HELL ON VIMY HEIGHTS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 120, 22 May 1916, Page 5

HELL ON VIMY HEIGHTS.

• ALL BRITISH POSITIONS RECAPTURED. DESPERATE ATTACKS ON MORT HOMME german ministerial crisis. AV ; A.>-„ - -■ THE KAISER TO SETTLE IT. GOING TO THE RUSSIAN FRONT. WAR MEETINGS IN AMERICA. -Ss ■ IRISH QUESTION NEARING SETTLEMENT. f PREPARED ENEMY EFFORTS STOPPED IN BELGIUM. ARTILLERY FIRE STILL RIFE AT MORT HOMME. SOME WONDERFUL FRENCH AEROPLANE WORK. MANY GERMAN MACHINES BROUGHT DOWN. LONDON. May 20, In Belgium some e nemy groups sought to cros s the Yser canal, between Steenstraate and Hetsas, but were stopped by our infantry and artillery fire. In the Champagne the Germans m ade a great emission of gas on our front, between the roads to Sorampyi It was arrested by our curtain of fire immediately, which spoilt the ene jn y s effort, who weie unable to launch the attack they had prepared. jWest of the Meuse there was violent bombardment in the course of the night, on our positions between Avoncourt Wood and Mort Homme, but no infantry attack. In the Vosges a coup de main on our small posts at Line failed. Yesterday evening Sub-Lieutenant Navarre brought down bis eleventh German aeroplane, the machine falling in our lines, at Cattancort, two enemy aviators were prisonered. Another German aeroplane was attacked by Sub-Lieutenant Nungsscr, which crashed to the ground in Forges wood. This marks the, fifth brought down by this aviator. Three other German machines who were attacked by cur aviators fell vertically in their own lines. German aeroplanes, during the night, dropped a number of bombs on Dunkirk and Bergues. At Dunkirk one woman was killed and twentyseven were wounded. At B'ergues five were killed and eleven injured. A French squadron immediately bombarded enemy cantonments at "Wyfweg Zaren and Handyame; and a Belgian squadron bombarded the centre aerodrome at Chistelles, most of the shells reaching their mark. r AMERICA SUMMONED TO JOIN THE ALLIES. BY THE AMERICAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE. COMMEMORATION OF THE LUSITANIA'S SINKING. (Reed. 8.50 a.m.). NEW YORK, May 21. The American Rights Committee held a crowded meeting at Carnegie Hall, in commemoration of the sinking of the Lusitania. The speakers included Mr. Puttman, the publisher, who summoned America to join the Allies, Avhose fight is America’s fight. The meeting resolutioned that the time had come to support the Allies in their fight for democracy and civilisation. THE BLOCKADE OF GERMANY. THE ALLIES'RIGHT TO PROHIBIT IMPORTS ADMITTED. (Reed. 8.50 a.m.). ROME, May 21. Milan merchants and manufacturers have discussed Britain’s prohibition of various imports. They passed a resolution that it was a matter o| necessity that the Allies establish a trade understanding on their common interests to the exclusion of their enemies; also urged the government to secure at least a partial withdrawal of Britain’s prohibition. 1 THE AUSTRIAN OFFENSIVE AGAINST ITALY. | HUGE LOSSES OF MEN AND NO GAIN. (Reed. 8.50 a.m.). ROME, May 21. Swiss advices state that the Austrians, in the first three days of their offensive against Italy, lost 20.000 man. A NOTED FRENCH MOTORIST MISSING. r ■ HE ATTACKED FIVE GERMAN AEROPLANES. ‘ ‘ ' ’ • (Reed. 8.50 a.m.). y-r - PARIS. May 21. There is anxiety concerning the fate of M. Boilloitt, the famous motorist, who engaged five German aeroplanes. He soon downed one, but Boilloitt was then lost to sight and has not returned. I* , A GERMAN STEAMER SUNK. ' ’ " NO MORE SWEDISH IRON FOR GERMANY. (Reed. 9.5 a.m.). 1 - - COPENHAGEN, May 21. The German steamer torpedoed in the sound was the Prave. It went full speed in the direction of Swedish waters but was stopped by a shot. Swedish export of iron to Germany and also the importation of German coal has ceased. A NEW BLERIOT AEROPLANE. T r f ft THAT MAKES RINGS ROUND THE FOKKER. IT FLYS 150 MILES AN HOUR. (Reed. 9.5 a..m.). LONDON, May 21. The new Bleriot aeroplane for the French army is described as graceful an<j frail looking. It is named the Spad. Bleriot says it climbs rapidly and 4s'capable of flying 125 miles an hour. Only expert aviators can use it, but these now abound. The Spads deadly work is already in evidence. In a recent communique it was said it can make rings round the Fokker.

