"WILL STAY AT SALONIKA"

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 348, 18 December 1915, Page 5

"WILL STAY AT SALONIKA"

THE SECRET AGREEMENT. EXPORT TO NEUTRALS. DEBATE BY THE LORDS. Reed. 8.1 a.m.) LONDON, December 17. The Enemy Company's Bill passed ie Committee of the House of Lores, ord Lansdowne intimated that the GoJrnment would not participate in the seussion. believing that it die not go i far as the existing taw. He had 3en assured that Germany and Austria id not taken steps to prevent a Bri-s-h company being registered in those nmtries, or from carrying on business. Sir E. Strachey asked whether the •ading agreement permitted Denmark ) import food and other goods and to ;-export them to neutral or belligerent mntries. He urged the government to roduee the secret agreement.

Lord Portsmouth said suspicion mounting to indignation had been roused in the country because it was elieved something was being done to imperiftjth the effective force of our ;a power, j He -had seen the draft greement, Jjjjfhieh allowed Denmark to e-export a long list of gooods to Noray and Sweden. Agents in these counries probably were German ex-traders iterested in Germany. The agreement ave Denmark preferential treatment gainst America. Lord Devonport said the government, y a series of indulgences, had preventd the enemy from feeling the ful'l conequences of the blockade.

Lord Lansdowne said the Governaent still adhered to the view that it ras not desirable to reveal the agreenen which did not interfere with carryng out the waT to a successful eoneluion. The object of the agreement was o make the blockade work as efficienty and smoothly as possible. The Govirnment was prepared to enter into a jorresponding agreement with other aeutral countries. It would be unfortunate if the country should be confronted with the resentment and illwill of those neutrals. Speaking seriously, it was unusual to emphasise that the agreement was to our advantage in carrying on the war. It was similar to the agreement of Associations in Switzerland an A "Netherlands, and contained nothing^nehing our °r any belligerents rights Ho search or capture. The procedure was infinitely better than trying to limit export to neutrals to the extent of their normal consumption. Denmark was peculiarly exposed geographically to pressure from Germany, aud Danish traders were exposed to the temptation of vast profits. If tra l was importing excessively we were helpless if the ship's papers were in order, and there was no proof of enemy destination. Corruption, on every hand, was at work, and arrangement wuh Neutrals was therefore indispensable. The debate was adjourned.

EYES ON SALONIKA. NO EVACUATION UNTIL PEACE IS SIGNED. ALLIES WILL NOT RETIRE FURTHER. INHABITANTS OF CITY DEPART- -.=■ JF a - M A-LONDON, December 17. The "Daily Chronicle's" Salonika correspondent says there will not be a further retirement. We will not leave Salonika until peace is signed. Vessels are crowded with fleeing refugees; The British Consul advised civilians anS -women final children to leave tie city.

) MILL PEACE IS DECLARED m. 1 GREECE IN DIFFICULTY k iOST CRITICAL TIME AT THE DARDANELLES BOMBARDMENT BY BRITISH SHIPS )«- ——* GERMAN AND BULGARIAN GPS AND FORTRESS DESTROYED

200,000 MEN CROSS FRONTIER

ERIBE TO GREECE. OFFEBED BY BULGARIA. EMPTY TRENCHES CHARGED. ATHENS, December 16. Austrian prisoners have arrived in Albania from Neonasty. Bulgaria has promised to cede Doiran and Gevg-hili to Greece. The Bulgarians furiously bombarded and finally made a bayonet charge on the positions that the Allies abandoned after leaving dummy figures and dummy guns in the trenches. SERBIAN ARMIES.' FOUR IN ALBANIA.

LONDON, December 1(5

Three Serbian armies, totalling 150,000 men, are between Scutari, Durazzo, and EJ Basson. Another army of 50,000 is in southern Albania.

The Bulgarians have not crossed the Albanian frontier, and have even retired to a distace of soi»e kilometres from the boundary.

