FURTHER BRITISH SUCCESSES

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 14 February 1917, Page 5

FURTHER BRITISH SUCCESSES

ON THE WESTERN FRONT. - 1 THE BRITISH ADVANCE. SHOULD TEST GERMAN TACTICS. LONDON, Feb. 12. Tlie newspapers draw particular attention to the British advance, characterising it as being of real importance. They suggest that the British should definitely ascertain whether the German retirement is wholly forced or represents some new tactical device. ANOTHER BRITISH ADVANCE. LONDON, Feb. 13 Sir Douglas Haig reports: We further progressed yesterday in the neighbourhood ox the Beaucourt-Puiseux Road, and occupied 600 yards of trencnes without difficulty. A counter attack south of Serre Hill was caught by our artillery barrage and easily repulsed. We entered the enemy’s line in a number of places and exploded an ammunition dump south-east of Armentieres. Mr Gibbs humorously explains the German communique’s reference to the ‘ British snow shirts. The troops at the 1 fiiont were recently enlivened by euof officers shopping in the French villages and buying up ladies ’ night dresses. The Canadian trenches echoed with laughter when a hundred brawny men, donning night-dresses, in the bright moonlight, went out over the snow-covered No Man’s Land. .Many of the white dresses were stained red before th e adventure ended,, but the Germans, glimpsing at the fantastic figures, quickly surrendered, or were slain, and the so-called pierrots returned light-heartedly bringing German prisoners. The Gordons carried out a similar successful raid,, wearing white smocks and •white-painted helmets.

IN THE AIR. HEROIC BRITISH AVIATOR. BRINGS BACK HIS PLANE. ALTHOUGH WOUNDED AND BURNED. LONDON, Feb. 12. The Press Bureau reports that the Victoria Cross has been awarded to Sergeant Thomas Mottershead, of the Flying Corps. He was attacked at an altitude of nine thousand feet, and his tank was pierced, his aeroplane being enveloped in flames. Though suffering extreme torture through burns he displayed great bravery, presence of mind and skill in selecting a landing place,. Mid brought his machine back to the lines with wonderful endurance and fortitude, saving the observer’s life. Mottershead subsequently succumbed to his injuries. AIRCRAFT RISKS REDUCED.

Received 8.50,

LONDON, Feb. 13

The Times states that the British rates for aircraft risks of insurance will bo reduced 50 per cent, on March

HUNNISH METHODS. WHOLESALE EXECUTIONS IN SERVIA. Received 8.50. LONDON, Feb 13. The Servian Legation states that the Austrians are hanging many civilians in Servia for petty offences, including giving food to fugitives, -having more food housed than permitted, and retaining copper utensils. Numbers have been hanged because they could not or would not indicate where tke State archives were buried. A Ivealthy mutant was hanged for re fusing to reveal the whereabouts of the private property of the Crown Prince.

ameriMns detained as hostages BRITISH ADVANCE AT KUT TURKS COMPLETELY HEMMED SH BRITISH TANKS IN ROUMANIA “ GERMANY CANNOT BE STARVED ”

REVIEW OF THE WAR. ; SPEECH BT MR. BONAR LAW. LONDON, Feb 12. In the House of Commons, Mr. Bonar Law' said the troops actually engaged on the fighting front were fourteenfcld the number engaged at the outbreak of war. Not only were they superior to the enemy man for man, but their equipment was superior. The results shown in the constantly successful raids, which would have been impossible half a year ago, gave good reason to hope for most satisfactory I results when more important operations were undertaken. The total daily expenditure on all services, said Mr. Eonar Law, was £5,790,000. The total voted for the > var was £3,732,000,000. With the ordinary expenditure, the debit at the end of the financial year would be between £4,800,000,000 and £4,900,000,000, the bulk of which would not bo a burden on the United Kingdom when the war was won. This expenditure could not continue indefinitely, but Britain could bear the strain longer than her enemies. We would not be forced to a disastrous peace for financial reasons. Mr. Bonar Law said his predecessors had imposed new taxation estimated to give three hundred million during the current year. He believed this amount would bo exceeded if it became necessary to maintain peace taxation on the same level. We ■would have the means even when the excess profits tax ceases, wherewith to pay interest and meet sinking fund payments for -wiping out the burden in a comparatively short time. A most difficult road is ahead. Many more sacrifices will be necessary but neither as regarded finance, courage, mr endurance would we go back till we reached the end we had set ourselves. Advances to Allies and the Dominions to March 31st would total 890 millions. He was confident regarding the future. He did not know whether the new War Loan would be a success, but applications would certainly be more numerous and he believed the amount applied for would be greater than ever before.

