POSITION IN MESOPOTAMIA

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 24, 29 January 1916, Page 5

POSITION IN MESOPOTAMIA

* DETAILS GF OPERATIONS BAD WEATHER STOPS ACTIVITIES . BULGARS AND GERMANS DISAGREE SPECTRE OF A BALKAN WAR ARMY PERVADED WITH MALCONTENT _ . % RECORD PARLIAMENTARY SESSION . TOBACCO IMPORTATION SENSATION f'

THE BULGARIAN ARMY. VADED WITH MALCONTENT. WEARY OF THE STRIFE. (Recdr 8.5 a.m.) MILAN, January 28. agririi says the defences .of Saloare extraordinarily strong. - xe Bulgarian army is pervaded concontent who are wearied of strife, and always see the specaf another war. DLGAR-GERMAN TROUBLES. 3 RIO US STATE OF AFFAIRS. (Rec. 1.25 a.m) * SALONIKA, January 27. er is serious trouble between the tans and Bulgarians. General tensen interviewed King Ferdiat Soda, requesting his urgent vention, also urging . him to push Albanian campaign, bringing up troops. It is expected the Ger- ’ will be a,gainst Albamd Mesopotamia, not against Saa or Egypt. IN MESOPOTAMIA. TAILS OP BRITISH POSITION. ■FATHER HAMPERING ' PROGRESS. ' , (Reed. 8.30 a.m.) te Morning Post in summing up situation in Mesopotamia says: r the fighting on the eighth the cs retreated eight miles, to a pon midway - between Shekhursad the right angle bend in the Tinear Elowasa, the position deled as Wadi, which is a dry river joining the Tigris on the left

sneral Aylmer advancing on both :s in a frontal attack on the fth, combined in an outflanking ement further north. The Turks ed during the night, five miles to rsition astride the river at the t right angle bend, whereof the hen flank was covered by marshy nds. The result of fighting on ay was indecisive and Aylmer forced^ io fall back 1300 yards, n this position there is little prosof progress until the weather imes 'and the country is drained, jral Townshend is evidently too ly beleaguered to co-operate with relieving column, lother British force is advancing g the Snattelhau which joins the is at Kut-el-amara. - Probably force occupies the Euphrates ey in order:, to prevent Turkish mce from Basra. rimer yesterday reported that e was no change in the situation. * THE ZEPPELIN PERIL. DEFENCE OF LONDON. IMPROVEMENTS EFFECTED. e High Commissioner reports: LONDON, Jan. 28. plying to a deputation of the on members to-day, Lord Kitchand Mr. Balfour stated that a fc development iu the’ defence of on against air ra*d£ had'been ofd The progress not confined to the increase and ■r organisation of anti-aircraft Levy, but they had found also lined arrangements for aeroplane de- ... . . ./ ~ v the purpose ofrunity and control Admiralty responsibility is in »gg of transference to the War

MONTENEGRO’S SURRENDER. GERMANS CONTEND WAS UNCONDITIONAL. RISING IN CETTINGE. - AND MARTIAL LAW. LONDON, January 27. A German wireless message publishes details of the alleged Montenegrin surrender, asserting that it was agreed upon unconditionally. It states that King Nicholas wrot eto the Emperor Franz Josef, asking for generous conditions for his unhappy country. When the Austrian troops were in the "environs of Cettinge a civic delegation formally surrendered the city, and also the archives in the public buildings. The wireless message admits that the populace ax'e rioting, . and that Austrian troops are suppressing the riots, and also that martial law has been proclaimed in Cettinge.

AUSTRIANS OCCUPY MONTENEGRO. 'CHECK AT TARABOSCH. ENABLES DEFENDERS TO ES- , CAPE. MONTENEGRINS FLEE TO ALBANIA. LONDON, Janauary 27. The Athens correspondent of the Italian paper Messagero states the whole of Montenegro is now occupied by the enemy. The Montenegrins’ resistance at Mt. Tarabosch helped tlm escape -- of the Serbo-Montenegrin forces which were concentrated in the Scutari' region. Sixty .thousand Montenegrins fled into Albania, AUSTRIA CLAIMS A CAPITULATION. AMSTERDAM, Janauary 27. An Austrian communique claims that the Montenegrin Plenipotentiary gave the signal of capitulation last Tuesday

