MACKENSEN DEMORALISED

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 219, 14 November 1916, Page 5

MACKENSEN DEMORALISED

HiS ARMY IN DISORDERLY RETREAT * ONE-THIRD EFFECTIVES LOST PURSUED BY RUSSO-ROUMAMNS IMPORTANT SERVIAN VICTORIES the bulgar-germans fleeing GREAT NUMBER PRISONERS TAKEN GREAT BRITISH VICTORY ON THE SOMME

SEIpATIONAL DISCLOSURES.

CHARGES AGAINST GERMAN EMBASSY. BERNSTORFF DARED B*Y GRAVES. Received 8.50. WASHINGTON Nov IS. Graves, in his sensational allegations, says Bernstorff and his friends made a million by playing with stocsa on advance information from the activities of the U 55. He asserts that code letters which he offered to the Embassy contain diplomatic secrets ot great importance to the United States, which the German Embassy is afraid to permit him to translate. Graves, therefore, does not expect the Embassy to proceed with its charges against him of blackmail. Bernstorff, interviewed, characterized the charges as rot.

BAVARIAN REVOLUTION

WHOLE REGIMENTS AFFECTED / v' : '’/ THE KING RESTORING ORDER. Received 8.45. NEW YORK, Nov 13. The “World’s” Paris correspondent says that reports are growing of revoPjKon in Bavaria. Entire regiments of men of 45 years of age, who wer,e frightened with the terrible punishment inflicted on. Germans on the Somme and at Verdun, revolted. The King of Bavaria, interviewed, states be is endeavouring to restore order.

PREPARED FOR PEACE

UNANIMITY OF GERMAN PRESS. COPENHAGEN, Nov 12. German newspapers declare that von Bethmann Hellweg’s speech forms a basis for negotiations for peace. The “Frankfurter Zeitung” says: *‘lt gives evidence to the world that Germany is ready to parley. "We are anxious to learn Viscount Grey’s reply.’ ’ The “Kolnischc Zeitung” says the speech gives a foundation for negotiations. Germany desires the freedom, of both the small and the great countries.”

APPALLING CONDITIONS IN VIENNA.

FEARFUL INFANT MORTALITY. Received 11.35. LONDON, Nov 13. T® “Daily. Chronicle’s” Milan correspondent that a letter discloses that Vienna is overshadowed with a pall of gloom and desolation. There is a frightful increase in infant mortality, 42 per cent of which is attributed to the famine. Milk, butter, and eggs, have been reduced, and rations of a had quality have caused three hundred deaths in a single lunatic asylum.' For the same reason there has been an enormous increase in the death rate of sufferers from tuberculosis.

EX-SULTAN OF EGYPT.

KILLED BY THE BRITISH. Received 11.30. LONDON, Nov 13. An Egyptian official' report states: In the province of Darfu a small Egyptian force rounded up a band of rebels under ex-Sultan Ali Dinar, and 200 prisoners were taken; booty was captured, and Ali Dinar was killed.

POLISH INDEPENDENCE.

DECLARATION BY THE POLES. MUNICH, Nov 12. Tafcpty Polish notables including Cienkiwicz, the author, *, have issued a manifesto repudiating the “sham indifference/’ and urging the Poles not to fight against Russia.

THE ITALIAN CAMPAIGN.

AN AUSTRIAN MOVEMENT. LONDON, Nov 12. An Italian communique states that there is unusual movement of enemy troops and transport between, Itallarsa and the Ternagnolo Valley,, in the north-eastern Trentino. The artillery is active on the Julian front.

IN THE AIR.

THE GREAT BATTLE. FIGHTING IN THE CLOUDS. LONDON, Nov 13. Reuter’s correspondent at Headquarters says: The old leisurely air combats have now gone. We now have swifter and more breathless and reckless duels. The Germans are exactly copying our methods,, formations and tactics. The last engagement raged for twenty minutes, five thousand feet among the clouds. It was an inextricable tangle of darting and whirling, machines. The roar of seventy propellers and the clatter of the guns filled the air. A strong wind drifted the battle deeply into the enemy’s country.

GREECE.

PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT GROWING. ATHENS, Nov 12. As a result of the Government’s aqquiescence to the Entente demands, public officials and officers have been permitted to join the Provisional Government, provided the officers first resign. The Entente’s Ministers have accepted the condition. The German note is now regarded seriously. It is considered an attempt to gain time. BECOMING A SCANDAL. IMPRISONED GREEK SOLDIERS. BLOW TO ENTENTE’S PRESTIGE. LONDON, Nov 13. The Morning Post’s ‘Athens correpondent says the qucction concerning imprisoned Greek soldiers is becoming a scandal. The Entente’s acceptance of the Government’s proviso relating to resignation was a heavy blow to the Entente’s prestige, as it would only have required a plain demand for instant release to have forced the Government to capitulate. Germanoxfiiiles regard the solution as their triumph. Little good came of the Minister’s visit to the prison. Only three officers consented to resign. GERMAN NOTE NOT TAKEN SERIOUSLY. VON MIRB’ACH IN DEADLY FEAR. Received 1.25. ATHENS, Nov 13. The German Minister’s Note has not been taken seriously. Von Mirbach, who has been cut off from communication -with Berlin, is believed to have acted on -his own responsibility, and with the co-operation of Gounarlsts drew up the Note with the view of frightening the Government into a refusal of the Entente’s demands. The Note is firm and courteous, and deals with all points whereupon, according to German diplomacy, Greece departed from neutrality, aiding the Entente chiefly in the use of the Greek fleet. It declares Greek neutrality has become unstable. Pro-Germans are awaiting something decisive, and took the opportunity to point out that to Greece, neutrality was the best course. Von Mirbach is afraid of his life, and is never seen in a cafe without a revolver beside his plate. Popular indignation is high because the officers were compelled to resign before joining the Nationalists. The Entente’ has insisted that they retain their pensions seniority.

ON THE WESTERN FRONT.

FRENCH PROGRESS. IN THE SAILLISEL AREA. LONDON, Nov 12. A French communique reports: North of the Somme \vc made progress north of Saillisel and in the eastern portions of the village. The enemy violently bombarded the whole district south of the Sommp. An attack south-east of Beruy en Santerrc was broken. We captured a trench opposite Armaneourt. DOUAUMONT RECAPTURE. FORTS NOT DESTROYED. ENEMY INTENDED TO RETURN. FORESTALLED BY FRENCH LONDON, Nov 12. A London correspondent with the French Headquarters, after a visit to Fort Douaumont, says that owing to a big explosion of a magazine the Germans abandoned the fort hurriedly. Undoubtedly they intended to return, but the French forestalled them. The German stories of destruction are inventions, for excepting for a large hole in the roof, the fort is undamaged. Besides quantities of stores, two 75’s and a heavy gun, left when the French evacuated the fort, were recaptured. The remains of sixty Germans, asphyxiated months ago by an explosion, i .main immured behind an inner wall, .like the faithless nuns of old. BRITISH OFFICIAL REPORT. * ENEMY TREATED TO GAS. Received 9.15 LONDON, Nov 13. A British official report states that during the night we attacked on both banks of the Ancre, and a considerable number of prisoners have already boon reported. At Les Boeuis and also at Guedccourt there has been hostile artillerying during the night. Opposite Eans.we were successful in gassing the enemy trenches. At Armentieres the enemy’s trenches were entered.

BRITISH ADVANCE A MILE. BEAUMONT HAMEL CAPTURED. SEVERAL OTHER VILLAGES. TWO THOUSAND PPJISONERS TAKEN. Received 11.30. LONDON. Nov 13. The British have advanced to the depth of a mile and have captured Beaumont Hamel and other villages; 2000 prisoners were taken. CAPTURE OF THE REGINA TRENCH. A WONDERFUL ARTILLERY BARRAGE. LONDON, Nov 12. Mr. Gibbon says the capture of the Regina trench was a minor operation, but it was necessary for various reasons, particularly because it was a regular hotbed for snipers, who were taking unceasing toll of our positions. A staff officer declares that the barrage preceding our attack was tne best we have ever put over. The precision wherewith it was carried ahead of the infantry was wonderful. The artillery officers speak of it with delighted tones. The infantry’s task was heavy, but it might have been worse. The remnant of the garrison surrendered in true “Hun” fashion the moment our bombers commenced to drive trenchwise. A noteworthy feature of the enemy’s defence was their variety of machine-guns, including Russian rqhxims and Austrian guns captured by the Russians and re taken by the Germans. THE BATTLE OF SAILLISEL. RESUMED ON SATURDAY. PARIS, Nov 13. The battle of Saillisel was resumed on Saturday afternoon. After artillery preparations, which swept away the enemy works, French detachments assaulted the ruins of the village and desperate fighting ensued, the enemy offering a most vigorous resistance. Nevertheless, the fierce dash of the French crumpled two Bavarian battalions and retook the greater part of the village. The houses were carried one by one, each harbouring one or more machine guns. By four o’clock the whole of the central part of the village was in our hands. The battle continued the whole evening and the greater part of the night. A document found on a staff officer showed that the German command had ordered Saillisel to be held at all costs. GENERAL HAIG’S REPORT. LONDON, Nov 13. Sir Douglas Haig’s report states; The enemy’s artillery is active at Les Boeufs and Eaucourt L’Abbaye. TVe twice discharged gas north of the An ere.

