BRITAIN'S WAR COST

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 290, 16 September 1915, Page 5

BRITAIN'S WAR COST

ON THE RUSSIAN FKONT.

EFFECT OF RUSSIAN PRESSURE. FELT OX ITALIAN FRONT. ZURICH, September 15. Large numbers of Germans continue towards the Italian frontier. Ten residents at Vorarlberg are specially training for mountain warfare. The Austro-Germans are unablb to aring troops from the eastern front. •owing to the unexpected strength of the Russian offensive. Atoost the whole of the Austrians intended for Montenegro and Servia have gone to the east front. AUSTEIANS EFFORT SUCCESS. AMSTERDAM. Sept. 15. An Austrian communique states: — We repulsed" an attack on the Strypa front. The Russians at Coihynia brought up reinforcements and attacked at numerous points, but were repulsed with heavy losses, near Dubno, in the Stufoiel sector. Our troops in Lithuania pursued the enemy across the Grinda Plain southward of Slonin. RUSSIAN REPORT. HEAVY ATTACKS REPULSED. BIG CAPTURES OF PRISONERS. PETROGRAD, Sept. 15. A communique states: — We took prisoners 40,000 Austrovtjermang since August 30th. German pressure continues in the Piksten, Sauken, and Lakes districts, and at Rakiszki, westward of Jacobstadt, on the Dvinsk lin«. We repulsed repeated attacks in the JPedbrodze district. There was especially intense and determined fighting westward of Slonin. The enemy's cavalry fell back near the confluence of the Turin and Pripet. We crossed the Goryn-Derano district, and progressed fighting. We captured a whole Austrian battalion and stopped the enemy's offensive in the Berawno-Dlevan districts with a vigorous counter-stroke and then advanced in the district westward of KDbvan, taking prisoners 1,300. We ejected the enemy with greaf loss from the villages of Rydomel and "Rimstoki, -westward of Wysznewec. 'We took prisoners upward of 2,000. Our offensive continued at Gontow and Ditkowee, sout and westward of Wyszniwec. We.captured 110 officers and 7,300 men, one heavy and six light guns, and ■much booty, and are persuing the enemy westward of the Sereth front. There were fierce actions westward of Tamopol on the 12th. We took •prisoners 35 officers and 2,700 men. LONDON, September 15. The Times' Petrograd co-respondent -says the seizure of portion of the railway line at Svienbiany was the result -of a cavalry raid and not a general ad~rM.cc.

SOCIALISTS AND PEACE. LONDON, Sept. 15. 'The British Socialist Party passed a A resolution dissoeiatiiig itself from proGermaa intrigue? for a premature peafio. AMERICAN PRQHIBmON VOTE. (Eecd 8.40 &,m.) NEW YORK, Sept JS. Suth Carolina has voted Stats i*f"o« "tub-Uion T>y a majority of 20,005. ,;.

EXCEEDED ALL DREW ALLIES' FINANCE GOI^MSSSIOH THREATENED WITH ASSASSINATION ENORMOUS CAPTURES OF RUSSIANS THREATENED BY GERMAN REINFORCEMENTS

THE ITALIAN CAMPAIGN. AUSTRIAN ATTACZS FAIL. ROME, Sept. 15. A communique states: The Austrians attempted a resolute attack on the Plezzo basin, using asphyxiating gases and inflammable liquids. At Danagalez they bombarded the Corso positions, but their guns were silenced. AUSTRIAN REPORT. ITALIANS REPULSED. AMSTERDAM, Sept. 15. An Austrian communique states: Our artillery expelled the Italians over a front of several kilometres in the Tolmino district, with severe losses. SURPRISE FOR THE AUSTRIANS. LONDON, Sept. 15. The Rome correspondent of the Daily Chronicle says the Italians in the Privedi-Cadore sector had encircled a strategic mountain all but the 'northern side, where the entrenchments of the enemy were backed by a wall of precipitous rock, which the Austrians deemed secure against surprise. Several hundred Italian volunteers lowered themselves by ropes down, and discovered that the trenches were empty. Their former occupants were at a distance, erecting a bridge across a chasm to facilitate the arrival of supples. The Italians were quiescent in the trenches. The unsuspecting Austrians, on returning, met a withering volley, and the whole column was exterminated.

