BRITISH PARLIAMENT OPENED

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 39, 16 February 1916, Page 5

BRITISH PARLIAMENT OPENED

The British Government has approved a scheme hy which i whole air defences will be placed in the hands of Geneial ench. A great central depot is to be established at "V\ hitehall, deh will have telephonic communication with all coastal starts Anti-aircraft depots are to be largely strengthened. By documentary proof just received by the American Senate reign Committee it is perfectly clear that Germany intended killr the Monro doctrine at the first possible opportunity. It is oved that before the war Germany tried to acquire rights to ild an inter-oceanic canal, with naval bases at Nicaragua and lumbia It will be remembered that a Nicaraguan Canal was proposal that commanded a good deal of thought and cousideran Nicaragua on the West Coast almost stands between the 3an and a huge lake of the same name, which is. further counted with the Caribbean Sea, on the east, by the river San Juau. my engineers considered this canal would be more easily connoted that the Panama, and evidently Germany thought it ght play a part in her world dominion scheme. “News comes through Rome and Athens that the enemy is conitrating in huge numbers in Macedonia, presumably for an at;k on the Allies at Salonika. One correspondent states the •ce includes, at least, three of the best divisions of' Bulgarian tops, who are wearing German uniforms, with which they were ;ed out at Sofia. . ~ The chief topic in Paris' is the extraordinary German activity mg the whole western line. So rapid and persistent has it been it the,Allied troops have begu i to regard it as the forerunner an aifwmpt at a smash through, and they are girding their ns in readiness for the, struggle.. It is believed these attacks various points, from Alsace to Belgium, mean something more m the usual sparring for positions, in fact, it is thought the jmy is, testing for a weak spot as the preliminary to an offensive great force. Seeming efforts are being made by Germany to make ; Allies believe the attack is to be in the Champagne, but the itre of the French line is deemed to be the more likely place; in probability both views are designedly misleading. British sec's have been heavily mined, and this has been follow ed bj ivy cannonading and by infantry attacks, but all enemy atapts have so far been repulsed excepting positions that w'ere ;irely destroyed. Violent artillery duels are still continuing and is probable Germany may make a determined rush if a weak ice is found at any point. GENERAL FRENCH TO CONTROL AIRCRAFT. GREAT CENTRAL DEPOT AT WHITEHALL. AIRCRAFT DEFENCES TO BE STRENGTHENED. . , ; • ijii-' ; ‘ (Reed. 8.5 a.m.) LONDON, February 15, The Daily Mail states that the Government has approved the scheme placing the whole air defences in General French’s hands, except the niralty’s sea planes. General French will create a great central depot Whitehall, which will be telephonically connected with coastal stations, has issued warnings to the country; he also will strengthen lair-craft ots. / k (Times and Sydney Sun Cables).

w . LONDON, February 15. The organisation of anti-air raid s i s absorbing the authorities. Lord nch has taken over the supreme command oir land and air defences, Admiralty controlling naval and coastal defences. Lord French is considering a scheme for ;the suspension of [telenes and road traffic in certain districts, and an elaborate system of posts, warning aerodromes of the approach of Zeppelins ann aircraft. It is believed the creation of an Air Ministry is assured.

WAS WAR FORCED ON GERMANY?

ORE DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE OF PREPARATION,-

WANTED AN INTER-OCEANIC CANAL

AN UNDOUBTED MENACE TO AMERICA.

(Reed. 8.5 a.m.)

WASHINGTON, February 15. The Senate's Foreign Committee has received documentary proof that many, before the war, tried to acquire the righta to build an intermic canal with nav'al bases at Columbia and Nicaragua, and a foot- . in Haiti, with a naval base on the Mole of Saint Nicolas.

THREATENINGS AROUND SALONIKA.

FORCES CONCENTRATING

BULGARIANS DRESSED IN GERMAN UNIFORMS.

(Reed. 8.5 a.m.)

, . ROME, February 15. The Giornale d -Italia correspondent at Athens states that 200;000 Ger--3 are concentrating between Chevgeli, Doiran and Sfcfumnitza. The Port's Athens correspondent gays the forces at Doiran include at ; three of the best Bulgarian divisions, who are weariDg German nnl3, which were recently donned a-t Sofia.

GREAT GERMAN OFF

NSIV.B EXPECTED.

RAPID ENEMY ATTACKS ON WESTERN LINE.

ALLIES GIRDING UP FOR THE CONFLICT

GERMAN EFFORTS TO CONCEAL INTENTIONS

PARIS, February 15

The rapid increase of activity on the western line is the principal topic. The men throughout the line are girding their loins for a struggle. Questions are being asked: Are the Germans trying to find a weak spot, or are the various 'attacks preliminaries to a larger offensive and intended to conceal its direction?

The Crown Prince's presence in Alsace encourages rumours of an offensive there, but the "Temps" military correspondent believes the great attack must necessarily be directed against the centre of the French line.

