PEACE.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 69, 21 March 1916, Page 5

PEACE.

i&ISSABLE TO PERCEIVE. THE END OF THE WAR. *— ANOTHER CHILD MURDERING EXPEDITION *s SUNDAY SCHOOL CHILDREN BOMBED. GERMAN AEROPLANE DEPOTS BOMBED. ■/ . . ANGLO-FRENCH AEROPLANE FLOCK. ' • \ COMPARATIVE QUIET AT VERDUN.

M. Ribot, the French Minister for Finance has indeed furnished the world with something sensational. He is, by nature, the reverse of a man who would speak without carefully weighing the import of his words, therefore the utmost significance may be at- * lacked to them. According to the cabled report, he asserts that we are at the decisive hour when it is permissible—without making allusions to the nature or the source of his information—to perceive the end of the war. Naturally the words have given much cause for speculation, and the “Gaulois” remarks that M. Eibot’s personality and position give his words a significance that can escape nobody. It is the first allusion in twenty months to the eventuality of a rapid, advance towards peace on our own terms. If this is what it looks t) be Germany has succeeded in •((blinding the world with bluff. It must have been noted; however, Germany and Austria are fast drifting towards isolation, they ' have sacrificed their friends, and their Allies they have been forced to abandon. Turkey is nearing an approach to the Entente for separate peace, or with a willingness to join in an attack on Bulgaria, While Bulgaria is stubbornly refusing to be drawn further into the struggle. ■ The Greek Government is bankrupt and can neither pay its soldiers or civil servants. Portugal has openly declared to fight with the Entente and Eoumania has all but done so. Norway, Sweden, Denmark ; and Holland have offended Germany because they refuse to accept payment for goods in German paper. Under all circumstances, it looks impossible for the Central powers to further prosecute the war with any prospect of final success. Indeed, the greatest living experts have long said that the war is being conducted for peace terms. If peace does come in the immediate future Germany will have scored the only possible triumph that was left her. The Allies will be just as unprepared for peace as they were for war, and it will be surprising if Germany does not so temper final arrangements that will leave some loophole for the recovery of her lost trade.,

GERMAN AIR RAID ON KENT. - ( si- 1 ; u A THRILLING AEROPLANE FIGHT WITNESSED. SUNDAY SCHOOL CHILDREN BOMBED. A FAMILY’S MIRACULOUS ESCAPE. r|*;' . (Reed, 8.15 a.m.) | LONDON, March 20. , The people cf Dover and Deal left their dinner tables and rushed out ■'to witness a thrilling fight with an aeroplane which after twisting and in all directions fled seawards. A bomb wrecked the orphanage where 80 children huddled together in a basement had a miraculous escape, only one sister was injured. 1 j. The saddest feature at Ramsgate was that a party of children were going to Sunday school when a bomb was dropped in their midst, which killed 4 and wounded 9. It also wrecked a motor nearly killing the driver. A bomb was dropped in the yard of a cottage, blowing in the rear of the premises. The family of six had been watching the raider and had. |just returned indoors, all w ? ere unscathed. Bone, aged 27, is a Lieutenant in the Navy; he was 4 years in a submarine, and he has been two years an aviator. Bone’s machine outstripped the others but returned unharmed. Two seaplanes appeared over Dover at .2 o’clock this afternoon and dropped six bombs into the harbour Thence they bombed the town, one 1 proceeding to bomb Deal. Two others appeared at Ramsgate and bombed the town. One went north, a British aeroplane pursuing. The other went to Westgate, where several of our aeroplanes were pursuing. Altogether forty-eight bombs were dropped. One fell on the Canadian hospital at, Ramsgate, causing damage but no casualties. Several houses were damaged and artisans’ cottages wrecked. >/

OFFICIAL REPORT OF SOUTH COAST AIR RAID. FLIGHT COMMANDER BONES GREAT PERFORMANCE. A GERMAN SEAPLANjE BROUGHT DOWN. •5 ' LONDON, March 19, 10.10 p.m. ' Four German seaplanes flew over Dover, Deal, Ramsgate, Margate, and Westgafe tc-day. The hilled were: men 3, women 1 children 5. Injured: men 17, women 5, children 9. Altogether 40 bombs were dropped, material damage being done to several houses. Flight Commander Bone, in a single setter aeroplane, pursued one German seaplane 30 miles out to sea and after a quarter of an hour’s action the enemy was forced to descend, the observer was hilled. LONDON, March 20, 10.21 a.m, Yesterday, by exploding mines, we recaptured three craters at the HoAnnentiers and Wytsctaete.