WITH THE AVIATORS. THRILLING, AIR DUELS. LONDON, Sept. 15. A thrilling air duel took place on Monday, when a British machine forced a more powerful German to give battle. They sailed around, firing at each other. Finally the German machine dived headlong to the ground, both the pilot and the observer having been shot dead. Subsequently the Britisher brought down a second German machine. ITALIAN FLAG ABUSED. ROME, Sept. 15. An Austrian aeroplane flying the Italian flag bombed Vicienza, damaging the church and wounding eight persons. AIR RAIDS ON ENGLAND. LONDON, Sept. 15. In the House of Lords, Lord Strachie postponed the air raid question at the request of the Admiralty. It is understood that Sir Percy Scott's appointment has indicated the intention to re-organise the anti-air-craft precautions. BRITAIN'S WAR FINANCE. HOW THE MONEY IS SPENT. (Reed 8.30 a.m.) LONDON, Sept 15 Official: The rote of £250,000,000 covers not only th e navy and armjy expenditure, but also all sudh war expenditure such as payments- for restoration of <sredit,' encouragement of trade and industry, facilitating the raising of funds in the protectorate;?., and Allied Powers.

BULGAR-ROUMANIAN CLASH. FIGHTING BETWEEN PATROLS REPORTED. ATHENS, Sept. 15 An unconfirmed report has been received that fighting has begun between Bulgarian and Roumanian patrols. Ten were killed and twenty wounded. ROUMANIAN NEUTRALITY. GERMANY'S RELATIONS CRITICAL HUGE WAR STORES HELD UP LONDON, Sept. 15 The "Times" correspondent in Sofia says that the Roumanian-Austro-Ger-man delations have reached a critical stage. In a recant note the German Government is stated to have demanded permission for the passage of Aus-tro-German troops through Roumanian territory, a. 1 , so for the fulfil mien t of Roumanians pa)-t ia the supply of benzine or other requisites to the value cf eight millions. More than two thousand German ws(gons filled witih war materials are waiting on the Roumanian frontier. * The Minister for War has cVdered to the colours all members of Macedonian and Bulgarian bands and all Bulgars of Macedonian and Thracian origin, thus enrolling all refugees who have not hitherto served in the a^raiy.

GERMANS DESERT TURKS. WILL NOT COME TO THEIR AID. ROUMANIA MOBILISING. ROME. Sept 15, It ds authoritatively, learned'.tlTxat the German scheme to force the passage of the Ors'ova to Widen with the view to reaching Bulgaria and Turkey is merely bluff. ATHENS, Sept 15 Goods traffic on th e Roumanian railways is suspended, apparently in connection with partial mobilisation. ALLIES' FINANCE COMMISSION. LIVES THREATENED IN AMERICA. SECRET SERVICE BODY GUARDS. FURNISHED BY GOVERNMENT. ALL MEETINGS HELD SECRETLY. (Reed 9.10 a.m.) [NEW YORK, Sept 15. Owing to widespread German plots against th e Finance Commission,whose lives are threatened, the American Secret Service is prov'idiing bodyguards for Lord Reading and othfer members Sessions of the Commission are secretly held, dates of sittings are not published and other precautions are being taken. Pro-Germans are threatening to cause runs on banks throughout the States if any support is accorded the Allies. The United States Government lias decided that the loan is an' ordinary commercial transact iji and therefore the Government Is not going to interfere

