Taihape Daily Times AND WAIMARINO ADVOCATE SATURDAY, JANUARY 13, 1917 THE WAR.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 219, 13 January 1917, Page 4

Taihape Daily Times AND WAIMARINO ADVOCATE

SATURDAY, JANUARY 13, 1917 THE WAR.

(With which is incorporated The Taihnpe Post and Waimarino News).

Information about the progress of the Avar certainly indicates some improvement, notably that the Russians are able to astonish Hindenburg by the number and quality of shells they are able to pelt amongst his men on a one hundred and fifty miles front. This little episode from Riga to Mitau has sent a little shiver down the backs of the directing Huns at Berlin. Their frank admission and resultant concern is the best evidence that it is no small or negligible event. Russia has captured highly fortified exceedingly important territory in the marsh country that was considered unconquerable; they also took an extraordinarily large number of big and other guns, besides the batch of prisoners on the usual Russian scale. This offensive was provoked by an attack, or raid, by the Germans, which will cause some hesitation about raiding in any other quarter without fullest and most detailed information. If it was to learn the Russian strength they certainly succeeded to a degree, and it has left them in wonder and surprise as to how much there is to follow. This looks like the commencement of the relief of Roumania. The Hun supermen even admit to having received a check in Roumania. To

keep up the appearances of advance they say they gained a foothold on the Roumanian side of the Putna river, but it was at a slippery spot, as a Russian official report finishes the account by saying, "we threw them back with heavy losses." All other German claims are of a negative character, except that at the tail of their story they say in the most casual of frays that we forced the enemy beyond the Sereth. Now, if this were fact it constitutes the most important news received yesterday, and it would certainly be quite sufficient cause for a good deal of German rejoicing, its relegation to the tail end cf a rather despondent story makes it unreliable. On the other hand, the Roumanian Legation at Rome reports that the consolidation of the Sereth-Pnu-h line was the main object of the recent battles; the Roumanian situation has improved and the German losses were colossal in their desoerate .attempts to prevent the Roumanians gaining their object. The Predeal army was not captured, as the Huns rapturously proclaimed. An English war correspondent witnessed its retreat to safety and assures us that it has clone some very important fighting since in stemming invasion. No

one will take seriously the story that Oonstantine has conceded an mat the

Allies demanded by ultimatum in Greece, but it is indeed gratifying to learn that Sarrail has been given a free hand to assert the Allies' desires and make secure their interests. This means that fireworks displays may commence in Greece at any moment, for it cannot be that Constantine is any more truthful or sincere in his dealings with the Allies than he has proved to be for the last year or so. The position in Greece is a mystery that is likely to result in sensational disclosures, may it be to our advantage. Italy has decided to take a much larger number of shares in the Greek concern; large bodies of troops are being sent to help in getting things moving more lively, and as Lloyd George has made a special journey to Rome in this connection, vigorous action in the very near future may confidently be expected. Rather bewildering experiences are being chronicled on the western front. A British attack on a fairly large scale was made between Arras and the Somme, preceded by artillery preparation. A noted and most reliable British war correspondent, on the spot, tells us that the attackers found only a few dead Germans, not a live Hun was in occupation right through to the third line of defence. Since this unopposed tour of inspection it is reported that a section of trench, east of Beaumont-Hamel, has been seized and consolidated by our men. As this adjoins, or is in very close proximity to where the unopposed raid was, and as nothing is said to the contrary, the trench seized may have been taken while the Germans were out. Other experiences were met with at Loos, where a successful raid resulted in a number of German prisoners. The consensus of information portends that a busy time is at hand for the Huns in France and elsewhere. Definite evidence is fairly plentiful that the luxurious dug-outs, in which the supermen have their heating stoves, kitchens and wine stores, are to have a visit from the uncivilised Slavs on the East and from the contemptible JB'riton on the West. In fact it is not absolutely certain that they have not fooled our men by making a. moonlight flit. That tour of inspection (it cannot be called an attack, tor there was nobody to attack, except one poor Hun machine-gunner, and he may have been chained there by his super-bre-thren) and examination of the country is mystifying to an extreme. Whatever explanation, may follow matters little, for it is apparent that the Allies are just upon ready to strike on all fronts. Where preparations lag they are being hurried forward by the man at the very top. Men and women are tumbling pell mell over each other to subscribe to the Victory War Loan that is now on the British market; the unanimity in England is gloriously amazing. The offensive that is to •have no stopping places till victory is reached is on the tapis; may the Allies' humane object be gained with as little loss of life as possible. The slaughter may be great, but it would be far greater, and final victory rendered uncertain by continuing the half-hearted, piecemeal methods of the past.

Last week a farmer in the Teiuuka district sold 10 head of cattle at £lB a head.

Mr. A. Feasey, who iias acted as depot changeman, Taihape locomotive department, for the last three years, has been promoted to assistant foreman at Wellington. Mr. W. Moloney has been promoted from Dunedin to fill the vacant position at Taihape.

We have received from Messrs Fraser and Co., saddlers and harness makers of Taihape, a very handy tear off wall, calendar, which for each month of the year shows a seasonable illustration entitled "Round the Farm." The calendar is both ornamental and useful.

