MORE PEACE TALK

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 348, 25 November 1915, Page 5

MORE PEACE TALK

, t BY GERMAN SOCIALIST RADICAL N THE CREEK PREiIEE 4 HIS RESIGNATION EXPECTED DIFFICULTIES WITH BRITAIN V POSITION IN SERVIA IMPROVING ■i ■ ■ ■■jse ENORMOUS BULGAR LOSSES ANOTHER GERMAN CRUISER SUNK

THE GREEK PREMIER EXPECTED TO RESIGN. TROUBLE WITH BRITAIN. (Reed. 8.35 a.m.) LOjNDON, November 24. Salonika reports that Skouloudis is expected to jre&ign owing to difficulties with Britain.

KITCHENER’S VISIT,

TO THE SUVLA TRENCHES

WAR COUNCIL

AT SALONIKA

AUDIENCE WITH CONSTANTINE,

LONDON, Nov. 23

The Frankfurter Zeitung states that Earl Kitchener visited the British headquarters at Mudros, then spent two days in the Suvla Bay trenches. He proceeded to Salonika on Friday ,and presided over the War Council', seven British and five French generals attending He then went to Athens to sec King Constantine.

SERBS ADVANCE AGAIN,

TO KUPRILI-PRILIP LINE,

ATHENS, Nov. 23

KITCHENER talks TO THE

GREEKS.

STRONG REASONS WHY ENTENTE

SHOULD BE HELPED

PARIS, November 24

According to an Athens message, Lord Kitchener, conversing with the Greek Cabinet Ministers, stated that at the declaration of war the Entente was unprepared, but England would have four millions armed by March, and would be able to arm and supply Six million Russians. He woiild be a very simple-minded person, said Lord Kitchener, imagined any ena to the war except Germany’s complete defeat. KING AND PREMIER GIVE ASSURANCES. GREECE WILL NOT ACT AGAINST ENTENTE. STATEMENT BY GOVERNMEN F OFFICIALS. ' ATHENS, November 24. Prominent Government officials say that King Constantine and M. Skouloudis (Premier) gave Lord Kitchener definite assurances that Greece would not take hostile actoin against the Entente under any circumstances, and the existing differences would be quickly adjusted in a manner satisfactory to the Entente. A rigid censorship on Athens news is still enforced. King Pete)' conferred the Order of Merit on Admiral Trcubridge and five naval officers. CONSTANTINE’S VOLTE FACE. THE VIOLATED CONSTITUTION.

A GALLANT LITTLE BAND

AN lE-OMENED POLICY

PAEIS, Nov. 2.*?,

The Echo de Paris’ Athens correspondent interviewed M. Vonizelos, who declared that he, with the King’s consent, waited on the French Minister in August, 1914, and expressed Greece’s willingness to help France.

Since then Greece’s constitution had been violated, and it became his duty to throw the responsibility on the men who had undertaken the illomened policy for Greece. .

HAS AN AGREEMENT BEEN REACHED? OPTIMISTIC PREDICTIONS. The newspapers note the precise wording of. the Foreign Office statement, and recall the explicit Athens announcements quoting the British Legation’s declaration of an economic and commercial blockade. They point out that the Foreign Office communique may mean that Greece has now given full satisfaction to the Allies’ demand, guaranteeing the safety of the troops at Salonika and beneficent treatment in the event of their being compelled to refireat into Greece. This optimistic view prevails, especially in Paris, where it is stated that upon certain points the negotiations between the Entente and Greece, were successful.

An official report states that the Serbians have occupied the KupriliPrilip line, and are now advancing towards B'abuna Pass;

The Serbian Government lias removed to Prizrend, near the Albanian frontier, and the Diplomatic Corps has gone to Ipek, further to the North.

