewn with Austrian dead. THE GERMAN ARMY. CUT IN TWO. ' (Reed. 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, March 3. , The “Daily News’ ” Petrograd correspondent reports that a Russian cavalry movement at Krudmolielc last Friday, cut the German East Prussian army in two. While there is a considerable gap between (he separated parts, and the main Austrian army, their position is dangerous owinjg to the sudden offensive Russian movement. Fresh Russian artillery is reported to be arriving at Provosetica on the Northern end of the Roumanian frontier.

ENEMY ON DEFENSIVE. The Sigh Commissioner cables as fob, lows: LONDON, March 3. In Eastern Galicia the enemy has assumed the defensive in the Jezopul region. A Russian armed train is operating successfully. In Bukovina the Russians have occupied Sadagora. THE VICTORY AT PRASNYSZ. GERMAN ARMY THREATENED BY FLANKING MOVEMENT LONDON, March 3. A Tetrograd correspondent says; Despite the mendacious reports as to the success at Prasnysz, we know' that the Germans sustained an utter defeat. At certain points their front is still offering resistance, because they must keep the railway intact for the homew'ard journey of the main body of raiders, who ventured towards the Niemen round Jedwabne, which commands the only road to Oswiec from the west The enemy are fighting desperately against our flanking movement, the Russians threatening the wdiole northern flank of the enemy’s position.— (Times-Sydney Sun Special Cables.) GERMANS’ PRECIPITATE RETREAT. AUSTRIANS ROUTED. SIM Attacks repulsed. The Ttigh Commissioner reports as f llowsf- — LONDON, March 3. Petrogn d reports that on the front between the Niemen and the Vistula the Russian? continued the offensive Qti Monday. North-west of Grodno the enemy has fallen buck, resisting stubbornly. At Prasnysz the Germans are retiring precipitately .Tanow and Mlawa. In the GarpathifirS in the RabbaJJazzeicfw district lycrt* was a furious battle Throughout Sunday. >ll the slopes of the mountains as well the ravines were strewn with U.e Austrian dead Many units were a - nri* 1

North of Stropko on Monday night the enemy made six attacks in massed formation. They were dispersed on every occasion. Finally the Russians charged with the bayonet and overthrew' the Austrians, who suffered a considerable defeat, also on the roads to Halicz and Stanislav. Petrograd, describing the Russian victory at Prasnysz on Saturday evening, states that the Germans begun a disorderly retreat, seeking to make their way in the direction of Mlawa and Chorzele. The Russians, scorning the fatigue after marching, followed by four days of constant fighting, pushed a vigorous pursuit, and inflicted heavy losses on the rearguard of the enemy. Ten thousand prisoners w r ere taken. ENGAGEMENTS FAVOUR ALLIES LONDON, March 3.. Paris reports that from the sea to the Aisne frequent artillery engagements have been in the Allies’ favour. On all the front section of Rheims, particularly a farmhouse near Fort Pompelle, the enemy this morning made attacks, which were easily repelled. Between Soudain and Bcausejour the Allies have progressed. A night attack on Pont-a-Monsson failed.

DARDANELLES AGREEMENT RUSSIA GETS FREE PASSAGE. (Reed. 8.55 a.m.) LONDON, March 3. The Paris “Temps” states that an agreement has been reached between France, Britain and Russia regarding the future status of the Dardanelles. It is proposed to give Russia free passage. BOMBARDMENT AGAIN RESUMED. (Reed. 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, March 3. Paris reports that the bombardment of the Dardanelles has again been resumed. CONTRABAND COPPER. DISCOVERED IN ITALY. (Reed. 8.55 a.m.) ROME, March 3. Four hundred and seventy quintals of copper destined for Berlin have been discoverel under vegetables in a railway car at the Chiasso station. The sender is an Italian chemist, at Turin. It contained quantities of copper wire taken from his premises.

REBELLION IN SOUTH AFRICA. LOUD-MOUTHED POLITICIAN. (Reed. 8.55 a.m.) CAPETOWN, March 3. The Assembly accepted Mr Merriman's amendment that a select committee be appointed by the Speaker in preference to Hertzog’s proposals. Mr Smuts declared that for years Hertzog had been the loudest mouthed politician in South Africa, New he was the most silent. He was one of the party who caused the recent disasters and he still sat in Parliament. Hertzog, in reply, said he did not intend to repudiate the rebellion which had been provoked by the expedition into German territory, which sheltered rebels after the Boer War. ZEPPELIN WRECKED. THE CREW SAVED. (Reed. 1.55 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, March 3. A Zeppelin flying over Cologne was destroyed in a storm. The crew was saved.,

AMERICA'S SECRET NOTE. GERMANY'S REPLY. Press Association —Copyright, LONDON, March 3. Pouter’s Amsterdam correspondent says the American Note of the 22nd proposed that within gunfire of a harbour submarines must not attack merchant ships except for the purposes of search, Britain to agree not to hold up foodstuffs addressed to agencies in Germany, which will be distributed exclusively among the civil population. Germany replied that she is prepared to employ drifting mines and drifting mines and submarines will only be employed to search as suggested. The regulation of food supplies generally is acceptable and should include fodder and raw material for manufactures.

