GREEK DUPLICITY

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 348, 6 December 1915, Page 5

GREEK DUPLICITY

IMPORTANT BALKAN HAPPENINGS. RUSSIAN INVASION OF BULGARIA. MACKENSEN’S NEW MOVE. ATTEMPT TO OUTFLANK ALLIES. LONDON, December 3. It is evident that the most importint happenings are imminent in the 3alkans. The British at Salonika lave received a telegram saying that he Russians have set foot in Bulgaria. This is unconfirmed, but half )f General von Mackensen’ army has mtered Bulgaria, apparently to courier a Russian attack from Hie East. The General Staff in Paris has revived a telegram stating that the A.ustro-Germans in Serbia are changing the direction of their advance, md are making all haste to Bulgaria. There is great speculation as to the motive of this sudden volt face. Some experts are of opinion that they are going to the Dardanelles, while others think that it is for the purpose of re-inforci^-the Bulgars at Strumnitza, intending attack the Allies in the direction oUTlondova, with the object of turning the Anglo-French right. ■

IN MESAPOTAMIA. TURKS STRONGLY REINFORCED. FIGHTING AGAINST GREAT ODDS. RETIRING ON KUTELABARA. SUNDAY, sth December, 1915. High Commissioner reports as follows: General Townshend remained in possession of the battlefield at Etisiphon, heating off counter-attacks till he removed the wounded and 1600 prisoners, hut with a view to heavy losses and the arrival of Turkish reinforcements he then withdrew. Our total casualties are 4,567. On Tuesday night General Townshend fought rearguard actions against greatly superior Turkish forces. Our casualties are estimated at 150. Our river boats were disabled and we abandoned. Mb© guns as the engines were rendered useless. General Townshend remarks upon the steadiness of the troops. They are now within a few miles of Kutelabara whither they are retiring.

THE MESOPOTAMIA SET BACK. DUE TO ARAB TREACHERY. (Reed. 8 a.m.) AMSTERDAM, sth Dec. The Yosiche Zeitung’s Constantinople correspondent says that a miscarriage of British plans in Mesopotamia was due to the participation of Arab tribes, whom the British believed to he faithful, hut sided wih tthe Turks when the British prospects were favourable A PETROGRAD REPORT. GERMA.'NS DISPE&tfiD ON THE STYR. ' / High Commissioner reports London, 4th December, 7.5 p.m. \ JEetrogrild reports that during a German attack on Poacherivitchi, on the left of the Styr, the Russians at firstretreated then retook the station at the village of Semka. On the left bank of the Styr the enemy were dispersed by artillery lire. An enemy offensive at Berkost was repressed.

Allies ih crave situation GERMANS COMMENCED FLANKING MOVEMENT TO CUT OFF ALLIES’ ARMIES RUSSIANS LAND IN BULGARIA GREATEST EXCITEMENT PREVAILS CONCENTRATIONS ON THE DANUBE! ALLIES MOST ACT QUICKLY t ■ ■

GRAVE MISTRUST OF GREECE. , STARTLING MESSAGE FROM ROME. ALLIES MAY TAKE MILITARY ACTION. LONDON, December 3. A startling telegram from Rome reports great activity in the Italian Foreign Office. Baron Sonnino conferred with the Ambassadors of the Quadruple Entente, and agreed that military and diplomatic action must be taken against Greece. GREECE STILL WAVERING. AFRAID OF OFFENDING GERMANY. LONDON, December I. . Athens messages declare that there have been no fresh developments in diplomatic situation. The Government is still hoping for a reduction of the Entente’s demands which will render possible an understanding to which the Central Powers would not object. The Echo do Paris, however, announces that owing to doubts as to the Greek action the Allies have reestablished restrictions on Greek commerce, which wore rescinded as a mark, rather prematurely, of confidence.

GREEK PRACTICAL SYMPATHY. GERMAN VANDALISM. (Reed. 8 a.m.) LONDON, December 5. The Greek community in London, in order to express their pro-Entente sympathies are equipping Ambulances for the Brtiish in the Balkans. Six thousand sterling has been subscribed. Bronze statues in the Caplecbin church, at Monsbruck are to he used for cannon, including the fine statue of the English King Arthur. BVitish farmers have sent to ruined French farmers two thousand head of poultry.