KING NICHOLAS’ FAITH IN FRANCE. { (Eec. 1.35 a.m) | PARIS, January 2SA , King Nicholas, interviewed at LyI ons, expressed unbounded confidence in France to save Montenegro. EMPEROR FRANZ JOSEF. HAD TWO PARALYTIC STROKES. ROME, Jana nary 27. The Emperor Franz Josef has had two paralytic strokes, and his condiis critical. • RUSSIAN OFFICIAL REPORT. The High Commissioner reports: LONDON, Jan. 28. It is retorted from Petrograd that south-west of Lake Naroth a German detachment was routed, prisoners being taken. THE KAISER AND ATTILA. A FRENCHMAN’S DISTINCTION. (Reed. 8.5 a.m.) PARIS, January 28. M. Barthov, at Sorzonne, said the Kaiser 'invoked ’.the- God,, or whom he ; prcelaimg himself an Spo&tle. Aitila was •mlore-sincere, Ire called himseb i the scourge of god. ' History wiii cou ,jple obloguy with both their ahatnrecl and accursed names.

DODGING THE BLOCKADE'AMERICA TO GERMANY. VIA HOLLAND AND THE RHINE. LONDON, January 27. The Dutch-America steamship line is opening a service between Rotterdam and Germany, via the Rhine, in order to carry goods to Germany from America. IMPERIAL CONFERENCE. NO USEFUL PRESENT PURPOSE. STATEMENT BY BONAR LAW. LONDON, January 27. Mr. Bonar Law, speaking in the House of Commons, said he did not think that an Imperial conference could be usefully held at present, but added that a discussion would shortly occur Avith Mr. Hughes (Prime Minister of Australia). TARA SURVIVORS. SENUSSI HOLD 95. BEING WELD TREATED. LO|NDON, January 27. The Admiralty announces that 95 survivors of the steamship Tara, submarined in the Mediterranean in November, are in the hands of the, Senussi ,and are being well treated. Efforts are being made to send them clothing and comforts.

A BRAVE GIRL. WINS SAINT GEORGE’S . CROSSHOW SHE TRAPPED GERMANS. (Reed. 11.15 a.m.) PETROGRAD, January 28. A little girl ,aged seventeen,, has been 'awarded the Saint George’s Cress. Twenty Germans marched up to her fathers’ farm in Courland. The lieutenant threatened that she would be violated and the farm burnt unless she produced some wine. The girl recalled that there were two barrels of old liquor down in the cedar. Before she brought up seme of this wine she dropped in a powder made from bluebells, which, brings on The barrel was scon emptied and the Germans were rolling on the floor one after another. The girl filled a bowl and gave it to the sentries saying it was the Lieutenant’s order. Then returning she disarmed the Germans, hiding their weapons in the cellar, while her father roped the limbs of the insensible men. Finally the girl traversed the swamps, found a Siberian outpost and with a few pails of icey-cold water woke up the Germans who were horrified to find they were prisoners. Australian news. GERMAN AERIAL AND NAVAL FLEET. BIG THINGS PREDICTED. NEW YORK, Jan. 27.

Mr. McMillan, president of the American Aeronautic Society, in an interview, said that Krnpps were perfecting an S-ineh torpedo from airships. It will strike with an impact of fourteen tons, and will be able accurately to overcome the cross-currents in the air at a height of 15,0.00 feet. He predicted that the German fleet would soon come out a,nd give battle to the British Navy with new ‘l7-inch guns. He based his predictions on information received from a satisfactory source. The air torpedo had been successfully tried under practical conditions. An air raid could be looked for in two or three weeks, and on the result of the venture would depend the dash of the German fleet from Kiel harbour.

A GERMAN COMMUNIQUE. AMSTERDAM, Jana. 28. A German communique says: The enemy is bombarding our positions. Monitors bombarded Western! e ineffectually. The enemy subjected Lens to heavy tiro. There wore vigorous artillery duels in the Argonne. FRENCH RE-OCCUPY POSITIONS. The High Commissioner reports: LONDON, January 27. On the road to Nouvillc and La Folio the French have continued to reoecupy progressively the observation posts in cratoVs that the enemy had previously taken. They arc finding numerous Gorman corpses and have captured a machine-gun and some prisoners. ROUMANIAN GRAIN. BRITAIN’S? 310 PURCHASE. * LONDON, dan. 28. Lord Cecil, in reply to a question, said the Government had concluded contracts for the purchase of Roumanian grain, which would be held at the Government's disposal for expert after the War. (It was recently - reported ..that the Bfitish Government had purchased Roumanian wheat to the value if ton m^jiir.ns ste'rMns).

