BRITISH TRENCHES CAPTURED

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 40, 17 February 1916, Page 5

BRITISH TRENCHES CAPTURED

ON THE WESTERN FRONT

TRENCH MORTARS LARGELY USED

BOMBARDMENT STILL CONTINUES

SUCCESS IN MESOPOTAMIA

A DIABOLICAL PLOT DISCOVERED BY AMERICAN POLICE ' fc " RUSSIAN SUCCESS AT ERZEROUM The unusual activity of the Germans on the Western front has •eloped into a determined effort to break, through near Ypres. ■nek mortars have figured largely in the attack, their number pflig"lncreased enormously. South of Hooge.the enemy manid to get a footing in six hundred yards of our trenches, eviLtly surprising our men by the huge number of sixty pound Us from the new popular weapon, five thousand of these ich mortar shells being thrown into the British position at 3ge, quite recently. Heavy bombardment on both sides still tinues, which indicates that a supreme effort is being made to ak through. . The German report refers to the attack by saying t after abundant artillery, bomb and mortar preparations, we tured eight hundred metres of the English position, killing the jority of defenders, capturing one officer and about a dozen i. However severe the actio'n may have been it is not shown our loss in prisoners. ... The United States has not taken an undue length of time m ling to a decision on the new German murder and piracy posals. 'iAceord|mg to Reuter the Entente's right to arm merntmen is fully conceded, while Germany's intentions of sinkeverything is disapproved.

VERY HOT TIME ON THE WESTERN FRONT. . YDESPERATE GERMAN ATTACK AT YPRES. LARGELY INCREASED USE OP TRENCH MORTARS. IX HUNDRED YARDS BRITISH TRENCHES CAPTURED. VERY HEAVY BOMBARDMENT STILL CONTINUES. .= r ~ (Reed. 9.30 a.m.) j LONDON, February 16. Correspondents at the British Headquarters emphasise the increased nan use of trench mortars, which throw shells of 60 pounds weight. production of mortars has been infinitely multiplied Lately jthe ay fired 5000 shells into the British position at Hooge. (Reed. 1.10 a.m.) LONDOIf, February 3,6. Sir Douglas Haig reports. .Last night, after a heavy bombardment on whole front of the Ypres salient to the south of Hooge, the enemy e several infantry attacks between Comine s Canal, Ypres and the ines railway and broke into our front trenches for about six hundred s. A heavy bombardment on both sides continues.

FRENCH FINANCES FAR FROM EXHAUSTION. THE COUNTRY WILLING TO HELP THE TREASURY. FINANCE MINISTER EXPRESSES HIS THANKS. (Reed.'B.s a.m.) PARIS, February 16. M. Ribot submitted to the Chamber, credits for the second quarter unting francs, whereof 6,333,000,000 were for war exliture. -A.n explanatory statement compares the financial situations ie end of 1914 and 1915, and mentions with thanks the success of the loan, showing the readiness of the country to deposit a large part of Savings in the treasury. The Advances account of the Bank of France only increased by 1,175,000,000, and other figures given -show that the .try's financial reserves are far from being exhausted. IMPORTATION OF VARIOUS ARTICLES PROHIBITED. EXCEPT UNDER SPECIAL LICENSE. SHIPS MUST BE LICENSED BEFORE LEAVING. (Reed. 8.5 a.m.) LONDON, February 16. k proclamation prohibits the importation, except under license, paper paper-making materials, periodicals exceeding sixteen pages, except e copies by post; also tobacco, cigars, cigarettes, furniture —woods and wood. Another proclamation prohibits British vessels from starting on any ge without license. ' I A DIABOLICAL PLOT IN AMERICA AN, ATTEMPT AT WHOLESALE MURDER A MASS OF CORRESPONDENCE SEIZED SV" ' * CHICAGO, February 16. [t is reported that, as a sequel to th e recent banquet lo the visiting an Catholic Bishop, when 300 guests suffered from eating poisoned the police claim to have discovered a plot to destroy Church buildclergy and laity in twelve cities cf the United States. They have d the correspondence of John APegrin and Jean Crones, two members ie alleged committee of fifteen who are leading the plot. The letters tied a description of bombs, the-wrecking of buildings and the killof churchgoers. Plans to destroy churches pointed to forty Chicago 2hes, where fires had occurred during the last few yete, also a reto blow up the State Penitentiary,

