NEW SEAT OF WAR

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 159, 10 March 1915, Page 5

NEW SEAT OF WAR

ON TO CONSTANTINOPLE. BRITISH CASUALTIES. aviators have thrilling > TIME. Press Association —Copyright. (Reed, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 9. Admiral Carden reports that the Gaulois, Lord Nelson and Agamemnon were struck thrice, and the lattei had three men wounded. Seaplanes reconnoitring were compelled to fly low. One dived into the sea, and both officers were hurt. Another was shot at, and Lieutenant Dov|glas was wounded. Two other seaplanes were hit 28 and eight times. PETROGRAD, March 9. The Russian bombardment of the Turkish ports on the Black Sea is likely to interfere with Constantinople's coal supply. The majority of the Turkish troops at Smyrna have been withdrawn. The remainder are in a pitiable condition. The Goeben’s eleven-inchers have been mounted near Nagara. ATHENS, March 9. It is reported that Forts Erekeny, Kilid Bahr and Namazia were on fire after vigorously i-eplyiug to the Allies’ bombardment. TYPICAL TURKO-GERMAN REPORT (Reed. 10.50 p.m.) ATHENS, March 9. An official message from Constantinople via Berlin says that the enemy’s armoured cruisers bombarded the Dardanelles fortresses. A French cruiser was put out of action, and an English cruiser damaged. The ships ceased firing and withdrew. The Turkish batteries did not suffer damage of any description.

EXPEDITIONARY FORCE FOR TURKEY. ANGLO-FRENCH CONCENTRATING IN AFRICA. READY AT A MOMENT’S NOTICE. WILL OUR BOYS GO TOO? (Reed. 10.50 p.m.) LONDON, March 9. Expeditionary forces are concentrating in North Africa ready to embark at a moment’s notice. THE ALLIES’ NEW PLAN. TO OPERATE FROM TURKEY. IMPORTANT STATEMENT BY MR. MASSEY. AUCKLAND, This Day. When addressing a gathering of his constituents at Waiuku last night, the Prim'a Minister read a copy of a telegram from the Secretary of State for the Colonies with reference to the concentration of French troops in North Africa. “That means,” said Mr Massey, “that instead of Belgium and the eastern front being £he two centres of operations, a s they have been up to the present, a French and probably a British force will operate in the Dardanelles, and a base will be established in northern Africa. It is a most important movie, and the result will be of very great importance in the struggle. You can look for very stirring new s from the new centre of operations in the near future,” Mr Massey concluded. FRENCH EXPEDITIONARY FORCE READY. WELLINGTON, This Day. The Governor has received the following war telegram from the Secretary hf State for the Colonies: “The

FORCES IN PREPARATION «> BASE IN TURKEY FORT-POUNDING PROCEEDS SIX MORE SILENCED RUSSIAN FLEET DOING GOOD WORK ASKOLD OFFERED THE PREMIER PLACE OUR BOYS TO OPERATE IN TURKEY IMMENSE SLAUGHTER OF GERMANS

HIGH COMMISSIONER’S REPORT. A SATISFACTORY RECORD; OPE'RATINOS IN DARDANELLES PROGRESSING. VERY FEW CASUALTIES. The High Commissioner reports as follows: — LONDON, March 9. The Admiralty announce that operations in the Dardanelles are progressing. Favoured by fine' weather on Sunday, four French battleships entered the Straits to cover the direct bombardment of the defences at the Narrows by the Agamemnon and Lord Nelson at 1400 to 1200 yards. The Mount Dardauos battery was silenced by the French, and Forts Rumili Medjidieh Tabia and Hamidi Tabia by the British. There were explosions in both forts. The damage to the ships was not serious. Three men of the crew of the Lord Nelson were slightly wounded. Owing to the importance of locating concealed Iguns, seaplanes had to fly very low. One was hit 28 times. RUSSIAN FLEET BUSY. Petrograd reports that the Russian fleet on Sunday bombarded Zunguldah, Kozlou and Kilimli, destroying all structures and plant for the output and shipmient of coal. A terrific explosion and fire followed. Four batteries were silenced and eight steamlers and one sailing vessel were destroyed.

