A MIGHTY WEAPON

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 222, 9 June 1915, Page 5

A MIGHTY WEAPON

BY GOD'S BISPEMSATIOH ~ GREAT RUSSIAN SUCCESS FEARFUL CARNAGE OR THE BALTIC TERRIBLE EFFECTS OF CAS SUBMARINES BUSY SHIPS OF VARIOUS NATIONS SUNK HEAPED GERMAN DEAD IN FRANCE

ON THE EUSSIAN FRONT.

IN THE CAUCASUS. DRIVING. THE TURKS BACK. PETROGRAD, June 8. In the Causasus a communique states the Turks attempted an offensive along th« coast but were driven back. The battle in the passes of Chine and Djarlaba, ended in the Turks precipitate rereaf to the mountains. We occupied the village and shores of Lake Van.

' MVER BLOCKED WITH BEAD.

TERRIFIC FIGHTING IN BALTIC PROVINCES. GERMANS BADLY BEATEN. -. PETROGRAD, June 8. The German raid on the Baltic,provinces yields -nothing in determination and ferocity. The Germans sent three army corps ono after another. The lr Russians and Germans fought in the water in the section at Tubissa extendi ing half a mile. When the Germans at- -* tacked many fell before rifle fire, but bayonet charges accounted for many more. Even lightly -wounded Germans were drowned, as the current was too swift to allow the wounded to swim. Five times in one day the banks of the Doubissa changed hands. The river ran red for hours and the dead choked the bed for hundreds of yards'. The Russians were finally victorious and the battle ended with the artillery; advancing over many thousand of corpses to complete the German discomfiture.

THE DAMNABLE GERMANS.

HOEEIBLE EFFECT OF GAS. LONDON, June 8. Warsaw is furiously indignant at the German use of gas. The first batch of victims arrived with purple faces. They had slow torturing deaths from strangulation with horrible suffering. The* Germans strewed straw in front of their trenches and spinkled it with a white powder. Then they fired it in a favourable wind. This caused dense smoke columns, the Germans following on. The Kussians remained in their trenches firing through the smoke until f suffocated. Reserves were pushed up i-: through the poison belt, falling at every step, asphyxiated. The survivors, goaded by indignation, inflicted terrible losses. They pursued the enemy and captured several German positions. The affair roused the entire Eussian armies to fever eagerness to avenge their comrades. The smell of the gases was noticed 20 miles to the rear and caused deaths in, the third line of trenches. It is believed chloral was used.

MUNITIONS IN RUSSIA.

WORKING NIGHT AND DAY. LUXURY FACTORIES CONVERTED. PETROGRAD, Jun 6 8. Manufacturers are endeavouring to cor-ordinate the resources of the Empire; all establishments hitherto manufacturing luxuries are being adapted for the production of war munitions. Factories are now running night and day, in three shifts. The internal production of munitions increased sevenfold during the first half of the year. A GRAMAPHONE FACTORY. LONDON, June 8. factory in Middlesex, pW ™'employing J6<v "■': ii«f 4600 'men,- wcimen, boys and girls, producing cartridge cases, charges, lead case for gun cotton, cardite reels, Xntes and Jgnitonr,

THE FIGHTING* IN GALIOIA.

ENEMY HELD AT BAY. (Reed 8.10 a.m.) PETROGRAD, June 8. It ii estimated that there are forty. German army corps in Galicia, and it is expected that the battle 'will last another month.A correspondent of the "Novre Vremya,'' between Radymno and Jaroslav, states that on the morning of the 24th, the Germans brought up large numbers of heavy guns, drawn by motors, and that 700,000 shells were fired on Radymno alone. High explosives swept the Russian trenches and broke among the divisional staffs and reserves. The curtain caused by bursting shells rendered enemy's trenches invisible. It was impossible to bring up teams to remove guns. Nevertheless, two regiments held out, keeping the enemy at bay until the main forces crossed the San.

BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

THE NATIONAL MINISTRY. WELCOMED. A MEMORABLE MEETING. MUNITIONS MINISTRY DISCUSSED LONDON, June 7. In the House of Commons, a full house warmly welcomed the National Ministry. - Messrs. Balfour and Lloyd George were absent. The front Opposition bench had few claimants. Radicals invaded the Opposition benches below the gangway. Labourites stuck to their old quarters on the Ministerial side. Similarity the Independent Radicals have now been reinforced by Mr. Booth. In reply to a.question,. Mr. Tennant said the recent newspaper attacks on Lord Kitchener had appreciably stimulated recruiting. Mr. Asquith-stated that Lord Kitchener's last appeal had met with a most satisfactory response. Alluding to Italy's intervention, Mr. Asquith said they regarded her as one of the custodians of free Europe. He welcomed her gallant sailors and soldiers as comrades in a struggle whereon the liberty of the world depended. Sir John Simon, in moving the second reading of the Minister of Munitions Bill, said the new Minister would have to concern himself with industrial co-ordination over a wide field. Some Labourites and Radicals took exception to the unlimited powers and pointed out that the Minister could socialise coal. He was practically made dictator. They warned the Government that any attempt to conscript labour would lead to strenuous opposition.

CABINET SALARIES.

THE PREMIER NOT INCLUDED. LONDON, June 8. Cabinet includes the Lord Chancellor, and Messrs A. Reed and Poole. The salaries of each member rei ceives £4,271. Mr Asquith is exclud. ed from the scheme. TWO SHIPS TORPEDOED. BELGIAN LOSS OF LIFE. LONDON, June 8. ' 1 The Belgian steamer Menapier, from Algiers to Middlesboro, with iron ore, was torpedoed last night and sunk in half a minute, off the Nortft Foreland, Eight of the crew landed at Margate. The captain, his wife and daughter, first mate,-pilotand twelve men are reported" lost* ;".' - v ' /•' ■ - . • • > Th«i Nor«?§gian barque Superb^.grain lad'en from Buenos Aires' to Queenstown, <#as torpedoed 50 miles west of Fastnefc ■- Tne erew was landed at Cahv r«4veen. •

THE ITALIAN CAMPAIGN.

BRILLIANT ITALIAN SUCCESS. VALUABLE CAPTURES. (Received 9.45 a.m.) ROME, June 8. The Italians captured Cortinia after a difficult ascent of a roeky mountain range and in face of a perilous occupation of the ridge. Here they were near ly outflanked by Austrian infantry, but mountain batteries were cleverly brought up in the night and opened a deadly fire which cut off the Austrian 'a retreat and they were obliged to withdraw through a pine forest. The Italans won a fortress which is armed with the famous Skodwa guns. BAVARIANS SENT. TO TRENTINO. LONDON June S. An Army Corps of Bavarians has been transferred from Alsace to the Trentino.

SATISFACTORY FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENT.

LONDON Juno 8. The Press Bureau says that Mr. MeKenna's conference with the Italian Treasury resulted in a resolution to co operate in the use of financial resources in the same ungrudging spirit as the naval and military forces are doing. ITALIAN REPORT. AUSTRIAN BATTERIES SILENCED. (Reed. 12.55 p.m.) ; ROME, June 8. Th e Naval Staff report a third bombardment of Monfaleone. Three enemy batteries, near Castle Duino, shelled our destroyers. The latter silenced the batteries and set the Castle afire. The destroyers returned unharmed. Our dirigible again bombed military positions at Pola.

KING GEORGE'S CONGRATULATION'S.

THE ZEPPELIN DESTROYER. VICTORIA CROSS AWARDED. LONDON, June 8. King George telegraphed to Naval Fight Sub-Lieut. Warneford: "Most heartily congratulate yon on your splen did achievement wherein you singlehanded destroyed a Zeppelin. I have much pleasure in conferring on you the Victoria Cross for your gallant act."

