AUSTRIA DESPONDENT.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 175, 29 March 1915, Page 5

AUSTRIA DESPONDENT.

AUSTRIA DESPONDENT. GERMANY’S HEART PROTECTED. THE FALL OF PRZBMYSL. A FORMIDABLE BLOW. (By Telegraph. —Press Association.) (Reed. 9 a.m.) VIENNA, March 28. The people and the newspapers are very despondent. The “Neue Freic Presse” states; “We have prevented the German Empire from being struck at its heart, we fought valiantly at Nida and at Pilitza, and also with wonderful courage. W|e still must place Austria’s fate in German hands in the Carpathians.” Other newspapers admit the fall of Przemysl to be no more than an incident, but still a formidable blow. ITALY PREPARING. A CHOLERA EPIDEMIC. LONDON, March 27. Mr. Dillon, in a message from Rome, states that the whole frontier from Ugano to Lake Garda has been dynamited for strategical purposes. The whole of the west end of Eoveredo has been cleared of inhabitants, streets of houses razed and batteries placed. Sympathisers with the Italians are rigorously treated. Cholera is raging in north-east Udine, where the Italians will advance in the event of war. There have been many deaths. Although this is well known in Vienna, no remedial measures have been taken. The IBrians place a sinister construction upon this passivity, THE DARDANELLES. LONG RANGE BOMBARDMENT. TENEDOS, March 28. The Queen Elizabeth bombarded the Dardanelles forts from the Gulf of Saros. L" V 25 /'WARSHIPS TAKE PART. N ATHENS, March 28. Twenty-five first line Vessels will participate In the Dardanelles operations. The delay was partly due to the weather and partly due to the awaiting of further vessels. MINE-SWEEPING RESUMED. ’ (Reed. 3.30 p.m.) ATHENS, March 28. The equinoctial gales in the Dardanelles have ceased, and mine sweeping has been resumed. THE SINKING OF THE MEDEA. DUTCH GREATLY AGGRAVATED. THE HAGUE, March 27. The sinking of the Medea greatly aggravated the Dutch irritation with Germany. Newspapers declare that the act exceeds all previous incidents, as the Germans seized the Medea’s papers and were thus aware of her nationally. A special Cabinet meeting has been summoned. AN EXPLANATION WANTED. THE HAGUE, March 28. The Dutch Minister in Berln has requested an explanation of the sink- 1 ing of the Medea. “A PROTRACTED WAR.” SIR JOHN FRENCH EXPLAINS. LONDON, March 27. Sir John French, referring to the phrase, 41 protracted war,” in the cabled summary of his speech on the 2nd,' explains that "protracted” depends entirely on the supply of men and munitions. If these are unsatisfactory the war will be prolonged. He adds that he dwelt emphatically on the peed of munitions.

IN GERMAN HANDS. ITALY QUITE READY. ANARCHY 1H CONSTANTINOPLE. THE DARDANELLES. WARSHIPS SHELLING THE FORTS. THE QUEEN ELIZABETH AT WORK. A COMPREHENSIVE BALKAN UNDERSTANDING.

