DARDANELLES PIERCED

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 185, 15 April 1915, Page 5

DARDANELLES PIERCED

i BRITISH CRUISER HUIB THE GAUNTLET fa i I&.<L$*LP 13SJ liUil GREAT STRUGGLE IN THE CARPATHIANS ■..^rrssEK&Bam AUBTRO-GEBMAN REINFORCEMENTS SIR JOHN FRENGHE'S REPORT WAR IN SNOW-GLAD MOUNTAINS

OFFICIAL REPORT.

THE DARDANELLES. A \REGOR3> pP/EFORMANCE. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) TENEDOS, 14 Reports state that a destroyer ran through the IJardaaSellea "at high speed penetrating to a record distance under heavy fire uninjured. The battleship London followed and brought the fire Of howitzers and battjeriea. Miaty weather is hindering operations. Eye- 1 witness states the German officers and men express uneasiness at lost confi- i enc e and say they re<»jnise • tb^fcthey will be overpowered by the British massed. Petrogrod telegrams attribute Russian succosses in the Carpathians to brilliant artillery work. > Continued progress is being jnade. The Bourse says five Austrian armies and seven German army corps are opposing; the Russians in the Carpathians. |

ITALIAN UNREST.

MOVING ART TREASURES. (Reed 2.10 p.m.) ,•"... \ PARIS, April 13. *T«e Temps" statesr that advice has been received from Venice that the authorities are removing art treasures to Florence, as a precaution against Austrian bombardment. CHANCES 99 IN 100. THAT ITALY INTERVENES. TENSION IS GROWING. (Reed 2.15 p.m.) ROME, April 13. The tension between Austria, -and Italy is growing. The Prefect of Trisc has prepared a proclamation exhorting the inhabitants in the Julian and Venetia districts to remain calm as the enemy is on 1 the point of occupying, and the Austrian administration will be abandonejd. He adds that the occupation will be brief. The "Gazetta dial Popolo" says the present indications are 99 chances jn 100 that Italy intervenes.

GERMAN AEROPLANE.

BROUGHT DOWN BY DUTCH. AVIATORS INTERNED. AMSTERDAM, April 13. Dutch soldiers down a German aeroplane that was flying over Flushing. Its three occupants were interned, PEACE PROPOSALS. LSn — \ £._ AMERICA APPROACHED. PRESIDENT WILSON CAUTIOUS. y.J>-' ' (Reed 2.10 p.m.) WASHINGTON, April 13. President Wilson guardedly informed Wihte House callers that the Pope had offered to co-operate with the United States with the object of securing European peace. President Wilson refused to say what the prospects of peace were.

WOMEN ¥/ORKERS.

FOR WAP, SERVICE. Ajjfoscd. 8.15 a.m.) '▼ LONDON, April 14. Mr Rnnciman announced that 33,000 womdn registered for special. war service to the end of March,'including 6000 in the armament works. The Government has -agreed to pay mine pi'ece rates on Government contracts, no rule being made relating to time rates.

VIENNA ALARMED.

WEALTHY PEOPLE HAVE LEFT. {ITALY STfiLL (RAIL SKTTfING. (Reed 8.50 a.m.) ; ROME, April 14. Tcpman concentration in the CarpaitLLas to help the Austrians is watched with djaep concern. If Russia sv veps into Hungary it is expected that Austria will sue for peace. : .: , •Th e Italian war Party will' urge prompt intervention r to secure mat'erir.,i advantage, from the winning combatant. ... Advices from -Vienna, state .the city is warmed. News,. : js leaking' out. resi■-■■; -ting this army's plight and the classes have already left.. The general impression is that, the Gov t cement has lost its head and :•■doles net know what measures to adopt to prevent or delay disaster. GRAVE MORAL PROBLEM. NEEDING PROMPT ATTENTION. (Reed 8.15 a.m>) . LONDON, April 14. The "Times' " medical correspondent urges a National policy to help girl mothers with illegitimate soldiers' children. Large numbers of unmarried girl g in Britain state they are in expfsctant motherhood, and are they to be left is the slough of theiT shame ? A grave moral problem demands prompt decision. TURKISH CAMP BOMBARDED. BY FRENCH WARSHIPS. (Reed 8.15 a.m.) PARIS, April 13. Official: The battleship Saint Louis, co-operating with seaplanes, bombarded an important Turkish encampment near Gaza. ITALY WILL DECLARE WAR. BEFORE PARLIAMENT MEETS. (Reed 8.15 a.m.) PARIS, April 14. It i- a believed that Italy will declare war upon Austria prior to the meeting of the Italian Parliament on May 12. The "Journal" states that Austria's refusal to Italian demands are the grounds. Austria says Italy could not hav G asked more, even after a victorious war.