VARIOUS ASPECTS OF TRADE DISCUSSED. i A PROPOSAL TO SUPPL Y AMERICA WITH DYES. MEETS WITH OPPOSITION IN ENGLAND, i PLAY ING INTO G ERM AN HA X DS. (Reed. 9.5 a.m.). LONDON, May 21. A sensational advance of over 100 per cent has taken place in Australasian ox and cow horns, owing to prohibition of importation. Large sorts 1 realised 81/- per 100, compared with 3 3/- at previous sales; medium 21/- to ! 32/-, compared with 15/-. j There is a decline in copper due to America forcing sales. I At a Government conference to consider the wool export all sections of i the trade were represented. They gave the War Trade Department the ! latest information as to the present state of trade and the prospects for j the near future. Another conference is to be held on Ist July. 1 The Morning Post protests against the proposed arrangement to sup- : ply the United States with 15000 tons of dye stuffs, on condition that it ! be consumed by American manufacturers, and not re-exported to Britain !or to her Allies. It is variously estimated that value would be from : twelve million to thirty million dollars. It only remains to obtain Britain’s i consent to its exportation. Negotiations have commenced by the British | Ambassador to secure permits for the safe passage of the goods. The Morning Post, points out that Germany thus prevents the Ameri- ! can dye industry from establishing itself, and strikes a heavy blow at th I e English textile trade. | | GERMANY MAKING PROVISION FOR AFTER WAR TRADE. PLENTY OF MONEY FOR SHIP-BUILDING. HOW GERMANY HAS SECURED FOOD. i GETTING GOODS READY FOR EXPORT. ! | (Reed. 9.5 a.m.). ; AMSTERDAM, May 21. I He IT Richter, Under Secretary for the Interior, announced in the | Reichstag that a large sum would be available after the war for rebuildi iug the merchant fleet. Something in that direction had already been | done; workmen from the Imperial shipyards would be spared for that purpose as far as possible. Herr Stresmann, a national Liberal, urged the creation of an Imperial Ministry cf commerce. Calamity to Germany’s economic life had been prevented solely by quick successes of the armies in opening vast districts producing raw materials, and by German science providing substitutes therefore. He added: to-day, since the difficulty had been overcome, we can safely admit that an Imperial Ministry cf Commerce would closely watch the enemies’ postwar measures. Who would ever have believed that England would adopt compulsory sendee? She was proceeding with the greatest recklessness and regardless of consequences. She knows no half measures, scruples, or sentimentalities either political or economic. Henceforth everyone, even German representatives abroad, should work as commercial agents. Goods and not money should be sent abroad to improve the rate of German exchange. THE MINISTERIAL CRISIS IN GERMANY. SETTLEMENT BY THE KAISER AWAITED. KAISER GOING TO THE RUSSIAN FRONT. (Reed. 9.5 a.m.). AMSTERDAM, May , 21. j The Kaiser has arived in Potsdam to settle the Ministerial crisis.! He then goes to the Russian front. ! j THE IRISH QUESTION DISCUSSED. . | j POSSIBLE AGREEMENT BETWEEN NATIONALISTS ANT I UNIONISTS. j i ONLY A SLENDER DIFFERENCE REMAINS. I (Reed. 8.50 am.). j LONDON, May 21. I | The Observer comments on the successful resumption of the Irish con- i ference held at Buckingham Palace in 1914. A settlement by consent Avould I mean the best day in Ireland’s history. It is believed the nationalists are I prepared to make larger concessions, perhaps to the extent of provisional- '< ly excluding all Ulster, in return for immediate Home Rule for the rest cf Ireland, combined with some arrangement with Ulster for the managej ment of common Irish affairs in a manner calculated to promote, in a