THE BALKANS

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 290, 2 September 1915, Page 5

THE BALKANS

ON THE RUSSIAN FRONT. •GERMANS HEAVILY REPULSED. RUSSIANS CLAIM SUCCESSES. (Eec. 1.30 aim.) PETEGEAD, Sept. 1. A communique states: We held up \he enemy’s attempted offensive on the Eckaunegt railway, and repulsed an attempt to cross the Dwina northwest of Eriedrichstadt. The Germans wlio crossed were, dislodged from the right bank. The Germans, supported by a hurricane of artilel'ry fire, made several desperate attempts against the bridgehead near Friedichstadt, but were repulsed, losing heavily. AVc successfully assumed the offensive on the right bank of the Viliea and between the Vilica. and the Niemen. We continue to hold the enemy’s ■offensive in check. The Austro-Germans launched particularly determined attacks northwards of Zlockos. Eight enemy attacks were repulsed in the Prorzanz-IZborow-Stripa front between the railways leading to Tarsopol) and CzortIcow, our troops inflicting enormous losses, in some districts compelling them to retire precipitately. In the -course of counter-attacks we scored a big success on a wide front, capturing 30 guns, 24 machine-guns, and 3,000 prisoners, one half of Avhom were Germans.

“RUSSIANS IN FLIGHT.”

A BERLIN REPORT,

LONDON, Sept. 1. A Berlin wireless says:-Our victorious armies are now cutting the fleeing Russians into three sections, hoping thereby to surround the smaller units, and possibly capture hundreds of thousands instead, of mere thousands. The Russians are abandoning everything except men. There is no sign of a Russian stand.

(Reed 8.50 a.m.)

WHAT JAPAN IS DOING.

A German wedge in the north has been driven towards Dvinsk to cut off the Petrograd line, and another east cf Brest Litovsk to cut off Moscow. It is too early to say whether the next chief offensive will be Petrograd or Odessa. t)ur first important point is to surround and capture a large section of the fleeling armies now approaching the swamps.

WILL ASTONISH THE WORLD.

(Reed 10.35 a.m.)

Eight Russian fortresses, including three of the strongest, have fallen in three weeks. The early fall of Riga, Lutzk, Grod'■ao, and Vilna would not cause surprise. A MILITARY CRITIC ON THE RUSSIAN POSITION. (Reed 10.50 a.m.) PETROGRAD, Sept 1 A military c'ritic attaches importance to Russia’s successes in Eastern Galicia. The German attack on the Upper Bug and Strypa aimed at pushing the Russians from the Roumanian frontiers. Five Austro-German army corps, under Pflanzer suffered defeat at Shumsky. He calculates that a million of the enemy ar e operating in the Brest Lntovsk-Minsk-Bielostok region, 300,'300 to the right, and 600,000 in Galicia. BANKERS INTERNED. FOR REFUSING GERMAN BILLS. (Reed 8.50 a.m.) AMSTERDAM, Sept. 1. The Governcr of Warsaw has -sent 30 "Russian, bankers to concentration camps for refusing to accept German

FEARS BEING SHOT.

REIGN OP TERROR.

NEGOTIATIONS STILL IN PROGRESS . -■* SERVIA HOLDS THE SOLUTION OUTLOOK VERY HOPEFUL AN IiPORTANT VICTORY CLAIMED BY THE RUSSIANS ; BERLIN RECORDS ENORMOUS CAPTURES MILLION PRISONERS SINCE MAY

RUSSIA’S WAR EXPENDITURE. ANOTHER LOAN SHORTLY. (Rcc. 10.50 a.m.) PETEOGRAD, September 1. The Financial Statement presented in the Duma states that the Government has already borrowed six hundred millions and probably another important loan will be placed on the foreign markets shortly.

CANDID CRITICISM. COL. REPINGTON SPEAKS OUT. LONDON, Sept. 1. Colonel Repington, the Times military correspondent, says the military direction of the war on the British side has not been happy nor particularly fortunate. Since the initial decision of August last year we have increased our force in France, but, in other improvisations the Cabinet has shown conspicuously the absence of the “genius for war.” We merely drifted, ungoverned by the strategic sense. He specifies the unorganised munitions supply, the failure to adopt national service. The landing at Antwerp was a fiasco, and the Dardanelles expedition, which was directed from London in an amateur and scatterbrained fashion, was lacking in those elements of surprise and impetuosity which were necessary to carry it through successfully

GERMAN MILITARY AGE RAISED.

PAPERS FORBIDDEN TO DISCLOSE,

COPENHAGEN, Sept 1. The Reichstag has passed a bill •raising the military age to 54. German newspapers are forbidden to disclose the fact.