AIRSHIP DESTRUCTION

PARIS, &ujie 9 When Plight Sub-Lieut. Warneford unexpectedly looped the loop his petrol escaped near the tank, but he landed quickly and refilled from his reserve supply and reascended. In connection with the destruction of the hangar a column of flame rose to such a height as to suggest that a bomb had penetrated the Zeppelin with in when (ho escaping gas ignited.

GERMAN SUBMARINES TRAPPED.

AX AMEKICAN STORY. NEW YORK, June 8. The steamer Cameronia's passengers report that three German submarines were trapped recently in British waters.

SEIZURE OF THE PAN.

BULGARIAN RIFLES GO TO GERMANY. COPENHAGEN, June 8. The Government's investigation into the capture of the Pan, a steamer allegedly carrying rifles to Bulgaria, shows that the rifles were probably for Bulgaia, but the latter feared that England might seize the shipments, hence the assistance rendered. The German torpedoer was followed by transports.

TRIBUTE TO AUSTRALASIANS.

SYDNEY, June 8. Sir Edmund Barton has cabled that Lord Fisher and Lord Kitchener authorised him to say that the Australasian troops are admirable.

ARMIES COMPARED.

AN AUSTRALIAN'S OPINIONS. TROOPS MUCH ALIKE. SYDNEY, June 8. I Harry Guillett, official Australian correspondent with the British at the front, in a letter dated MaTch, gives an interesting recount of the organisation of the army and trench warfare. He says it is generally admitted there is not much to choose between the fighting qualities of the best German, French and British troops, nor owing to ' the lack of opportunity so far, has there been any transcendent generalship on any one side. The war is. more likely to mar than to make leaders' reputations. Victory is going.to the side that puts forward the largest force of these evenly matehetl soldiers and " keep," them in best trim. At the best, the campaign"will Ybo extremely bloody We must expect to pay high for progress! Mr. Guillett insists on the: nc eessity for indefinite perseverance anr inexhaustible ammunition. '"••'.'

HIGH COMMISSIONER'S RE-j PORT. I -—— i

FROM VARIOUS FRONTS CONTINUED ITALIAN SUCCESS. . LONDON; June 8, 7.5 p.m. The general naval casualties are: Men killed 32, wounded 78, missing 12, gassed, 1 officer and 4 men. At Neuville the French continue the investment of the enemy in the western island at two points. The Allies have reached the central redcubt in the Labyrinth fortifications, repulsing several counter attacks, North of Aisne the enemy multiplied their desperate efforts to regain the two lines of trenches taken on Sunday, 'bringing up reinforcements in automobiles. For 50 miles they attacked furiously but wer e completely repuls--ed, 2000 Germans being killed and 250 prisoners taken. At Vauquois near MesniL by way of reprisal, the French sprayed burning liquid into the enemy's .trenches. In Galicia the enemy crossed the Dneister in the region of Zurawano. On the Pruth, west of Kolomea, the enemy was repulsed and upwards of 5000 Austrian dead were abandoned in front of on e Russian Division; 700_ prisoners were taken. LONDON, June 8, 12.5 p.m. All along the frontier the Italians continue to capture important positions, there being but feeble opposition In the Upper Valley beyond the Caporetto Mountains, the Italians have gained a sound footing on both banks of the Isonzo, and they are now seriously threatening Tolino, On th e lower stream Italian cavalry crossed to the eastern banks and are entrenching. Their loss#s are comparatively slight.

BEER BARRELS AS GAS BOMBS.

GERMAN TRICK DISCOVERED. ROME, June 8. Large consignments oi barrels, supposed to contain beer from Germany, and consigned to Turkey, were detained at Bucharest. They contained asphyxiating gas bombs. Germany disclaims responsibility.