M. Cochin, the French Envoy, has returned to Athens from Salonika, and is revisiting King Constantine. The Serbian War Minister has arrived at Salonika to confer with the Allies. A German communique states; Wo further drove back the Serbians north of Mitrovitza and north-east of Prishtina, taking prisoner 1,500. The Bulgarians are advancing southeast of Prishtina. BULGARIANS HELD UP AT MONASTIR. ENEMY LOSES 10,000. SALONIKA, Nov. 23. The situation in Monastir is unchanged. The Bulgarians are still arrested south of Prilip. It is reported that General Gallwitz, with an army corps, is Coming to the aid of the Bulgarians against the Anglo-French. The Servians, on the morning of the 21st, drove back the Bulgarians from round Monastir for eight kilo-* metres. The enemy’s casualties wore ton thousand.

MONASTIR’S BRAVE DEFENDERS

LONDON, Nov. 24

The Daily Telegraph’s Monastir correspondent, cabling on the Kith, said ho witnessed what ho believed wore the last days of Servian Monastir. The small force of brave troops which had long defended it had reached the end of their resistance. Outnumbered and outclassed in armaments, they put up a fight evoking the admiration of both friend and'foe. General Vassitz and his troops fought incessantly for fourteen days to preserve this corner of Servia free from the invaders. General! Yassitz is suffering from a cruel malady which destines him to an early grave, but he is determined to resolutely fight ou to the end. If the Allies cannot save Monastir they should make the utmost efforts to save the gallant band. The correspondent found Monastir practically deserted, and in total darkness. The empty streets re-echoed the footsteps of civilian guards. A few scared officials alone remained in addition to the military.

THE MARINES’ ARRIVAL,

LONDON, Nov. 24,

Three war correspondents groped their way through Monastir. • Only j one place was lighted —a cafe, where] a group of priests and officers talked , in whispers, all anxious and expecting ! the worst news. One question asked 1 was: “Will the enemy appear tonight or to-morrow?” An officer entered and announced that; General Vassitz had warned the Consuls that he would no longer lie able to protect them. They and the nationals must leave, excepting the Franco-Britjdi Consuls, who were awaiting the arrival of Anglo-Fr.snch marines from Belgrade. Finally they prepared to depart by the last train, and were standing on the station when in walked General PHot : in French naval uniform. Ido informed tlic eagoi b v standers that he had ridden ahead of his men, to reconnoitre the town, which he was afraid was in the . Bnigars’ bands. The French marines arrived later, having made a forced march of 20 miles. The British Consul (Mr. Craig) decided to wait, honing for the arrival of the British marines. They were two days’ march behind the French, and were due at Libra on the night of the lath. Mr. Craig sent motor-cars to fetch them, and'hoped they would arrive on the morning of the 17th.

MORE NORTHCLIFFE WRANC: i.

THE DARDANELLES AGAIN,

BY ASHMEAD BARTLETT.