OFFENSIVE, ARROGANT DOCUMENT.

BEKNSTOFP'S LATEST. (Reed 8.15 a.m.) : " LONDON, April 13. The Sun says there never proceeded from any Embassy or Legation a more offensive or arrogant document than Bornstoff's memorandum, which he handed to the- newspapers.

POSITION IN GREECE.

VENEZELOS FAVOURED. (Reed. 8.15 a.m.) BRINDISI, April 14. The' new Government at Athens is; taking extraordinary nieasurjss to check popular expression of feeling in favour of Venezelos. Th|3 street where hj3 lives is closed by soldiers with fixed bayonets-. Members of Parliament are not allowed to call on him, and men are being" brought from the provinces to chelar the now Government and terrorise those favouring Venezelcs. There h? ; ve been many arrests of thoc'i'a disapproving of the Government.

SIR JOHN F&INCH'S ESPOxt'i

SITUATIONS U&'CHANGBtf. LONDON. Apnl 14. Sir Tolm French reports '}■■ -t situf. iic... remained unchanged through '<"' "On Friday morning v,o sr.t ccbsndh exploded a mine in the vicinity of Ai men: "i i.'s. with the result that ;' loopholed walls of a house winch lielc? the pi'.euiy were destroyed. There wei;.29 German enseal ties counted. The <-v.--my replied by bombarding our positions b'*t did not inflict any damage. Early on Wednesday the Germans exploded two mines 0:1 our right but failed lo damage our trenches; similarly, a harmless explosion occurred on our left on Friday evening.

PRAISE FOR ALL TROOPS. GAPS QUICKLY FILLED. (Reed 9.35 a.m.) LONDON, April 14. Sir John French state- tlint operations aro chiefly remarkable for the lanemics' violent counter-attacks, and the cs>-3 with which wo repulsed them As cur object i s attained we ordered the supensicn of the offensive. One hundred and ninety officers and 2337 men were killed and 355-officers ajnd 8174 men wounded; 23 officers and 1728 rojen are-mis sing.- . The enemy left several- thousand'■ dead on tfcs field. They- removed 12,000-wounded. We captured 30 officer s -and -1657 men. Sir John French expressed to Genera;! Haig his fervent appreciation of the : magnlficenti'-gafliaritpy: and tenacious courage- of all: ranks. -The work of th-s Flying Corps: was- of the greatest valuja. In' raids they ■mostly attacked from 1 an altitude, of 100 feet. There was one instance of 50 feet. All gapg caused- in -th*e •< fighting between ch e 10th ; ond 15th March were filled within a "few days. " *>.;.- Sir Johri French, describing the earlier stages, says the second army under General Smith-Dorrein was instructed to support General Haig. The .battle opened at 7.30 on the morning '<M March 10th by a powerful bombardment'which Was effective except on the'extr e ' m«' n orthern portion of the front. Half ari hour later the 23rd and 25th brigades of the Eighth Division assaultjed the Germon trenches, northwest of the village. The Indian. Gurhwai .brigade simultaneously assaulted,, and" carried the enemies' trenches in front, where wire entanglements were, almost swept away by our shrapnel. The 23rd brigade was held up, however, by insufficiently-cut entanglements.' Artillery resumed, at 8 o'clock and the infantry advance con tinued, while the 25th brigade and the Gurhwai got a footing in the village.