(Reed. 8.10 a.m.) AMSTERDAM, March 3. The United States Note hopes that Germany and Britain will make reciprocal concessions, and that they may discover a basis of understanding which will free neutral shipping from any serious dangers. This suggestion is not a proposal, but the United States tak.es the liberty of a sincere friend, actuated by a desire to serve the interests of humanity in any agreement that would be a modus viyendi, based more upon suitableness than upon legal right under international law. It suggests that no isolated drifting mines be laid; all mines should boar a Government mark, and should be so constructed as to become harmless if they break loose from their anchorage. It suggests that mercantile ships of both parties should not employ neutrals’ flags, that Britain agree that foodstuffs be not included in absolute contraband, nor held up cargoes addressed to agencies with German names which have been communicated to the United States. The German reply sees in the American suggestion a new' proof of friendly feelings. The suggestions correspond with German wishes. Naval war should be waged according to rules, taking into consideration the interests of neutrals as well as the law-s of humanity. The observance of the Declaration of London by Germany’s enemies would create a new situation that w-as not practicable. Belligerent powers should fully renounce the employment of anchored mines for offensive purpose. They were willing that German submarines should only employ force against merchantmen for purposes of search if of hostile nationality. If the presence of contraband was proved submarines would proceed according to general international rules. It was obvious that hos:ile merchantmen must not be armed, and that they should refrain from cf;ering resistance. Regarding the importation of food Germany suggested the regulation should include indirect importation via neutral ports. Hostile Governments would have to allow the free passage cf German raw materials that were included on the free list of the Declaration of London. They would have to treat foodstuffs and all materials contained on the list as conditional contraband. It concludes that effects on neutral shipping would he substantially diminished if importation of war material from neutrals to belligerents was stopped'. Adoption of a definite attitude must be postpoped until the British reply is received.

SEIZING OF THE DACIA. AMERICA AWAITS FRENCH DECISION. LONDON, March 3. A correspondent says official Washington awaits the decision of the French Prize Court in regard to the Dacia before moving. If France fails to recognise the validity of the transfer it is reasonably sure that a protest will be filed. The owner of the Dacia professes indifference to the decision. He says he expected seizure by the French, and does not anticipate confiscation. PITIABLE BLUFF. A GERMAN COMMENT. (Reed. 10.15 a.m.) AMSTERDAM, March 3. The Cologne “Gazette,” commenting on Mr Asquith’s speech, demands the destruction of all goods destined for England, which wants war and shall have it. DARING AIRMEN. A CLEVER CAPTURE. (Reed. 8.55 a.m.) PETROGRAD, March 3. M. Paschaloff, an aviator with Ivanoff’s army in Poland, accompanied by a mechanic, during reconnaissance descended owing to motor trouble, behind the Austrian lines. While repairing the airmen opened machine gun fire, killing five Out of six of an Austrian patrol. Tire survivor surrendered, and was taken aboard the aeroplane to the Russian lines. CONTRABAND SMUGGLERS. ARRESTED OFF COPENHAGEN, (Reed. 11.50 a.m.) COPENHAGEN, March 3. A quantity of provisions and metal was found In four German tugs in the Roadstead. The crews were arrested.

A GERMAN STORY. YACHT PIKES ON SUBMARINE (Reed. 10.15 a.m.) AMSTERDAM, March 3,

WHAT CAUSED WAE. SOUTH AFRICAN PROPHECIES. Press Association —Copyright, (Reed. 1.55 p.m.) PRETORIA, March 3. An official report shews that the rebellion was chiefly due to prophecies by Vanrensburg, who was captured on October 31. He saw in his visions that six bulls were fighting- grey bulls; the latter were victorious. They represented Germany. Another vision was of forty thousand Germans marching through. London. Beyers and Kemp freely circulated the visions. Beyers arranged a. complete rising on September 15tb. He played upon De la Key’s religious susceptibilities. The rebels were to seize Potchefstroom and De la Key was to proceed East, and Beyers west to raise the rebellion, but De la Key was accidentally shot that vary night. Beyers was a hypocritical traitor throughout. A vast majority of rebels believed in assisting- the Government, ,De Wet maintained the campaign with the aid of the grossest lies and slanders against Botha and Smuts.

A report is circulated that a private yacht fired on the German submarine U2l, in Saint George’s Channel. The statement is possibly promulgated on account of Germany’s desire to justify submarines sinking everything.

THE QUEEN ELIZABETH. LESSON OF HER PRESENCE IN THE DARDANELLES. DOOM OF THE TURKISH CONSPIRATORS. LONDON, March 2. Referring to the Dardanelles, the Times says the first public acknowledgment that the Queen Elizabeth is afloat and in the Mediterranean indicates the overwhelming strength of the Navy in the North Sea. The flay the An*do-French battleships appear before Constantinople will mark the doom of the bribed conspirators who dragged Turkey into a foolish and suicidal war.

SUPPLIES FOR GERMANCRUISERS. LONDON. March 3. Investigations in New York' show that German shipping agents are using a “ dummy' ’ corporation for tba purpose of coaling and provisioning German raiders in the Atlantic. They evade the law by means of false clearance papers nad manifests, SPANISH RADICALS WANT WAR. LONDON, March 3. At a meeting of the Radical Republicans in Barcelona, intervention by Spain was strongly urged, ANTIVARI BOMBARDED. THE ROYAL YACHT SUNK. CETTUNJE, March 3. An official message states that live Austrian warships entered Antivari and bombarded the port and town. Tits Royal yacht was sunk and a large quantity of valuable stores burnt. A civilian was killed and several wounded.