SUBMARINE ACTIVITY. STEAMER SHELLED OFF CORNWALL. SUMBARINE BELIEVED TO BE SUNK. (Reed. 9.5 a.m.) LONDON, March 28. Captain Evans, of the stegmor Lizzie, stateg-that be tyltne,ss'e.cl-|he torpedoing of the Delmira %y U 37. He maintained full speed and ran over the submarine which was damaged or sunk, .judging from the oily surface of the water. The Lizzie then picked up the Delmira’s crew. A Liverpool steamer, the Vosges, was sunk by shell fire off the Cornish Coast. The engineer was killed and thflee others were injured by shrapnel. A partol yacht brought the crew to New Quay. * ‘ ■ A German submarine was sighted near the Firth of Clyde. BOMBARDMENT OF OSSOWIEO. PROMPTNESS AND PUNCTUALITY. MUSIC EXTRA ON SUNDAYS. (Reed. -9.5 a.m.) PETROGRAD, March 28. Ossowiec has been bombarded continuously for 34 day s by. the enemy. Our positions were held everywhere. Operations were conducted to' timetable. At nine in the morning a rocket warns the Red Cross and civilians, then seijge guns open fir'e, and they cease punctually at six, and above ground life is resumed. Military bands play at regular hours on Sunday evenings. WHY PRZEMYSL FELL. PROVISIONS EXHAUSTED. LONDON, March 27. Przemysl was provisioned for 40,000, but 100,000 of General Dankle’s retreating army wore shut up in the fortress and were unable to escape. Thus the stocks were exhausted. THE LAST DAYS. RUSSIANS’ FINE GUNNERY. PETROGRAD, March 28. After the Russian artillery on tin 21st had razed the inner fortifications of Przemysl, the garris n asked General Kusmanek for instructions. He replied, "Die at your posts.” New guns were hurriedly placed in the ruined forts, and were quekly destroyed by the accurate Russian fire. In the evening the Russians had gained the first line of the fortifications. Searchlights were not used, for everything was plainly visible in the crimson glow of the burring fortress. The inner forts still resisted, despite the ground being shaken every few minutes by explosion of magazines. By dawn the Russians had penerated to the inner lino forts. General Kusmanek ordered the blowing up of the remainder. By five o’clock the Russians swarmed towards the fortress, and the white flag was hoisted. "DON’T HUMILIATE GERMANY.” JUSTIFIABLE INDIGNATION. LONDON, March 28. Mr. Lyttelton, headmaster of Eton, delivered a "Don’t Humiliate Gor(many” addres s at St. Margaret’s, Westminster, which has aroused many pretests,as it is quite contrary to a rej cent speech made at Windsor. Mr. Lyttelton denies being a pro-German. Mr. Craik, a member of the House of Commons, and a churchwarden of St. Margaret's, protests against such utterances. The Church fears the gravest misgivings when the greatest school in England is under the guidance of a man showing such lack of judgment.

TURKEY’S DESPERATE POSITION. REPORTS BY RETURNED GERMAN OFFICERS. | ONLY THREE DAYS’ AMMUNITION WAR PARTY STANDS ALONE. (Reed. 3.30 p.m.) LONDON March 27. Reuter’s Vienna correspondent says that large numbers or' German officers have returned from Constantinople They report that the position of Turkey is desperate. The army has only a few days’ ammunition, while the Young' Turks are against everybody and divided amonjg themselves. TURKEY’S FATEFUL DESTINY. FORESEEN BY GENERAL VON DER GOLTZ. (Reed 3.3 p.m.) ROME, March 27. A Sofia telegram saysf General Von der Goltz has arrived here. Ho admits that his mission to Turkey has ended, and that be foresaw the catastrophe whereof the Turks are victims. ANARCHY IN ADRIANOPLE. SOFIA, March 27. Travellers report Hike prevalence of complete anarchy in Adrianople. THE FRENCH DO WELL. GOOD PROGRESS IN ALSACE. AIR RAID CAUSES PANIC. LONDON, March 28. Paris reports an artillery engagement at Nieuport, north of Saint Georges. The Allies occupied a farm in advance of their lines. In' Alsace, near Reichackjeroff, the Qermans have thrown inflammable liquid into the French trenchfes without otherwise obtaining results. Ten French airmen bombarded dirigibles’ hangars at Frascati, and Metz station. A dozen bombs caused a panic. All the aviators returned. They similarly bombarded the barracks east of Strassburg. Paris reports that last the Germans bombarded Arras with shells of all calibres. The fire was rapidly extinguished. In Alsace, after several days’ energetic fighting, th|s French reached the summit of Hartraannspillererkopf, which they captured from, the enemy, then progressing north-east and southeast to Flanks Hill, taking more prisoners, including officers. The German s abandoned important material and many dead. The French losses were slight. A German aeroplane was attacked,' and the pilot and observers were made prisoners. ESTAIRES BOMBED. 77 TWO CHILDREN ! KILLED. • ’ ' ’ (Reed. 9.5 a.m.) PARIS, March ,28. A Taube dropped two bombs on Estaires and two were killed. AMERICAN-DUTCH TREATYFOR MUTUAL PROTECTION. (Reed. 9.5 a.m.) PARIS, March 28. According to “Petit Journal,” Dutch correspondent, Holland and the United States have signed a treaty for mutual protection. j BRITISH PRISONERS’ CAMP. FOOD AND HEALTH CONDITIONS. IMPROVED WITH AMERICAN AID. (Reed. 9.5 a.m.) LONDON, March 28. The Press Bureau states that the American Embassy learns from Mr Powell, Captain of the British prisoners’ camp at Ruhleben, and his assistants, have effected great improvements regarding the quantity and quaL ity of food supplied. Special committees were appointed to superintend health, recreation, and other departments. BULGARIAN NEUTRALITY. ANOTHER GERMAN EFFORT. (Reed. 9.5 a.m.) SOFIA, March 28. Von der Goltz has commissioned an officer to negotiate with Bulgaria for continued neutrality. GERMAN LONG-RANGE GUNS. GOING TO SMYRNA. ATHENS, March 28. Germany is transporting long-range guns to Smyrna. HUNGARIAN SCOUNDRELS. (Reed. 3.30 p.m.) LONDON, March 2T. The Morning Post’s Buda Peath correspondent says .120 men of wealth ami position have been arrested for supplying the army with had food, papersoled boots, and charging 14/- a yard for ladies’ cloth material (worth 3/-), for uniforms, which went to rags in a fortnight. .The Press and people are demanding' death sentences.