Baron Hayashi, Japanese Ambassador to Rome, .states that the public are not aware of the extent of Japanese co-operation with the Allies. When it becomes possible to tell, the world will be astonished at what Japan has dene, is doing, and will do. The Russians are cur nearest neighbours, therefore w e are most useful to th'^m.

A TRAITOROUS SPY CAUGHT,

HIS EXTRADITION DEMANDED.

THE WORK* OF GERMANS-. (Reed 9.15 a.m.) NEW YORK, Sept 1. Ignatius Lincoln himself confessed that !he was a German spy, and forme|rly a member of the British Parliament. He has been arrested and charged with forgery. His extradition is demanded, but Lincoln declares that the British Secret Sendee wishes: to get him to England simply to shoot him as a spy. An extraordinary series of dynamiting outrages has broken out in ammunition and powder plants in the United States. It is unquestionable that German secret agents are organising a reign of terrorism,. They are also engineering strikes in America. The United States Secret Service is investigating. ■,, J

GERMANY AND AMERICA,

AMERICAN LIVES TO BE PAID FOE. LONDON, September 1. T3ic Daily Telegraph's Washington correspondent says he learns from a high source that Germany has expressed her willingness to pay for the lives lost in the Lusitania and the Arabic. -She does not disavow the destruction of the Lusitania, and explains that the submariner of the Arabic has not reported. In asking Washington to mediate with London to secure for neutrals tlie freedom of the seas, Germany maintains tliat the declaration of cotton as contraband is a deliberate violation of international law, and requests that President Wilson' should insist that Britain permit American ships to go wherever they please, even to Germany, provided that they are not carrying contraband. Germany expects the United States to enforce this upon Great Britain. American traders would be gratified and surprised if Britain permitted this, because Germany is prepared to send 20 millions sterling in products to tae United States, thus enabl'dng the purchase of raw materials without ex porting gold.

THE ARABIC CASE. \ A DIPLOMATIC VICTORY GERMANY CLIMBS DOWN. APOLOGISES AND COMPENSATES. SHIPS WARNED IN FUTURE. (Reed 5.55 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Sept 1. The German Embassy admits a submarine torpedoed the Arabic, then fled and returned to it s base. Germany undertakes to apologise to the United States, also to regularly warn passenger liners, in future. The Press claims that President Wilson has achieved a great diplomatic victory.

The New York Herald says America cannot barter with Germany by prom-, ising aggression towards Britain in ordtlr to obtain a reshaping of German policy. Mr Wilson will not recog-, nise the remotest relations between America’s controversy with Britain. .Reports confirm the fact tha: Germans and Austrians are quietly drilling in their tumverein hall, professedly to repel a Canadian invasion. The Department of Justice is dealing with the subject. A German student at Penns 'Lanin University, i s suspected of esp\ mage, and was caught drawing the Delaware River fortifications.

GERMAN SUBMARINING. A DEFINITE UNDERTAKING. GIVEN TO AMERICA. (Reed 9.50 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Sept 1. Count Bernstog gave Mr Lansing a written undertaking warded as follows: “Liners will not be sunk by our subImarines without warning and without isafety for non-combatants, provided that the liners d-j not attempt to escape or offer (resistance.’ Bernstoff intimated that Berlin’s policy was settled before the Arabic incident. Mr Lansing makes it clear that the United States would in no case bargain with Germany regarding the British blockade. A SUBMARINE SINKER, OVATIONED IN ITALY PARIS,. Sept 1. A sailor aboard the “Bisson” writes: “We had the good luck at sunrise on August 13th to run across the Austrian submarine U 3 and it took us just five seconds to send her to her fate. The “Bisson” recevied a tremendous ovation at an Italian port, hundreds of bouquets being showered on her commander TORMENTING SWITZERLAND. SPREADING CALUMNIES. LONDON, September 1. The London Times’ correspondent states that Switzerland is swarming with German agents, who are spreading lying calumnies with the object of persuading the Swiss that the Allies cause is lost. They are influencing the German-Swiss to advise their fellowcountrymen to resist the formation df the import trust. The correspondent thinks that—supposing Germany intends a fresh attack upon France through Switzerland —it is inconceivable that Switzerland might be influenced to withdraw her army from her first line of defence on the German side, which is some way south of the actual frontier,, thus leaving a broad open corridor for the passage of German toops into France south of Belfort. At the present time Switzerland is honestly neutral! and does not want war; but if lying agents make persistent efforts to convince the Swiss that, the Allies moan to starve them and their industries, there is real danger.

