A GERMAN WEDGE

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 218, 25 October 1916, Page 5

A GERMAN WEDGE

BREAKING RUSSO-GERMAN JUNCTION * allied efforts to forestall GERMANS CAPTURE PRIDEAL PASS PRISONERS AND BOOTY CLAIMED A SERVIANS ADVANCE AGAINST BULGARS BRITISH CAPTURE OTHER POSITIONS ADVANCE MADE PAST MORTAL

THE ONLY SORT OF PEACE. ALLIES TO NAME TERMS. T V LONDON, Oct. 23. Viscount Grey, Britain's Foreign Minister, replying to the toast of his Realth at the Foreign Press luncheon, said M. Biand’s recent speech in the French Chamber., Mr Lloyd George's American interview, and Mr Asquith's speech in the House of Commons gave the world note of the tone of the Allies. He endorsed all that had been said. The ’Allies must secure this war, they must not forget how the war originated. Germany’s statesmen talked of peace, and said that Germany must have guarantees against future attacks. If Britain had forced the war on Germany that would be a logical statement, but precisely because the war was not forced on Germany,, but on Europe by Germany, the Allies must have guarantees of future peace. Lord Grey reviewed the pre-war ne- ■ gotiations showing that Germany alone refused a pacific conference. All effort s to avoid war failed because the will for war existed in Berlin. It was tmeausc Britain had this experience that ihe was determined that the war should aot end until she was sure that future jenerations should not be subjected to mcli, terrible trials again. ON BOARD A TANK. LADLING OUT DEATH. LONDON, Oct 23. An extract from the diary of an Ausralian, wmunded while serving in one >f his Majesty's landships, says:— r< lt was Tvorse than a submarine, fank-siekness is just the same as seaickness. I couldn't see anything at irst; The bullets rattled like hail:tohes. Then there was a series of lammer. blows and a terrible lurch. The look-out said: ‘We’ve straddled ice of their trenches; give 'em Hell! ’ “Our guns raked the trenches right ,nd left. We peeped at the frightened Inns, who were a grimly humourous pcctacle as they bolted like scared abbits. We shot down bunches of hem scuttling to their burrows,, and .vertook and cut off more, cutting their anks to pieces. The officers vainly ought to rally the survivors, who surrendered with their mouths open. We tad some exciting w'eeks of fun, lading out death like grinding music from i hurdy-gurdy. We scared Fritz to bath, and he had no fight in Mm.' PANICKY GERMANY. FEAR OF AERIAL REPRISALS. AMSTERDAM, Oct 23. A state of panic exists in west German owns *at the possibility of air reprials. Lighting restrictions are being enorced at Munich, Strassburg and Cojgne. ' - A nightly service imploring Divine irotection against the barbarous enemy 3 held at Karlsruhe. A THRILLING ADVENTURE. WITH A SUBMARINE. Received 11.29. The steamer Waimana, which arrivd this morning, had an exciting exerience early in September. When 0 miles off Ushant information was eceived from a neutral ship that a erman submarine was 10 miles head, the neutral vessel having board survivors from a British ship unk by the submarine. The Waimana [g-zagged and met an English steamr, oil laden, and warned the latter f the proximity of the submarine. A iW minutes later shots were heard, hots were being exchanged between ie submarine and the oil ship. The Taimana received an s.o.s call from n Enjpish ship, and almost immediteiy there came a second message, lying the submarine had gone away, he. rest of the Waimana’s voyage was neventful.

A STARTLING REVELATION. SUBMARINING IN AMERICA. AMERICAN WARSHIPS ASSIST. MORE THAN THE HUNS EXPECT- ' ED A SUBMARINE BASE ARRANGED A SATISFACTORY COMPACT MADE Received 9.15. NEW YORK, Oct 24. The “Providence Journal,” which has made several exclusive announcements, says: We have information secured direct from the German Embassy sources, that the entire scheme of submarining in American waters was originated by Captain Boyed, who directs it from Germany. We are able to state positively the U-53 was accompanied by U-48 (Commander Michaelis), and U-61 (Commander Griefen). There are three submarines still in American waters. B'oyed wrote to a friend in the German Embassy on September 4, pointing out that it was necessary to see what America would do when ships were sunk - in her own waters, adding: “We must prevent loss of life, therefore we must ascertain if America is willing to carry out rescue work.”

The newspaper continues: Rose’s visit to Newport was simply a blind. Hours after U-53 left a mysteriously coded wireless message was sent out, giving instructions that next day the U 53 was to be picked up by her consorts. Sinkings were carried out, American destroyers assisting better than was expected.

