FORD CAUGHT RED-HANDED

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 348, 31 December 1915, Page 5

FORD CAUGHT RED-HANDED

■ BALKAN SITUATION. JERMAJN GENERALS TO CONFER. ROME, December 29. The Milan newspaper “Secolo” says ;h'at General von Hindenburg is exacted in the Balkans to confer with Jenerals von Mackensen and Falkenlayu. THE SALONIKA FRONT. i ' ENEMY ENTRENCHING. . FEARING ALLIED ATTACK. ATHENS, December 29. Aviators report that the Germans ind Bulgars are entrenching, apparently fearing an Entente attack. They cannot themselves invade Greek Macedonia until their unmbers are greater. : AUSTRO-GERMANS IN SOFIA. RUSSIANS.MINE BULGAR PORTS. _ * TO ..ENEOVIY SHIPS. t. ROME, December 29.

THE PRENETZ BATTLE,

TIAL VICTORY,

The garrison at Sofia consists of three Austrian regiments and one Ger-

n regiment.

The Russian fleet, has mined the entrance to the Bulgarians Black Sea ports in order to immobilise the Bulgarian and German warships in them.

BULGARS ADVANCING INTO ALBANIA.

PARIS, December 30

“Te Temps” learnsi that the Bulgarians are advancing in two divisions, the first from Ochrida, passed through El Basso northwards and towards iDurazzo, and the second, from Dibra, followed the Mati Valley in the direction of Alessio.

IMPORTANT STATEMENT BY SWISS PAPER. ROUMANIA SYMPATHISES WITH THE ENTENTE. ■ ■■■ - BERNE, December 29. The “Peater Lloyd” states that the Russian rmssibn to Roumani4 was fully successful. Roumania will either side openly with thb Entente or will merely allow Russian troops to cross Roumania. '' :

GREECE FAVOURS THE ENTENTE

DOUBTS ALLIES’ SINCERITY AND

DETERMINATION

LONDON, December 30,

The . “Daiy Mail’s” Athens correspnodent says the pro-German element is weakening. Most of the Greeks would change their faith to-morrow if they were convinced of our determination to, safeguard the interest of our friendsiand turn to vital account the (Entente’s superiority in men, munitions, and money. An immediate revulsion of feeling would follow any clear evidence that we had ceased coquetting with Bulgaria. There is a deep-rooted opinion that, despite the incalculable assistance Bulgaria has rendered Germany, we are still ready to s fcJpport her aspirations at thi. expense of Greece and Serbia. • .%• /

HUNVfrAT TRADE CRISIS

BERNE, December 29

The “Zurich Gazette” states that the Austrc-German Governments have confiscated' 8,000,000 rabbit skins for War supplies, causing a crisis in the hat trade.

A NOTABLE RECRUIT,

SMUGGLING CONTRABAND RUBBER ' n ~ TWO AUSTRIAN DESTROYERS SUNK ■ v.i ,r —— » i BY AH ALLIED SQUADRON THE COMPULSION QUESTION ■ i - J'-a CABINET RESIGNATIONS FEARED ■U ... ■ t • ; '0 O' ' ■ - ‘ : Vfi, . ■. ROUWIANSA AND GREECE THE ENTENTE ARMS

LONDON, December 30,

AUSTRIANS EJECTED FROM MONTENEGRO.

ROME, December 29

LONDON, December 30

tHE KAISER’S CONDITION

A REPORT FROM BERLIN.

AMSTERDAM, December 30.

MELBOURNE, December 30.

A BULGARIAN BOAST. SOFIA, December 30. M. Radoslavoff, the Bulgarian Prime Minister, addressing the Ministerial partly, said: “Ail territory whereon our brave soldiers are fighting shall be Bulgarian for ever.” A GERMAN COMMUNIQUE. AMSTERDAM, December 30. A German communique states: Two French night attacks partly penetrated - our positions at Hartmannsweillerkopf.

Strong Russian detachments attacked north-eastward of Tukkum, but failed.

MONTENEGRINS CLAIM SUBSTAjN-

A Montenegrin official communication states; Our success at Le P*netz on the twenty-third instant, was greater than was supposed. We found five hundred dead Austrians on our right wing. The total enemy losses were =2OOO. v_" ■

Official reports from Cettinje state that Montenegrin army reinforced tyy a Servian corps, has resumed the offensive at all points, particularly in the Sanjak district. The Austrians have been ejected from Montenegro, also from Sanja, where the Montenegrins havjs re-captured, several Tillages. The Austrian casualties for a week were 10,000. INTERNAL TROUBLES IN BULGARIA. GERMAN INFLUENCE DECLINING. BULGARIAN SOLDIERS REFUSE TO FIGHT.