| THE GRECIAN TREASURY IS EMPTY. -- EXHAUSTED BY COST OF MOBILISATION. THE GOVERNMENT GREATLY EMBARRASSED. (Reed. 8.30 a.m.) ATHENS, March 20., The Government is greatly embarrassed by lack of money. Its coffers are exhausted with the continual mobilisation; and they are unable to pay civil servants, even telegraph messengers are unpaid. The wives of soldiers are demonstrating outside Government offices and demanding something. HERTZOG, THE CAPE PRO-GERMAN. TABLES HOSTILE MOTIONS IN THE ASSEMBLY. ONE WITHDRAWN, THE OTHER THROWN OUT. (Reed. 8.30 a.m.) CAPET OWN, March 20. Mr. Smartt, in- denouncing Hortzog’s motion in the Assembly refusing a vote for war purposes, alluded to (he contributions of other dominions. Botha and Madeley ,a labourite, denounced the motion, which was withdrawn. A similar motion applying to East Africa was largely defeated. GERMANY SEEKING CONFLICT WITH HOLLAND OUTSPOKEN COMMENT IN DUTCH PRESS. SUREST MEANS OF PROMOTING TROUBLE. AMSTERDAM, March 19. The “Niewe Rotterdamsclie Courfant” protests against the innuendo that British submarines might have sunk the Tubantia. “There is not an atom of reason to suppose such a thing,” it adds, “especially as British submarines have not sunk a single neutral since the outbreak of the war. Since the German navy seeks a conflict with Holland, it should say so. The German Government is using the surest means of injuring our national feelings.” Other newspapers are almost equally outspoken.

SENSATIONAL SPEECH IN THE FRENCH CHAMBER. THE END OP THE WAR IN SIGHT. WE ARE AT THE DECISIVE HOUR. FRENCH MINISTER’S SIGNIFICANT UTTERANCE. ALLUSION TO PEACE ON OUR, OWN TERMS. PARIS, March 20. There is much speculation regarding a speech made in the Chamber by M. Ribot (Minister of Finance), who said: We are at the decisive hour, and it is permissable, without allusion, to perceive the end of the war. * The “Gaulois” remarks that M. Ribct’s personality and position give his words significance which can escape nobody. It is the first allusion in twenty months to the eventuality of a rapid advance towards peac.e on our own terms.

BRITISH SUBMARINE CAPTURES NORWEGIAN STEAMER. PRIZE CREW TAKE HER TO LEITH. (Reed. 11.50 a.m.) COPENHAGEN,’ March 20. A British submarine captured the Norwegian steamer Konginge; bound to Lub'eck. A prize crew is taking her to Leith. ALLIES AIR RAID GERMAN STRONGHOLD. FIFTY AEROPLANES AND FIFTEEN FIGHTING MACHINES GERMAN SEAPLANE DEPOT BOMBED. ALL MACHINES RETURNED SAFELY. (Reed. 11.50 a.m.) LONDON, March 20. Official: Early to-day 'fifty British, French and Belgian aeroplanes and seaplanes, with fifteen fighting machines attacked the seaplane depot at Zeebrugge and the aerodrome at Foultade. Considerable damage was done and all returned safely. Allies machines bombed Zeebrugge, they carried an average of 200 pounds of bombs. One Belgian officer was seriously wounded. All British machines were of th e naval type. Fifteen French aeroplanes successfully cooperated, with Anglo-Bel-giaus, at. four this morning. They t ombed the aviation ground at Houltane.

FAINT EFFORTS IN VERDUN SECTOR. MELANCOURT WAS VIOLENTLY BOMBARDED A GERMAN ATTACK COMPLETELY FAILED (Reed. 11.50 a.m.) , PARIS, March 20. A communique states that the Getrmans, westward of the Meuse, violently bombarded the region southward of Melancourt. A small German attack eastward of the Meuse against Dipper Hill completely failed.

PRINCE OF WALES IN EGYPT

LONDON, March 19. It is officially stated that the Prince of Wales has arrived in Egypt, and has been appointed staff-captain to the Commander-in-Chief.

RUSSIAN WORKS TAKEN OVER.