A PLEA FOR ECONOMY. LONDON, Feb 12. , Mr. McKenna emphasised that none would grudge the expenditure, but the best use should be made of resources. Effective man-power could be better employed in campaigns near home than those distant.

Mr. Walton urged the stopping of waste and getting something like value for money. if the War Loan did not produce a hundred million, there must be another in a few months. It would probably be compulsory.

Mr. Ramsay MacDonald supported a compulsory loan. The East was now the chief theatre. The Germans were beaten; it was only a question of how to drive them homewards. It was difficult to know how the enemy could be dislodged in the middle East except by negotiation. The vote was unanimously adopted. A PICTURE OF WOE FOR GERMANY. IF COLONIAL TROOPS INVADE THE FATHERLAND. Received 8.50. AMSTERDAM, Feb 13. The Kolnische Zoitung has a remarkable article on the pictures of woe that will overtake the Fatherland if Germany is forced to her knees, particularly fearing the results if the hordes of Australasia, Canada, Tonkin and Senebin break far. ugh it steel barrier and -V-m... . land.

ON THE SEA. THE NEW GERMAN SUBMARINES Received 5.50. LONDON, Fob. 13 A veil informed expert says Gennauy lias prepared super-frightfninoss v standardising submarines. Hundreds of factories are specialising in ingle parts, which aic sent to Kiel, whore skilled staffs bolt them together. Crews arc being rapidly trained by exports in training schools,, and the living conditions in II boats have been improved. They are double-hulled, and fitted with net-shearing apparatus, and they carry guns of equal calibre to destroyers. WHITE STAR LINER SUNK. Received 8.50. LONDON, Feb. 13 The White Star liner Afric has been submarined. Seventeen of the crew arc missing. GERMANY’S FUTILE BLOCKADE LONDON, Feb. 12. Inviow of the submarine blockade, the Board of Trade figures for the imports of foreign and colonial corn into the United Kingdom last week arc particularly interesting. The wheat imports were 2,7(50,200 cwts, and maize 1,069,300, as compared with 1,111,800 and 495,800 respectively for the corresponding week of last yean.

GREEK STEAMER SUNK. LONDON, Feb. 12. The Greek steamer Visilissaolga, of 1400 tons, has been sunk. The crew was lauded, A BRITISH STEAMER SUMK. Received 9.20. LONDON, Feb 13. ’ The British steamer Ada has been sunk by a submarine. Monday’s total of submarine sinkings was 7700 tons. A GERMAN NAVAL BASE. AT MGUTH OF-. -THE ~AMAZON. . .... -y .. Received 9.20, \,... . LONDON, Feb 13. It is stated that a German naval base and coaling station is operating on an island at the mouth of Amazon. It supplies German raiders, and also has a big wireless plant. ITALIANS SHIPPING AS USUAL. Received 10.30. ROME, Feb 13. Despite the unrestricted submarining Italian shipping continues as heretofore. Mariners regard the measures for protection as efficacious. TWO AMERICAN STEAMERS. LEAVE FOR THE BLOCKADE ZONE Received. 9.5.

COPENHAGEN, Feb 13. The despatch of two American merchant steamers for the blockade zone has caused a sensation. Berlin newspapers hold the American Government responsible for the consequences. GREEK STEAMER SUNK. LONDON, Feb. 13 The Greek steamer Achiosspyridon has been submarined. There wore five survivors, hut the captain and the rest of the crew were drowned. BRAZIL’S REPLY. LONDON, Feb. 13 ' Brazil’s reply to the German submarine note declines to' accpt the blockade as effective or regular, and holds Germany responsible if Brazilian interests are affected. GERMANY NERVOUS ABOUT NEUTRALS. LONDON, Feb. 13 Reuter’s Berlin correspondent says Germany has instructed the commanders of the submarines not in sink neutrals, especially Americans, without warning them, whenever possible, but cases must arise where an American vessel will l)e sunk or Americans aboard neutrals be involved in a catastrophe. Germany (foes not intend to depart from her submarine policy as lately proclaimed. AN INTEEESTINGG ESTIMATE. LONDON, Feb. 13 Gorman exports believe that if tjrey c;nr. sink a million tons of British shipping monthly, beside deterring three million of neutral tonnage,, it will force Britain to consider peace. •’ THE ROUMANIAN CAMPAIGN. TANKS IN ROUMANIA. Received 10.30. LONDON, Feb. 13 A Persian wireless message states: "nglish armoured cars twice advanced iii the region north of the Screth, and twice bombarded the enemy ’s positions.