NEWS FROM M 3SGPOTAMIA. THE WEATHER SERIOUSLY HAMPERING OPERATIONS. MANY OF THE ENEMY HIE FROM COLD. THE ARABS PUNISHED, 636 KILLED. (Reed. 8.5 a.m.) f LONDON, February 16. Mr. Candler, wiring from Basra on the 11th February, says the camp is a quagmire owing to heavy rains. The Arabs report that a number of the enemy died from cold and exhaustion in the January operations, a large number also deserted. The enemy is experiencing great transport difficulties which are being 'accentuated by the interruption of river communication. At'Kut, Brooking's column, from the 7th to the 9th punished the Arabs near Nasiriyah, killing 636. A TURKISH COMMUNIQUE A NEW VERSION OF AN OLD SUBJECT. SOME RATHER EXTRAORDINARY CLAIMS. (Reed. 8.5 a.m.) • AMSTERDAM, February 16. A Turksh communique states that on the Arak front successful attacks were made against the British at Bethia, who fled abandoning all material and 500 dead,* and a small enemy detachment surrendered, the force was almost annihilated. In our attack on Kurnu the enemy had heavy losses. Hostile auxiliary forces attempted to relieve, but the British werg forced to retreat. The Press Bureau states that the correct account of this incident was covered by a Turkish communique which appeared in the War Office communique cable on the 11th. A GERMAN REPORT OF THE ATTACK. ABUNDANT ARTILLERY, BOMB AND MORTAR PREPARATIONS. ONLY A DOZEN PRISONERS CAPTURED. (Reed. 1.25-a.m.) AMSTERDAM, February 16. A German communique says: South-east of Ypres, after abundant artillery, bemb and mortar preparations, we captured eight hundred metres of the English position, killing the majority of the defenders, and capturing one officer and some dozen men. North-west of Rheims, the Frenjch attempted gas attacks, but failed. THE GERMAN-AMERICAN TANGLE. ENTENTE ARMING MERCHANTMEN APPROVED OF. GERMAN INTENTIONS TO TORPEDO THEM DISAPPROVED. (Reed. 8.5 a.m.) LONDON, February 16. Reutet's Washington correspondent telegraphs that America concedes the Entente's right to arm merchantmen for defensive purposes, and will disapprove of the German intention to torpedo them. RUSSIAN SUCCESS IN ASIA MINOR SEVEN MORE FORTS AT ERZEROUM . HAVE FALLEN TNTO RUSSIAN HANDS LONDON, February 16. Seven more Erzeroum Forts have fallen, making nine now in Russian hands. !

FAMOUS HUNGARIAN ACTRESS EXECUTED IN BUDAPEST]! AS A BEITISH SPY. (Reed. 9.50 am.) NEW YORK, February 1(3. Information has been received by local Hungarians that the famous Hun : garian actress, Sari Petrass, has been executed at Budapesth as a British spy. She allegedly obtained military secrets from Austro-Hungarian officers and forwarded them to England. Some of ».ier letters were intercepted and one of her dupes confessed, NEW ZEALAND WOUNDED FAREWELLED IN LONDON. SILK BANNER PRESENTED BY WOMEN OF ENGLAND. ANZAC BAND PLAYED -''KEEP THE HOME FIRES BURNING 1 ." (Reed. 8.5 am.) LONDON, February 16. On Sunday a crowd of Anglo-New Zealauders gathered at Paddington to farewell 80 unfits, under Captain Conway, who are returning aboard the Turakina. Those on the'platform included Sir Thos. Mackenzie. On behalf of a committee 'of Englishwomen, Lady Smith-Domett presented a silk Union Jack, bearing a metal shield with the inscription, 4,( T0 New Zealand Heroes from the Women of England." Miss Chamberlain, the late Sir Joseph Chamberlain's daughter, said that Englishwomen now realised the British were one race; th e Homeland and Dominions would in future think, feel, and act together in the defence of things of which they had care—justice, freedom, and human kindness. The Anzae Band played "Keep the Home Fires Burning," and the departing soldiers were heartily cheered. ROUMANIAN ATTITUDE MOBILISATION COMPLETED. LONDON, February 15. A French wireless says that the Roumanian mobilisation has been completed. The General staff reports that the. Carpathian defences!, alsto the defences of Dodnindja, are complete.