The Russian casualties were three wounded.

THE BLOCKADE. The Admiralty announces that no British merchant vessels were torpedoed during the week ended 3rd. There were one hundred more arrivals in the United Kingdom ports than during the previous week, and sailing four less. AIR RAID ON 2EEBRUGGE. Six naval aeroplanes attacked Ostend on Sunday. Two had to return owin[g to the petrol freezing. The others dropped eleven bombs on the submarine repair base, and four on the military headquarters, probably doing con. siderable damage. No submarine was seen in the basin. All the machines and pilots returned. GIVE AND TAKE IN FRANCE. Paris reports that the enemy’s attempt to re-take a wood captured by the Allies yesterday was repulsed. Tha Aflifp counter-attacked r/id gained ground towards the east with prisoners. Datween Mesnil and Beausejour the enemy recaptured some metres of trenches, and the Allies gained a hundred methas on the road north-east of Mesnil. s AUSTRO-GERMAN OFFENSIVE STOPS. ’

French War Office on March 6th stated that in view of the situation in the Dardanelles the French Government had decided to concentrate an expeditionary force in Northern Africa.”

Petrograd reports that the German offensive on the left hank of the Vistula in the region of Pilica has stopped. In the Carpathians the Austrians have ceased attacking in the region of Szvidnik, but continue barren assaults in Galicia. In the region of Klaus the Russians surrounded a small outflanking column, and one entire enemy battalion surrendered.

BULGARIAN CRISIS. STAMBOULISTS FEAR GERMANY. Press Association —Copyright(Reed. 8.50 a.m.) LONDON, March 9. The “Echo de Paris” reports a crisis at Sofia simlar to that in Greece. The King and Stamboulists overthrew Radoslavof, because he urged action against Turkey, ajfid joepupation of Adrianopl'S. Stamboulists fear the risk of opposing Germany and Austria. Reuter’s Sofia correspondent states there is intense interest in the Grecian crisis. It is considered that it will have far-reaching x*esults. The late Premier Venizelos’ datum is only a question of days. BULGARIAN INTERVENTION. A SECRET SESSION. GOVERNMENT POLICY STATEz MENT. (Reed, 9.50 a.m.) LONDON, March 9. The “Daily Mail’s” Sofia correspondent states that the Bulgarian Premier has promised to make a definite statement of the Government’s policy to a secret Parliamentary session. SERIOUS GERMAN LOSSES. DETAILS OF OLD BATTLE. (Reed. 8,50 a.m.) PARIS, March 9. A G erman regiment attacking on the 16th Febrauary, lost seven hundred killed, and ambulances were employed three weeks in carrying off nearly f«ur hundred seriously wounded nightly. RUSSO-TURKISH FRONT. TURKS DRIVEN BACK.

(Reed. 8.50 a.m.) PETROGRAD, March 9. Advices from Tiflis state that the Russians have driven the Turkish troops from Khoi southwards, inflicting heavy losses. Since the beginning of the war the Russians have taken prisoner 18,016 Turks. AROUND GRODNO. HUGE SLAUGHTER OF GERMANS. GERMANS ON THE DEFENSIVE. ' (Reed. 8.5 oa.m.) PETROGRAD, March 9. A communique states: During a sev. eral days’ battle preceding the capture of the hill commanding the district around Grodno on the 21st ult., a German corps lost twelve to fifteen thousand killed, and the discomfiture of two other corps followed'. Thenceforward the enemy's operations were strictly defensive, asd retreat is sure under continual pressure. A GERMAN CANARD. THE ALLIES’ REPLY. (Reed. 8.50 a.m.) PETROGRAD, March 9. The warship Askold has been invited to take the Russian flag into the Dardanelles ahead of the Allies. RUSSIANS ON THE OFFENSIVE. GERMANS IN RAPID RETREAT. PETROGRAD, March 9. Eiehorn’s army is rapidly retreating. It is now clear of the Augustowo woods and within a dozen miles of its own border. The valley of the Niemen is also clear of the enemy, who has lost touch with the force operating against Oso-