A WAR CONFERENCE. CAUTION TO INSURANCE COM- . PANIES. RIFLE TRADER IMPPRISONED. LONDON, December 5. The Press Bureau states that Mr. Asquith, Kitchener. Balfour, with the military and naval advisers, held conference with M. B'inand, Gallieni and Lacazi at Calais to-day and returned to England in the evening. The Admiralty has cautioned Insurance Companies about communicating particulars of risks in connection with Government work to companies and persons other than British when effecting reinsurance. Offenders are liable to prosecution. They will also be procountries outside the Empire, whether to Branch establishments of registered British companies or otherwise. Priestly, a commission agent, was sentenced to four months for attempting to trade war material without a permit. Letters intercepted indicated that prisoner rvas attempting to push the sale of one or two millions of Mauser rifles. Other documents related to five thousand tons of picric acid. The million mausers included plans of mines, bombs, aeroplanes and airships, Justice Bodkin in prosecuting, said, on behalf of the War Office, German agents in Americ awere putting ■ -*'onle forward to contract to supply muniitons to the Allies knowing they were unable to supply the goods, the of such scheme could not ' exaggerated.

ITALY AND THE WAR. CONVINCED OF FINAL VICTORY. GOVERNMENT POLICY APPROVED. BL 405 TO 48. • (Reed. 8 a.m.) ROME, December ?. The Chamber debated Somilno’s statement,M. Salandra replying to the chief points raised. He rejoiced that discussions were sober and dignified and worthy of the important issues involved. He agreed wtih those who upheld Parliamentary institutions, but the reassembling of the chamber at the present moment must not be considered a victory against dangers and' imaginary enemies. Scnnino’s statement on the international situation was sufficiently clear, and it was contrary tothe country’s interest to give further details of military, political and diplomatic steps to be taken. He did not hesitate to say that if a case arose

for need to follow England’s action, they suppress an indiscreet press. The Government was fully aware of the gravity of the international situations, which must be answered with the effort and unity necessary to safeguard it. His confidence in final victory was unshaken, always provided no energy, material, and moral was lacking in giving the most active assistance which was necessary to achieve it. All classes of Italians are much more firmly convinced of the necessity and justice of the war than they were last May. The Chamber by 405 to 48 approved the Government’s policy. M. Stampa declares that an “Italian expedition will soon land in Albania. The first contingent will be engineers, who will improve the roads and establish connections.”

GERMAN ATTACK IN FRANCE. MASSED FORMATIONS WIPED OUT. MACHINE GUN SUPERIORITY. PASSED TO THE FRENCH. (Reed. 8 a.m.) PARTS, December 5. A correspondent writing from Chamoagne, states that a large number of Germans from the Russian front are concentrating at Saint Quentin, Laon, Mezieres and 'elsewhere. This has led to the general belief that a renewal of the German offensive was impending but, apparently, Von Einem’s attack between Laponelle and Proshes has persuaded the enemy that the French lines are too strong. Von Einem is holding a position of extraordinary strength in trenches cut in the chalky rock, always threatening a sudden descent on the camp at Chalones. In the last big fight Von Einem launched two divisions on our centre, the attack being on la Marquise farm, upon Rheims and the Suippes road. They were precceded by gas waves of exceptional volume, attacking the eyes, even through the masks. After gas came a flaming liquid, but this was ineffective. French sharpshooters picked off sprayers, whose machines often sprayed the oncoming Germans. The enemy charged at an ambling trot, it being a curious contrast to the elan of the French bayonet charges. French machine guns soon reduced the massed formation into disorderly groups, which were finally wiped out. Recent fighting proved that the superiority in machine guns had passed to the French whose gunners have dedevelopecl all the German expert science.

EARL DERBY’S NEW APPEAL. SHALL KNOW IN A WEEK WHICH COMES FIRST. PATRIOTISM OF SELF-INTEREST. LONDON, December 5. Earl Derby’s fresh recruiting appeal states: "We shall know by December II \vhother the men between 19 and 40 are prepared to give to the Army the force required. Impartial tribunals will give due weight to the ■arguments of recruits having difficulties or who are regarded as indispensable.” He appeals to military eligibles to put the country’s interests before their own, and to show the world—allies, neutrals, and enemies alike — that there are hundreds of thousands of citizens in Britain ready to fight for her. RUSSIANS CONFIDLITP. COULD BREAK ENEMY LINE. BUT PRESENT NOT THE TIME. PETROGRAD, Dec. The Russian generals report that the quality of the enemy’s effectives is most inferior, and the maintenance of their position is solely due to technical superiority. The generals have no doubt that the Russians could break the German line, subject to favourable weather conditions, but they add the opinion that the present Is

ROUMANiA COMMANDEERS STEAMERS. | IN ROUMANIAN WATERS. f FOREIGN OWNED OR NOT. ' BUCHAREST. Dec. 5. Official: The military authorities, from Monday, are commandeering ail steamers and other craft in Roumanian waters belonging to foreigners. M. Bratiano, in the Senate, refused any explanation of the Governmnt’s policy.