A delayed repprt/from Odessa states that fourteen Bulgar officers and for-ty-seven have been shot for refusing, to fight against the anti- >■ > t Slavs.

Many high, political personages in Bulgaria have been, arrested for agitating against the German alliance. The Turkish troops, in Bulgaria are about to be withdrawn to Turkey owing to the unfriendly attitude of the Bulgarian populace.—Times and Sydney 5 Sun Services.

A telegram from Berlin states that the Kaiser is suffering from a nonmalignant tumour. He is not confined to his bed, but is remaining indoors owing’to the unsettled weather. He receives his usual daily reports. ROME, December 29.

It is reported that the Kaiser is in bed, awaiting an operation to his throat.

Mr. Russell Clarke, a member of the Legislative Council, and a half-brother of Sir Rupert Clarke, has enlisted.

ENEMY LOSE 2,000,

(Rec. 9.15 a.m)

C trypa

TURCO-GErtMAN PLANS

FOR IMMENSE OFFENSIVE. RUMANIANS ANTICIPATING. EXTENSIVE ALLIIED MOVE IN BALKANS. A SUBMARINE ESTIMATE, LONDON, December 29. The French war correspondent (M. Bourchier), in a message from Bucharest delayed since December 12, states that the are most actively preparing foman immense offensive at Gallipoli. Munitions arrivinghave inspired the Turks with the utmost confidence, and enormous effects .in the Moslem world are apparent. German officers are elaborating the details of the offensive, in which six 42c. guns and two batteries of Austrian 350 m. guns will be used. The German submarines in the Mediterranean are estimated to number 15.

The Germans, he says, are makinggreat efforts to improve Turkish relations. The Gceben’s band discourses twice daily in the new Turco-German gardens at Constantinople. A serious quarrel broke out owing to the indiscreet partiality cf German officers for the Turkish ladies, and a violent scene occurred between Enver Pasha and General Liman von Sanders. The officers were sternly admonished, and the naval men were confined to their ships after dark. He adds: “Had the Allies attacked von der Gcltz’s army in Thrace re'cently prior to the arrival of the munitions the story of Gallipoli would have been changed. It is believed in Bucharest that the Entente is preparing for an extensive offensive in the Balkans, and are awaiting the concentration of great forces, as they do not wish to risk detaching Rumania, which has been impressed by German frightfulness, by embarking on the enterprise with insufficient forces and unsettled plans. The severe weather prevailing is reinforcing opinion that a successful campaign during the winter in Macedonia is impracticable.” TURKS WANT MONEY. u LOOKING TO GERMANY. AMSTERDAM."' December 29. The Turkish Government proposes to borrow £120,000,000 sterling from Germany.

CAIRO, December 29.

A communique says: We had the effective support of the ships’ gunfire in driving back a Tripolitan force three thousand, strong on Christmas Day. The enemy left 2000 dead./ ALLEGED MILITARY THIEF. REMANDED AT BOW STREET. (Rei. 9.5 am.) LONDON, Dec. 30.

Robert Mills Simpson, wearing- the uniform of a lieutenant-colonel in the Canadian Army Medical Corps, wan remanded at Bow Street Police Court on a charge of stealing £20,000 sterling worth of the King’s property at Manitoba.

PAN - AMERICAN CONVENTION.

SUGGESTED BY MR. LANSING,

WASHINGTON, Dec. 30

Mr. Lansing has suggested officially that nations of the Pan-American Union should join in a convention for arbitration of all frontier disputes; also to agree upon prohibiting shipment of munitions to any revolutionaries. e TWO AUSTRIAN DESTROYERS SUNK.

BY ALLIED SQUADRON.

IN THE ADRIATIC

PARIS, Dec. 30

Official: An Allied, squadron mot and -pursued an -Austrian squadron from' Cattaro in the Adriatic, sinking two Austrian' torpedo-boat destroyers. AN AUSTRIAN COMMUNIQUE, A SELF-CONDEMNED ACCOUNT OF A RUSSIAN ATTACK. • LONDON, December 30. Vienna wireless messages state that repeated Russian attacks have been made on the Bessarabia front and on the Dneister north-east of Zaleszczyke sanguinarily repulsed. The enemy made special efforts between the path and wounded zone north of Toporautz. They made five infantry attacks in masses fifteen to sixteen rows deep, but broke down under, our artillery fire.

(Reed. 9.5 a.m.)

THE KING’S APPEAL

RUSSIA’S NEW ARMY.

A later Austrian communique states that the Russian attacks were renewed and again collapsed, and adds: We east of Barkanov; on the

REMARKS BY MR. BALFOUR. WHAT THE NAvy IS JXOfING.