wee. The Russians are making slower progress at Mlawa, where Yon Hindenberg has a largo force guarding the lines of comrauneation. Twelve thousand prisoners taken in East Galicia have been sent to Siberia. Four thousand Austrians in East Galicia were marching foodless for three days before the commissariart arrived. The Russians appeared, and the Austrians put up the white flag and surrendered. (Official). —Our offensive at Suwalke is developing. The German offensive at the Pilitza has been checked, and our counterattack has'begun. RUSSIANS’ FIRM PURPOSE. PARIS, March 9. . The Journal’s correspondent in Petrograd describes as unshakable the determination of the Russians to expel the Germans from the Masurian Lakes region and to invest and besiege Konigsberg in order to clear the road for the march to Berlin, when they will compel tlie Germans to engage in i general battle. IS CONSTANTINOPLE SAFE? 4 (Reed. 9.50 a.m.) SOFIA, March 9. According to refugees the populace in Constantinople refuse to believe the Government’s assurances that the city is safe.

AN ENORMOUS ARMY. CHECKED ON BOTH FLANKS. Press Associai ion—Copyright. (Reed. 9.50 a.m.) LONDON, March 9. The “Times’” military correspondent estimates that twelve Austro-Ger-man army corps were operating at Pilica in the last move in the enemies’ (general offensive, which was checked in East Prussia, and in the central Carpathians. UNPROFITABLE EXAGGERATION. THE PENNEPATHER PAMPHLET. (Reed. 9.5 oa.m.) LONDON, March 9. In replying to Mr Pennefather concerning his pamphlet, cabled February 26th, Mr Asquith regretted that such grave misrepresentations had been publsihefi at a time when the only possible effect could be to encourage the enemy in the thought that its importance was exaggerated. WHY THE RESTRICTION? IS AMMUNITION RUNNING SHORT? PARIS, March 9. German prisoners state that German batteries ai'e restricted to torty shots daily unless the general of the division otherwise directs. LOSS OF ZEPPELIN L 9. PARIS, March 9. It is roumoured that the wrecked Zeppelin L 9 was sighted in the Channel a few miles from Boulogne. It was apparently one of three manoeuvring between Boulogne and Calais during the last three days. THE CANNONS’ ROAR. FIGHTING AT YPRES. AMSTERDAM, March 8. Heavy gunfire is heard at Roulers in the direction of Ypres. Many trains of wounded have arrived at Roulers. There is much water traffic from Ghent to Bruges, including boats with machine guns. SIR JOHN FRENCH. REPORTS LITTLE CHANGE. (Reed. 9.20 a.m.) LONDON, March 9. Sir John French’s Bulltein states: The situation is unchanged. Our mastery over the enemies’ snipers is particularly successful. In the Ypres region we have materially been assisted by mining. We exploded a mine under German trenches on Friday njght,when s'everal Germans were killed. The British occupied and destroyed the trenches.

THE BLOCKADE. ATTEMPT TO TORPEDO CHANNEL STEAMER. LONDON, March 9. A futile attempt was made to torpedo the Channel steamer Lydia off Guernsey, The submarine was visible for a couple of minutes, and the torpedo passed the Lydia fifty yards astern. The Lydia carried fifty passengers, THE CHASE FOR THE UcS. LONDON, March 9. The Press Bureau states that twelve destroyers participated in the hunt for the ÜB, and the Ghurka and Maori finally destroyed her. The Admiralty is unable to extend honourable treatment to the crew of the ÜB, as she was probably guilty of sinking an unarmed merchantman. Possibly they would be unable to obtain evidence of their, guilt until after the war.’ Meanwhile they would not allow the crew to mingle with other war prisoners. RESCUE OP GERMAN PRISONERS. STATEMENT BY ADMIRALTY. LONDON, March 9. The Admiralty announces that since the beginning of the war Britishers have done their utmost to rescue Germans whose vessels have been sunk. Over a thousand have been saved under difficult and dangerous circumstances, although the enemy did not accord similar treatment to Britishers. SHIPPING RECORD SINCE BLOCKADE. LONDON, March 9. Since the blockade, up to the 3rd. 8,034 vesesls have arrived and departed. Fifteen have been torpedoed ,n 1 20 lives lost. MANUFACTURERS' PROFITS. TAXED IN GERMANY. (Reed. 9.50 a.m.) LONDON, March 9. The German Reichstag has passed a biii taxing profits of manufacturers of war material. The tax is retrospective.