few i years, complete reunion. i , | The Observer asks, whether, in the event of all Ulster being provisionj al’y excluded, Sir Edward Carson and his friends cannot agree at the | outset to a joint session with the remainder of Ireland, meeting alternately |at Dublin and Belfast, to dis Cuss thei rcommon affairs. It predicts that on such terms there he within a few years one Irish Parliament j i and one nation. , ...... , The News of the World says, regarding the exclusion of Ulster, the only obstacle to the agreement of 1914, was the exclusion, or inclusion of Tyrone. It is now being suggested that Tyrone be partitioned between j the rival parties. j There is good reason to believe that Mr. Asquith’s plans are realisable if Mr. Redmond agrees to this, and Mr. Carson would possess a masterly agrument to overcome all the covenanters’ objections to an Irish Parliament. ( Horace Plunkett suggests that Ireland should be put under a com- ■ mission; the more completely Irish the hetteh, with wide powers of en- , aiding it to secure effectiveness for its decisions. The commission will open a way to a new and fully representative government, until after the 1 war. when a permanent settlement can he effected. The commission should be a small body with an advisory council cooperating. MR. ASQUITH SUGGESTS AN IRISH EXECUTIVE. • i j MANY PRIESTS SUPPORT SINN FETNERS. | LONDON. May 20. j Advices from Ireland suggest that Mr. Asquith is discussing the formation of an Executive Council with wide administrative powers, sitting at 1 Dublin as an Irish Cabinet, but not possessing powers to enact legisla- I tion or impose new taxation. The opinion of Irish leaders will be sought before Tuesday. 1 Questioned as to whether he had special warnings of trouble, Mr. Birrell said; The Constabulary reports enable ns to form a correct estimate of each locality. These vary much according to the characters of the priests. If the priests are anti-Sinn Feiners Sinn Feinism dies out, but if the r clergy foster Sinn Feinism it is promoted and extended. He did not care 1 to say how many turbulent priests there were, but there was a consider- D able number. ! i ‘ A A SLIGHT GERMAN SUCCESS ON MORT HOMME. i A RAILWAY STATION BOMBED AND FIRED. (Reed. 11.50 a.m.). PARIS, May 21. A communique states: The Germans continued their attacks on Mort I Homme, and occupied the first line of trenches on the wtestqrn ••slc-fye/s, | but all attempts on the eastern slopes failed. j Our aeroplanes bombed the enemy’s contonments. also Humes railway j station.av here a great fire followed and trains were obliged to leave at full | c speed. ; | c

THE TERRIBLE STORMING OF VIMY HEIGHTS. THRILLING NARRATIVE OF AWE-INSPIRING FIGHT. LANCASHIRBS CAPTURE A GERMAN FORT. THE SCREAMS OF MUTILATED GERMANS WERE TERRIBLE ALL POINTS ATTACKED ARE IN BRITISH HANDS. LONDON, May 20. Mr. Philip Gibbs, writing in the “Daily Chronicle,” gives a vivid account of the storming of the Vimy Craters, the scene of desperate assaults on Lafolie farm in 1015 when the French just failed to capture the Hossback, dominating the plain. The loss of every yard here is important because it gives a wider field for German observation and new field for machine gun fire. The Lancashire’s assault was so successful that it gained even more than the 250 yards claimed in the official despatch. It was really 360 yards. The Lancashire’s prime objective was a series of craters, forming a formidable outpost, manned by machine guns. For a fortnight we drove elaborate mine galleries and put in huge charges of explosives. On e group of mines was exploded under the craters with a. terrific roar, burying the machine guns. Then came a second wild upheaval. Immediately two lieutenants sprang out of the trenches. The