AMERICA AND GERMANY. AMERICANS HELD AS HOSTAGES. Received 9.20. WASHINGTON, Feb 13. The Swiss Minister, acting for the German Government, has notified the State Department that Germany is ■holding as prisoners seventy-two American sailors on the steamer Yarrowdale, until an assurance is given that the German crews in American harbours are not imprisoned. The development was unexpected, and has caused some amazement. GERMAN ATTACKS ON MR GERARD. AMSTERDAM Feb. 12. The “Berliner Lokal Anzciger’’ attacks Mr Gerard for not placing Germany ’s difficulties fairly before America. It adds: “If he had been loss friendly to the Entente German-Ameri-ean relations would not have been broken off.” AMERICA GETTING IMPATIENT. WASHINGTON, Fob. 13, The nation is growing impatient at President Wilson’s waiting policy, which is regarded as tantamount to acquiescence in the German blockade. Feeling is so tense that the nation would welcome an overt act precipitating wan MORE GERMAN HUMBUG. LONDON, Fob. 13 According to the Press Bureau, the Foreign Office states that after arrangements had been completed for an exchange of British and German incapacitated prisoners, Germany telegraphed, through the American Embassy prior to the rupture of diplomatic relations, that the departure of British hospital ships with severely wounded men was no longer considered safe, and suggested the transportation of wounded to and from England by Dutch paddle steamers which were guaranteed German safe conduct. The transport of severely wounded English would be suspended until Britain’s reply had been received, and future Repatriations, including German and English civil prisoners, should hereafter, bo effected in the same; manner. .The Foreign Office adds that comment on such communications would be superfluous.

A PERTINENT ENQUIRY. THE EFFICIENCY OF THE BRITISH FLEET. Received 10.30. NEAV YORK, Feb. 13. 'A United press message from Berne states that the German Minister Hclffcrich told van Rocdcrn he was opposed to inciting American participation in the war. The junkers, industrial leaders, and munitions manufacturers favour changing to ruthless submarining. WASHINGTON, Fob. 13. The State Department has instituted enquiries as to Germany’s intentions regarding Yarrowdalc prisoners. Increasing comment is made that if America does not enter the war it will be due primarily to the efficiency of the British fleet in reducing submarines to harmlessncss. GERMANY AND TEE NEUTRAL POWERS. SCANDINAVIAN PROTEST. COPENHAGEN, Feb. 12. The Scandinavian Governments have agreed to the terms of a joint reply to Germany* protesting that the submarine blockade is against international law.

ENEMY’S FOOD SHORTAGE. AN INDICATION OF SCARCITY. Received 10.30, THE HAGUE, Feb 13. The Berliner Tagebiatt publishes a photograph of elephants from Berlin and Hamburg zoos drawing truckloads of paper for the Tagebiatt, as horses, petrol, and tyres are unavailable. GERMANY’S MEAT RATION. LONDON, Fob. 13. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Rotterdam correspondent says Berlin’s meat ration has been increased three and a half ounces, and is now three-quarters of a pound weekly, tl is expected that a similar increase will bo made in all towns above fifty thousand. IN MESOPOTAMIA. Received 10.30. LONDON, Feb. 13 A Mesopotamian official message states: We directly hit an enemy bridge at Shumrau and sunk some shipping. We resumed the advance on Sunday on the right bank of the Tigris, and drove back the enemy to their last line of trenches at the Basra bend, westward of Kut, and established oun line in the evening across the bend from bank to bank on a frontage of 5500 yards, completely hemming in the enemy.