THE ATTACK ON OSTEND. SEAPLANES SAFE. Press association —Copyright, LONDON, March 9. Commander Longmore, in charge at Ostend, reports that two seaplanes relumed owing to their petrel freezing, and the others returned safely. TURKISH LYING. ALMOST EQUALS GERMAN VARIETY. (Reed. 9.50 a.m.) CAIRO. March 9. Djemal Pasha, in a despatch to Constantinople, describes the Suez Canal reconnoitring exploit, wherein, he says, be hoped to make a stand until the main troops arrived, and adds that he had crossed the canal and bayonetted the enemy when a sandstorm interfered with operations. Six cruisers opened a horrible flanking fire and armoured trains used quick-firers but in spite of this we fought a pitched battle for thirty hours with success on our side, than we retired calmly. A BENEVOLENT DONATOR. SYDNEY, This Day. Sir Samuel McCaughey offered to donate to the Belgian Fund £IOO monthly until the end of the year. WHAT WILL GREECE DO? PEOPLE WILD FOR WAR. VIOLENT DEMONSTRATIONS. LONDON, March 9. The Times, in a loader, says the only probable explanation of the Greek crisis is that Venezelos shared the opinion and desire of the nation to join with the western Powers in the advance on Constantinople. The Athens correspondent says Venezelos, convinced that Greece without risk would acquire prestige and also the right to demand compensations completing national unify' by sending a military and naval force to the Dardanelles, wished thus to make sure that Greece would have the support of the Entente in the event of an AustroGerman attack through Servia.

ATHENS, March 9. Zaimis has declined to form a Cabinet, and King Contantifine has summoned Gouranis, a former Minister of Finance. The opinion is current that the King must give way to the outburst of popular sentiment in favour of reinstating Venezelos and declaring war. Violent demonstrations are occurring. ARABS GLAD AT TURKISH DEFEAT. LONDON, March 9. Speaking at Ismailia, Kheir ul Rabney, chief of the powerful Auladali tribe, congratulated the British on their victory over the Turks, who were used by the oppressive and despotic Germans to destroy the country. FRENCH PROGRESS SLOW BUT USEFUL. LONDON, March 9. The Times correspondent in Paris says the wet weather set in on Saturday arid will probably delay further progress in the Champagne district. It is a pity because it will give the Germans time to reorganise their defensive position. French offensive bebaii on February 28th., and there has not been a day since without progress being made. The total advance at any one point docs not amount to a mile, but each day the enemy has a more difficult defence problem to face. BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN MINED LONDON, March 9. The Bengrove left Barry coal-laden. A heavy explosion took place five miles off Ilfracomb. A steamer picked up the crew. It is believed the Bengrove was mined. SOUTH AFRICAN SUCCESS. ENEMY’S CAMP CAPTURED. (Reed. 11.45 a.m.) CAPETOWN, March 9. Van Dor Venter captured the 'enemy's camp at Nabas, with much provisions, equipment and horses. DRIVING THE TURKS. WITH HEAVY LOSSES. (Reed. 11.45 a.m.) PETROGRAD, March 9. A communique states; We occupied important positions ’ in the Transcborok region, throwing back the Turks to the south and westwards with heavy losses.