. (Rec-10.25 a.m.) '.'/' '■",.'" LONDON, Apirl 14. ■■' Sir- John. French* continues: The eiwmgr's fire -cut. telephonic communication and with the holding up of the 23rd forced other, forces out of their proper direction. This required adjustment. In his opinion the delay would not have ocurred had Sir Douglaes Haig's clearly expressed order been better observed. The difficulties would have been earlier overcome if the general cor.' manding the Fourth Corps had been able to bring up reserves move ilyWe advanced later in the day at Richebourg, Saint .Vaast and Pictre Mill, and consolidated the positions gained on the 11th. The Indians essayed to further advance, but owing to weather conditions we were unable, aerially, to direct the artillery. As troops were pressing forward we were unable to stop our artillery fire,- and- we had to withdraw the infantry. ■' ■*' .(Reed; 10.25 a.m.) LONDON, April 14. Continuing his '" report, Sir John French says that' the 23rd brigade vv'are unable to progress owing to entanglements and sustained heavy losses, especially the Middlesex and Scottish Rifles, Advance of the 25th, however, turr.bd the enemy's southern Hank, which was harrasing the 23rd, and enabled the latter to get through and take possession of the village and ab, roads northwards and southwards were in our hands. During the fight aftjer artillery completely cut off village from the surrounding country and prevented with a curtain of shrapnel the enemy reinforcing. Considerable delay occurred. After the capture of the vilage the infantry was greatly disorganised by the violent nature of the attack, and the passage through the enemies' trenches and buildings in the vilage. It was necessary to get units together before pushing on. Deadly rifle and machine-gun fire rendered heavy casualties unavoidable. The power of defence confererd by modern weapons is the main cause of the long duration of present-day battles, which can only be shortened by most efficient and powerful artillery, General French commends the IV!ne; of Wales' work as a staff officer. (Reed 8.50 a.m.) LONDON, April 14. Sir John Frenrh's report reared'a? Neiive Chapslie reveal" the roe cb.iev': was to &3eurQ pc c ?i(;ic;n;-; eastward of the village a O . far as pcrr'?!?, but and failure to fully cr.ri'y out r -',:? Douglas Haig's instructions further advance was frustrated.

..::e casualties ivr the three days 1 j i>'i:'. offiecrs and 12,239 men. I ..bout the end cf February many vi- • ~ ;cns!tverations induced him to be- ! '..-,' ihe vigorous British offensive 1 :or'a - : -- carried out at the earliest ; •';••'_•;;;. ii e cormen this opinion beau&c ci. genera.l a.vrxet cf the Allied I situation, and tho n5.-jjsiiy for assistI ing the Russians by holding as many ci' the .enemy on vh e Western front as possible. The weightiest consideration was the need for fostering the offensive spirit in our troops after the 3};perieuces cf a severe winter in the trenches. The object of the main attack was to capture Neuv e Chapelle and the establishment of our line as far eastward of that placje as possible. General Haig with his fifirst army was entrusted with the operations. The Germans occupied a strong position at a triangle of roads, just north of th e village. THE WAR SETTLEMMENT. DOMINIONS TO BE CONSULTED. • (Reed 8.50 a.m.) LONDON, April 14. Mr Harcourt, in the House of Commons, intimatjed that h e would consult the Dominions fully personally when the time to discuss peace arrived. (Reed 10.50 a.m.) LONDON, April 14. Mr Harcourt said a few days ago, that Mr Fisher was reported in the press as saying with reference to an Imperial Conference: "What the British Government considers to be the correct thing is good enough for my Government," and in a private letter to me, dated February 15th, h!e wrote: "I cheerfully fall in with the decision net to hold a conference this year, though linabjle to convince myself of the rtsasons for its postponement. It is sufficient, however, that we* have a policy foi- this trouble that gets over all difficulties, when the King's businesg does not fit in with our ideas, v.'a do not press them." An admirable example of the spirit in which the Dominion's deal with Imperial affairs during the' war. ;•;' ' (Reed 11.50 a.m.) ' p- .. LONDON, Apr.il U. *' '.. Mr. HarCourt, continuing, said: In these' communications I referred only, to what could properly be called a normal conference, whereby I mean tl\3. full conference with all paraphernalia, miscellaneous resolutions, protrackl sittings, shorthand vport-s, resulting in blue-topics. This sort of conference was thought unsuited for present conditions, but in January I. telegraphed to each Governor-General to inform your Prime Minister that it is the Government's intention to consult, him most fully, and if possible, when th e time arrives to disouf.te p-fi-s-slbie terms of X ;.n[eed hardly add the Government intends to observe the spirit of th e letter in this declaration, which I believe ha s given complete satisfaction

to the Governments cf th e Dominions.

DUTCH DISSATISFACTION.

(Reed 8.15 a.m.) AMSTERDAM, April 14. Holland is disr'etf&edi with the German reply rgearding the Meden and proposes to submit the matter to arbitration at the conclusion of the vrar.