EXPLOSIVES IN BOTTLES. (Reed 8.30 tun.) NEW YORK, Sept 15 Two glass bottles, believed to contain explosives, have been discovered on the White Star liner Lapland, which is due to sail for Liverpool. The Inspector of Explosives declares tibat the contents would explode by the motion *of the ship. A TURKISH REPORT. LONDON, Sept. 15. A Constantinople communique says. Our artillery successfully shelled an enemy regiment at Anafarta eamps. Near Saletaki we dispersed the enemy .manoeuvring. At Seddul Bahr we repelled a cruiser and torpedo boats approaching the coast. AMSTEEDAM, Sept. 13.A Turkish communiue says: On the night of the 12th-13th our reconnoitring columns surprised the enemy trenches at several points in the Anafarta and Ariburnu districts. A GERMAN JOKE. (Times and Sydney Sun Ci!)lj3». LONDCff, Sept. 15 During the London district air raid, a Zeppelin dropped a horse's bladebone covejred witih several sketches and a diagram on the wide end showing a supposed portrait of Sir Edward Greiy with a Zeppelin bomb falling on his head. A small Qerman flag tied to the bone stated that it was a present to Sir Edward Grey with the compliments of the commanding, offitsr. The bone was attached to a paraekufe.and came safely to e?{rt|h in a large opfen space, the authorities taking posses* Horn,

TO BREAK ALLIES' LINES. GERMAN FOKCES FROM EAST. PARIS September 15. The Defence Department has announced that it has received information that the Germans are transporting great numbers of troops, heavy howiters, and large stores of ammunitioii from Poland towards Frence. It is believed that this presages a great attempt to smash the Franco-British lines. COST OF THE WAR. PARIS, Sept 15. M. Ribct, in the Chamber, in asking i'r a vote on account of the last quarter of 1915, fixes the credits for the quarter at 2-i million sterling. The total since the beginning of th 6 war to the end of December is 1120 milsion of it. OUR BOYS EUJLCGISEp. FOR DETERMINATION AND COURAGE. (Reed 11.55 a.m.) LONDON, Sept 15 Lord Kitchener said the gallantry and resourcefulness of Australians and New Zealandcj:*s were frequently the subject of eulogy in Sir lan Hamilton's reports. General Birdwood and his staff greatly distinguishel themelves iin planning an-] enducting operations of the Australian and iNe-w Zealand corps, whose activities marked constant success. Their determination which overcame apparently insuperable difficulties, was no less admirable than their courage in hand to hand fighting with the enemy.

~ THE WAR. EXCEEDED ALL BRITISH DREAMS. (Reed 8.30 a.m.) LONDON, Sept 15 Mr Asquith, continuing his remarks, said: We have vastly exceeded any standard evofr dreamt of before the war, but as the war proceeded it was constantly making new requirements, demanding new sacrifices' in men, munitions and finance. We had to raise and equip armies and ships; also to repair the wastage in men and secure influx into the decisive tlheatre c. war and 'substantial additions made to a of a steady stream of trained men, and an ever-growing supply of apparatus of war. Positions in France and Flanders had been strengthened; large reinforcements had been despatched, and substantial additions made to artillery and ammunitions and also to the extension of our line. While operations in the Dardanelles had not succeeded in dislodging tlhe Turks from the crests of hills, there had been substantial gain?. THE WAR VOTE. FMTAI.N MIGHT DO MOR ; '. HER EFFORTS BELITTLED. HAD MISCHIEVOUS EFFEC?. (Reed 10.5 a.m.) Mr Asquith said the net expenditure of 3£ millions would be increased to £4,200,000 by advances to the Allies. The Army and Navy, from April to 11th September, cost £371,000,000. Army expenditure for September is estimated at two millions daily. The present vote makes the total. £l,262,000,000. It might be assumed that future weekly expenditure would not exceed an average of 35,000,000. There huge figures didn't say, even now, that the-country was doing all it might, qr ought to do, but attempts wjre being made to belittle and disparage their efforts which had most misohievi-Uo results, i A '•*■ t --n "