SAILLISEL CAPTURED.

MANY GERMAN DEAD COUNTED. PARIS,, Nov 12. A communique states that north of the Somme we completed the conquest of Saillisel, and counted many German dead. The usual artillering prevails elsewhere.

BRIDGE FROM GERMANY.

V AMSTERDAM, Nov 12 The German newspaper Lokal Anzeiger, commenting on Mr Asquith’s Guildhall speech, says: “The Germans are fully occupied with their own affairs, and can hardly bo expected to act as the saviours of Armenians on others suffering from the misfortunes of war.’’ The paper adds: “Nobody in Germany has the slightest inclination for a separate peace with Great Britain, but if the other enemy States sound Germany we would perhaps try to build them a bridge.” ANOTHER BRITISH ATTACK. MANY PRISONERS ALREADY TAKEN. Received 11.10 LONDON, Nov 13. Sir Douglas Haig reports this morning we attacked German positions on the north bank of the Ancre. We have already a considerable number, of prisoners. We entered German trenches south-east of Armentieres.

THE BALKAN CAMPAIGN.

SERVIAN ADVANCE.

PARIS, Nov 12. A French communique says: The Servians, driving back tire Bulgarians in the, Cerna loop, continue their victorious advance. The whole of the Cuki range is now in their possession, while they have captured the village of Polok. Counter-attacks were repulsed with heavy loss. They also made progress further west, north of Veliselo. THE SERVIAN ADVANCE. CAPTURE OF DIFFICULT HEIGHTS BULGARS RETIRE IN. DISORDER. Received 9.35 LONDON, Nov 13 The Daily Chronicle’s Athens correspondent details the brilliant Servian advance made since September 30. The Bulgars had ample time to fortify a network of precipitous'' mountains to the northward. At dawn on Friday Franco-Servian artillery*.began shelling the front loading the Bulgars to expect an attack on the whole sector Instead the Servians’ object was to drive the Bulgars from the formidable Chuke heights. It was a difficult undertaking, but was completely successful. The batteries concentrated on the heights while the Servians commenced a converging attack, advancing on a twomile front from the south, and a twomile front from the east. The Bulgars made a stout and prolonged resistance, beating back the first assaults,, but the Servians by seven in the evening had captured the last of the topmost height —I4OO feet —and inflicted sanguinary losses. The survivors fled in disorder.

BULGARIAN EVACUATION. ATHENS, Nov 13. During the evacuation on the left bank of the Struma the Bulgars burned six villages and deported 12,000 Greeks to the interior. THE VALIANT SERVIANS. STILL CHASING THE BULGARS. NEW POSITIONS CAPTURED. Received 11.10. LONDON, Nov 13. A Serbian communique states: We have not only broken all counter-at-tacks against Cuke, but have continued our victorious advance to the pursuing the beaten enemy past Polog, which is entirely in our hands. We have captured 56 guns exclusive of trench ordnance since the 14th September. , FURTHER SERVIAN VICTORIES. MANY PRISONERS TAKEN. IMPORTANT ADVANCES MADE. Received 1,1.10 LONDON, Nov 13. Supported by intense fire from French artillery, the Servians looped Ccrna and after, sanguinary fighting compelled the Germans and Bulgarians to abandon th village of Wen, and fall back two miles to the northward. Five enemy counterattacks were repulsed in disorder and with considerable loss. The Servians assisted by the French also progressed north of Vcliselo. It was stated hitherto that more than a thousand prisoners were taken. When counted the Allies had prisonered six thousand, and also 72 guns and 50 machine guns.