PRISONERS IN GERMANY. _

LONDON, June 8. Germany claims to have 900,000 war prisoners in 244 camps. "LOVE YOUR ENEMIES." A STRONG INDICTMENT. LONDON, June 8. Lord Headly, in a speech at Windsor said our clear duty was a . good hate of all devils and not to make any compromise with the evil one. Anyone talking sympathy with Germans, or of loving his enemies, was playing into the hands of the most relentless and ruthless adepts in the carnation of evil. Conscientious scruples when at" death grips with such murderers, ravishers and poisoners were out of place as their mercy if found would be like a cobra under your pillow.

A MIGHTY WEAPON.

"BY GOD'S DISPENSATION." "THE MIGHTY POWER OF GERMANY." PETROGRADi g'unje 8> A German staff order, found on the Bzura, says by God's dispensation we Jiav e received a new and potent wear pon in gas, which vanquishes our enemies. Our object is to assert the mighty power of Germany over Europe. Within two months our enemies will be subdued. A SPY CAUGHT. WITH TELEGRAPHIC ACCESSORIES. LONDON, June 8. Abdon Jappe, a Dane, was arrested at Plymouth for trying to elicit naval information. He possessed an apparatus capable of tapping telegraphic wires for sentfinig telephonic! messages.

TURKISH ATROCITIES.

VENGEANCE WROUGHT ON TURKS. SYDNEY, June 8. Mr. Halloran the Sun's special correspondent with the Australians, describing the fighting at the Dardanelles, grows hot over Turkish atrocities. He says: We took prisoners afterwards but not at the start. So unskeakable are the Turkish barbarities we feel we have got to settle them right off. We took one prisoner from 4 in the morning till 3 in the afternoon on the Sunday we landed. One little bugler was treacherously knifed. This is said to have so incensed some Australians that when forty Turkish prisoners were being brought ia they shouldered the escort aside and gave every Turk a bullet. Charles Crispen, of the Wellington Infantry, who was : wounded, says the Turks ran before the New Zealanders' charge like hares. They, used explosive bullets .which made awful wounds. He describes his luck, as rotten, as he traincA for eight months and was knocked oyer after ftye hsurs' fightirg.

FRENCH PROGRESS REPORT. j

GOOD ADVANCE MADE. PARIS, Juno 8. A communique states that the enemy made three violent but ineffective counter attacks on the slopes cast of the Plateau of Lorette. We further progressed in the labyrinth. The Germans were repulsed four times in attempting to retake the position at Hebuterne. We captured two lines of trenches with 500 metres front, as far as the road from Hobutevne to Serre. One hundred and fifty prisoners were taken.

DISTRESSING REPORTS.

PROM CONSTANTINOPLE. TURKS IN TERRIBLE STRAITS. ATHENS, June 8. Travellers from Constantinople report a serious shortage of coal Mills are restricting their output, and the waterworks may be compelled to discontinue supply. Typhoid is raging among army and civilians in Asia Minor; 75 doctors hav e already succumbed.

SUBMARINE ACTIVITY,

THREE SMALL VESSELS SUNK. LONDON, June 8. The Russian schooner "Adolf," going to Archangel, was submarined without warning and sunk. Eight shots were fired, killing th e captain and a seaman, the remainder being landed at Leith. The trawlers Dramio and Curlew were submarined off Scotland. The crews were picked up.

MUNITION MAKING.

EVIDENCE OF BLUNDERING. LONDON, June 8. In th e House of Commons Sir R. A. Cooper mentioned that a Government War Office Official consulted Birmingham munition makers in April and encouraged them to organise in anticipation of orders. The firms were afterwards informed that their services wer e not wanted. Mr Cooper asked whether Vickers' were building a factory in Birmingham under arrangement with the War Office. Mr W. H. Forster, Under Secretary to the War Office, said in reply, that arrangements were being made with Birmingham firms, and one had already received an order H e admitted that Vickers was erecting two factories in Birmingham with the War Office's approval. Mr Cooper asked how many firms in the United Kingdom had offered to make munitions with whom no orders had been placed. Mr Forster said there were 300. and 5.11 had been invited to tender. Fifty of them were engaged as sub-contrac-tors which added to the production of Trinitrotoluol, making it ample for our own use; they also enabled us to assist our Allies.