GERMANS CONCENTRATING. OX THE GKEEK FRONTIER. BULGARIAN CASUALTIES 120,000. LONDON, December 16. A message from Amsterdam states that the Germans are concentrating r» Ghevghili, on the GreeE frontier. It is estimated that the total Bulgarian casualties are .120,000. THE ALLIES' RETREAT. DESCRIBED BY FRENCH GENERAL. CLEVER TACTICS EMINENTLY SUCCESSFUL. LONDON, Dee. 17. A Miiian correspondent states that General Sarail, interviewed by Italian correspondents, said that the order to retreat was given on the 2nd inst. He had insufficient forces to advance, but he simulated preparations for an offensive towards Ishtib. He took possession of the bridgehead on the left of the Vardar River, and easily effected fie evacuation of Krivolak. The immense deposits of materials on the Kavadar sector required time for removal. The retreat from Demirkapu was effected with the loss of but 20 men and no material. The bridges at Vetcharna and Gradsko were blown up, and Demirkapu was evacuated on the ,Bth. The tunnel and railwaybridge were blown up, and the railway destroyed from Krivolak onwards. The English were attacked by enormously superior forces on the DoiranKosturino sector. There was grave danger of an envelopment, but this was 'fortunately prevented by the arrival of a new division from Salonika.

IN MACEDONIA. GENERAL TOWNSEND'S RETREAT. ENORMOUS TURKISH LOSSES. LONDON, Dec. 10. General Townsend reports from Kut-el-Mara that according to Arab reports the Turks lost 2000 on the evening of Sunday. Gene.ra.ll Townsend cannot confirm this, but Ttfs estimate of Turkish losses is fully 1000, Attacks have not been renewed since.

NEUTRAL ZONE ESTABLISHED. REPORT FROM SOFIA. BULGARS CLAIM CAPTURES. AMSTERDAM, December 16. A semi-official message from Sofia states that at the Bulgarians' instance a neutral zone has been established on the Greek frontier, the Bulgarians and the Greek troops mutually withdrawing two kilometres from the frontier line An official statement from Sofia relating to the operations of the 14th say.-,: "We reae-hed the Greek frontier after provisionally relinquishing the pursut: of the enemy. We captured 1,234 men, 14 guns, and (32 caissons." I GREECE'S CRITICAL HOUR. MUST MAKE GRAVE DECISIONS.. BULGARIA HOLDS THE KEY. LONDON. Dec. 17. An interviewer of King Constants e telegraphed from Athens on I Tuesday that the moment lias arrived when Greece must make grave decisions. Circumstances make it probable that the Central Powers will request similar facilities to march through Greece as were granted to the AliSes; but are t-he Austro-Ger-mans numerically sufficient? If insufficient, will they invite the Bulgarians to accompany them? Will the Bulgarians, anyhow, consent to remain behind ? The whole question turns on this. It is most doubtful whether Greece would sit still, seeing Bulgarians in territory lately won by Greeks' lifeblood. Even if the Government was contented, public opinion would probably prove unrestrainablc. The Government could be trusted to run no risks. Caution had been the aim of the policy of neutrality, but the Government consisted of Greeks. Every Greek was a patriot. Greece would abandon neutrality if events united the Sovereign, Government. and people.

DECLARATION BY BULGARIA

LONDON, Dec. 17

Mr. Martin Donohue, at Athens, .reports- that the Bulgarian Minister declared that the Bulgarians would respect Greek neutrality. Neither now nor in flip future would tlißjcross the frontier. Bulgaria is raising a new army estimated at 150,000. GREECE'S TRUE FRIEND. NO CALAIS AT SALONIKA. A VIENNESE CONTENTION. AMSTERDAM, Dee. 1«. The Neuve Frei Press \ of Vienna contends that the Central Powers cannot suffer the Entente to create n second Calais at Saloniki. The war, it says, must logically extend to Greek territory. If fiieeoe is to;') weak t> defend herself she will firtd her true friends to be the the Central Powers. GERMAN AIRMAN'S FEATS. CLAIMS SEVEN SCALPS. LDNDON, December lfi. A German communique states that Lieutenant Immelman downed his seventh British aeroplane at Vaie*»ciennes. AUSTRIA AND U.S.A. AMSTERDAM, Dee. 17. Viennese opinion believes that America must recall -her Ambassador, in view of the An con a reply. The press disapproves of the so-called insolence of the reply.

