GENERAL WAR NEWS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 43, 21 February 1916, Page 7

GENERAL WAR NEWS.

ERZEROUM'S FALL.

GARRjISQN NUMBERS 100,000. THOUSAND GUNS IN FORTS. EFFECT ON RUMANIA AND GREECE. PETROGRAD, February 17. The official newspaper "Messenger," estimates that the Erzeroum garrison numbered a hundred thousand, with 467 guns, while the advanced forts had 374 gUns, and the central forts' 200. The "Russky Invalid" says that the Caucasus army performed a miracle, which military history will remember for years to come.

Other newspapers emphasise that the town is at the junction of two '.great roads. The Turks will try to regain it, but cannot bring reinforcements up in time.

The. capture of the town is part of a manoeuvre, involving a triple combined movement, paralysing the enemy's centre, turning his wings, -and overflowing his means of communication. The fall will not pass unnoticed in Athens and Bucharest.

THE TUEKISH STOEY

NO MENTION OF ERZEROUM

A SKIRMISH NEAR ADEN.

LONDON, February 17

A Turkish commuique states that the British left many dead in the line of retreat from Bathia. The enemy lest-during that battle 2,300 transport animals.

The Russians in the Caucasus in three days lo s tover 5,000 dead and 60 prisoners. The Turks almost annihilated an enem ydetachment near Aden. The survivors fled, abandoning their baggage.

SAVE! SAVE! SAVE!

A STRONG APPEAL

LONDON. Feb. 17.

The Press Bureau says: The 'National War Savings Commit too appeals to f'll closses to sa r& every possible shilling in order to bring about, an victory. It protests against wastefulness and thoughtless extravagance. The stoppage iof this will save millions and enable much labour to be transferred to more useful channels. The committee instances the use of motorcars and motor-cycles for pleasure. II says it cannot ask the poorer classes to save while the well-to-do aire enjoying expensive luxury.

AUSTRO -SWISS FRONTIER CLOSED. GERMANS MOVING TOWARDS BALKANS. ZURICH, February 17. The Austro-Swiss frontier has boon closed. There ar e heavy troop movements towards the Balkans, espe'eially towards the Roumanian frontier.

INSURANCE AGAINST AIR RAIDS. LONDON, February IS. When replying to a question a? + whether the Government had a scheme of insurance against air raids, Lord Newton said that over a million persons were insured, of whom 650,000 were insured through the- Post Office. ARMED MERCHANTMEN 1 . GERMAN SOCIALISTS' DISAPPROVAL.

! ; AMSTERDAM, February 17. ( Socialists in tlie Prussian Diet disapproved of tlie Government’s submarine campaign against merchantmen, j Money cannot buy a more effective remedy for coughs and colds than : “NAZOL.” Wise mothers give it To 1 tfieip children. bmr^jfO

U.S. DOUBTS BERNSTORFF'S WORD.

WANTS DEFINITE DECLARATION.

NEW YORK, Feb. 17.

It is understood that America is dissatisfied with Count Bernstorff's assuranc that the Germans will not torp'odo liners without warning, and wants a definite declaration from Berlin.

Mr. Lansing declared that a settlement of the Lusitania trouble was impossible until the question of armed merchantmen was settled.

SWEDEN TAKES A HAND.

NEW YORK, February 17.

The Evening Post asserts that Sweden has invited the United States to join a . conference of neutrals in order to compel Britain to observe t-he international law she now violates.

GERMANY TURNED DOWN,

BERNSTORFF OUTMATCHED BY

PRESIDENT

POSITION BECOMING MORE DIFFICULT.

LONDON, Februasy IS

The Daily Chronicle's New York correspondent says Bcrnstorff has been outmatched by the President, who has announced that he will not accept the Lusitania settlement until he is assured that the Teutons' programme for tht? assassination of non-belligerent merchantmen without warning will not nullify the Arabic promises. Appa" ently Mr. Lansing's announcement after the Cabinet meeting indicating that th e Administration would accept the new policy, is repudiated by President Wilson, who holds (1) respect for v trals' rights, (2) the safety of American citizens, (3) strict regard for international law. Instead of notion being almost entirely removed, the President regards the position as becoming more difficult. WASHINGTON, Feb. IS. Mr. Lansing told Count Bernstorff that the latest proposals were acceptable so far the Lusitania is concerned, but America demanded assurances that Germany would not carry the sinking -■of armed merchantmen to the -extent of sinking passenger-carrying Idners, even if they were- armed for defence.