FORGED PASSPORTS.

A SPY ARRESTED. (Recr 9.45 a.m.) LONDON, June 8. The first definite confirmation of the suspicion of fraudulent American passports being issued by some one acting on the authority of the German Government has been placed in the hands of the military authorities, and Robert Rosenthal, a spy, was arrested just as he was about to leav e for England, travelling on a passport issued by Captain Prieger. Rosenthal admitted that Prieger issued United States passports to any name printed in a proper form, and on. the correct parchment. For this purpose forged dies for reproducing the seal of the United States had been utilised. After his confession Rosenthal attempted to commit suicide by p*-»«»n.<r ling with bedclothing in his cell.

WITHIN THE DOMINION. ■. * —■■

BAY OF ISLANDS SEAT. REFORMERS WIN BY-ELECTION. WELLINGTON, June 8. The last advice received by the chief electoral officer from the Bay ot Islands, with one return to come, gives the figures as: STEWART (R) 3196 MENZIES (O) 2210 Majority for Stewart 980 AUCKLAND, This Day. The complete returns are: Stewart 3217, Menzies 2316.

RAILWAY ACCIDENT.

FARMER SMASHED TO PIECES STRATFORD, This Day. Thomas Inglis, a farmer at Toko,was this morning: run into by a ballast train and cut to pieces. "His head, was, from: his body. Deceased was, an Old nian &i$ ivry body was carried on the cowcatcher fully; a: mil© before the accident was discovered, the driver not knowing until he had travelled 10 miles.

THE ROLL OF HONOHH.

