RETREAT ON THE ANCRE

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 7 March 1917, Page 5

RETREAT ON THE ANCRE

A HEAVY SNOWSTORM HINDERS K OPERATIONS, THE STRUGGLE FOR BUCQUOY. SANGUINARY FIGHT PROCEEDING. GERMANS TO ASSIST THE TURKS IN MESOPOTAMIA.

igl THE WESTERN FRONT. GERMANS STILL WITHDRAWING A HEAVY SNOWSTORM HINDERS OPERATIONS. Received 9.55. LONDON, March 6. A correspondent at headquarters states that several inches of snow ■nave fallen on the battlefields, delaying the German withdrawal as well as our advance, though the former is worse affected. It appears the German line between Puissieux Mont and Xie Transloy has accomplished the first stage of withdrawal, resting along the spur at Bapaume ridge temporarily, north-west hereof. The Germans are withdrawing and ,our troops everywhere are following them up. , Advance parties show the enemy movement north-east of Gommecourt lias extended very considerably during the twenty-four hours preceding the snowstorm. Later a heavy thaAV set in.

THE STRUGGLE FOR BUCQUOY.

SANGUINARY FIGHT PROCEEDING-

BRITISH VIGOROUS ATTACKS

Received 9.15

LONDON, March 6

The Petit Parisien states that an obstinate struggle for the Bucquoy salient has turned to the British advantage, who have crossed the Goinme-court-Puissieux road in several places and stormed Rossgnol Wood, a rectangular area four -hundred yards long. They have reached the outskirts of i Les Lessarts and Bucquoy, also within a few yards of Hill 154. The evacuating of the salient is expected. Further south the British are occupying Mallasin e spur, outflanking St Pierre Vaast Wood, which is the scene of Sanguinary actions. The British are closing on Moislaus, and have opened a road across the Nord Canal to Mont St Quentin,, which dominates Peronne. The British ar e fighting with great vigour..

: - i BETTISH SUPERB DASH k .:, A FRENCH TRIBUTE •' . . ... Received 10.15 ' "PARIS, March 6. military critics consider there f.Jsa tendency in England to exaggerate the voluntary nature of the German and declare the Germans have been forced .from positions by guns tnd men. • Le Liberie states that a fierce battle raged for forty-eight hours between Gommecourt. and Irles. The Germans resisted desperately but unavailingly. The paper adds the German resistance increases daily, marked by a series of violent artillery and infantry engagements. The British with superb dash drove out the Germans, and continue to harass their slow retreat.

MESOPOTAMIA. GERMANS TO ASSIST THE TURKS THE GROWING NEEDS OF GERMANY'S ALLIES. Received 9.55. LONDON, March 6. The rout of the Turkish army, the remnants of which must .have now reached Bagdad, is a most signiScam event in view of the profound volitical effect throughout the East. It is regarded as inconceivable that Germany will not attempt a counterstroke, not only to save the Turks, but the German regime in Turkey. It is recalled in this connection that German troops left Constantinople just before the recapture of Kut, and .t is believed the report that they were going to the main Eastern front was only designed as a cioak, r.nc that they were despatched to Bagdad. Developments are eagerly awaited. Meanwhile it is pointed out that tho urgency of the needs of Germany's al lies must be growing daily and con stantly—an aspect of the war which cannot be overlooked.

TI-L2 BiiiTlSa ADVANCE

LONDON, March G. The Germans boasted that St Pierre Vaast Wood, which is more than one and a three-quarters of a miles square was impregnable. Despite bitter opposition the British are already far along the south storming trenches and making prisoners. We strengthened our positions eastward of Commecour.t. We carried out raids near Arras, the enemy suffering many casualties. We entered trenches south-eastward of Guinchy and took prisoners. There have been many air fights. Six German aeroplanes were brought down and eight damaged. Two of ours were downed and five are misssßfr Mr Beach Thomas, who has returned to the Somme after a lengthy absence, states that the main change is that the British are fighting better and the Germans worse. During the trench war, the British certainly inflicted the ieavier losses. A battalion at Loos claims that its snipers accounted for 28 Germans in a week while there were no British casualties. The Germans on the Ancre premised an impregnable line of concrete dugouts with cast iroii invisiwhile the British •tgroveiled in water-logged earthworks. the retreat is. depressing .^e.German morale. The first phase «fcss finished, the Germans have reached -a line of high ground from north of omecourt to Le Transloy, and aleady the British guns are bombarding it. Tires behind the lines indicate that the second phase is coming.

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE DUTY ON COTTON. Received 11.20. LONDON, March b. The Morning Post states the announcement of the duty on cotton dropped on Lancashire like a bombshell. The Dominions and India are invited to send representatives to London to promote inter-Imperial trade, and until the conference meets it is improper for the Government of India to impose the duty, as the action is directly opposed fo the w-hole spirit of the Conference, which undoubtedly is reciprocity. It was never intended to have tariff reform, which would set the Dominions against the Mother Country.