(Reed. 8.15 a.m.) LONDON, November 24. Af.hr. lead B'artlett, in the “Times,” writing a four-column analysis of Winston Churchill’s attack on Lord Fisher, and his statement regarding naval operations at the Dardanelles, says the Admiralty commenced operations at the Dardanelles without reliable information and essential facts about the Turkish defences, they merely trusted to the Queen Elizabeth’s 15incl ers, with the result that operations to the fourth March ment to prove "but although reinforced by earthworks they could be smothered with shellfl ’e .and gunners driven from their bomb-proof shelters. All the damage was unimportant unless direct hits were made upon the guns. Meanwhile minesweepers made little or no progress. It was impossible for destroyers and trawlers to approach the minefields in daylight, owing to lire flrom the forts and concealed batteries on the coast. On the nights of the 11th, 12th and 13th the desperate experiment of allowing destroyers and trawlers to go above the minefields and sweep down with the curtrent exposed to terrific fire, was tried, but with little results. The enemy cn the 13tlh actually allowed the destroyers and trawlers to get right in the centre of the minefields befeire they turned on searchlights, they then opened up an awful fire and the general sauve qui pent ensued. It was obvious that the clearing of minefields was I essential as no Admiral could take a fleet through three lines of mines, mi- , ddr the fire cf a hundred guns. Mr Churchill apparently succeeded in changing the opinion cf experts and prudence was thrown overboard. A decision Avas arrived at to (rush the Dardanelles, Lord Fisher, however, became sceptical of the whole enterprise. He directly 'realised the inability of the fleet to clear the minefield and to locate the other underwater defences and their inability to knock out the mobile batteries on both sides of the Straits. These obstacles, however, had a reverse effect on Mr Churchill, who nerved himself to greater determination to Vrush the affair through. This led to the attack on the 18th. , March. The public were led to believe that this deliberate attempt to force the Narrows and reach Constantinople, but this was not true, the fleet was onlyaiming at silencing the forts on the ■ Narrows to enable destroyers and trawlers to sweep the minefield; also it is net true to say. that but for the disasters to the Bouvet, Ocean and Irresistible the Straits would have been forced. When darkness came the enemy’s ma.n minefields weVe untouched the operation only resulted in knocking out Two guns at Chanak and killing 35 Tu v:s. We attempted, the most difficult operations, as usual underestimating our opponents, without adequate information on essential points; we persisted in | cur efforts, but we got a fair and 1 square beating. By preventing a renewal of the attack Lord Fisher saved Britain from a disaster which would have transcended any other in our naval The Turkish forts were practically intact and their minefields untouched; we were minus five capital ships, the Turks also fathomed our plan. It was realised that, however terrible the concentrated fihe, the material results were relatively small. No British ship could near the minefield within a thousand yards of the Narrows.

GERMAN SUPER-DREADNOUGHT

SUNK,

SAID TO BE THE MARKGRAF.

(Reed. 8.35 a.m.)

LONDON, November 24

Copenhagen reports name the new German Dreadnought reported stbuck by a mine and sank in the Baltic as the “Markgraf.”

BRITISH CASUALTIES.

SINCE COMMENCEMENT OF WAR

LONDON, November 24.

Since the commennement of the wap , the total British officer casualties are | 19,668, including 6,032 killed or died j of wounds, 11,952 wounded and 1,683 missing. The killed include Generals Wing and Wormand. and among the missing is General Bruce. Amongst the wounded are five Brigadiejr-Gener-ais. MORE GERMAN PEACE TALK. SOCIALISTS AND RADICALS. TO TAKE ACTION IN REICHSTAG. (Reed. 8.35 a.m.) COPENHAGEN, November 24. A Berlin message states that it is a fact that Radicals and Socialists are to make a determined effort to force a discussion of peace terms when the Reichstag reassembles. This is indicated in the “Vorwaelrts,” which summarises the speeches made in the British Parliament, and says they are without direct contradiction by the British Government. British politicians have set up positive peace conditions that Germany shall yield B’eigium, the ncirth of (France, also Lorraine, and there shall be no indemnity from England. The paper thought that though wholly unofficial, these speeches were worthy of serious attention, and shonl£ lead to discussion in the place wherein German free speech still has a home. If British speeches are net to remain voices in the wilderness, Parliament must use its perogative to speak in open discussion oh the best means to destroy certain illusions which Germany’s enemies harboisr as ponsible prospects of the war of attrition. When once charity is brought to these questions a great forward step has been taken. ' WHAT WE HAVE TO FEAR. A PREMATURE PEACE. GERMANY’S STEALTHY EFFORTS. TO ANTICIPATE HER EBB. (Times and Sydney Sun Services). LONDON, November 23. I Mr J. L. Garvin (editor of the “Observer”), in the course of an address, said that we should be less afraid of Germany and of her reputed successes I than of proposals for a premature and , disastrous peace. Germany knew that j the forces of the Allies must rise, and j she was unwilling to wait for her own inevitable ebb. She already had negoI t.iations stealthily afoot. I / ONE-THIRD OF THE RUSSIANS. ARMED BY LAST DECEMBER. JAPAN LARGELY CONTRIBUTED. IN ARMING REMAINDER. (Reed. 8.35 a.m.) TOKIO, November 24. BaSron Ishti, Minister of Foreign Affairs, interviewed, said only one-third | of the Russians were armed by Decem- : her. Japan has largely Jconi/rMited to i completely arming the remainder. BRITISH LEGISLATION. a BEING RECONSIDERED. (Reed. 5.35 a.m\) LONDON. November 24. \ In the House of Commons, the Parliamentary and Registration Bill is benig reconsidered, owing to some Conservatives objecting-to the first clause, whereby the session of this Pa/liaI meat to next after the termination | of the war is deemed to be the fifth j under the Parliament Act, thereby enabling the Plural Voting Bill to be passed. WINSTON CHURCHILL. 1 IN THE BRITISH TRENCHES, (Reed. 5.15 a.m.) PARIS, November 24. ■ Major Churchill, attached to the Grenadiers, had his first spell in the trenches. ’ There is little activity on the British front, the weather being very wintry.