Sick and Wounded in Victoria Co} lege, No. 1?, AlexandriaCANTERBURY BATTALLIOX.. Privte.A. E. Cresswell, Bugler A.. K' : Cook, Privates F. J. Humphreys, II A' Johnston, E. K. Longbbttom, W. IT. 3 Mein, Corporal M. Fryce Jonea, Privates M. Roche, W. F. W. TruemtaE. . OTAGO BATTALION. ' Privates R. T. J. Beck, Sergeant. J. M. Clark, Privates J. H. Hughes. Cc?poral A. E. Inkster, Privates W. J. R. Lyall, A. McPhorson, G. M«Ken.zie, R. Mason, A. North, A, Shipmsj?,. S. Taylor, G. Wilson. WELLINGTON BATTALION. Privates F. C. Coman, J. H. Coddington, Sergeant T. R. Clancey, Lieut.. Wi E. S. Furby, Privates P. Murfttt, G. WNiven, Corporal T W. Narbey, Privates J. O'Donnell. J. G. Tracey, J. Vicltcrstaff, QMs. H. A. Webster, Privets JJ. G, Fearon. AUCKLAND BATTALION. Corporal D. H. Craig, Privates ,T„ Dunlop, H. L. Hayward, W. Henshaw* A. James, J. E. Kelly, V. Moon, F. Norman, G W. Perrin, W. IL Ross, N, S. Young, Corporal W. Spiers, FIELD ARTILLERY BRIGHT>E* Gunners R. Frandi, T. W. Chandler Lance-Corpora 1 A. W. Goldsmith. Cut*. ners H Hay. W. O. Hall, F. Johr.fcß, J. F. Moir, P. C.Murdock, W. J. Nelson, Saddler W. Pollard, Gunner? .! H. SeSdofield, J. F. Simpson, W. J. Ery. ant. j DIVISIONAL HEADQUARTERS. Corporal S. E. Cockle, New Zealand Medical Corps. Private T. E. Reynolds, Private A. O. Lynch, Troopers F, P» Kidson, A. E, Norrie. OTAGO MOUNTED. Troopers W. H. Burrows, jif. 0, Ford, W. H. Fisher, R. Morris;.;.. )D : Straehan, H. E. Staudring, A. T. Steward [ WELLINGTON MOUNTED. ■? Trooper WJJ. Meyer. f' c AUCKLAND MOUNTED. t 'f? i Trooper T. R. Thompson. V" Sick and Wounded in Govern Hospital, Alexandria:— CANTERBURY BATTALION. Lance-Corporal H. G. Faerenß, F?i I vat e M. S. H amber. Privates E. Oreillj, ; R. G. Stammers, C. H. Wainwrigtr. WELLINGTON BATTALION: Privates W. H. Biggs, J. H. A. Mcfcowaring, 0. B. A. Sharpe AUCKLAND BATTALION. • Private F. J. O'Neill. Sick and Wounded in Ras El Tin Hospital, Alexandria: — AUCKLAND BATTALION. Lieutenant H, H. S. Westm:icoi? v Privates F. McConnelL, D. Mcßarr*7. OTAGO BATTALION. Private. R. W. Ward. ■ WELLINGTON MOUNTED i Lance-Corporal R D. McGregor, : FIELD ARTILLERY Driver J. McLenuan. Sick and Wounded iu Greek l : ~'-v::_ al, Alexandria.: AUCKLAND BATTALION. Private C Angrove, 3. Halley, it. Y\% Thorburn. CANTERBURY BATTALLIOX. Private Foster, D. Gilbert, r. J, Skand. \ OTAGO BATTALION. Privates J A. El stone, L. W'':k-t:.-Sergt. Miller. WELLINGTON BATTALION, ** Private A. Cristie. ■ 1 iJ FIELD ARTILLERY. Gunner C. B. Lunisden, i"'\ FIELD ENGINEERS. Sapper G. L. Newman. •"'';*; KILLED IN ACTION. HOWITZER BATTERY. '■ ! Gunner J. D. Ross. r ~"\ AUCKLAND BATTALION * « Sergt. R W. Lambert. "*] CANTERBURY MOUNTEDS, |1 Trooper P. Hunter. j Trooper.G. Low. j""".*] DIED OF WOUNDS. | AUCKLAND MOUNTED RIFLES, j Trooper W. Cricket! ! CANTERBURY MOUNTED. i Trooper J. Happer. . ~ y DIED FROM GUNSHOT WOUNDS. CANTERBURY BATTALLIO v . Lt. A. F. L. Priest » DANGEROUSLY ILL. " OTAGO MOUNTED. ,; Trooper J. V. McFie. ,• ; " .'; WOUNDED. • ■" ARTILLERY. ' ?'• T Gunner J. W. Baker. ' V"" a ENGINEERS. '.."* Sapper J. B. Home. "Ci2 AUCKLAND BATTALION ';! Corporal IL G. Davidson. Private A.'G. Rawbone. '>':'"Z\ OTAGO MOUNTEDS. r ™'*■ Lt. Eric Arthur Scott. ' * Sick and Wounded in Deacone; •: Y..C-E.-pital, Alexandria: —■ CANTERBURY BATTALION Lieut-Col. H. R. Pearless (N.Z M.•;,)", Private T. S. Couch, Corporal F. 7. Rochford OTAGO BATTALION. Private J. F. G. Balloch, Ltout.'". B. M, Gabites, Major G. Mitchell, Li...", L. G. Wilson. WELLINGTON BATTALION, Major E. H. Saunders, Privates 3. Shanahan, W, L. Stevenson, H. V t ,.":.- er, E.. C> EJvcns.;; .- ;-'', AUCKLAND'BATTALION, . ;.. '„; > Major; T.: H' Private \\: A alines. .£.' . •■-■ ' ".:. i;S-p''''- . \i' A DiytSIONAL SiGNALLiNG '■ Gunner gVHi Cooper. ,v N.Z. MEDICAL CORP? _.*.." M Laoce-Corpcral F. CampbeP T"\" :