APPALLING LOSSES.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 171, 24 March 1915, Page 5

APPALLING LOSSES.

ill Li § | E&it« SlB ■w 1» %J?slka W <* 9 GENERALS, 117,000 MEN, FAMINE AND PESTILENCE. A FIVE MONTHS' SEICL MORE GERMAN AIR RAIDS. SIR JOHN FRENCH'S REPORT. THE GERMAN MORALE DETERIORATED.

THE PRZEMYSL SEIGE

THE RUSSIAN CAMPAIGN.

RUSSIANS PLAY HAVOC

GARRISON'S GALLANT SORTIE

AUSTRIAN FLIGHT IN BUKOVINA

STARVATION AND PESTILENCE.

LONDON, March 23

100,000 AUSTRIANS SACRIFICED.

(Reed. 10.20 p.m.) PETROGRAD, March 23

The fall of Przemysl came', quickly after the capture of a hill, on Friday, which enabled the Russians' guns to dominate the town.

The troops makink a sortie, fought pluckily and desperately.

GERMANS LOSE HEAVIX.T.

It was evident that the garrison was too depleted to defend the whole of the 25 miles perimeter. -The assailants' Circle was hourly narrowed and the hope of relief had been abandoned since the failure of the Austrians to expel l the Russians from the Carpathians. The. Austrians sacrificd 100,000 in their efforts to relieve the town. For a long time bread had been scarce in the town, and towards the end meat failed. All cattle and sheep were slaughtered and horses killed for food. Disease is rampant, and there is a tekrible outbreak of typhoid.

PETROGRAD, March 23

IN THE CARPATHIANS

ENEMY PUSHED BACK.

"HONOURABLY FALLEN."

ONLY THREE DAYS' FOOD LEFT.

WELLINGTON, March £3. The Premier' has received the fol lowing from the High Commissioner:

,';•;, VIENNA, March 23. Official: Przemysl has honourably faljen. General Von Kusanek's last sortie withstood to the utmost a seven hours' battle till forced to retreat. The Russians attacked the town on several sides the following night, but the attacks failed. There was only three days' food left, and the commander was instructed at the end of that time to abandon the fortress aftef destroyall material which, he has done. The 1 fall does not affect the general situation. PRZEMYSL'S S.O.S. CALLS. FURIOUS EFFORTS TO RAISE THE SIEGE. AUSTRO-GERMANS LOSE HEAYILY. PETROGRAD, March 23. The Austrians in the Lupkow Pass, and the Germans in Kosiomoka Pass responded on Sunday to Przemysl's wireless signa]s of despair. They struggled furiously to reach the San valley, but the Russian trenches met each wave with merciless rifle volleys. Towards dusk they charged with the bayonet, and there was' great bloodshied, especially among the Germans on the Munkacz road. Thousands of Austrians surrendred at Lupkow. HER SCHEMES SPOILED. GERMANY'S RECORD OF FAILURE (Times and Sydney Sun Special Cables.) LONDON, March 23. Tht "Times" military correspondent writes that the German eastern offensive has failed badly, nad the losses are immense. The Russian and Servian armies are still formidable and unbroken. The Tujrk has done) no good, and trembles for his capital. There has beten no decision in German favour, and the burdens are too heavy, for net shouldei*s. Her sea schemes have failed, and her flag ha s been driven from the ocean, and will shortly vanish from all her colonies. AUBTRIANS FOILED BY MONTENEGRINS. CETTINJE, March 23. Official: Austrians heavily bombarded our entrenchments at Gfahovo, the infantry assaulting our positions overlooking Cattaro without success.

LONDON, March »».

During the day we took 2,500 pris oners.

AN ATTACK THAT FAILED,

AMSTERDAM, March 23

Austrian aeroplane's atfe daily horning various camps without effect.

Russian artillery is playing havo* with the Austrians in the vicinty of Czernowtz. The Landsturm, who ai.untrained, are fleeing and carrying the tale of disaster throughout the country-side—(Times-Sydney Sun Special Services.)

Official: We advanced from Tanrosgen and occupied Lankurgen, capturing prisoners and engineering store*. Stubborn fighting occurred in tinvalleys of Ondawa and Labores, near Lupkow Pass, also on the left bank or the San. We captured 2,500,000 men, 50 officers, and four machine-guns. The Germans, in close formation, attacked our positions at Rosshaez, Orawchink and Fiosewhkwa. We repulsed the enemy with heavy loss.

Petrograd reports that in the Carpathians there is furious lighting on the roads to Bartfeld.

In the valleys of th<; Ondava and Laborez, near the Lupkow Pass, and on the left bank of the upper San, the Russians advanced, forcing their way with rifle fire andbbaronet.} r onet.

In the direction of Munkaes, the German attacks on the Russian positions were everywhere driven back with severe losses.

In the Caucasus on Saturday a Turkish attempt to take the offensive on the coast was defeated in several places and the Turks put to flight.

THE CAPTURE OF MEMEL. LONDON, March 23. The capture of Memcl caused consternation in north-eastern Germany. The place is difficult to re-take, the nature of the coasts making advance from the south impossible. It will require a force landing from the sea.