BULGARS PREPARING FOR RUSSIANS. CONCENTRATING 40,000 TROOPS. GENEVA. Dec. 4. The Neuse Wisener journal says that, anticipating a Russian attack, the Bulgarians have concentrated 40,000 troops on the Danube. Much matrial is arriving at Rustchuk. BULGARIANS CROSS HUNGARY. WHITHER BOUND? PARIS, December 4. Tiie Matin's Bucharest correspondent states that three Bulgarian divi sions have crossed Hungary either for the Italian front or the British western front.

THE VARDAR FRONT. UNSATISFACTORY AND INSECURE. LEFT BANK OF CEENA ABANDONED. HAMPERED BY INTENSE GOLD. LONDON, Nov. .3. Correspondents state that the position of the Allies in the Yardar sec tion is presenting difficulties. Mr. Stevens, the war correspondent, says that the field operation are little changed, but are certainly not satisfactory. The intense cold has necessitated. the troops being withdrawn from certain advanced positions, and a slight concentration in the rear taking place. The Allies’ present effort does not promise good results. Some other factor is required to render progress possible, and to bring security. The Paris Journal’s Salonika correspondent f says that the general Serbian retreat has modified the situation. . We have no longer any reason to maintain an extremely adventurous position. Northward of Demirkau eight feet of snow is hinderng operations. We have abandoned the loft bank of the Cerua and removed southward the supplies and munitions which were concentrated at Krivolak when the march on Yeles or Brilop was intended.

GERMAN VERSION OF GREEK OFFER. COPENHAGEN. Dec. L The Berliner Tagleblatt says that Greece agreed to give the Allies Au free use of the railways in Greece ana Macedonia, also Aegean harbours, including Kavala. The paper adds that Austro-Germany offered Greece Aegean Islands and Southern Albania if she remain strictly neutral.

aviators destroy submarine. both MEjN DECORATED. (Reed. 8 a.m.) PARIS, December 5. British sub-lieutenant Viney and French Lieut. Desincay describe the destruction of the submarine cabled on the 29th November. Cruising at a height of ten thousand feet they sighted two submarines five miles from the coast. The sea was shallow and they were unable to dive. One hurried off on a zigzagged flight, and the aviators descended to a height of 650 feet and attacked the other which less readily answered her helm. They dropped the first bomb effectually and damaged the deck. The second bomb broke her in halves and she sank in an ever widening sheet of oil; the water told all they wanted to know. Viney gets the Victoria Cross and Desincay the Legion of Honour.'

i GREEK DUPLICITY. I ENEMY COMMENCES ENVELOPING MOVEMENT. OUR POSITIONS GRAVELY ENDANGERED. VIGOROUS ACTION COUNSELLED. (Rec. 10.25 a.ra.) PARIS, Dec. 5. The Journal’s Salonika correspondent states that despite reliable reports of disaffection at Sofia, it would be unwise if the Allies founded any hopes thereon. We are becoming exposed to danger, stuck fast in trench war, the issue whereof it is impossible to foresee unless the Russians have already penetrated Bulgaria. The Greek press is daily more bitter, and is already circulating lying reports. Two hundred thousand Germans have arrived on the Greek frontier. Events must soon come to a head. The Allies should profit by their liberty of movement while there is yet time. Already Bulgarian concentrations of a disturbing character are at Okchilai. The Echo de Paris says it is incontestable that the Germans marching in Bulgaria have sent munitions anC supplies ahead. We may expect important German and Bulgarian forces to soon begin an enveloping movement against the Ccrna and Strumnitza front. The enemy, with Greek complicity will not hesitate to use Greek territory east of the Allied positions in order to cut the Salonika railway. The time for prudence with Greece has gone; we must act vigorously if we are going to preserve for our troops liberty of movemnt.

HUNGER DEMONSTRATION. OF WORKERS IN BERLIN. FIRED ON BY SOLDIERS. 200 KILLED, HUNDREDS WOUNDED. NEW YORK, December 5. A Berne message states that a demonstration was held in Berlin of workers in consequence of the scarcity of food. It was broken up by the military Soldiers fired on the crowd; it is estimated that 200 were killed and hundreds wounded. THE FATE OF SERVIA. ' ACCORDING TO BULGARIA. (Reed. 8 a.m.) NEW YORK, December 5. A Berlin messages states that Radoslavoff interviewed by the Berliner Tageblatt says that the Bulgarian Government intends to annex the regions carrying Bulgarian population. AustroHungary would take measures to ensure freedom from Servian intrigue. The fate of the rest of Servia * not foretold. Developments he adds, have not impaired the relations existing between Greece and Bulgaria. WHAT IS J OFF RE DOING? WHO IS HIS SUCCESSOR? PARIS, December 5. Though the Journal states that the Government does not intend to appoint a successor to Joffre, to take direct command at, the front, several newspapers assert that a succsesor has already been chosen, who will act in close collaboration with Joffre. In some quarters Castlenau is mentioned.