Lancashire followed with working parties, carrying sand bags and entrenching tools. The Germans were thrown into utter confusion by the explosions, being killed or mangled. With many cheers the attackers went on in the face of a flood of scarlet light from flares flung skywards, mingled with green rockets, which the Germans sent up as signals of distress. These added to the horror, but were too late to stop the attackers. The lieutenants were killed, but non-coms took over command. Two hours later the whole chain of craters was held. The screams of the buried and mutilated Germans wa s so terrible that they affected the British to such an extent that in the heat of the fight the British cried ‘We will cease fire if you will in order to let you recover your wounded.” The cry was repeated, the British waiting in silence. The Germans answered with a shower of bombs. Most bitter fighting continued all night, the imprisoned Germans continuing to scream for help. By daybreak the Lancashires had properly dug-in, and communication trenches were established. Since the capture there have been most serious counter-attacks. The German re-captured at least one crater, but we secured the important apex, which we are determined to hold. The “Chronicle’s” Paris correspondent says 15,000 Germans on Thursday, attacked on a front of a mile and a quarter on both sides of Hill 287. They retired only when hundreds had been shot down. Later a fresh 15,000 advanced repeatedly and desperately, but they had only captured a small field work when the French captured the German fort on the slope of the hill. The first wave was stopued twenty yards from the work, the second gained the parapet, and the third overwhelmed the trenches. They found 450 dead Germans and captured machine-guns. Sir Douglas Haig reports. The Lancashires re-captured the crater lost, cn Vimy ridge on the 18th.

BRITISH SINK GERMAN SHIPS HOW THE GERMANS 'WERE TREATED. THE MEN’S OWN TESTIMONY. COPENHAGEN, May 19. The crews of the Koliga and Bianca told the receiving ships that the submarines used great consideration, and gave them ample time. They were even allowed to take away their j best clothes. The Bianca ’s captain | was taken aboard the submarine bej wuse when he returned to the Bianca to get the s hip’s papers he was i nearly drowned. | It is believed two more German i steamers have been sunk. | A German firm in Stockholm has j been instructed to keep all its steami ers in port. ! A British submarine torpedoed a i German steamer, coal kaden, bound | from Luboek to Norway, at the eni trance to the Sound. The crew were } saved. I POLITICAL AND MILITARY SITUATION. MR ASQUITH TO MAKE A STATEMENT. LONDON, May 21. Mr Asuith will make a general statement regarding the political and j military situation in the House of Commons on Tuesday. BRITISH PRISONERS IN GERMANY. 19,000 FED BY BRITAIN. LONDON, May 21 The British section of the Bureau des Ecours at Berne is supplying 19,000 British prisoners in Germany with, daily consignments of 6,400 two-pound loaves. Over a million have been despatched. BRITAIN’S MUNITIONS WORKS. ' ”.,577 STATE CONTKOLLEED ESTABLISHMENTS. LONDON, May 20. The 'Minister of Munitions states ( that controlled establishments number 3.577. CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS. LONDON, May 20. After a week’s court-martial, threw conscientious objectors were sentenced to six and nine months in Cardiff Barracks for refusing to undergo medical examination. Sentences were passed in the Barracks Square. ] where 300 troops were paraded. Near- j ly all' had been at the Front. BRITAIN’S FINANCIAL RESOURCES. £300,000,000 TO BE VOTED. LONDON, May 19. It is expected that on Tuesday a credit vote of £300,000,000 will be pass- 1 ed.