THE GENTLE GERMANS STRONG MESSAGES TO AUSTRIA AND THE KAISER. ROME, February' 15. The Tope telegraphed to the Viennese Nuncio protesting against the bombardment of churches and the Basilica at Ravenna, and urging the Kaiser to abandon aerial bombardment of open towns and unarmed populations as dishonourable to humanity. THE BRITISH FLEET. SOME OF ITS MOVEMENTS. FROM A GERMAN SOURCE. (Reed. 8.5 a.m.) LONDON, February 16. A German wireless, quoting the Danish Politikan, states, a Norwegian ship met, during the week, a large English fleet within the zone between the Dogger Bank and the Norwegian Coast, consisting of squadrons of light cruisers. The Norwegian also met English cruisers in the Atlantic, who were doubtless chasing the Moewe. The wireles Sl now admits that the Arabis was not a cruiser but a special vessel constructed for mining and air defence service, with a crew of 78 and a speed of sixteen knots. This sudden conversion is amusing, 'as only a few hours earlier the wireless had been claiming that a second cruiser was torpedoed, the claim being based on the fact that the British" Admiralty had 'admitted that a minesweeper had been sunk. The wireless states.thai a surgeon and three of the Arabis' orew died after their rescue, from the effects of their long immersion. DISCONTENT IN BULGARIA GERMAN INFLUENCE NOT WELCOME. BUCHAREST, February 16. The>3 is growing discontent in Bulgaria, owing to the clearness of food and distrust of the Germans, who arc domineering. Several German sybmarmes and two i,espiane,s are at Varna, where the defences: have been considerably strengthened. Altogether there are two German divisions in Bulgaria. The Germans supervised the foriiiiea.tions oa the RouiaaciaE frontier,

LORD KITCHENER'S SPEECH

IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS. THE ENTIRE WAR REVIEWED. THE POSITION SATISFACTORY. CONFIDENCE IN VICTORY. EVERY SORT OF PRESSURE. MUST BE EXERTED QUICKLY. LQNDON, February 15. The House of Lords listened with intense interest to Lord Kitchener's review of operations. He said that although Indian troops had been withdrawn from France, our forces there had been materially increased by fully eight new army divisions. General Aylmer was aWaiting reinforcements before renewing a forward movement to junction with General Townsend, who had sufficient supplies to maintain his forces for a considerable period. After some experience of the working of the voluntary group system, it was realised how seriously the numbers immediately obtainable were affected by exemptions. Time alone would show what the results would be, but he trusted that on a future occasion he would be in a position to reassure the House as to the chances of obtaining the numbers required.

Referring to the Balkans campaign, Lord Kitchener said the securing of direct communication between the Central Powers and Constantinople, was undoubtedly the principal object of the Austro-Germans in this theatre. Since the recapture of Loos and the forward movement in the Champagne, the lines In Prance and Flanders had been practically unchanged throughout the winter. The morale of the French army had been maintained at the same high level. The fighting qualities of our neighbouring Ally

were never greater or more highly developed than at -present. The British troops there, which had been re- 1 1

jinforced, were constantly carrying out active operations, giving no rest or respite to the enemy.

Regarding the Italian front, the positions occupied by the enemy were so strong that they barred for the present the possibility of a forward movement, which the splendid courage of the Italian troops was sure to piish home.

Notwithstanding the heavy blockade and consequent losses Russia suffered last summer, which would probably have overwhelmed a less tenacious and courageous people, the army had been thoroughly reorganised in readiness for the coming campaign. The Austro-Germans had cleared all obstructions to their path to Constantinople. The political situation in the Near East was thereby gravely affected, and the Turkish army was able to organise a movement of troop s either against Egypt or to strengthen their forces in Mesopotamia and simultaneously bring far more powerful attacks to bear on our positions at Gallipoli. I-t was therefore decided to withdraw our troops from the peninsula to reinforce Salonika and Egypt. The success of the withdrawal exceeded Lord Kitchener's most sanguine expectations.

The Franco-British forces in Macedonia were being gradually concentrated in strongly entrenched positions surrouding Salonika and in order to emphasise the principle of unity among the Allies the supreme command had been given to General Saniall.

HOT RENEWED Greece refused to renew the contract with Italian officers who are organising the gendarmerie. The Italian Government has instructed the officers to leave Athens. ANDREW FISHER, P.O. LONDON, February 15. The Rt. Hon. Andrew Fisher, High Commissioner for Australia, was sworn in 'as a Privy Councillor to-day.

It would be remembered that last winter an abortive attempt was made on the Suez canal, which was easily brushed aside by a small British force, but a more serious attempt has been threatened by the Turks to invade Egypt from the east. We have made adequate preparations to defend the Canal. Attempts by hostile Arabs on the western flank resulted in complete failure. He thought this movement would still cause a certain feeling of unrest. The admirable loyalty of the people of Egypt had formed an effective barrier to the penetration of these raiders into cultivated areas.

After alluding to the changes in the higher' commands, Lord Kitchener urged employers to do their best to release young men for service in the army. He concluded by reaffirming his complete confidence in a victorious issue, which would ensure peace for this and many succeeding generations.

Lord Crew© emphasised the financial assistance which England was giving - to the Allies. If the Allies had been self-supporting the present taxation would enable us to pay a far larger share of the current expenses of the war than it was ever supposed conceivable for 'any Power to pay during the course of a great war. It was our duty to exert upon Germany every sort of pressure—aaval, military and commercial —and to do it quicMy. ... :[■''"'\ i .'~~,