THE BALKAN CAMPAIGN. FRUITS OF THE ROME CONFERENCE. LONDON, Feb 13. In the course of a speech in the House of Commons, Mr. Bonar Law, referring to Salonika, stated that the Anglo-French commanders believed that in the event of a Germano-Bulgar offensive the danger from attack in the rear was nothing like what it was a few weeks ago, thanks to the measures decided upon at the Rome Conference. The latter was very fruitful. As an instance, it was arranged that supplies to Salonika, also large quantities of coal, should be sent overland, thus saving shipping and avoiding submarines. GREECE. BIG FIRE AT PIRAEUS. Received 10.30. ATHENS, Feb 13. A great fire broke out at Piraeus in a munitions factory, and is still burning and spreading. Ten victims have been counted so far. BRITISH SUBJECTS IN AMERICA. TO BE CALLED UP FOR MILITARY SERVICE. Received 9.20. WASHINGTON, Feb 13. According to the British Embassy official, Britain is about to call up her subjects in the United States Tor military service. AWARDS FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE. LONDON, Feb 13. Military Crosses have been awarded to the following members of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade:—Lieut. W. W. Dove (for planning a raid), Lieut. B*. Mollison (penetrating the enemy lines and inflicting great loss). Distinguished Conduct Medals have been given to Sergts. G. H. Bolqs and W. McConachy, and Meritorious Service Medals to Private R. T. Golding (an ex-Aucklander) and Gunner H. Waugh.

INCIDENTS' OF THE WAR. A TORPEDO AEROPLANE. NEW YORK, Feb. 12. Admiral Fiske,. naval expert, has invented a torpedo aeroplane. He claims that it can destroy a battleship, and make a single air. pilot more than a match for a dreadnought. One authority says the machine could have won the Jutland battle. HOLLAND REPRESENTS BRITAIN. Received 10.30, LONDON, Feb 13. Holland takes over from America all British interests in Germany. CHINA AND GERMANY. Received 10.30. LONDON, Feb 13. The Morning Post states that China hands the German Minister his passports on the 17th February. GERMANY CANNOT BE BEATEN BY STARVATION. Received 9.15. BERNE, Feb 13. Mr. Gerard refuses to discuss political matters. He estimates there are only three honored pure Americans left in Germany; and all were advised to leave. Members of the party opine lack of transport is the chief cause of the scarcity of food. Bread cards and other precautionary measures are only evidence of organisation rather than a lack of necessities. The Allies should rid themselves of the idea that Germany can be beaten by. starvation.

TURKISH-EGYPTIAN RAILWAYS

CAIRO, Feb. 12. It is understood that the Turks have pulled up two railways, in accordance with German orders, constructing another line from the material. Allied prisoners are employed on the work, and are overworked, ill-fed and diseasestricken. A GENEROUS AMERICAN PARIS, Feb. 12. James Stillman,, an American, has sent M. Poineaire a million francs to assist the orphans of men who have been awarded the Legion of Honour. LABOUR TROUBLES ON THE RAND Received 10.30. JOHANNESBURG, Feb 13. The threatened troubles in the Rand have been averted, the miners agreeing to refer the saatters in dispute to the Conciliation Board, as they da not desire to interfere with the production of gold during the war period.

EVIL SOCIAL INFLUENCES AT HOMS. MUCH EXAGGERATED. Received 10.30. LONDON. Feb. 13. Enquiries at agencies engaged in social work show a general agreement as to the baneful influences abroad in the London streets, but recent articles in newspapers arc calculated to convey an erroneous impression. Mr W. A. Coote, secretary of the Vigilance Association, states that he considers the statements regarding the present condition of the streets as being a peril to Home and Colonial troops very exaggerated. The streets are not so bad as before the war, chiefly owing to the absence of the foreign element in men and women, who were such a serious /menace before the war. Wo have made careful investigations o fthe conditions of the Strand at night time,, which did not support the statements in newspapers. Similarly there is little ground for the complaint in Victoria street, which is a rendezvous for Colonials.

BRITISH WAR LOAN. A HUGE SUBSCRIPTION, Received 9.20. LONDON. Feb 13. .The Royal Mail Steam Packet Company has subscribed £5.500,000 to the War Loan. SIR GEORGE COOPER’S HUGE HOLDINGS. LONDON, Feb. 12. Sir George Cooper, has applied for £2,100,00Q war loan, the largest private application. He now holds £2.635,000.