THE ROUMANIAN CAMPAIGN

ROUMANIAN PROGRESS. ANOTHER ADVANCE IN THE DOERLTD JA. LONDON, Nov 12. | A Roumanian communique says: “In the Trotus Valley w t > occupied Alumis land Prectesele. In the Czuli Valley wc repulsed eight attacks in the direction of Cornica summit, and then took the offensive on the whole front Dora A lancia to Slania, and occupied Lupcei and Atamcar.ta summits in Buzu Valley. Wc repulsed an attack on the right bank of the Alt, and continued to.make progress. The enemy on the right bunk attacked furiously. In the Jiul Valley a violent attack compelled ns to retire southward slightly. “In the Dobmdja wc advanced as I far as the Topalo, ten miles south of Husova, on the right bank of the Danube. | CONSTANZA DESTROYED. ( EVACUATED BY ENEMY. ROME, Nov 12. It is reported here that the Roumanian port of Coustanza, ,captured, thiee weeks ago, has been destroyed b\ the enemy and evacuated by them. MACKENSEN IN FULL RETREAT. UNDER DISASTROUS CONDITIONS. ARMY DEMORALISED.

Received 11.35. LONDON, Nov 13. 1 A Petrograd wireless states that General Mackensen continues his retreat under disastrous conditions. The army is demoralised, and disease is rampant, owing to the failure of the reinforcements sought not being provided. Mackensen’s army -has lost onethird of its effectives. The Russians have passed the Danube at two points to the south of Cernavoda. The fleet has renewed the bombardment of Constanza. ROUMANIAN ADVANCE. SUCCESS ON NORTHERN FRONT. LONDON, Nov 13. A Roumanian communique announces successes On the northern front. The Roumanians assumed the offensive on (he Moldavia front, and advanced in tire Dobrudja to the line of Eopol, Gismc and Granasuf. GR A DUA LL Y SLACKENING. ROUMANIANS HOLD ENEMY BACK j BUCHAREST, Nov 13. j Military critics consider the AustroGcrmun efforts to force the Carpathians are gradually slackening. The troops are fatigued and unlikely to progress any further unless heavily reinforced. The Gorman failure to break the, barrier is due, firstly, to stubborn resistance and capacity for, mountain warfare; also to the enemy’s inability to use heavy artillery in the passes. The Roumanians meanwhile are rapidly improving and becoming a firstclass fighting machine. The German plans at Jiul, which so badly miscarried, were well conceived but faultily executed. They aimed at cutting off’ the first Roumanian army. The main body, advancing over-fast for the supporting column, was itself threatened with envelopment and compelled to retire with heavy losses.

GREAT ACTIVITY. BOMBINGS IN EGYPT. AND IN MESOPOTAMIA. Received 1.10 LONDON, Nov 13. A Mesopotamia ti official states that two British aeroplanes (successfully bombarded headquarters of the Turkish irregulars at 'Alain, west of Nassirdyeh. Au Egyptian official reports that a ton of high explosives were dropped in two successful air raids on Maghdaha and Birsaba. A number of direct hits did much damage to the enemy’s camp, store and sheds at Maghdaha. A hundred pound bomb directly Hit an aviator who was leaving the hangar at Birsaba, damaging the hangar, and did much damage to the railway station and to rolling stock.

HUN IRON FURNACES BOMBED. B'Y BRITISH NAVAL PLANES. Received 11.10 LONDON, Nov 33. A Paris -communique says there is nothing to report. Nine bombarding and seven escorting British naval aeroplanes bombed blast furnaces at Si. Ingbcrt, north-east of Sarrebrnch: all returned. Two Herman aeroplanes bombed Belfort, two civilians being injured.

CANADA AND RECRUITING

AUCKLAND, Nov 13. Mr Harold Beauchamp says: “I think I am right in suggesting that when I left Canada last month the limit of recruiting under the voluntary system had been practically reached. The Prime Minister* was at the time making strong appeals for more men to fill the gaps caused by the recent heavy casualties. He urged the leader of the Opposition, Sir Wilfred Lauri er, to sink all party differences and agree to the setting up of a general Parliamentary Committee to consider what steps should bo taken to enable Canada to continue regular contributions of men. To the surprise and disappointment of Britisli Canadians, Sir Wilfrid Laurior declined this invitation, so that now the whole responsibility in connection with the matter will rest with the Government. The necessity for compulsory military service is gravely apparent, but if any attempt were made to pass an Act to give effect to it it would be strenuously and, I fear, successfully opposed by FrenchCauadians.