On October 9, Bernsstorff had a conference with New York members of his staff, and two German-American attorneys, whereat Bei’nstorff made a statement to the following effect: “We have established a working basis for submarining in American waters; we have a precedent which guarantees that American warships will not hesitate to save life. Wo are glad to transfer this humanitarian work to the United States; it is a good arrangement all round, and a satisfactory method of procedure. HUNS INSPECTING HOLLAND MILITARY POSITIONS SCRUTINISED. Received 9.15 LONDON, Oct. 24. The “Daily Telegraph’s ’' Rotterdam correspondent states that on Sunday a Zeppelin, flying low and using searchlights, cruised over Holland for two hours inspecting military positions. MINISTER OF PENSIONS. LABOUR MEMBER APPOINTED Received 9.15 LONDON,' Oct 24. Mr Henderson is about to be appointed the first Minister of Pensions. BRITISH NAVAL PLANE. ATTACK FOUR HUN AEROPLANES ONE DOWNED AND DESTROYED. Received 11.40. LONDON, Oct 24. The Admiralty reports that yesterday afternoon a naval aeroplane attacked four seaplanes off Ostend, downed and destroyed one, and drove off the others. GREEK PRINCE IN LONDON. I CONSTANTINE’S EMISSARY. Received 11.40 ATHENS, Oct. 24. Cleutherostyphos states that the Greek prince is visiting London with the object of preventing recognition of the National Government. He offered to satisfy the Allied demands if their view was accepted. The Allies replied inconclusively, indicating they would act as the situation demanded.

THE ROUMANIAN DANGER. BRITISH ANXIETY RENEWED. ENEMY SECURE A GREAT HAUL. FAR-REACHING RESULTS ANTICIPATED. LONDON, Oct. 24. The success of Maekeusen ’s unexpected attack lias renewed public 1 anxiety as to Roumania ’s ability to counter the fierce Austro-German assaults. It is understood that Maekeusen now commands one-third of the Bulgarian army, which has a considerable stiffening of Germans together, with many Turks added siifce Mackenscn’s reverse on September 20. After breaking the Russo-Roumanian left wing and capturing the fortified centre of Topraisar, Mackensen pushed

on instantly fifteen miles, displaying the remarkable faculty for improving a victory which is his chief military virtue. Ho was thus able to throw an

army within 24 hours across the railway, cutting off Constanza. It is feared large stores of petroleum and cereals were stored at Constanza. The docks cover 150 acres and are able to store 70,,000 tons of grain, and also being the headquarters of 757 Roumanian merchant ships. The capture of the town means the loss of the shortest line of communication between Bucharest and Odessa via the Black Sea, and increases the difficulty of preventing the enemy from crossing the Danube and cutting the Russian land communication with Bucharest.

Other Russo-Roumanian difficulties arise from the fact that they cannot retreat northward because it is vital to : keep contact with the Cernavoda bridge, which is the sole means of communication across the Danube from Bucharest.

General Polivanoff, formerly Russian War Minister, is joining the Roumanian headquarters.

If Mackensen hems the Russo-Rou-maniang into the small semi-circle of territory before Cernavoda, the Roumanians will find the bridgehead very costly to defend against the conditions of modern artillery fire. If retreat is eventually necessary the passage of the bridge-will be an operation fraught with the utmost danger. The fact that Mackensen claims no prisoners indicates that the Roumanians have retreated beyond the railway in accordance with plan. Thre is stubborn fighting on other Roumanian fronts, but only in the northern sector is there a tendency to drive back the enemy. It is apparent that Falkenhayn's troops have a footing on the Roumanian side of at least five passes. It is, estimated that Falkenhayn has fourteen divisions in Transylvania. It is noteworthy that Austro-Hun-garian war correspondents in Transylvania continually insist on the difficulties confronting Falkenhayn. They say snowfalls may delay the advance and Roumania be able to draw upon Russian reinforcements. The Central Porvers must be satisfied if the enemy is kept out of Hungary.