COMPULSORY SERVICE. MATTER FOR IMMEDIATE DL< ISION. (Times and Sydney Sim Cables). LONDqN, Sept. 15 The "Times" points out that upon the decision of the British Parturientin the next flew weeks depend the fortunes of tihe war and the future of the civilised world. If declsio is rid measures are characterised ii Mr Lloyd George's wc)rds by pip, resolution and prompt readiness in '.-.very sphere, there is no fear of the it'.sult; but if Parliament dontinues sanctioning the policy of belated half measures we shall soon find orfrseflves facing the gravest possibliities. The questions of national service and finance need immediate decision. A SIDE- TRACK. Tl*3 "Daily Chronicle" says tihat nobody acquainted with politics will have difficulty in seeing that most of the advocates of conscription have quite other tilings In their minds' eye than national war needs

I LORD KITCHENER'S REPORT. i IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS. (Reed 11.40 a.m.) Lord Kitchener, speaking in the House of Lords, said the front held by the Allies in the west was practi- : cally unchanged during the last few months, but this did not mean relaxation of activity of forces in tjhe field. Cntinuous local fighting all along the | line called for incessant vigilance. | Meanwhile, positions we)re much strengthened by careful elaboration of trenches and fortifications, and a large increase of heavy guns.

Germans recently on several occasions used gas and liquid fire, and bombarded our lines with asphyxiating shells. These attacks now lack the clement &iTprise and failed ia their object. They lost most of their offensive value owing to our steps to counteract the 'effect of these pernicious methods. Considerable reinforcements from new armies have joined Sir John French, Who reports that units now appear thorough!'}- well officered and commanded, and equipment is good. Several unit- of artillery were tested behind the firing line, and their shooting wis extrem'ely trood, quite fit to tikh place hi the firing line, or a vote on account of the last quar-

OUR POSITIONS REINFORCED. IMPORTANT FRENCH GANIS. WAR CAN QNLY END BY DECISIVE DEFEAT. (Reed 11.55 a.m.) Kitchener, continuing, said reinforcements amounting to eleven divisions enabled Sir John French ot extend his lines throughout the summer. The Drench fully held their own all along an extended front and had made substantial progress in some places., notagly Arras and Alsace,, wher 5 the} had secured an ajrea of g;r •>■••; tactic;-. 1 importance on the Heights of N -tre Dame de Lorette. In view of futur,> operations ths iwas a particularly commanding summit, overlooking the left bank of the Rhine, and was being held in face of formidable counter at^i^.'s

The French trenches along th 2 .»u Lire front, were now all new work .-•; almost impregnable fortifica ions When h e visited the army at Joffre' E iivitation he was profoundly imor ssed with the (high state of efficiency, and the morale exhibited was evidence that officers and men recognise thst the only possible termination !.o ihi war was to inflict on the enemy a thori * ough defeat. -)

The Germans, ihe said, appear to have almost shot their bait. Their advance at one time was carried, out to an average of five miles daily, now it is less lhan a mile. Forces which the Germans beastingly describe as broken troops are still doggedly fighting along the line, in some places turnip and inflicting heavy losses. Ithua German 'sfirait'egy has cßesfdy failed. The victories they claim may only prove defeats in disguise. The Italians in a series of rapid, brilliant infantry operations, obtained control of a|ll the principal passes in the Carnic Alps and on the Trentiino frontier. The occupation of Montenegro was a most brilliant acMeviement. Feats of Italian artillery were truly renuikable; the manuv heavy pieces were hauled into almost inaccessible positions on lofty mountain peaks evokes universal admiration. Our lin'eg at Gallipoli had appreciably advanced to positions now consolidated. Afiteri .reinforcements arrived, the surprise landing on a large scale was successfully accomplished at Suvla Bay on the 6th August, without serious opposition. Simultaneously Australians and New Zeailanders launched an attack from Anzac and a stronfg offensive was delivered in the direction of Krithia, in which French troops took a prominent part. The Krithia action showed to high advantage their usual gallantry and fine figlhtlijrig c^ualiti'ifes. The Anzac attack, afteir a series of hotly contested actions, was carried to the summit of Sari Bair and Chunikbair, which lis the dominating position in that area.