BROKEN NEUTRALITY. GERMANS ARRESTED. SUPPLIES TO WARSHIPS. BRIBERY OF OFFCIALS. NEW YORK, Nov. 23. Numbers of the Hamburg-Ameriea Steamship Company’s officials have been arrested charged with shipping supplies from American ports to German warships, thereby breaking neutrality.

Sensational evidence was given to prove that large sums of money were forwarded to San Francisco for the benefit of Captain Boyed (German Military Attache), presumably for use in. the corruption of officials.

ITALY’S PROGRESS,

IN THE SUBURBS' OF GORZ

ROME, Nov. 23

The Italians are daily capturing trenches, blockhouses, and forts. The main Austrian defence at Gorz hangs on a single thread.

■The defenders of Mounts Sabotica. Podgora, Calvario. San Michele, and Doberdo. where the most formidable fortifications were situated, have almost been wiped out. Fighting is proceeding in the suburbs of Gorz. NEUTRALITY BREAKERS. IN THE UNITED STATES SOME DAMNING EVIDENCE. (Reed 9.15 a.m.) NEW YORK, November 24. According to witnesses in the case against the Hambilrg)-American lino on a charge of conspiracy to deceive and defraud neutral relief ships with coal and other supplies to German warships in the Atlantic and Pacific, one witness swore, that Captain Boyed,Gelrmau Naval Attache, personally directed the expenditure of 750,000 dollars, which, unsolicited and unexpected, appeared to witnesses’ credit in a New York banking house. All disbursements of this sum were made by order of Boyed

NERVOUSNESS IN AMERICA

THE CAPITOL THREATENED

(Reed. 5.15 a.m.)

WASHINGTON, November 24

Special guards and detectives are engaged in Washington in consequence of rumours of threatened outrages, including the destruction of the Capitol. A Irecent explosion made the authorities nervous.

Mr Lansing holds that Captain Boyed is not amenable to American law because he used German money to subsidise American or German warships to raid the Allied commence on the high seas. Mr Lansing also points out that, there is no proofs forthcoming that Boyed conspired with anybody, his connection with the case being merely incidental.

HAMBURG-A ME RICAN PROSECUTION.

THEIR WHOLE FLEET ENGAGED,

HELPING GERMAN WARSHIPS.

(Reed. 8.15 a.m.)

NEW YORK, November 24

Further evidence against the Ham-burg-American directors showed that the whole of their fleet of steamers engaged helping German warships in many ports of the United States, both in the Atlantic and the Pacific. Coal and food were supplied on a lavish scale.

Further riots have occurred at Cleveland, Ohio, in Avhich many were injured. The riots originated because a factory was used for the production of motor catrs for the Allies.

GERMANS PROFIT.

BY CENSORSHIP VAGARIES

WAR ’NEWS IN AMERICA.