JAPAN TO HELP RUSSIA. MOBILISATION OF INDUSTRY. AMSTERDAM, Sept. 1. The Petrograd correspondent of the Teiegraaf states that the Japanese Government has promised the mobilisation of Japanese industry to assist the Allies, especially Russia. HINDENEURG-’S HUGE ARMY. LAUNCHED ON RUSSIANS. BIG BATTLE RAGING. GENEVA, Sept. I. A message from Lodz states tha» Von Hindcnburg has launched a million men, including all his cavalry, against the Russian positions on the Niemon and the Bohr. A big battle is raging near Friedrichstadt, and the Russians are inflicting enormous losses. AUSTRIAN CAPTURES. AMSTERDAM, Sept. 1. An Austrian communique states:— We took prisoners north-eastward of Lutzk fifteen hundred, and captured rolling stock and war materia’]. WAP. OFFICE CRITIN^ED 3Y “TIMES’ ’’ MILITARY CORRESPONDENT. (Reed 5.50 a.m.) LONDON, Gept. 1 The ‘ Tmes’ ” military cowes pendent cne:W;f whether ther e are sufficient tr lined minds in the War Office com peteni. to move and furnish bet advice in strategical matters. If so, where are their views always made known? Kitchener’s time is too fully occupied in details cf administration to concentrate his mind on exclusively general staff problems. He ought to be helped by the best general staff officers. Unless their views were presented in War Councils, past errors would certainly be repeated.

SENTENCED TO DEATH. NOVOE VREMYA CORRESPONDENT. BUDAPEST, Sept 1. Yanchevecki, correspondent of “Novoe Vremya” was courtmartialled, and sentenced to death for communicating military information to his newspaper two days after the declaration of war. ITALY WANTS TO HELP. IjN TAKING CONSTANTINOPLE. TROOPS WAITING FOR WORK.

(Reed 9.15 a.m.) BUDAPESTH, Sept 1. The newspaper “Azast” says Italy is unable to use all her available force s on the narrow front on the Isonzo, and in the Trentino,’ therefore she desires to assist the Allies, who are absolutely to take Constantinople. COMPULSORY SERVICE. WILL COMB IF NEEDED. (Reed 9.15 a.m.) L6NDON, Sept. 1 Lord Milner, in Empire {review, says if the Government, and especially Lord Kitchener declared that compulsory service during the period of war was necessary in order to win it, any opposition would easily be swept away. In the present great struggle it was increasingly evident that Britain has henceforward to bear the heaviest burden. Russia’s power for the time is being broken; France throughout has Strained every nerve, and we alone have a haven of large, unused reserves of men. The only qestion is, shall we employ the power of the State to call them up? There seems to the practical mind, that is not clouded by old controversies and party cries, but one answer. The law is not needed to compel men to serve becaus e they are unwilling, but for the purpose of providing adequate national organisation'* BELGIAN RELIEF. THREE AND A HALF MILLIONS DESTITUTE. LONDON, Sept. 1 The National Council for Belgian Relief (p oinks out the growing land gloomy problems during the coming wintejr. It states that although the Germans have reserved the harvest fer the civilians, the Belgian industrial masses, numbering over 3| millions, are still destitute. Even if food was abundant they -would not be able to purchase it, and must be dependent upon charity. A V.C. HERO. - , .. . LONDON, Sept. 3. Lance-Corporal Angus was presented with the Victoria Cross, by the King, at Buckingham Palace. (Lance-Corporal Angus, of the Sth Territorial Highland Light Infantry, sustained 40 wounds, while rescuing n wounded officer.)

AN AUSTRIAN DECREE WORKING IN NEUTRAL FACTORIES. PUNISHABLE WITH DEATH. (Reed 10.35 a.m.) AMSTERDAM, Sept 1. The Austro-Hungarian Government has announced that all subjects working in neuttal countries, particularly in America, employed in factories producing war material for the Allies, are liable to from ten to twenty years 5 penal servitude, or to capital punishment. DUTY AND BRAVERY. A THRILLING AIR ESCAPADE. (Heed 10.35 a.m.) PARIS, Sept 1. A party of Frenchmen were watching the Germans shelling a British monoplane which was falling in German lines, when it suddenly rose and came down in the French lines. The Frenchmen rushed Up and found two seemingly dead bodies under a shapeless mass. As the pilot was picked up he showed signs of life and whispered, "I am blind, bring the major; I can give results of reconnaissances.” The pilot narrated, that afbV accomplishing their mission, shells began to burst at the height of 1500 metres, apparently killing the look-out and blinding the pilot. The latter let go the levers but he held the look-out feebly drVJi'.g], ‘f.iUe ’quickly {*’ The! pilot replied “I am blind.” The lookout still feebly cried, “Rise to the right; we are over the German lines.” Following the dying man’s directions, th e pilot reached the French .lines, but his comrade was dead.