THE WEEK'S CASUALTIES. (Reed 815 a.m.) LONDON, April 14. The week's casualties covering Neuve Chapel le and Saint Loi are 2638 killed and 5488 wounded and missing. TALK ABOUT ZEPPELINS. LONDON TO BE ATTACKED. (Reed 8.15 a.m.) BERNE, April 14.'' Zeppelin's secretary, interviewed. says Germany possesses 36 dirigibles. They lost nine during the Avar, far exceeding their expectations, but of the types constructed with long-range gdiis and machine-guns 15 would be delivered in July, armoured and carrying tw>s tons of explosives, and capable of a high altitude. Ten dirigibles would attack London about August, regardless of losses. Germany has discovered a new process of causing atmospheric perturbations that would bring down aeroplanes. EXPLOSION AT SHETLAND®. EVERY BUILDING SHAKEN. GREAT DAMAGE DONE. LONDON, April !•:, A tremendous explosion took place' in Lerwick, the capital of the Shetland Islands. The explosion was due to an unexplained fire. The authorities .were aware of danger to any remaining in the vieiiiUy. bat were unable to deor the disturb i. cjuickly enough. Every building in 'lie town was'shaken in a tors' "vi- g in miner. The main street was v vlv'■>:■', c;.l by .flying pieces of iron. (The form thd north; a- •••.-.';•! ]•,;:■■•■ :»r»;i ~: v i-,-.- T ~ . .

NORTH SEA BATTLE RUMOURS.

MORE COLOUR LENT TO THE REPORTS. MOVEMENT OF GERMAN FLEET EXPECTED. (Reed 8.40 p.m.) LONDON, April 14. Regarding the North Sea action rumours, it is openly acknowledged that a German movement is expected. It is anticipated that a cruiser squadron including those damaged in the former fight and since repaired will rush the British northern protecting .guard for th e double purpos',3 cf scattering more raiders over the seas, and diverting a larg e portion of the British Fleet thus rendering an attack in the main fle.et possible. GERMANS GOING MAD. ALARMING INCREASE SINCE DECEMBER, (Reed 8.40 p.m.) BERNE, April 14. Professor Giupp, a nerve specialist, writing to the "Munchiner Medeaen," says there is an alarming increase of madness in the German army, particularly since the French offensive in the middle cf December. A very large number of gaps in the ranks are due to morbid ,3xcitement and nervous prostration. The explosion of a sheJl or the fate,of a comrade is sufficient to produce paralysis, convulsions and loss of speech. Delirium often disappears in hospital, to :s appear when the men return to the front Even the suggestion of return is often sufficient to send men mad. PIOU PIOU IN KHAKI. FRENCH ARMY IN ANOTHER COLOUR, CHANCE FOR BRITISH MILLS. (Reed 8.45 p.m.) PARIS, April 14. The War Office has adopted khaki, as it is impossible to keep blue mixture uniforms clean, Moreover, under the searchlights they showed pure white The chief difficulty in the changes is the lack of khaki. It is hopjed that British manufacturers Will rise to the occasion now. WAR A BLESSING TO RUSSIA. PEASANTS LIVING WELL. NO VODKA: MORE MONEY. (Reed 9.400 p.m.) PETROGRAD, April 14. The Minister for Finance informed the Press Agency that the war is proving a blessing to the people of Russia. Th,3 peasants have now better prospects of living in comparative comfort, as owing to the allowance made to the families cf soldiers their incomes are now greater than in times of peace. Tii e prohibition of vedka i s primau'y responsible for the ame'ioratel conditions of the peasants. 80*0r,3 the war, the average yearly savings on deposit totalled between 15 millioc and 20 millien dollars, wh7o in January alone 30 million dillars were deposited.