(Times and Sydney Sun Services) LONDON, November 23

The “Times” correspondent at Washington says the Germans are profiting by the vagaries of the censorship on the Allies’ war news. Everything is being done by them to discredit the military position of the Allies.

THE BRITISH FRANCHISE. O NE r M A.N-0 NE-VOTE PROPOSAL. LONDON, November 23. Mr Asquith has announced that he will introduce the Parliamentary Registration Bill to-morrow. The measure deals with the duration of the present Parliament. It is reported in connection with the bill that the representatives of two parties in the Cabinet have agreed to the principle of one man one vote, and also that all votes shall have an equal value.

THE DARDANELLES. jl PROM N.Z. CORRESPONDENT |j WELLINGTON, This Day. Malcolm Ross, New Zealand war correspondent, cables: Thebe has been comparative j:iuiet the whole front for several weeks, with no fighting. It was impossible to take action beyond the usual bombing of trenches, sniping and the exchange of artillery fire. Troops are settling down for a winter campaign, but present indications point to the main scene of action being changed to the Balkans. The enemy recently concentrated their gun fire largely upon our perimeter, and, apparently because of promised Germanic assistance has been slightly more prodigal in the expenditure of .'heavy ammunition. He has also brought some heavier guns to bear on the Anzac zone, including one battery of eight inch howitzers. He recently bombarded one of our positions for three quarters of an hour, with ten guns, including an eight-inch, firing salvoes with common shell, a six-inch battery, firing shrapnel, with two smaller high velocity guns. Considering the

expenditure of ammunition the casualties were surprisingly few. Our battleships and cruisers destroyed the land batteries, and replied whenever targets were discovered. The Turks show no energy in attacking, and occasionally deserters wander in to our lines and surrender, others in the trenches holding their hands above the parapets with a view to being woundec by our snipers.

GERMAN CRUISER SUNK.

PETROGRAD, Nov. 24,

Russian torpedoers sank a German cruiser of 3,000 tons, which was patrolling near Windau (on the Russian south coast of the Gulf of Riga),

One hundred and eighty of the crew were drowned and 20 saved. Tht Russians’ deadly gunfire made the action short, although the cruiser had several 4-inch guns. A NEW AIR TERROR. VACUUM CHAMBER MACHINE. B'OASTED SCOURGE OF LONDON. A GERMAN CLAIM. (Times and Sydney Sun Services). LONDON, November 23. Rotterdam reports that the Germans are boasting that they have a combination of Zeppelin and aeroplane building at Berlin which does not rely on gases for buoyancy, but secures it by the use of chambers, from which the air is excluded. This machine is made of light metal, and a feature of it is the enormous propeller. German engineers have stated that London will be at the me(rcy of new bombs which this machine will carry.

WAR SUPPLIES FOR GERMANY.

FROM ARGENTINA

SUSPECTED GAS EXPORT.

(Times and Sydney Sun Services).

LONDON, November 23,

The “Times” Buenos Aires correspondent, says that Germany is receiving from the Argentine by neutral vessels, through neuflral ports, copper and wolfram, concealed in bales of wool and cloth, and in maize, linseed, anc tins of beef. It is also suspected that asphyxiating gas is being exported and cylinders of carbonic ac’d.

LORD DERBY SPEAKS PLAINLY.

ON HOUSE OF LORDS SCUTTLERS.

(Reed 11.5 a.m.) LONDON, November 24.

Lord Derby, addressing the Stock Exchange, said he disliked to think the House of Lords needed a censor, but two speeches ought to have been censored. He could give the lie direct to Lord St. David’s accusation and sum up the speech in a few words, “No gentleman will believe it.” Referring to Lord Ribblesdale’s speech, he said the man who gives information to the enemy gets an ugly name, a name that should be given just as much to a speech delivered in the Lords as to the man (risking his life to get the information for the enemy. We have the right to ask Lord Ribblesdale where he got the information, which, he said, was common knowldge.