AUSTEIA'S NOTE UNSATISFACTORY. LONDON", December 17. The Daily Telegraph 's Washington correspondent says the Austrian Note is regarded as wholly unsatisfactory, disappointing, and unacceptable. NO RUPTURE EXPECTED. LONDON, December 17. The Daily Telegraph's Washington correspondent says that not one in a hundred believes that a rupture with Austria will occur on America's initiative. Austria-Hungary fully understands this. IN THE DARDANELLES. DESTRUCTION BY BRITISH SHIPS ENEMY FORTRESSES DESTROYED (Rec. 9.-45 a.m.) GENEVA. December IT. British ships in. the Dardanelles have destroyed three fortresses containing batteries of life German girn-? and four gur-s .supplied .by Bulgarians. Two munition depots were blown up at Sari Bahr,

CESSOR

NEW ATTACKS. PEEPAEED EY THE ENEMY. IN BELGIUM AND RUSSIA. SKODA BATTERIES FOR BELGIUM. LONDON, December 16. Prince Albrecht of Wurtemberg, in an order of the day to his officers, announces the arrival of the Kaiser, who must and will witness big tilings. Berne advices state that it is reported in Semlin that the Austro-Germuin have made great preparations for a io\\ offensive on the river Strypa, hoping 1,0 expel the Russians from GaLicia. Twenty batteries of 305 millimetre guns are leaving Skoda for Belgium for use against the British. A Petrograd message states that latest reports indicate that the Germ ins

are preparing a great battle in the Dvinsk region, bringing up a number of heavy guns. New rogimeirs are arriving daily.

SIR JOHN FRENCH RETIRES

FROM COMMAND IN FEANCI

SIR DOUGLAS HAIG HIS SUC

LONDON. Dec. lfl

; Replying to the question ' whether General Joffre's appointment as Generalissimo necessitated an important change in the higher British commands, Mr Asquith said that som* changes were being made, which wouio be announced in due course: but they were not connected with General Joffre's new function. Official.—At Sir John French's owr instance, General Sir Douglas Hav•has succeeded to the command in France and Flanders. The War Office states that, after 1(1 months of severe and incessant strain. General French, who most nobly commanded the British armies in France has relinquished the command, at his own instance. The Government, in furl appreciation and gratitude at .his conspicuous services, requested Sir Tolm to accept the appointment of Field Marsha] commanding the troops in the United Kingdom ('a position he occupied before the war), and Sir John, accepted. The King decided to confer the title of Viscount on Sir John French, after a long interview with Mr Asquith tonight. .• •

THE EASTERN" FRONT. OFFENSIVE IN THE SPRING.. 4,000,000,000 OF FRESH EROOPS. LONDON. Dee. 17. General Martinoviteh, of the Russian Headquarters Staff,- states that Russia, in the spring, will be m a position to reopen the offensive with four millions of fresh troop?. He is most sanguine that the Russians willi regain Poland and reinvade German territory. The Russian factories are incessantly working at munitions. LORD DERBY'S RECRUITING SCHEME. THE FIGURES NEXT TUESDAY.

LONDON, Dec. 16

In the House of Lords, Lord Derby said that Mr Asquith would announce the recruiting figures on Tuesday. He declined to say whether the result was satisfactory .until an analysis was made. Althouh the gross total was very ?urg'e, t&ere was still the question as to how far the single men had responded to the country's call.. Recruiting committees sought to create an election atmosphere. We were completely snowed under during the last week. The figures were great on Sunday, and nearly as great on Monday and Tuesday. There is overwhelming evidence that the country is absolutely determined. "I ask your Lordships to support me in sayino - thai it is impossible to calll up married men until the country is absolutely convinced that only a negligible quantity of single men are unaccounted for. • We must, ntiove all things, keep faith with the Premier's pledge

to the married men." FIGHTING IN r.IQNTENEGRO. UN BMY CLAIMS. LONDON, December PI. An enemy communique sta+es that flgljtJE" in Northern Mj-.fencip'.i i* proceoJlMß successfully an-1 'that the A.lll irar.s -'.ice advanced elo.;e to l'iie:;->lie. GENEROUS .AMERICA. HELP FOR SERBIANS. (Eecd. 0.45 a.m.) BOMB "Deceoibe r 17. 1 teleiii«ia front Americainstructed the Ambassador in Rome to charter all steamer** >•>'liable and to send assistance to foodless womca.kna children la n«d +o bring them to Italy at America's expense.

A SENSATIONAL LIBEL. BRITISH PREMIER'S WIFE. SUES THE GLOBE. MOST SERIOUS ACCUSATIONS. (Reed. 9.45 a.m.) LONDON, December 17. A sensational Kbel suit is now before Justice Pearson in the Chancery Division. Mrs Asquith has sought to restrain the "Globe" from publishing libels, acussing her with lack of loyalty, associating with a German prisoner at Donnington Hall, describing her as a traitor, and a disgrace to her sex. Much public interest is centred on Mrs. Asquith and her daughter at the present time.

