ALEXIEFF RUSSKY

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 290, 21 September 1915, Page 5

ALEXIEFF RUSSKY

ON THE RUSSIAN FRONT.

A GREAT BATTLE EXPECTED. PETROGRAD, Sept. 20. The Germans cut the Viina railways, except the Lida-Wjitchy line to the southward. A great battle is expected in the Lida district, the Germans only leaving a screen of troops south of Dousk to prevent the Russians reinforcing Vilna. Von Eichorn's troops crossed the Vilna, Another body of Germans crossed the Beresovka below the Tacks lakes. The outlet from Vilna is thus najrrowed. A TERRjIFjC BATTLE. GERMANS IN GREAT FORCE. RUSSIANS STOUTLY DEFEND DVINSK. •- LONDON, Sept 20. The "T t imes"correspondent at Dvin-'k spent three days at the fighting line. A terrific battle was raging, the Russians holding Dvinsk. They had an excellent line of tfrencjhes, three deep. The first line was taken many times, but counter-attack s recaptured then. 1 he Germans were twice or thrice th«i Russians* strength and had an enormous superiority in guns. Undoubtedly the Germans ajre rasing two to one in losses. The nature of the country is ideal for defensive work. GERMAN REVERSE AT KOVNO. DRIVEN BACK IN CONFUSION. LONDON, Sept 20. A Petrograd communique statei A. general attack on the 17th on the scetlon Kovno-Kowel drove back the enemy, who retreated in disorder, leaving numerous prisoners of whom 800 were captured at Gorodichl and 1800 in the forest south of Thonman. A RUSSIAN COMMUNIQUE. ——— AN ENEMY POSITION TURNED. AUSTRIANS IN FLIGHT. PURSUED BY RUSSIANS. (Reed 84.5 a.m.)' PETROGRAD, Sept. 20. A communique states: We turned a fortified position on the southern half of the Pripet Marshes. The enemiy was instantly dislodged and fled, being hotily pursued. A notable incident on the south front was a wonderful charge made by the Russian cavalry; tlhey captured entrenchmients, maehline guns and prisoners with insignificant losses.

AUSTRfANS FACED WITH DISASTER. RETIRING IN DISORDER FROM VOL.HYNIA. GENEVA, Sept 20. Telegrams from Leraberg confirm the news that the Austrians are retreating in disorder on the Volhrr.ia front. It, 13 considered that a great Austrian defeat is inevitable. Tb-a Russians, oh the rigjht side of the Strypa, continue the pur 3 tit and their 1 artillery Is causing terv'Ve A*?sfcrian losses.

POPULAR RUSSIAN COMMANDER f\ CMS. i ■ i ■■■ —t RUSSIAN PLAN, NOT RETREAT A DISORDERLY RETREAT WHAT GERMANY MAY EXPECT WILL FIGHT WITH THE ENTENTE

RUSSIA STRONG AS EVE 1 ?. WHAT GERMANS MAY EXP 3 !T. (Reed 10.50 a.m.) ROME, Sept 20. A Russian officer, interviewed by the "Giornale D'ltaMa," said that Alexieff Russky was the most popular general in Russia after the Grand Duke. The so-called retreat was a merely reverting to the original plan of defensive, Wrings fthe ?{me back to' Minck, which |had not yet been reached. Germans will meet the same fate that Charles the Twelfth met at Poltava, and Napoleon at Moscow. Although lately obliged to economise in shells, the Russians for militar|y reasons had been compelled to use arms and ammunition on the Seretjh, in 'reputlses of the enemy's threat on, Keiff, which had a political effect in convincing the Balkans that Russia was as, strong as ever. RUSSIA'S DEBT TO JAPAN. TOKIO, Sept. 20. Russia has approached Japan on the question of payment of war materials. A conference of a group of banks, headed by the Yokohama Specie, agreed to take up Treasury bills. AT THE DARDANELLES. GERMANY'S NEW CRUSADE. AMSTERDAM, Sept. 20. Reports by German deserters state that recently they were-ordered to prepare for a Turkish campaign, officers telling them they were about to undertake a new Crusade, Egypt being the objective. Officers stated that when the Germans reached Cairo the war would end. REPLACING SUBMARINES. GERMAN TOWN DONATIONS. (Reed 8.45 a.m.) AMSTJE?RDAM, Sept. 200.. The municipality of Potsdam has voted the cost of a submarine. It appears that other towns' will help* to repflaee those that (have been lost. GERMAN SEAPLANE WRECKED. AMSTERDAM, Sept. 200. A German seaplane has been wrecked. It's two occupants were rescued, and landed at Tofrsehelling. A SUBMARINE STORY. COPENHAGEN, Sept. 20. Fishermen saw three submarines at Utsire. Then there was an explosion, and only two of them remained. Some believed that the lost submarine was a German disguised as British, which the others sauk in error. THE ALLIES' LOAN. THE MONEY NOW ASSURED. UNDERWRITING SYNDICATE FORMED. 1 (NEW YORK, Sept 20. An underwriting syndicate is in progress of formation to underwrite the Allied floan. It is now certain the one hundred and sixty million sterling will he secured. Pro-German financiers are ready to Join if tihe loan is not used for the payment and purchase o? munitions. The Allied Commission with most probably refius-e to eoutrder'tnis ■ conditioa. . •:

THE BALKANS. BULGARIA'S ATTITUDE. KING RECEIVES A DEPUTATION. PUBLIC FEELING RELIEVED. SOFIA, Sept. 20. Leaders of five political parties representing the Opposition had a two and a half hours' .audience with the King, the Crown Prince, and M. Dobrovitch, the King's chief counsellor. The deputation urged that it was- fatal to adept a neutral attitude, and recommended a coalition Cabinet, and the immediate summoning- of the Sobranje to safeguard the country against a policy contrary to the interests and sentiments of the nation. The reception of the deputation relieved public feeling. COALITION GOVERNMENT PROPOSED. KINGi SUMMONS PREMIER. The High Commissioner reports: LONDON, September 20. The Morning Post's Athens correspondent says a conference- of Bulgarian party leaders converted the King. All pronounced against a policy favourable to the Central Powers, and advised the formation of a Coalition Cabinet. The King subsequently summoned the Premier. WESTERN FRONT. HEAVY ARTILLERY DUELS. EFFECTIVE FRENCH FIRE. PARIS, Sept. 20. A communique states: There was artillery fighting on the heights of the Mease, in the forest of Apremont, and in the Vosges, aiming at the destruction of the German defence. The fire was particularly effective. Four of the enemy ammunition depots were blown up. OSTEND BOMBARDED. BRITISH FLEET WORK HAVOC. FORTIFICATIONS DESTROYED. The High Commissioner reports as follows: — LONDON. Sept. 20. It is reported from Amsterdam that tiie British Fleet destroyed the Ostena breakwater, fortifications, and all the enemy boats and works. The German losses in men reach thousands. OUR GRAND FLEET. SUCCESSES INSPIRE CONFIDENCE NO FEAR OF GERMAN INVASION. A STERLING TRIBUTE. LONDON, Sept. 20. Colonel Repington says that the watchfulness of our Crand Fleet, its successes against the German submarines, and the knowledge that masses of our troops are still remaining in Britain, have inspired the people with confidence. This acocunts for their complete indifference on the question of raids and invasion. It. is now regarded that the success of an oversea attack upon Britain Is less probable than ayear ago, owing to the complete destruction of German naval power bases oversea. With the entry of Italy into the war we are able to devote all our naval strength to the task of controlling the German fleet and protecting the British shores. We have frequently heard of the German intention to strike a blow, but on every occasion the enemy's courage failed at the critical hour, and is likely to do so, because our Fleet is growing at a fastter rate than theirs. The British Navy has done its work to perfection. The speeches of Mr. Asquith and Lord Kitchener have been reprinted by the whole of the German press. The papers generally admit that Germany underestimated Britain's determination; therefore Germany must be ready for further trials and difficulties. GREAT WORK IN THE MEDITERRANEAN. ARMY AND NAVY CO-OPERATE. ' LONDON, Sept. 20. Mr. Ashmead Bartlett, in a letter, describes the co-operation of the army and navy as removing all jealousies, and creating a complete understanding. Apart from battleships, there is an immense number of trawlfers and drifters carrying supplies, working 10 out 21 hours a day in all weathers. The army will have to rely on them during the winter, when the peaceful Mediterranean will be turned into a raging wilderness of short, choppy seas. Steam pinnaces haunt every beach at Gallipoli and all the islands, connecting the sea and the Bhore, tugging lighters furl of stores, horses, and ammunition. The enemy never ceases shelling the iandiag3 at A-izfic, Ilelles, and Suvia.

Sin lAN HAMILTON'S REPORT, STORY OF OLD FIGHTING. THE ATTACK ON KRITHIA. LONDON, Sept. 21. , Sir lan Hamilton's despatch., in ccnjtinuation of that catted on the 6th I July, reads: j I determined on May sth to continue the advance. The many urgent caljls reinforcements during the previous critical figlhting compelled me to disorganise and mix together several •formations in the southern group, to the extent even of the French on our right, saving a British battalion holdinjg their most extreme light. It became necessary to form a temporarily composed brigade consisting of the Second Australian" and New Zealand j Brigades. They' were withdrawn for the purpose from the northern section ..with the Naval Brigade. During the three dajys May 6th to Bth, our troops '.were destined to be severely tried. were about to attack a series ,of positions, scientificaly selected in advance, which although not yet joined into one line of entrenchments, wefr*e I already strengthened by works on