A DISAGREEABLE BLOW. AND A TACTICAL DEFEAT. LONDON, Oct 24. Colonel Repington, the military correspondent of the “Times,” says: The reported loss of Constanza is due to the reorganisation of German manpower, by reducing the number of battalions to make from twenty to thirty new divisions, thus enabling Hindenburg to create new anti-Roumanian armies. Mackcnsen’s renewed advance indicates the arrival of important reinforcements —possibly Turks. The Dobrndja is now a vital theatre, but Constanza’s loss is a disagreeable blow and a tactical defeat, as it limits Russian reinforcements, reduces Roumanian strength, and impairs Roumanian confidence. The Salonika offensive is only able to help Roumania indirectly. Russia alone can directly give succour. Alexieff will do his utmost to counterattack Hindcnburg’s dangerous schemes ROUMANIAN RESISTANCE INCREASING . A GERMAN REPORT. FALKENHAYN SLOWED DOWN. Received 10.40 NEW YORK, Oct 24. The strengthening of Roumanian resistance was described by von Wicgand in a despatch to the New York World dated froro-Falkenhayn’s army between Bucar a fid Kimpolung, October 18; “Slowly and steadily Roumanian attempts to check Falkpnhayn’si three columns through the passes southward of Kronstadt arc becoming stronger and more energetic. It was not until they reached Bucar that the Roumanians seemed to catch their breath. Demoralisation now appears to have given way to organised resistance and desperate attempts to assault the advancing columns which, for bravery, tenacity and technical skill, are surprising during the last few days, as former efforts lacked these qualities. In consequence Falkenbayn’s columns had to slow down. The Roumanians appear to have many guns here than in the defence of Prcdcal Pass, and much better accuracy. ’ ’

FALL OF CONSTANZA. NOT OP GREAT IMPORTANCE. BAD TIME,FOR ENEMY. Received 11.55. LONDON, Oct 24. French experts compare the fall of Constanza to the capture of Charleroi and Morhauge, at the beginning of the war, annoying but not irremediable. They point out that the port is not much use to Germans as the Russian fleet will make the stay of the invaders uncomfortable, before they have time to lay mines and establish a submarine base. It will be hazardoua for Mackensen to continue his advance as far as the loop in the Danube towards the B'essarabian frontier, and the Russian command is fully aware of the importance of checking the German invasion. A RUSSIAN REPORT. OF THE ROUMANIAN FRONT. Received 11.40 LONDON, Oct 24. A Russian communique declares the enemy is passive in the Trotus Valley. We repulsed attacks at Orsova. Artillery is active on the Busco, Dobrudja, and Kimpolung line. Under pressure Roumanians retired to the heights north of Constanza and Medjidie, the enemy occupied both towns. We dispersed Turks north of Dizy and southeast of Lake Van. CONSTANZA ENTERED ON SUNDAY. ADVANCE NORTH-WESTWARD. Received 11.40. AMSTERDAM, Oct 24. A Bulgarian communique states: Cavalry entered Constanza on Sunday afternoon. Detachments occupied Islismetope, ten miles north-west of Constanza in the evening, also the village of Alagapa, near the railway. it THE CONSTANZA INCIDENT. 1 HUNS GET LITTLE BOOTY. BUCHAREST, Oct 24. It is reported that the enemy has taken little booty at Constanza, as the evacuation had been decided upon for some time. The Kaiser congratulated Czar Ferdinand. A GERMAN COMMUNIQUE. PREDEAL PASS CAPTURED. BOOTY AND PRISONERS Received 11.55 '

AMSTERDAM,- Oct. 24. A German comrauniuqe states: Fran-co-Britisli attempts to break through were sanguinarily defeated north of I tho Somme. Dead were lying in heaps west of Lc Transloy. The French advanced on the Ablaincourt and Chaulnes. We captured Predeal after bitter fighting, and broke do\?n Rumanian re--1 sistanee at the southern exit of Rod Tower Pass. Cavalry pursued the disordered enemy. We reached the region of Caramurat. We captured Midjidu and Pasovo. Including Saturday’s total we took G 770 prisoners, 52 machine guns and 12 cannon. A GERMAN WEDGE TO CUT OpFeoUMANIA. FROM RUSSIAN HELP. t Received 11.40. i PETROGRAD, Oct. 24. Entente troops are making an effort to forestall the Austro-German attempt to drive a wedge between Russians and Roumanians, which would enable Falkenhayn to advance in the Buzue Valley and junction with Mackensen, cutting off the greater part of Roumania. ROUMANIAN COMMUNIQUE. GERMAN ATTACKS REPULSED. Received 11.50. LONDON, Oct 24. A Roumanian communique states: There is no change in Tulgis and Lucazin. In Trotus Valley we repulsed the enemy. Westward of Uzul Valley the enemy thrice attacked at Predeal, also at Dragoslave, which we repulsed. They also violently attacked and slightly advanced in Jiul Valley. Donrudja attacks continue. Our left wing retired towards Caramurt. The enemy occupied Constanza. A SERBIAN REPORT. BULGAR FIRST LINE TAKEN. Received 11.40 LONDON, Oct. 24. A Serbian communique states that Germans and Bulgars fiercely attacked the Serbian Vardar division unsuccessOun first army advanced the whole length and took the first line of Bulgarian trenches There was fierce fighting north of Veleselor which favoured us.