FINAL VICTORY IS ASSURED,

(Reed. 9.5 a.m.) ‘ LONDON, December 30

Mr. Balfour, speaking at the Empire Theatre, isaid the grand fleet never had opportunity for action, but its silent triumph and functions were ensuring communications between the Allies bonded agianst the tyranny of the central powers. It was not engaged in deeds of romantic heroism like submarines in the Marmora and the Baltic, but it was performing the greatest and most important part in the drama now being played for the world’s freedom. The world has yet to know how much it owes to- the fleet, and yet to realise that victory, which is assuredly coming, will be due a s much to the unchallengedable efficiency of the fleet as to the undying valour of the Allied drops. He deplored the impossibility, even of the most modern form of photography, to record the great battles. What would they not,.give for permanent records of the great feats of the British in Flanders, and the marvels of heroism of the Australians and New Zealanders at Anzac? ANOTHER RUBBER SEIZURE. FORD’S ARK INVOLVED.

LONDON, December 30

Newspapers attribute the rubber seizure to Ford’s ark, but the Foreign Office only states -that, it was seized aboard the “Oscar the Second,” and included a parcel of mails.

LABOUR’S ATTITUDE,

Newspapers point out that this is the second important seizure of rubber sent to Sweden with a parcel of mails. It was recently known that Ford’s ark was carrying 6,500 tons of freight, but an assurance was given

that is included no munitions. There is a liner named “Oscar the Second” belonging to the Forenede Co.

FORD’S SHIP OF FOOLS

METHOD IN HIS MADNESS

LONDON, December 30

The Foreign Office announces that fifty-five bag s of rubber, weighing four thousand pounds, consigned to Sweden to a well-known enemy forwarding 'agent, was removed from Ford’s ship.' ' The remainder of the mails were handed to the post office for immediate transmission.

THE MENACE TO EGYPT. JAPAN TO USE THE CAPE ROUTE. TOKIO, December 30. The Japanese mail steamers are 'arranging to use the Cape route to Europe, instead of the Suez route, until further notice.

LONDON, December 30

The King, in a letter to Lord Derby, says that now that the work in connection with his appeal for recruits is over, His Majesty hopes that every man who is entitled to will wear an armlet a s a proof to his fellow-coun-trymen of his response to the call.

WIELD BE READY IN A FEW WEEKS. 1 '

COPENHAGEN, December 30,

Petrograd telegraphs that appearances indicate that Russia’s new army will be fully equipped in a few weeks’ time. INDIA’S HELP.

DELIH, December 29,

Speaking at Bombay, Sir H. P. Siriha, in his presidential address to the National Congress, said that the supreme feeling in the mind? of all the delegates was admiration of Britain’s self-imposed burden in the struggle for liberty. The pride cf India was net one whit behind the rest of the Empire in assisting the Motherland. He admitted that the time had not yet pome for self-government, but urged the British Government to declare ungrudgingly its approval of the goal to which India aspired.

The general secretary of the New Zealand Locomotive Engine Drivers’, Firemen and Cleaners’ Association has written a letter to the Minister cf Railways asking him to reduce the number of trains running on Christmas Day. The writer says, inter alia: “Many members of this union look upon this- day as being the most precious day of the year to them, and their families, and it is considered that you are to a large extent a party to this deprivation by running such a large number ci’ trains on this day. The Association asks that tire trains should be reduced on Christmas Day on. a nno w.Gi »3c*nuay so*.»

PLAUDED,

RESIGNATIONS INEVITABLE. GOVERNMENT WILL SURVIVE. DIVIDED OPINION ABOUT THE PLEDGE. ALTITUDE OF PRESS AND HOUSE. LONDON, December 29. The resignations of certain Cabinet Ministers is considered to be inevitable. Most newspapers regard the position complacently, and anticipate that the opposition will subside in the face of Mr. Asquith’s explanation next Tuesday on the peculiar needs of the situation. The general impression is that the entire Cabinet must accept responsibility for the pledge, though opinion is divided whether the pledge was necessary or wise, and neither a break-up of the Government nor an election is now feared. In the event of Mr. McKenna, Mr. Runciman, Mr. Harcourt, and Sir John Simon resigning, it is considered that the National Government will survive with greatly diminished strength. Some papers consider it will not change the majority against compulsion in the House of Ccmmosn, and legitimate discussion about the details is expected. The position at the moment is that the Government has decided on compulsion, but is undecided about exemptions.

The Labour members’ position is being keenly watched.

The Cabinet decision came as an unpleasant shock, but in view of the latest estimate that possibly 750,000 unmarried men failed to attest, it is anticipated that many Labourites who were formerly violent anti-conscrip-tionistg' will now hold modified views and will be prepared to sanction the course, realising that the Government has no other course.