RUSSIANS' ENORMOUS CAPTURES. NINE GENERALS AMONG THEM. (Reed. 12.50 p.m.) LONDON, March 23. Reuter's correspondent at Petrograd states the Russians at the fall of Przemysl captured nine gnerals and. 117,000 men. SIR JOHN FRENCH'S REPORT. UNIMPORTANT AIR RAIDS. (Red. 12.35 p.m.) LONDON, March 23. Sir John French's bi-we.ekly report states that the enemy's all* craft are active; that they bombed Lillers, St. Omer, Estaires and Fremm. At a height of 9,000 feet they killed three women and fou)r civilians and wounded six civilians. There were no results of military value. Otherwise everything i s quiet.

A Taube in the North Sea throw four bombs, but missed the steamer Elflaute, laden with grain for the Belgian Relief Commission. The officer manoeuvred until a British destroyer drove off the airman.

TEE BLOCKADE.

STEAMER TORPEDOED

(Reed. 8.50 a.m.) PARIS,

NO DAMAGE DONE,

PARIS, March 23

FRENCH AIRMEN'S REPLY.

IMPORTANT PLACES BOMBER

LONDON, March 23

(Reed. 8.50 a.m.)

CAPETOWN, March 23

LONDON, March 23. The steamer Concord was torpedoed in the Channel. She is still afloat. Tbe crew was lauded at Dover. THE DRESDEN'S CREW. SANTIAGO DE CHILE, March 23. The Dresden's crew are intended o* the Quariguana Islands. ■ GERMAN PIRATES. LONDON, March 23. A passenger on the Batavier says he was awakened on Thursday morning and told that a submarine had captured the ship. German officers boarded and took her to Zeebrugge. . All were confined in the cabin. The ship was brought to the inner harbour. Those aboard were kept imprisoned for two days and not allowed on deck. They were transhipped in a train to Ghent, officers guarding, and the window* closed. Sixteen of the crew of the Laanstroom have arrived at Amsterdam, and state that the Germans hoisted trie war flag on two Dutch steamers. SEIZURE OF DUTCH VESSELS. AMSTERDAM, March 23. The Government has inquired of Berlin why non-contraband goods aboard the Laanstroom and the Batavier were confiscated, why the vessels were detained, and why they were compelled to strike their flag and hoist the German. The Netherlands' reply to Britain and France regarding reprisals against Germany protests against the encroachment on neutral rights. ZEPPELIN AIR RAIDS. MEET WITH LITTLE SUCCESS.

(Reed. 8.50 a.m.) LONDON, March 23

RETREAT FROM THE MARNE.

Besides the Zeppelin at Villerscotterets, others attempted to reach Paris, but did no harm. It is be lieved that French aeroplanes drove them off. Forty-eight bombs were dropped in Paris in Saturday's raid.

A Zeppelin threw three bombs on tc Villiers and Cotheret, and then proceeded towards Paris. Its approach was signalled at 9 on Monday night, and h was driven off.

Several Taubes attempted to approach Amiens. They were driven off and then dropped bombs on Doullens. but did no harm.

F2-ench aviators replied to the German raid, bombing the aerodrome at Git (Belgium), and railway stations a* Rchterfelde, Essen, Metz, Wyfoge, and Roke. Five hundred arrows were dropped on a German captive balloon in the Champagne. Bombs were dropped on Bazincourt station and on enemj batteries at Brimont and Vailley, alsc on Cernay station, Mulheim barracks, and Staden station and. several camp:-; also the aviation ground near Valenciennes. THE DARDANELLES. CHEAP VICTORY NOT EXPECTED. LONDON, March 23. The Times, in a leader on the Dardanelles, says the operation resembles a game of draughts. Many pieces may disappear from the board before gamej are won. The prices are high, but there will be no cheap victories in this war. The forcing of the Daraane;:cs is perhaps the most formidable operation ever undertaken in naval warfare. IN SOUTH AFRICA. GERMAN TERRITORY SUCCESSFULLY ATTACKED. IMPORTANT VICTORIES GAINED.

LENIENCY PROMISED TO REBELS

Colonel Collins' force on Saturday captured a train at Jakalowtu, in German South West Africa, cut communications with Kubas, made them unable to dislodge the enemy from a strong entrenchment but we prevented them assisting Pforteberg, where 2'oo surrendered. Meanwhile Commander Brits accompanied by General Botha attacked an exceptionally strong position at Riet and fought all day, many without food or water for thirty hours. Eventually the enemy retreated, abandoning theifr guns and ammunition. They blew up the pumping plant, but a large well was left intact

Hertzog's amendment terminating martial law when the Indemnity Bill was enacted was rejected by 63 to 15. Mr Smuts said it was inadvisable to repeal martial law, but it was intended to relax regulations and release th e rank and file of rebels, notwithstandinjg any risk.

LONDON, M*arch 23

THE WESTERN CAMPAIGN.

GERMAN ATTACKS DEFEATED

BRITISH ARMY CASUALTIES

WELLINGTON, March 23

SIR JOHN FRENCH INTERVIEWED. ESSENTIAL CONDITION OF PROGRESS. MUNITIONS, ALWAYS MUNITIONS! GERMAN MORALE DETERIORATED PROTRACTED WAR NOT BELIEVED.