BRITISH PARLIAMENT. PROROGUED TO FEB. 15th. LONDON, January 28. Parliament had been prorogued to February 15th. THE KING’S SPEECH. FINE SENTIMENTS. LONDON, January 28. The King, in proroguing Parliament, said: My army and navy have been engaged ,in concert with our brave and steadfast Allies, in defending the comxhon liberties and the public law of Europe against the unprovoked encroachments of the enemy. I am sustained by the determination cf my people at Plome and Overseas to carry the flame to final and decisive victory in this struggle. It was forced upon us by those who hold in light esteem the liberties and covenants which we regard as sacred. We shall not lay down our arms until we have vindicated the cause which carries with it the future of civilisation. I rely with confidence on the loyal and united e:orts of all my subjects, who have never failed me. I pray that the Almighty God may give us His blessing.”

A RECORD SESSION. LARGEST IN MODERN TIMES. PRESENTED THREE BUDGETS. VOTED £1,562,000,000. COLOSSAL TOBACCO IMPORTATIONS. (Reed. 11.10' a.m.) LONDON, January 28. A record session of Parliament has ended, it being the longest in modern times, and included three budgets, ,passed credits amounting to £1,562,000,000, added three millions to the Army and closed with a sensation. Mr. Runciman’s announcement regarding tobacco wag a complete surprise. . It as estimated that there are 240,000,000 pounds of tobacco in bond, ■sufficient for two years, most of which has already been paid for. / The steppage-of imports will mean a less of revenue amounting to £24,000,000. Estimated in cubic tonnage all imported tobacco totals 160,000 tons annually, this is about cne-twelfth of the shipping taken. With Regard to paper wood-pulp stoppage,. this"'is expected as likely to necessitate the discontinuation of many minor periodicals, and other productions: fewer books, particularly the seven penny ' novels.

THE LABOUR CONFERENCE SUPPORTS THE GOVERNMENT. (Reed. 8.5 a.m.) ■ LONDON, -January 28. At the Labour Conference Mr. Henderson appealed to the Conference in this crisis not to incite men to take a course that might bring about the most lamentable defeat this counf try and its allies could ever experience. Mr. Roberts said they could not take the responsibility of refusing assistance to those charged with the country’s cause. If Mr. Asquith had repudiated his pledge to marrieds the conference would justly have denounced him. The conference while declaring against military service, rejected a motion* by 'a majority of 1000 ,to agitate for repeal if the bill becomes law. LABOUR EXECUTIVE’S ACTION APPROVED. ALLOWING LABORITES JOINING THE COALITION GOVERNMENT. Reed. 8,30 a.m.) . - j LONDON, January 28. The conference by 1,674,000 to 209,i 000 approved the Executive’s action in allowing labourites to enter the • Coalition Government. THE LABOUR PARTY AND THE WAR. • 4* (Ree. 1.25 a.m.) LONDON, Jana nary 28. At the Labour Conference, Mr. Thorne, during a stormy meeting, repudiated Mr Snowden’s allegation that the Parliamentary Labour Party bad become blind tools of the Government. Mr. Henderson intended to remain silent, but for the challenge by Mr. Bellamy that a. man connected with the party had either to obey its decision or get out. If that was the Conference’s decision it was a dangerous doctrine. Since December 15th to the end of last week, 113,987 single men enlisted If the rate continued for six weeks it will probably realise the hope that the Military Service Bill'will be rendered a dead letter. An amendment is being accepted in tin* Bill which ought to 'satisfy every impartial mind that'' the last' shred of fear of industrial compulsion will vanish, . ■ j

1 COMPULSION OPPOSED IN ANY ' FORM. LONDON, Jan. 27. The Labour Conference, by 1,79(5,00 votes to 219,000, adopted the Leicester Labour Party's resolution emphatically protesting against conscription in any ■ form as being contrary to the spirit of democracy and full of danger to the liberties of the people. GERMAN SOCIALISTS. THE LEADER DESPONDENT. NEW YORK, Jan. 28. The newspaper The Outlook interviewed Herr Liebnee-ht (leader of the German Socialists), who w T as despondent. He said: Now thdre are two Socialist parties in Germany. The split has come. I blame the censorship for the helplessness of the Socialists in resisting the outbreak of war. Americans cannot imagine the awful power lof the military. In an hour we were I cut off. Everyone became a separate I celil in the body politic, and every thinker a mental prisoner. It is a war of conquest. There are rich mines m France and Belgium. They will novel be relinquished. The Socialists with out the Press never understood the I situation. Herr Liebknecht admitted that tin.