HERR BALL'N INTERVIEWED. SAID ENGLAND CAUSED WAR. LONDON, April 14. In an interview with the New York "World" Herr Ballin, whom the Kaiser authorised to communicate the latter 's view of the war, said the Kaiser reiterated that his 26 years' rule, proved he did not want war. Asked whom the Emperor considered responsible, Herr Ballin said: England, we honestly believe that Sir Edward Grey could hav e stopped it if he had declared that England would refuse to go to war over the uestion between Servia and Austria, then Russia and France would have compromised with Austria, If Sir Edward Grey, on the other hand had said that England would go to war with Germany, then Austria might have been readier to compromise. By his decision Sir Edward Grey could have avoided this terrible thing. SINKING .OF .THE .HARPALYCE. LONDON, April 14. It is stated that the Harpalyee (the Belgian Commission's relief ship), was actually carrying a safe conduct pass issued by the German Minister at The Hague, when she was sunk. GERMAN SPIRIT DROPPING. LONDON, April 14. "Eye-Witness" says that both German officers and men openly expressed uneasiness at the marked change in the geraral demeanour of the Gorman sold: rs soon after Christmas. Up till f'ien they were absolutely confident dvA extremely cheerful. Latterly, soldiers have told French civilians that they recognise that they will be overpowered by the avsses the English are going to place in the field. They tried to persuade French civilians that the English were orally bent on running France aad grabbing everything for themselves.

BATTLE OF GREAT INTENSITY,

IN THE CARPATHIANS. PETROGKAD, Apr"! 14. Official: The battle in the Carpathians on the 11th and 12th developed witht groat intensity between Bartfcld and Stry. We progressed on both bonks of the Ondava south of the Stropko. We captured several heights north-east of Telepoich. We gained a victory i". the direction of Uszok, where an extremely deperate fight resulted in the capture of th heights around the villages of Bukoftz, BenefT and Vyssokonijy, the Russians taking 2,7000 prisoners and capturing 20 machine-guns. The oneinj delivered impetuous attacks with great strength on the heights to the south of Volossatc, but all were repulsed with enormous losses. The enemy made furious attacks in torrential rain in impenetrable darkness ,in Bukovina, on an extensive front in the direction of Lalostchiki, the Russian infantry using the bayonet successfully througout. We repulsed several attacks west of the Niemen.

RUSSIANS' BIG TASK,

BRILLIANT ARTILLERY WORK LONDON, April It. The Telegraph's Petrograd correspondent attributes the Russtftu success to brilliant artillery work. Siego guns were warped along the mcuatnin paths by hand, and again and again rendered brilliant service, firing grape and risking capture by goir.f? ahead wilh the infantry. It wo,? impossible to hide the movements cf the? troops, the faintest disturbance on 'he even surface of the snow catching fhr sunlight and being visible many miles away. The nights were never > really dark on the snow-clad.'!heights, ler.ee there were many unconventional methods of fighting, the Russians building snow shelters, which were rifle-proof, enabling them to be warm in the worst weather. A feature of the fighting has been the frequency and intenity of the blizzards. Both sides attempted to steal small advantages in the storms, sometimes at heavy cost. Though a generrp thaw has set in. in Galicil and Poland the passes'are still : ;onge|ted with snow, and a single false step may precipitate men. guns and waggons into an abyss whose edges are masked "faj the snow. * The -Austrians admit that dysentry"- 'and ' typhus are rampant. Many troops in the mountains are .surrendering- from hanger and exhaustion. They are in a piteous condition, and are so enfeebled that the Russians r.re obliged to provide stavesV to enable them to walk. The chief Austro-Hun-garian danger at presenilis the likelihood of the Russians seizing the lower sections of the valleys where the defiles converge into the river, thus making it impossible for the defenders of the passes to escape. The Austrians captured a hill north of Tueholka Pass, but this is regarded as an isolated episode.' The counterattack forced the Russians temporarily to suspend their at Hoaimonna.

FOBBING THE DARDANELLES. A DESTROYER'S-FINE FEAT. TEKEDOS;- April 14. A destroyer engaged .in a scouting mission, ran up the Dardanelles at high speed, penetrating a record distance. She was under a heavy lire, but was not hit. The battleship London followed and rew the fire of the- howitzers in ihe Asiatic batteries. Apparently the Turks-', have withdrawn part of the artillery to the European side in order to mass quickly at any spot which the Allies choose to* a landing party. The Triumph .on Saturday bombarded and put out of action a battery. Bain and mity weather are hindering the aerial reconnaissances. THE SUEZ CANAL FIGHT. NEW ZEALANDERS IN ACTION. SYDNEY, April 14. The papers are publishing a threecolumn letter from Captain, Bean giving an interesting account of the part a hundred New, Zealanders landed from Nelson took part in repelling the Turks at the Suez Canal on the second of February. He mentions one New Zealar.der as fataly shot. The troops near the New Zealanders- suffered more severely, probably due to the Australasians' national ability in picking cover. The British officers commented on the New Zealanders' coolness.