-1 ATJSTRO-ITALIAN POSITION. VARIOUS ASPECTS DISCUSSED. I WHAT AUSTRIA WOULD DO. (Reed. 8.35 a.m,) LONDON, March 28. The Central News, Rome, states that everything is in readiness for general mobilisation. It is stimated that 3000 Austrians and Germans left Rome as ’ a result of the warnings. 1 Russian pagers, referring to the : dwindling chances of Austria, believe ‘ they will influence Italy towards intervention. • “Messagero” published a presumably inspired article, intimatinjg the feeling in Austrian circles that they would rather give Galicia to Russia than Trent or part of Istria to latly, for the sak Q of Italian neutrality as thi s would remove the Russian nightmare and leave Austria free to fight Roumania and Italy to the death. The dissolution of Turkey will compel Italy to come to some understanding with Britain in the interests of the Eastern Mediterranean a defeat of Austria would render it necssary. Italy will act in accord with Russia and Servia in the defence of their interests on the Adriatic and in the Balkans. RUSSIAN ADVANCE HELD UP. WELLINGTON, .March 28. The Prime iMmster has received Dm following from the High Commisioner. dated London, March 27th:— Petrograd reports that the. Russian offensive in the west and middle Nome n has been met by the enemy’s counter attacks. On the Carpathians front the Russians continue to advance, although the, enemy has been reinforced. One thousand seven hundred prisoners were taken on Wednesday. In the direction of Munkacstry railway and Boiua, German attacks were again unsuccessful. AUSTRIANS’ STUBBORNNESS. CONTESTING EVERY YARD. PETROGRAD, March 27. The Austrians are fighting with surprising stubbornness in the Carpathians, contesting every yard, and using every expedient. The woods are filled ' with barbed wire and wolf traps, and machine-guns are concealed on the summits of steep ravines. The crack Gorman 21st Corps in East Prussia now largely consists of raw troops, many of whom are ignorant of the use of arms, and are more dangerous to themselves than to the enemy. , ' r ’ PILLING UP THE; GAPS. :\- LONDON, Mach 27. Reuter 's Vienna;correspondent states ‘ that; trains' full of Bavarians are ctuir tinUally traversing Hungary for the Carpathians, and almost an equal number returning wth wounded Austrians and Germans. AUSTRIANS HARRASSED. PETROGRAD, March 28. Official; We considerably progressed in the direction of Bartfeld. The Austrians, while fallng back, burned the village of Bor, westward of the Dukla Pass. We carried a fortified height eastward of Ravonvetz, near Baligrov, We repulsed largo forces near Konziwka, taking prisoners 2,500 Austrians, besides 40 officers. AUSTRIANS CLAIM VICTORY. VIENNA, March 28. Official: After a violent engagement north-east of Czernowitz, we drove back superior forces, capturing a thousand prisoners and two guns. 80UTH AFRICAN REBELS. TREASON TRIAL COMMENCES. (Reed. 10.5 a.m.) JOHANNESBURG, March" 28. The preliminary examination of Kemp, Vannensburg, and 40 others for treason has opened. Most of the accused are wearing German uniforms. A witness identified a number of the accused as participants in the fight at Upington on January 23rd, and detailed the movements of the rebel commando, which entered German territory, where they were equipped with rifles and German uniforms. GERMANS IN CANADA. CAUGHT DRILLING IN A CHURCH. OTTAWA, March 27. The police raided a Polish Lutheran church in Toronto and found 200 German and Austrians drilling with dummy rifles. The police declare that an armed rising was projected in the United States, wherein the Germans and Austrians would partiepate. SERBO-BULGAR AGREEMENT. REFER DIFFERENCES TO ITALY. (Reed. 10.5 a.m.) ROME, March 28. It is reported that a Balkan Bloc is likely to reconstitute Servia. They ai'3 negotiating with Italy concerning the Adriatic. Servia and Bulgaria have agreed to refer their differences to Italy for adjustment.