FRENCH REPORTS OF VARIOUS ACTIONS

A WHOLE GERMAN COMPANY DECIMATED

ALSACE BATTLE OF GIVE AND TAKE

A Paris communique says, South of Frise on Sunday evening we occupied portions of German trenches, repulsed a counter-attack, and de-

cimated a German company.

During the enemy's attack on Sunday, east of the Tahure-Sommepy road, we exploded three mines unde.- the advanced sections, where the enemy pushed the attack 'as far as oar supporting trenches, where they completely failed; but notwithstandi ig serious losses occasioned by explosions and artillery fire the enemy maintained himself in these advanced sections.

In upper Alsace, 'after a violent bombardment, the enemy gained two hundred metres of trenches, but our counter-attack restored most of the ground. Artillery actions in thi s district are very violent.

ENEMY EXPLODES SEVEN MINES AT LA BASSEE

GERMANS DRIVEN FROM OCCUPIED TRENCHES

INTENSE BOMBARDMENT OF ADVANCED POSITIONS

Sir Douglas Haig repors: The enemy exploded seven mines, south of La "Bassee canal.

A heavy enemy bombardment south of Fosse was preceded by mine explosions, and followed by a small infantry attack. A few Germans entered the front trenches, but were driven out.

PARIS, February 15.

A communique says: We blew u? an ammunition depot northward of Bcesinghe. Our curtain of fire stopped the enemy's attempt to debouch on-the Terny road and the right bank of the Aisne.

The enemy eastward of Seppois carried out 'an intense bombardment on our advanced trenches, elements of which we re-took and evacuated because they were entirely wrecked. Our curtain of fire caught enemy reinforcements advancing from the direction of Niederlarg.

UNITED STATES TREATY WITH NICARAGUA

GERMANY

MAKES A HTGH BID

THE NICARAGUA CANAL QUESTION DEFERRED

WASHINGTON, February 14

During a debate in the Senate on the Nicaraguan treaty, it was announced that Germany had offered a larger sum than the United States to secure an option over the Nicaraguan canal /.one.. The United States, however, induced Nicaragua to wait.

BRITAIN'S ASTOUNDING STRENGTH

ONE AND A HALF MILLIONS IN FRANCE

THREE MILLIONS READY TO GO

ANOTHER MILLION ALREADY DRILLING

(Reed. 10.40 a.m.)

NE,W YORK, February 15.

Edmond Bristol, member of the Canadian Parliament, returning from a visit to England, told an interviewer there were one and a-half million Britishers in France, three millions ready in Britain, and another million drilling. General Watson told Bristol that Lord French, before returning to England from the western front, said to him, "Cheer up, General, you will be sailing some time shortly."

OUR NUMBERS NOW EXCEED GERMANS

A VAST ALDERSHOT ON FLEMISH PLAINS

WHERE TRAINING CAN BE COMPLETED.

LONDON, February 15

Reuter's correspondent at British headquarters states a year ago drafts from Home were nearly always sent promptly to the trenches because the enemy outnumbered us everywhere. Now we substantially outweight them and still new drafts will come. We are able to complete training within the sounds of war. A level stretches in Flanders for miles behind the lines, and this has been transformed into a vast Aldersh(ot, where artillery exercises and manoeuvres are carried out tirelessly. The front line, supports and reserves are the only portions of our field armies remaining. There are legions always training, and learning, for something new in warfare has been found, and constant training i s the best kind of rest from the trenches and billets; nothing so preserves the men's fitness.

A NEW GERMAN SUBMARINE-MONITOR.

"WITH PROTECTED WATERTIGHT BATTERY.

CAN FIRE WHEN HULL IS SUBMERGED

(Reed. 11.10 a.m.)

LONDON, February 15

The "Hull Daily Telegraph" states that Germany has built a new type of submarine-monitor having a large cylinderical hull whereon a long watertight battery is protected by armour, and carrying powerful guns. It is of high speed, and able to keep the hull below water while the battery is in 'action and it is thus practically immune from armed merchantmen's gunfire. It easily submerges if a warship attacks. The Army and Navy Gazette states the Admiralty has named a new destroyer after Admiral Moresby, the first time such an honour has been paid to a living naval officer. The Gazette recalls Admiral Moresby's work in surveying New Guinea in 1873 'and 1874, and thi s is regarded as a belated recognition thereof.

AFTER WAR CONDITIONS.

EVEN PARLIAMENT WOULD BE CHANGED

MR, LONG'S STATEMENT TO INTERVIEWER

NEW YORK, February 15

The Tribune's London correspondent interviewed Mr. Long, M.P., who said after war we should find ourselves confronted with questions which cut across the old party divisions; even the parliamentary system would undergo a change. Our colonies must have further recognition and adequate representation in our councils. .