A Labour conference is expected to sit in the next few days, when Mr. Henderson will explain the information which is influencing tlabinet. The result of the conference will probably disclose a growing opinion in favour of temporary compulsion. Mr. C. W. Bowerman (Labour member for Deptford) comments that as 2,000,000 men have volunteered, it is an insult and 'an outrage to the country to talk of conscription. The Merthyr election was regarded as a significant pointer of Labour’s changed attitude in viewing conscription as bad, but defeat 'as worse. It has been discovered that in the districts in which the men held back there was abundance of work at high wages. A CONSCRIPTION CONFERENCE.. CABINET’S DECISION AP-

A UNITED LABOUR MEETING

LONDON. Dec. 30

The French and Italian newsnape"° applaud the Cabinet’s decision on the recruiting- problem.

Interest in Britain is cdncentating in the action Labour is likely to take in the matter. The conference meets to-day representing the Labour Party, the Trade Union Congress, and the Trade Union Federation. The Cabinet meeting arranged for to-day has been postponed till Friday. It is suggested that this was done to enable Cabinet to- consider Labour’s attitude. The Daily News recalls Labour’s anti-conscription resolutions, and adds that the situation has changed. It trusts the Labour Conference will not be influenced by the sharp practices of the compulsionists, if it is found that the facts justify the Cabinet’s decision. The Daily Mail hopes , the Labour leaders will remember their own manifesto in the newspapers on the 7th October. The gravest responsibility attaches to anyone stirring up. strife after the Cabinet’s decision.

RESIGNATIONS' EXPECTED

LONDON, Dec. 30

AUSTRALIAN OPINION,

CONSCRIPTION

PRESS OPINIONS,

It transpires that the Conference will be larger than was expected, and it will include Mr. Henderson, Lord Kitchener, Mr. Balfour, whose prediction regarding the voluntary system was well-known. Other questions of public discussion are the possibility of Cabinet resignations and tire votin'-, strength of the Opposition in the Commons. It is understood that Mr. McKenna bases his opposition partly on personal doubt as to the size of the army Britain requires to win the war. and partly on account of the financial committments. Mr. Eunciman regards the volume of trade an indispensable factor to the war equipment. Messrs. McKenna’s and Eunciman's supporters generally anticipate their resignations, but Mr. Asquith has a wonderful knack of keeping his flock together.

NOT NECESSARY.

SYDNEY, Dec. 30

Senator Gardiner said: “1 cannot see any necessity for the talk about conscription in Australia. I believe the democracy would be wise to con : tinue the voluntary system, whatever calls are made, even if it means doubling the quotas already sent.”

MELBOURNE. Dec. 30,

Mr. Hughes, asked if the decision of the British Government would affect the Commonwealth replied that it certainly would not—why should it 1 They had appealed to men of fighting age, and were confident that their appeals would not fall upon deaf ears.

LONDON. Dec. 30

It is believed in some" quarters that actual conscription will be unnecessary, and that a compromise will probably vet suffice.

The Westminster Gazette hopes that the compulionists will not regard the Government’s decision as a triumph for their principles, but purely as an emergency war measure.

The Evening News says the traditional objections to compulsion have been swept aside by the revelations of the War and the Empire’s need at the moment, and that compulsion is neces-

sary for victory, | The Globe says that only fools and fanatics will question the justice of the decision, which will have the desirable effect, of making the Allies realise that England is at last making war in earnest. The Evening Standard believes that the decision will be- thoroughly popular with the country generally.

The Pall Mall Gazette says the method that would be most favoured would be to compel the unmarrieds' to attest under Lord Derby’s group scheme within a fixed period. Thus volunteer conscripts .would be placed in the same position.. The Manchester Guardian, in a leader summing up the position, says that a considerable body of radical opinion recognises that for the purposes of the present war Britain is no longer an island. We must meet the Continental armies with an army on a Continental scale. We admit that compulsion may be necessary under certain circumstances, but we are riot going to demand it or clamour, and are not going to be hustled into conscription. Lord Derby’s scheme has not yet been fully utilised or analysed.

The Daily Chronicle says that the situation has cased and the crisis may pass without resignations. Sir Edward Grey, who specially dreads an\ weakening in the solidarity .of the nation, is endeavouring to act as conciliator. Much depends upon Messrs. McKenna and Runcman, whose withdrawal would ba a grave matter, while their retention would facilitate the smooth passage of the Compulsion Bill. SYDNEY, December 30.

A Sydney Sun special cable from the Times states that the Government has decided to compel the enlisment of unmarried. Minor resignations from the Cabinet are threatened. .