BY THE GOVERNMENT. (Reed. 10.5 a.m.) PETROGRAD, March 19. The Government has taken over the Putuloff works for the duration of the war.

AMERICAN PUNITIVE FORCE.

SEARCHING MEXICO FOR VILLA (Reed. 5.30 a.m.; EL PASO, March 20. An American punitive force is rapid ly advancing toward,, the mount nowhere Villa and his bandits are refuged.

The Mexican Minister for AVar has 1 issued a proclamation declaring that I all participants in the Columbus raid are outside the pale of the law, and sanctions the right to capture cr kip

GERMAN HYDROPLANE CAPTURED.

ATHENS, March 20. There are reports that a British cruiser captured a German hydroplane and its aviator at Thassos.

THE DARDANELLES

FINAL CAUSE OF THE FAT I.I'BE. FATAL DELAY BY LONDON. LONDON., March 20. The Times History of the War, in completing its reference to the Dardanelles campaign, says: The real ’ultimate cause of tire failure was probably not the generals nor the' untried troop at tSuvla, not to lack of water nor de fcctive staff work in some sectors though all these were important con tributory factors. The dominating factor and final cause of the failiye war probably the difficult, and diversified character of the terrain and the; ver' great advantages which the area gav the Turks. It happened that luck was I with the enemy. In an easier year thr I British expedition might iiayo tried I and succeeded, but they never overf came the consequences of the month* ■ that were lost. From first to last their

VOTE OF CONFIDENCE.

IN THE ITALIAN GOVERNMENT. (Reed. 8.15 a.m.) ROME, March 20. The Chamber voted confidence in the Government by 394 to 161.

MARRIED MEN’S GRIEVANCES.

CARING FOR THOSE LEFT BEHIND. LONDON, March 19. Mr. J. D. Thomas, M.P., addressing the railway men at Chester, said that the only solution of the married men’s grievances was a bold Government statement. If they were required to fight for others’ homes the Government should protect theirs. Mere talk about moratorium was only plnving with the question. If the country was worth fighting for the soldiers had a right to expect the Government to care for those left behind.

WRECKED CREWS RESCUED.

FROM SENUSSI TRIBESMEN. CAIRO, March 19. .The Duke of Westminster’s motorcars rescued all the imprisoned survivors of the Tara, sunk in January, and 'also the Moorin, sunk on November 11, also a boat formerly the German Thueringen, requisitioned by the Australian Government.

BULGAR-GERMANS FEVERISHLY FORTIFYING.

ALLIED ATTACK,EXPECTED. BULGARIANS AGAIN REFUSE TO ATTACK SALONIKA. SALONIKA, March 20 The Bulgar-Germans are feverishlyfortifying, fearing General' Bar rail will attack. It is opined in some quarters tiirt the Entente will pursue the .attack*.

coupled with skilful diplomacy, to rapidly bring important results in view of Bulgaria’s .strained interna! situation. It is understood Bulgaria again refused to attack Salonika, alleging Iliathe Germans had failed to rulti!“’their pledges.

CONVALESCENTS ENTERTAINED.

BY KING AND QUEEN. LONDON, March 20. Their Majesties the King and Queen are entertaining convalescents at afternoon tea and a concert at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, a thousand going daily. Many Anzacs have been invited.

THE ALLIED CONFERENCE IN PARIS.

BRITAIN’S ATTITUDE PUZZLES FRANQE. LONDON, March 20. ■ The “Times” t’aris correspondent says the Allied conference will probably meet on the 27th inst. It appears ! , . ... i;here is /some misapprehension in England regarding France’s desires in respect to economic relations. The French regard this aspect of the Avar as of vital importance and Avorthy of much more definite treatment than Mr. Asquith has given it. The French are beAVildered by the anxiety Avhich I the proposed conference has aroused in Free Trade circles in England. France is not trying to lure Britain into a Protection ambush. There is no foundation for the belief that the conference will bind the parties to I change their fiscal systems without re- [ ference to the Parliaments, but. no re^ ! sonable Frenchman Avill regard as sa- | tisfactory a settlement Avhich will enj able the Germans, immediately after I the war, to subjugate foreign compef titoi’g and re-create centres of political and commercial espionage. The French are pleased and surprised to find the British Dominions ahead of the Mother Country in this matter.