more important tactical features. Strong attacks by the Anglo-French on the 6th and 7th had gained two hundred to three hundred [yards. They occupied or passed over the first Line of Turkish trenches, hut the new lines needed consolidating". Certain fresh reinforcements were reaching the Turk 3 so I decided to call the men for one more push before tjhe new enemy forces could get into touch with theft* surroundings. My plan for the fresh attack was for the New Zealand brigade to advance through the line we Iheld and to press on towards Krithia. Simultaneously tihe Bth and 7th Brigade .were to tlf*eaten to work the west [ravine and shell patches of ground from areas dominatel by the German machine guns. On the Bth after heavy fire from the ships and batteries, the who'.e front of tihe New Zealand Brigade began to move at 10.30 in the morning, meeting with sifrenuous opposition from the reinforced enemy. The New Zealanders pushed forward on the right and advanced in the centre, (gaining about two hundred yards, but they cculd make little further rfrogress. At 5.30 in the afternoon I ordered tihe line to be reinforced by the Australian (Brigade and to advance after heavy artillery bombardment Some companies of New Zealanders did not receive the order in time, but, acting on their own initiative, pushed on, making the whole advance simultaneously. The British ready advance could be followed by the sparkle of their bayonets until th e long lines were entirely lost in smoke clouds. I ((Reed 8 25 a.m.) LONDON, Sept 20. Sir lan Hamilton, r.cntinuing, sa J the Sengalefee Tirailleurs faced the of the Turkish artillery tire, and were compelled to retire. They rallied for another forward movement and met wjth another repulse. Then a small supporting column |Charged along the crest of Kerevesleve, but darkness overtook them. Next mcjrning it was learned that New Zealanders in the firing line had marched over the enemy's cjeverly concealed machine guns without seeing them. These machine-)gtms re-opened fire on our supports as they came up, and caused heavy loss, but the first line pressed on, and arrived within a few ya»rds of Turkish trendies, whidh had been holding.up our advance, then dug themselves in. The Australian Brigade had advanced despite heavy losses from shrapnel, machine gun and rifle fire and progressed by 300 or 400 yards. Most determined valour Tvas sihown by the New Zealand and Australian brigades under Johnson and McCay, who, respectively, are worthy of particular praise. Their losses were correspondingly heavy, but, despite fierce counter attacks by numeruos fresh roops, thy e stuck to what they had won witth admirable tenacity. The net result of Thursday's fighting was a ga;in of 600 jyards »n the British right; 400 yard s on the left and centre.

Th e French had captured all the ground in. front of the Zumuefrman farm, also a redoubt for. w[bich there was obstinate fjightinig for three whole | days. This may not seem much, but it is actually more than at first ii < ets the eye. The Turks' German ie*vh-rs were quick to realise the fact, and from nightfall till dawn of the 10th tjhey made efforts everywhere to (ush us back. An especially heavy attack by the Germans cuhn'.iating in a •Spilent (hand to hand conflict. Everywhere assaults were repulsed and now for the first time since T left we hav e planted a fairly firm foo Inid on the point of Gallipoli PeixhU'iln Meanwhile, in the northern zone, an Australian and New Zealand army corns strengthened its grip of Turkish soil. They had been defendnig and digging themselves in more firmly on *ho? e cliffs oh. whicfa at first it seem-

ed their foothold was so Their rule at this stage of operations wa s firstly to keep an open door leading into the vitals of the Turkish position. Secondly, to hold up as lafrge a bcdy as possible in front of them so as to lessen th e strain at Cape Hellas. In fact, Anzac was cast to play second fiddle to Cape Hellas, but the part was out of harmony with the dare-devS! spirit animating our warriors from the south. It ha. s come about that the Australians and New Zealanders' defensives always tend to take on the chafcicter of attack. Their line at this period war. formed in a rougih semi-circle inland from the beach at Anzac Cove, the diameter being about ele.-en hundred yards, anV the firing line everywhere was close tf> the enemy's tranches. In all sections tl.fre was sapping and counter-sap-pjing, and bomb attackswere incessant As many as fourteen hundred shells an "uur fell on Anzac, of all calibres, fron eleven inchers to field shrapnel. Around Quinn's Post the contest was both above and 'yel >w ground, and was particularly severa. vVi carried on thy 9th May some of ths enemy's trenches ,by the bayonet and established our troops tlierein. The Turks sent up reinforcements and made a strong eomi ter-attack at dawn :nd forced us to evacuate the trenches. In opposing: this counter-attack our guns did great execution. We discovered this fact from a Turkish, officer's diary. Six hundred Turks were killed and two thousand wounded. A sortie on the night of the 14th with the object of filling in the Turkish trenches failed. AFIRE IN MID-OCEAN. GREEK STEAMER ABANDONED. PROBABLY PRO-GERMAN WORK. (Reed 8.50 a.m.) NEW YORK, Sept 20. The Greek steamer Athinai was abandoned, on fire, in mid-ocean. The Tuscania rescued the passengers and crew, only one life being lost. The Athinai, it is believed, was fired by pro-German agents, but the reason is not known, as she carried no reservists. HEAVY BOMBARDMENT. IN FRANCE AND BELGIUM. (Reed 1.10 p.m.) PARIS, Sept 20. A communique records heavy bombardments and mentions t}he hampering of th e enemy's supply arrangements at Artois, also the shelling of the enemy's revictualling routes n* Lorraine. ...