Socialists had been cowardly, but said one must remember that they owned property worth millions sterling, including newspapers, theatres, and halK NO ARMED MERCHANTMEN CAN ENTER YANKEE PORTS. (Reed. 9.55 a.m.) WASHINGTON. January 28. The United States Government has notified all European Governments that merchantmen in future must not carry any armaments. If any guns are aboard, the merchantmen will be denied entrance to American ports. NEW ZEALANDERS. 1 MENTIONED IN DISPATCHES. (Reed. 9.30 g.m.) LONDON, January 28. General Sir lan Hamilton’s despatch mentions General Birdwood’s staff officers, General Godley, Colonels Walker, Sihyth, Sir Russel Chanbel, F. Hughes, Monash, Cunliffe, Owen Hcbbs,, An till, Major Fitzherbert, Captains Powles, J. Handerson, Farr, G. A. King, Thomas, B. Cook, W. E. Henderson, Rose, Lieuts. A. R. Rhodes, Hindely, Sergt-Major Warn, New Zealanders. MAORI CONTINGENT/

Lieuts. Stainton, Walker, Sergt.Major Vercoe, Sergt. Hall, Corpl. Paranihi. ARTILLERY. Lieut.-Colonel Symon, Major Falla, Captains Smythe, Richmond, Daniell; Lieuts. Newan, McPherson. Fitter. Clark. ENGINEERS. Sergt. Newman, Sapper Dignan. MOUNTED RIFLES. - Auckland; Major Chapman, Capt. Wcod, Lieuts. Haeata, Palmer, McGregor, Sergt. Allsopp, Tprs. Cbampney, Mason, Stevens, Rollepp, Armstrong. Canterbury: Majors Hutton, Hurst, Capt. Blain, Lieut. Taylor and Hayter, Sergts. Fleming, Greenwood, R. Harper, Rees, Corpl. G. Harper, Troopers Edwards, Boocock. Wellington: Lieut.-Colonel Meldrum., Majors Elmslie, Whyte, Hastings; Capts. Kelsall, Janson, Logan, Sergts. Ricketts, Wibber, Ronaldson, Corpl. Come, Tpr. Winter. Otago; Major Griogor, Capts. Hay, Henderson; Lieuts. Tivistleton, Strange; .Sergt.-Majors Graham, Maishall, Sergt. Campbell,, Corpl. Simon, Tpr. Topi. INFANTRY. Auckland Battalion; ' Lieut.-Colonel Young, Majors Dawson, Grant, Sergt. Spencer;. Corpl Watson; Private Davidson. Canterbury; Major W. Hughes; Capt. Stewart, Lieut. Conway; Corpls. Tavernier, Studley; Privates Findlay, A. Thomson.

Wellington: Lieut.-Colonel Malone, Majors Cunninghame, Cox; Capt. Harston; Lieuts. Preston, Turnbull; Privates Carbine, Mahoney, Broker. Otago: Major Statham; Lieuts, Bishop. Gabites, iWilson; Sergt.-Major Bcate; Sergt. Mitchell; Corpls. Timpany, Skinner. DIVISIONAL TRAIN. Capt. Acland. MEDICAL CORPS. Major O’Neill; Capts. McCormick, Short, Guthrie; Warrant Officer Moore; Corpl. Blggar; Privates Last, Greenwood, Keesing. Chaplains Grant, Doro, MacDonald, Green, THE WAR’S PROGRESS. BEFORE PARLIAMENT ' , ADJOURNS. LONDON). January 27. • Mr, Lloyd George stated in the House of Commons that Mr. Asquith woulq. be unaoie to make a statement i respecting the progress of the war jbefore the p* a:g:.tioxi of Parliament