CANADA’S POSITION. LONDON, March 20. The “Times” Toronto correspondent says Sir R. L. Borden would doubtless desire to attend the Paris conference if Parliament was not sitting, but no apprehension is felt that Canada's interests will be neglected either as regards the terms of peace or commercial agreements. The Hon, W. M. Hughes made a singularly favourable impression in Ottawa. As the result of a conference with Canadian statesmen he could speak for Canada as authoritatively as for Australia.

RUSSIAN STEAMER SUNK.

CAPTAIN’S WTPFJ ANA Clr. i.DREN K rr LED. COPEN I [AG EN, Mare--, Eight of tho -T3.V .if rim Russian steamer Novoja Sal bo da have- landed in Denmark. The captain's -wile and children and . ten of ■ r.c crew w\ v e killed. No farcher details are available.

ITALY’S ECONOMIC POLICY.

STOEMY SCENES IN PARLIAMENT ROME, March 20.' The Parliamentary debate on the Government’s economic, policy war marked by several! stormy scene’s. Tir Socialist Lucci declared that German; was invincible in battle, and the war was necessarily one of exhaustion England alone understood this, an therefore had chosen to light in the economic sphere instead of on * th battlefield. The Chamber angrily ; ■ tested, and the speaker was % called i order.

THE TUBANTIA.

A SHARP DUTCH NOTE. SENT TO THE PIRATES. (Reed. 11.50 a.m.) AMSTERDAM, March 20. The Dutch Government has sent a very sharp note to Germany concerning the Tubantia.

ITALIAN AIR RAID.

MUCH DAMAGE REPORTED. ROME, March 20. Details of the Italian air raid in the Lasbach area show that it damaged three rail stations, several public buildings, three barracks, one brigade headquarters, nnd a large number of houses. Several fires were caused, and there were many casualties among the troops, including high officers.

GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT,

AMSTERDAM, March 20. A German communique says: Northeast of • Vermilles, after artillery preparation, we recaptured small British gains during the fighting on March 2nd. The majority of the British were buried under flattened trenches. We captured thirty survivors. A British Counter-attack failed. Heavy British artillery re-bombarded Lens. On the right bank of the Meuse, artillery activity temporarily increased with considerable violence. Hand-to-hand fighting developed and continues at several places southward of Fort Douaumcnt' and westward of Vaux. We drove the French out of posi 7 ticns at Chiaville, north-eastward of Jb’ayonvillers. After destroying French dug-outs we returned to our positions. Our aeroplanes bombod railway buildings on the Clermont-Verdun line, and the Espinal-Lurevesoul line. An air attack on Metz wounded three civilians. We shot down four French aeroplanes in an air battle while raiding Mulhausen and Habshedi. Twenty civilians were killed.

ON THE DVINA FRONT.

GERMANS MAKING GREAT PREPARATIONS. LONDON, March 20. The “Russkoe SIovo” reports that the Germans are making elaborate technical preparations on the Dvina similar to the offensive at Verdun.

GERMANS CLAIM VICTORY.

LONDON, March 20. A German communique says: Russian attacks on Drysvjatz lake, also on both sides of Narogz lake, began with the greatest violence, but 'were everywhere repulsed with extraordinarily heavy losses. We counted 9270 ■dead at Norogz lake. Our losses were small.

THE ECONOMIC CONFERENCE.

RUSSIA PREPARING HER PROGRAMME. ■ / LONDON, March 20. The ' “Times” correspondent at Petrograq says that a special consultative body ig now drafting instructions to the Russian representatives at.the Paris Economic Conference. A far reaching programme includes the defence of the Allied market against the influx of enemy and neutral commodities, the co-ordinating of the principles on which shall be based the presentation of demands to the enemy for compensation for war losses; and post-war emigration between. Allied countries.

THE FUTURE OF THE EMPIRE.

THE DOMINON'S CLAIMS. LONDON, March 20. Mr. Sidney Low approves of the suggestion that the Dominions should be given representation in the Cabij net. He declaers that it is impossible ( to devise a complete Imperial Constitution, organised on a representative Parliamentary basis, to meet the emergencies of the present and the immediate future. That must be preI ceded by an Imperial convention for deliberations and negotiations. Meanwhile the Cabinet has largely superseded the Union Kingdom Parliament and become a Consultative Council of State, representing All i parties. Mr. Low believes this is the transitional stage toward a true Empire Constitution. We ought to strengthen its Imperial character 'and give the Overseas communities an effective share in the military policy and international relation, inviting each Dominion td send a Minister, with or without portfolio.