[ MYSTERIOUS GERMAN BATTLEPLANE. BLACK VISITOR TO RIGA. PARIS, May 19. A mysterious large German battleplane appeared at Riga. It is entirely black and lias remarkable stability. It flies in all winds at a great altitude and is believed to liavc a ’ speed of about 150 miles per hour. l SEAPLANE RAID ON ENGLAND. ' EAST COAST OF KENT BOMBED. i INCONSIDERABLE DAMAGE DOVE. ’ ONE OF THE RAIDERS DOWNED. LONDON, May 19. Official. Three seaplanes raided the East Coast of Kent at 2 o’clock this morning. One dropped a dozen bombs on the Isle of Thanet. The only damage done was broken windows. There were no casualties. Other seaplanes dropped 25 bombs in south-eastern Kent. A soldier was killed and a woman and a seaman injured. A publichouse was wrecked and several houses damaged. The raiders went off immediately. One was downed on the Belgian coast by naval patrols. ATTACK AT LOOS REPULSED. ANXIOUS ANZACS. RUSH TO" FIRING LINE. LONDON, May 21. Sir Douglas Haig reports: The enemy on Friday, night raided our line southwest of Loos and entered our front trenches, but were driven out immediately, When the Germans shelled and raided the Anzacs’ trenches last week a large number of men were off duty. As soon as they heard the shells and saw the green and red flares they lined up, without officers or non-coms, and rushed off to the front line. Many, disdaining the saps, crossed the open ground under fire. Their colonel was complimented on the men T s smartness. An Amsterdam press message reports large German concentrations on the I British front. Twenty thousand fresh ( troops have been sent to La Bassee. ' The greatest activity os Induce?: Ypres and Lens. FRENCH ENTER GERMAN TRENCHES. PARIS, May 21. A communique says; A coup-de-ma; i enabled us' to penetrate the enemy's lines north-west of Ville-sur-Tourbe. The occupants of the trench were kit- : ed or taken prisoners. RUSSIAN SUCCESS IN PERSIA. PEETROGRAD, May 21. A communique says; We occupied Sakiz, in Persia, and advanced to the village of Ban. j;

DESPERATE FIGHTING AT MORT HOMME. GERMANS MAKE ELABORATE ATTACKS. REPULSED WITH HEAVY LOSSES PARIS, May 21. The Gormans, after an extremely violent bombardment, launched a widespread attack in the whole of the Mori Homme region. They momentarily entered onr first line to the eastward, hut were driven out with heavy losses. After a series of deadly and fruitless assaults to the westward and on the northern slopes of Mort Homme, the Germans 'occupied some elements of an advanced trench. Some contingents reached onr second line, hut were then caught by a violent fire from our guns, and retreated in disorder, leaving numerous dead. ITALIANS FORCED BACK. ROME, May 20. Official. After three (lavs’ most 1 furious bombardment, we evacuated Zugnatorta, which is in ruins. We evacuated similarly the line from Monte Naggio to Sagliodasnio, which is on the Upper Asrieo, in the Sugolsc was repulsed. v ITALIANS CLAIM SUCCESSES. ROME. May 21. We repulsed attacks between Adige and Terragnolb Volley. We withstood the offensive between the latter and the Upper Astico, also on the Asiago plateau. An air raid caused s l -ght casuallies at Cividale and Moran.o. NEW ZEALAND NEWS. BIG PATRIOTIC CHEGUE. BANK N.Z. SENDS £IO,OOO. WELLINGTON, Saturday. Mr. Russell received a cheque from the Bank of New Zealand this morning for £IO,OOO towards the Patriotic Funds. A CLEAN SHIP. DISCHARGING WILLOCHRA. LUMPERS REFUSE VACCINATION. DUNEDIN, this day. The Willochra is really now* a clean ship. The waterside workers ready to turn to as soon as they receive assurance that there is no danger. On the subject of vaccination, however, the men hold strongly that if the ship is clean there is no need for vaccination, hut if vaccination is insisted upon they will decline to be vaccinated, not because they want to do anything 1 to hold the transport up. but because the ship cannot be sufficiently clean to take the next lot of soldiers. It is not likely, however, there will be any trouble. The health authorities would like to see the men vaccinated as an extraordinary precaution, but if the men decline no strenuous opposition will be offered to their working the ship without being vaccinated. A MAN ARRESTED ASKED TO EXPLAIN HIS MOVEMENTS. CHRISTCHURCH, This day. It is stated that a man stayed at a boarding house at Kaiapoi on Thursday week of whom nothing is known. The Kaikoura police apprehended a man, they think he is the same, on a charge of being illegally on the premises. Ho will be asked to exidain his movements, GERMANS ARRESTED IN SAMOA. BROUGHT TO AUCKLAND AS PRISONERS OF WAR. AUCKLAND. This day. The Talune arrived from Samoa with eleven prisoners of war. The authorities are reticent about their identity. It is understood they include a former as-sistant-manager of the D. H. and P. G-. Coy., also Herr Berk mg, the German Col lector of Customs, and nine minor officials of the company.