The arrival of transports, and the] disembarkation of troops at Snvla Bay, was designed to enaoble the troops to! suppcVt the Anzac attack. Lord Kitchener added:— French r>ireraft have been particularly active and have carried out numerous effective raids en a large scale. The Germans sine* June have been taking advantage of their central nositiono and have employed a very larrtr proportion of their forces in strenr.ov ' efforts to rush our Russian ally, 1 their great numerical superiority md vastly preponderating artillery QTtal>T.a# them to fewo th* Enssiaus from the? r defences. The German oojeetitvfi wj»r to destroy the army ss a force in !>pinsr. and thus free Rrge ntlmVrs f-~.- j I acticn elsewhere. Their - ?. failure, like other •pkns ar-

by the Gorman sfofT. Few epl* godes stand OQt more prominently ami' creditably than the masterly maimer the Russians, distributed along 750 miles, were handled vt'hile facing vio- 1 lent assaults by a greatly superior enemy. The suce&ss of the great rearguard actions were only possible owing fa the really splendid fighting qualities of the Russiana Soldier, who. in every case where in actual contact, shoWe* himself infinitely superior to his adversary. The Russian army to-day is intact. It doubtless suffered severely from the hard .fighting, but the (Germans also paid a heavy toll, and who will venture to say until present grips are relaxed which army suffered the? more. Russia, with her vast territory, has almost been able, and ultimately may envelope and annihilate the largest of invading armies. The Germans, at enormous sacrfiice, captured certain fortresses, but experiences show that only fortifications capable of effectively resisting the new machinery of war are those which can be quickly dug i;> deep soil.

Unfortunately, the Suyla advane?iras not developed quickly enough aatl the forward movement was brought to a standstill after an advance of 2i miles. The result was the Anzac troops were unab'le to retain the position on the crest of the hills. After repeatedly being counter-attacked the order was

given to withdraw to \ower positions and these were effectively consolidated, and now adjoin the line occupied b-v the Sulva Bay force, thus forming a. connected front of over 12 miles;. A further attack from Suvla Bar on Turkish entrenchments rras delivered on the 21st. After several hours' sharp fighting they found it impossible to ffain the summit of the enemy's hilly. the intervening space being unsuitable for defence, and the troops were withdrawn to" original positions. Comparetitve quiet lias since prevaled and tfie troops have been given a much-needed rest. DEMORILISATION. AMONG GERMAN-DRIVEN TURKS. AT THE DARDANELLES. BRITAIN'S GREAT WAR BILLv LONDON, Sept 15.

Mr Asquith, in moving a credit vote of £250,000,000, said this would carry them to the third week in November, They had been spending 3J mJBKons daily for the last fifty-six days, the main cause of growth being the advances to Allies and provision of munitions

Almost three million men had enlisted since the beginning of the war, and Kitchener had sent, reinfcireements, which jhad enabled Sir John. French to expend his lines- and takeover seventeen mires from Joftre. There was abundant evidence that

demoralisation had set in amo.:? It© German driven Turks a,t the DardaHfelles. AMEEICA AND GSEMANT. DISHNOURED TEUTONS. The New York correspondent of tlm Daily Chronicle says there is growing distrust of everything Teutonic, due to* the discovery of a fire bomb, believed? to be German, aboard the Santa Ansa, which was on fire in the Atlantic; als« a German conspiracy in the Philippines in using the protection of iha American flag to undermine British rule in the East Indies. A large and influential section t? the German-American banks is participating in the Allies' war loan.