GENERAL JOFFRE INTERVIEWED. VALUE OF TRENCH LIFE. (Reed. 3.20 p.m.) PARIS, March 26. General JoJlTs, interviewed, said a long war in the trenches had enabled the Allies to increase their resources. We undoubtedly have an ascendency over the Germans whose los s is over a million. To our army their officers seemed brave, but nearly all have fallen. The Imperial Guard is now only a collection of uniforms and historical memory. The Germans have been so weakened morally that their officers are forced to lead them to the fighting in compact formation where they are an easy prey to our gunners. It is error to believe that any army gets better every day, or that it can ijeally go on fight ink indefinitely. GERMAN CROWN PRINCE. IN POTSDAM NURSING HOME. (Reed. 3.20 p.m.) GENEVA, March 26. Visitors from Germany state that the Grown Prince is at Potsdam, in a nursing home, with nervous breakdown. His case is not serious. TERRIBLE REVELATIONS. CHOLERA AND TYPHOID RAMPANT. THE POPULATE ROTTEN. LIVE LIKE VERMIN. (Reed. 1.20 p.m.) NEW YORK, March 26. Dr. Charles Macdonald, of the United States Army, just returned from Budapest, reports that the city is a pest house. Residents are absolutely rotten owing to the absence of sanitation; thousands ar'e uncared for and typhoid ami cholera are rampant. Austrian soldiers are living like vermin and wounded reach the hospitals in an unspeakable condition. There are 70,000 maimed soldiers in Budapest alone. DELMIRA COULD HAVE ESCAPED. CHINESE STOKERS REFUSED WORK. (Reed. 1.10 p.m.) LONDON, March 26. There was a crew of 31 on board the Delmira, mostly Chinese. The submarine fired three revolver shots as a signal to heave to. The Captain order'ed full steam ahead, and could have escaped but the Chinese below .learning the facts, refused to stoke the engines and the submarine quickly overhauled her. BULGARIANS CONCENTRATING. ARMY IN ADRIANOPLE. (Reed. 3.20 p.m.) GENEVA, March 26. A censored message from Bucharest states that laijge Bulgarian forces are concentrating near Adrianople, another army is near Philippopolis. HIGH COMMISSIONER’S REPORT. A SKIRMISH IN EGYPT. OUR LOSSES SLIGHT. IMPORTANT HAPPENINGS ELSEWHERE. The Prime Minister has received from the High Commissioner, under dale London, 27th, 1.50 p.m., the following: CAIRO, March 27. Official: The British • losses in a skirmish of the desert ten miles east of Kulin on the 23rd, were three men killed and sixteen wounded. We have no officer casualties. The enemy left 50 killed and 250 rounds of 3-inch gun ammunition. They carried away all their wounded. Aeroplane reconnaissance shew that the Turks retreated to Neklil. • London, 27th, 6.50 p.m.: The Admiralty announce the week's lcs s of three ships, aggregating 11,050 tons out of 1,450 sailings. Of arrivals *ne was torpedoed but reached port. London, 27th, 4.35 p.m.: Casualty lists show; Army officers: Killed, 5; wounded, 91; missing 2. Men; Killed, 58; wounded ISO, missinlg 11. Paris reports that last night the Germans bombarded Arras with shells of all calibres, but their fire was rapidly extinguished. Mine warfare was continued at La Boiselle, under good conditions by the French. In Alsace .after several days’ energetic fighting, the French reached the summit of the hill which they capture o from the enemy. They are progressing on the north-east and south-east flank s of the bill, taking more prisoners, includinjg officers. The Germans abandoned important material and many dead. The French losses were slight. German aviators dropped several bombs north-west of Thann, killing three young children.