Adjutant Hewell and Lieutenant Hill of the Salvation Army, who have been stationed in Taihape for the last twelve months, have received instructions to proceed to pastures new. The Adjutant to Motueka, and the Lieutenant to Tauranga. The newly appointed officers are Adjutant and Mrs. Parsons, whom wc hope wiJi have a very successful term. It is reported that a number of murders have been taking place recently in Fiji, the cruei: cause of the trouble being jealousy. The weapon

used is the cane-knite. Not long ago a native reported a murder at Nadi, and the pulice on investigating discovered a few bones, on which was a little flesh. Four Indians were arrested as a result of the murder. On New Years Day a double murder occurred near Labasa, on the island of Vanua Levu. An Indian woman and a young son were seriously wounded, both dying from loss of blood. An Indian confessed his guilt, and was surprised to be charged with murder.

Up to the present more than 100 foreign spies have been expelled from Switzerland. The latest of the new war-time industries which have sprung up in Nottingham is a dye works, covering ten acres of land.

The estimated population of the Bominion on December 30 last is put by the Government Statistician at 1,092, 50S - • i ■ AM

It. is understood that the Government lias purchased Mn E. Baxter's farm at Seafield (Ashburton County), consisting of 1300 acres, for the xmrpose of settling returned soldiers.

Many people are probably unaware of the fact that if a police constable calls upon them for assistance when arresting anyone they are required by law to render such assistance.

A father severe earthquake shock was felt at Taihape this morning at 10.27. A Press wire from Napier states that the shock was felt at Napier at 10.26, and lasted 27 seconds.

The value of the cheese exported from the port of Patca for the twelve months ending November 30 last was £1,083,726. For the twelve months ending November 30 of the previous year the value was £1,00(>,698.

Relatives and friends of returning soldiers should note that the Navua, which was expected to arrive at Dunedin to-morrow, has been delayed,, and will not arrive until a week later, the 20th.

"I think that the development that has taken place throughout the Dominion during the last ten years in the direction of hospital extension has been magnificent," says the Hon. G. W. Russell.

It has been ascertained that in a number of cases in England men anxious to escape army service have obtained unhealthy persons to impersonate them before civilian practitioners. A circular from the War Office quotes a case in which matter discharged from a man's ears was analysed and found to be condensed milk.

An Irish battalion was going into the trenches for the first time to relieve a Scottish battalion and as they passed an Irish soldier called out: "Hallo Jock, does your mother know you're out?" A tall, tired, dirty Highlander retorted "Gang awa' hame, laddie, and tell your mother that ye've seen the sogers."'

A New Zealander who has just returned from an eight months' visit to England and Scotland, states that as a result of the withdrawal of the trawlers from the fishing grounds to act as mine-sweepers, the cost of fish has risen enormously. Fish, which sold before the war at Ss per cwt, is now bringing £7 per cwt., and has been as high as £lO.

\ "The weakness of our industrial position in regard to our most dangerous future competitor is that the average output of the American worker is from two to throe times that of the Briton, and other competitors are not less favourably circumstanced," remarks Lord Sydenham. He adds: "Better machinery and business methods may in some cases account for this startling fact; but nothing that the employers can do will even compensate for the regulated limitation of effort, which is economically and morally disastrous."

One result of the war is very noticeable throughout the agricultural lands in Hawke's Bay, says the "Herald." The farms round Argyle, Tikokino, Onga Onga, and Takapau before the war at this season of the year were always showing an abundance of crops. To-day less than 500 acres are under crop, where previously easily three or four thousand acres were producing oats, barley or wheat. One regrettable feature is that the farmers agree that a better season has not been experienced for many years in Hawke 's Bay, bat the uncertainty of the labour market is the chief cause of the farmers not taking the advantage offered by nature.

Before the Military Service Soard at Christchurch yestreday Frederick Boselei'j motor mechanic, of Ladbrooks, appealed on the ground that he considered he was German, and he was the only man at home to look after his parents. Appellant said that his parents were German. His father was naturalised 20 years ago. He himself was born in New Zealand in 1878, and had been here ever since. He had two cousins, officers iu the German army, and another cousin in the German navy, and he had corresponded with them till war broke out. Asked with whom his sympathies lay he refused to answer, lie could speak German. His mother was born in England of German parents. Hi s father was 74 and his mother 7l>. One of his brothers was on a farm, another had left for the front with a recent Reinforcement, and a third was working in the country. The chairman said appellant was a British subject, and he had not established any ground for exemption. The appeal would be dismissed, but the fact that appellant was of German parentage and refused to state wdth whom his sympathies lay in the present struggle would be noted, and the military authorities could do ■with appellant as they pleased.

It is uot every locality that can boast a parson who shears his hundred sheep a day on week days and returns to town for the week-end and his church (say£ „the MataiVra Ensign). The services of Mr Matthew Bell, of the Gore Church of Christ, have lately been in much demand. A pretty compliment from a father to his son was contained in the confession of Dr Chavasse, Bishop of Liverpool, that when his boy won the V.C. he said to him; "Hitherto you have been the son of the Bishop of Liverpool, now I am the father of Captain Chavassc. •"'