Sir Jolm French, interviewed by Hava's Agency, said: "This is a rough war, but the problem is simple, namely, munitions, this is the 'essential condition of all progress. Germans need them more than the Allies, and by economising the German morale has deteriorated, showing weariness due to the collapse of plans for lightningvictory, lack of food hampering them." Sijr John French added: "I do not believe in a protracted war; spring begun well for the Allies. The clamp foggy winter in no wise damped the Britishers' good humour and cheerfulness; the French trcops are in excellent form and are well provided for.

HOW THE FRENCH TURNED AT BAY.

The second instalment of the French war review attributes the precipitate retreat from the Marne to the German's bringing several army corps northward to face the French, left and permitting the British to attack the German left. Three othek* armies on the right and the French centre debouched westward on the enemy's flank in the west Argcnne and compelled the withdrawal cf a mass of Germans, also involving their left. During th'e seven days' battle* two millions were engaged. The French armies acted closely with each other and from tire moment they moved forward they never again fell back.. INTERESTING ITEMS A WOULD-BE CORSAIR. (Times and Sydney Sun Special Cables.) LONDON, March 23. The Hamburg-Amerika liner Openwald .interned at San Juan, Puerto Rico, attempted to escape. The forts .Ired a blank cartridge, and then as the steamer persisted live shells were fired. The Openwald returned to anchorage, when the Customs seized her.

GERMANS' SWEET REVENGE. FRENCH HOSPITAL SHELLED. LONDON, March 23. Official: Owing to the defeats at La Bois'elle the. Germans bmobafded the civil hospital at Albert despite the Red Gros B flajg. Five old men were killed and several wounded. MILITARY AVIATOR KILLED. (Reed. 9 p.m.) LONDON, March 23. Captain Kane, a military aviator, was killed while flying at Brooklands. ITALIAN CHAMBER ADJOURNS. ROME, March 23. The Chambolr has adjourned till May Bth. Senor Turati asked for a shorter recess in view of controlling the foreign policy. Senor Salandra replied that the Gov. eminent ne : eded freedom of action. He commanded the country's confidence. TAKING ROOT. GERMANS PLANT WHEAT IN FRANCE. Gejrman troops at Sedan aided by fcivilians' liavfc planned Vsjoop acres : of wheat and potatoes. Similar extensive cultivation is proceeding in other parts under German occupation.

WELLINGTON. March 23. The Premier lias received the fol lowing from the High Commisioner: LONDON, March 23. Dardanelles.—Killed, 14.

Paris reports that at Notre Dame Le Lorette the French hold all the trenches disputed during the last few days, except ten metres. At Eparges the enemy's five counterattacks to regain the positions were defeated completely. The Alliese have progressed north of Badonviller.

The Prime Minister has received the following cable message from the High Commissioner, dated London, March 22, 1.40 p.m.): Army officers killed, 31; wounded, 3]; men, killed, 85; wounded, 192.

Canadians: One officer wounded. 10 men killed, 50 wounded. Egypt: Killed, 1G; wounded, 7. Prisoners: Four hundred and six; prisoners dead, 27.

COMMANDER'S PATHETIC AD-

DRESS

(Reed. 8.50 a.m.)

PETROGRAD, Mqrch 23

ATHENS, March 23

THE PEZEMYSL GA&RZSON.

M, Kasmanek, Commander, stirringly addressed the garrison in Przemysl on Thursday, saying: "We have shared our last provisions; I lead you to pierce the enemy's iron circle. You must crush everything and open a way out. Each soldiefr* is given five days' biscuits, warm clothing and newboots." It was arranged that 20,000 should sortie' 1 but several units refused and only twenty of the third Honved Division and parts of the 'Landwehr and Fourth Hussars sortied, and were principally repulsed by territorials.

GREECE, BULGARIA AND ROUMANIA TO FIGHT.

There have been frequent Cabinet meetings for discussing the situation. It is understood that if Greece is fojreed to act alone she will only intervene upon a basis of official Entente guarantees. GERMAN IDEALS. SIR EDWARD GREY'S VIEW. (Reed. 3.12 p.m.) LONDON, March 23. Sir Edward Grey, in a speech at London, said war might have been avoided by a conference wherever, and in whatever form Germany wished; France, Italy and Russia agreed to a conference. Thel dispute would have been far easier to settle than the Balkan crisis. Germany knew from experience of the London —Balkan Conference she could count on cur goodwill. We sought no diplomatic triumph and participated in no intrigue in 1913, nad we were ready to do the same last July.

We had (given Germany every assurance not to support any aggression against her and only withheld an unconditional promise, as stated, aside if Germany was the aggressor. Germany refused all proposals of settlement, and she must now bear the responsibility for the war. We know now r that the German Government was prepared for war as only a people who can plan do prepare. This is the fourth time in living memory that Prussia has made war and we are determined it shall be the last. The Allies' ideal was "that the nations of Europe should be free to work cut their own national dvelcpment with full liberty Avhether they are great or small States."