Mr. Duke plaintiff's counsel, stated that systematic malevolent libels w only suspended after the issue of writ. Persecution began in the spring in certain newspapers which had publicly apologised and, on plaintiff's insistence, agreed to pay £IOO to the Reel Cross Fund. Those disseminating lib* through the "Globe" sent plaintiff at St. Elves anonymous letters. Imputations were made upon her in society The matter had now come to a !"- in a form wherein the Globe could be brought to account for the libels which were as gross as were ever made against an English woman. They \yp.rr calculated to shake public confidence in the Administration.

Mr. Kelson ,counsel for the "Globe' contended that the jury must decide whether the imputations referred to plaintiff. Mr Duke said the libels mentioned the wife of a Cabinet Minister. He had over-whelming evidence that plaintiff was designated. Moreover, there was a confession of one of the parties, making that quite clear. The case war adjourned til Tuesday, the defendant undertaking not to publish further articles. ON THE WEST FRONT. GERMAN DEPOT BLOWN UP. ARTILLERY FIRE SMOTHERED. PARIS, December 16. An official communique says that trench guns blew up an ammunition depot near Quenevieres. A feature of the other fronts was the way in which our batteries smothered the Germans' artillery fire. GERMAN PRISONERS. IN BRITISH CAJMP3. HOW THEY ARE TREATED. WAEM AND WELL FED. NOT COMPELLED TO WORK.

LONDON December Pi

An Australian Press Associatim correspondent accompanied by American, Dutch and Scandinavian journalists, made an inspection oc the prisoners' camp at Dorchester Barracks. Khaki figures, perched on scaffoldings, sheltering sentry boxes from the drizzling rain and networks of barbed wire, were the only signs of imprisonment. Sonu> of these 3408 men had been in England for a year, others were captured at Loos. They are quartered in long dormitories, some holding a hundred, and the smaller accommodating six or eight. The huts, each holding thirty. \rft Seated by stoves and coal fires. Four blankets are "provided for each man, and a liberal diet is served, including ho If a pound of fresh beef daily. The men are not compelled to work, and volunteers for-necessary work *re paid. Except for parades at ten in the morning and four in the afternoon, for counting, the prisoners are not under any restraint. VISCOUNT FRENCH. " PRESS TRIBUTES. LONDON, December 17... The "Times," in a leader, says that whatever Viscount French may do hereafter, he has already earned the lasting gratitude of the nation. His distinction is that he made no conspicuous mistakes. The "Daily Mail" says Viscount French is not responsible for the deadlock on the West front. He was handicapped by inadequate equipment. The Daily Telegraph says that .ir John French's conduct of the war has been wholly admirable. He kept the reins in his own hands with masterlv vigour. General Hfllg « a liant soMier. The great staff officers now have splendid scope for their ability. The Daily Chronicle says Sir John French's special genius was probably seen to best advantage m the 1914 campaign. He »« essentially o fighting man. To be in command of a. relatively small army wherewith he is in close touch is more congenial to him than the direction of a million men. He retires with his country's respect and gratitude.

THE ANCCIvA AFFAIR

AUSTRIA'S REPLY TO AMERICA

(Reed. 9.10 a.m.)

VMSTERDAM. December 16

The Austrian reply to the Ancona Note views the sharpness of America's censure, and the firmness of the demands as what might have been expected. Americans clearly give the circumstances whereon they' rely, and the

names of persons to whom they attribute a higher degree of trust-wortti*-ness than the commander of the Imperial and royal navy. Moreover America's representation of circumstanced are open to doubt they do not give names and details of Americans who are believed to have been lost, but as America positively declares that United States subjects came to grief, in the above-mentioned incident, AustroHungary is prepared to exchange opinions, but Austria cannot understand why America does not give reasons for the demands, and the place thereof. They mention correspondence which. they had with another Government about another affair but Austria has no knowledge of suoli correspondence. In any case the two affairs are different. America has thought it necessary to point out Germny's attitude in the affair above mentioned, but Austria finds no support for this hint in the highly esteemed note, and if America contends that a precedent is established thereby Austria declares she must preserve her liberty to place -her own. legal interpretation on matters during the Ancona discussion. The Government fully sympathises with the victims.