TURKO-BULGARIAN TREATY. BULGARIA WARNED NOT TO SIGN. BERLIN, Sept 1. Advice from Sofia states that Bulgaria has postponed her signature to the Turkish treaty, as the Quadruple Entente has declared that signature at the present time would be an ui, friendly act. An agreement between Bulgaria and Turkey is nevertheless complete. PARIS, Sept 1. The “Figaro” says that perhaps the Bulgarians favour the circulation of the report of an agreement with Turkey, hoping that Servia will make adequate concessions. Nevertheless, it is apparent that Bulgaria will reserve liberty to negotiate with the Quadruple Entente when Servia’s intentions are known.

BALKAN DIPLOMATIC CONFLICT

< v NOW AT ITS HEIGHT, LONDOpJ, Sept. 1* The “Times’ ” correspondent in the Balkans says that the diplomatic conflict in the Balkans has reached itsheight. The advent of M. Venezelos tc power may turn the scale in the direction of conciliation. It is repeated that h e favours an arrangement by negotiation between the three States concern ed, but the exigency of the situation will hardljy allow time for discussion, which in any case seems to offer little prospect of success. The ultimate settlement must inevitably be imposed by the Entente Powers, if not now at the close of the wa*.—(Times and Sydney Sun Services)

GERMAN EXPORTS. SEIZED I,N FRANCE. (Reed 8.50 a.m.) PARIS, Sept 1. The Customs at Dieppe seized ISOO postal packets originally from Germany containing jewellery, textiles and silks, which had been conveyed to England by Danish, Swedish and Norwegian vessels and re-exported to France for their final destination. A BERLIN REPORT. A. MILLION PRISONERS TAKEN SINCE MAY. (Rec. 11.25 a.m.) BERLIN, Sept. 1. A communique states that Hindenburg’s troops are before the outer line of forts at Gradno. Prince Leopold of Bavaria ha? crossed the upper Narew and forced the enemy across the marshes north of Grogana. Mackensen continues to defeat the Russians whenever they make a stand. Von Bathmer, in face of stubborn resistance, stormed the heights on the bank of the Stypia, overcoming the enemy’s temporary delay. During August we took prisoners on the eastern front. 2,000 officers, and 269.039 men, 2,300 cannon, 560 mach-ine-guns, including 20,000 prisoners and 827 canon at Kovno, 15 generals. 90,000 men, and 12.000 cannon at Novo Georgie-svk. Since May 2nd the Germans and Austrians took over a million prisoness.

| GREAT. RUSSIAN VIC TORY. * PFLANZER ’S ARMY BEATEN. A PORTION SURROUNDED. MANY PRISONERS TAKEN. RUSSIANS TAKE OFFENSIVE. (Reed. 1.45 p.m.) PETROGRAD Sept I. Details of the defeat of Pfianzer disclose some of the hardest fighting of the war. On the Bug, near Baelykimeu and ten miles to the south-west at dusk the enemy, on Sunday morning essayed to storm Height 366, when all attacks were repulsed. The Austro-Germans were reinforced at n:ght, and delivered five separate assaults, which were also repulsed with very heavy losses. Nevertheless, three further attacks were made before dawn and all were bdaten back, with enormous losses. Meanwhile, Pflanzetr Attempted to force a passage of the Strypa, but was. driven, back, enabling the Russians on Monday to assume the offensive, and surround a portion of the AustroGerman forces, where the RozationTarnapol railway crosses the Strypa, captujring guns and many prisoners. The enemy, on Sunday, made nine attempts to cross the Strypa, near Burkanoff, ten miles south of the railway, but all were repulsed. Attacks south of the Dneister were also without ’result. PEGOUD KILLED. END OF FAMOUS AVIATOR. LONDON, Sept. 1. Pegoud, the aviator, has been killed. Pegoud, a Frenchman, was one of the most intrepid of airmen and was the first to introduce the sensational feat of flying upside-down. He has been responsible for some fine exploits during the war. A BRILLIANT AIRMAN’S DEATHPEGOUD SHOT DOWN 6000 FEET IN AIR. (Reed 9.20 a.m.) PARIS, Sept 1. Pegoud wag shot dead 6000 feet in the air. The Germans had long awaited tiheir opportunity. Pegoud, shortly before his death, said, “The Germans hav-e sworn to have my blood but it shall cost them dear.” At the outbreak of war Pegoud acted as aerial guard for Joffre, and later was a constant source of terror to the Crown Prince’s army In the AJrgonne, and in Alsace.

He shot down manjy aeroplanes. His: looping and angle gliding bagling this; opponents. He is also tlie hero of innumerable daring bombing feats. AMERICAN BANKERS Fh'j-R LOSS OF ALLIED ORDERS. IF EXCHANGE FURTHER I>K CLINES. (Reed 8.55 a.xn.) > * LONDON'. Sept. 1 American bankers fear a further decline in exchange and the consequent lors of British orders. There is si renewal of suggestions for a big AIL iel loan in New r York, wher> more gold is not wanted.