The Daily News vehemently denounces the duty as revolutionary, and there is nothing quite like it in history. The measure was carried out without consulting Parliament, which implies a change in the whole Imperial fiscal relations wherein the Dominions are intimately concerned. The Imperial Conference is blithely overridden and forestalled.

FRENCH FRUSTRATE ENEMY'S

EFFORTS

A SPY'S PATE

LONDON, March 5. A French communique— On the right of the Meuse a vigorous counter-attack ejected the enemy from part of the line he occupied yesterday, north of Couries IJfooa. An enemy attempt north of completely, failed. Our fire "Wrecked wwrks north of Hezany Wood. Three" enemy aeroplanes -were downed.

HARD LABOUR FOR LIFE. LONDON, March 5. The Press Bureau states that a prisoner was eourt-martialled j n London and sentenced to death for, espionage. The finding was confirmed, but was commuted to penal servitude for life.

ABiERICAN AFFAIRS

ON THE SEA.

GERMANY'S EXCUSES,

HUNTING U-BOATS.

FOR THE MEXICAN INTRIGUE.

HOW MANY HAVE BEEN SUNK?

LONDON, March 5,

ALFRED NOYES ESTIMATES 300

Count Reventlow, the noted German annexionist, states that Germany's offer to Mexico is incomprehensible, because Mexico is unable to seize and hold United States territory. The "Frankfurter, Zeitung" admits that it was particularly unfortunate that such a secret document fell into treacherous hands.

VANCOUVER, Feb. 26

' Mr Alfred Noyes the English poet, asserts that Britain's anti-submarine fleet consists of 4000 private yachts, whalers, and fishing vessels, and is manned by (50,000 men. It has already destroyed 300 German submarines. Every boat is armed with guns throwing 121 b or 141 b explosive shells.

The "Cologne Gazette" says that Germany's step was conditional on the United States declaring wan. It was generally known that the United States had long engaged in provoking neutrals against Germany. THE AUSTRO-HTJNGARIAN NOTE Received 0.15. After, the first reading of the AustroHungarian Note., members of the Government are inclined to interpret it as an effort to placate Washington. President Wilson's attitude is not yet officially known, but circles usually in Eis confidence think he will not break unless Austro-Hungardan submarines commit overt acts. CONSPIRATORS ARRESTED. Received 9.15.

NEW YORK, March 6.

Dr. Chanader Chakiaoerty, a Hindu physician,.-and Dr. Earnest Skinner, a German, have been arrested and charged with setting afoot a military expedition against a friendly nation. 'Accused admitted receiving £12,000 storing . from Wolff von Oger, a German plotter, to start a revolution in Maia. Chakiaberty recently visited Germany with fake passports, pretending to be a Persian.

GREAT DEMONSTRATION IN NEW YORK.

A great mass demonstration was held .to- protest; against: the action of ■■ the [Senates minority! .The crowd'., cheeredallusions;to the possibility of war, sangpatrio.tiQ;,songs, and, hooted the Senates The meeting passed a resolution, amidst tumultuous applause, condemning ,the pacificists and demanding that America, answer Germany with armed force. „,.

CONFERENCE OP ALLIES. RUSSIA MUCH PLEASED. PETROGRAD, March 5. An inspired statement declares that the Allied Conference afforded fresh proof of the increasing salidarity of the Allies and of their unswerving fidelity to the common cause. The conference decided on a measino for the better .listlibraion o.' the common rcsurees.

RUSSIAN POLITICS. RUSSIA'S SKIPPING; Received 10.15 PETROGRAD, March' 6' M. Sazonof,' presiding at the AngloRussian Chamber of Commerce emphasised the needs of the Russian mercantile marine. It was grotesque, he said, that half a million tons sufficed a nation of one hundred and seventy millions. English capital was needed to regenerate Russian industry, as trade had hitherto been strangled by the German octopus.

NATIONAL SERVICE. CANADA AND THE W,AR../ ENFORCING THE MILITIA ACT Received 9.55. OTTAWA, March 6. It is semi-offlcially announced that the Milita Act will be enforced in April, calling out 50,000 unmarried men, being the 20.47 per cent, apportionment proposed having regard to what the various provinces contributed voluntarily, at first. The men will be trained for eighteen months, and will be subject to service overseas if the war continues.

BRITISH FOOD PROBLEM SHORTAGE OF POTATOES Received 10.15 LONDON, March 6. Captain Bathurst said there was an unprecedented world wide scarcity of potatoes, and it was unlikely that there would be sufficient in Britain for anybody in the late spring and early summer. There was no evidence that the? farmers were unreasonably withholding suplies.

Mr Lambert said the withdrawals of" labour from agriculture were so great as to result in a serious diminution of food production'. People at the War Ofh>e apparently knew nothing about agriculture. Companies of soldiers as substitutes were unsatisfactory, a s farming could not be done by numbers.

All the Home waters are mapped out in blocks, and each block is patrolled. Mr Noyes adds that the submarines rarely attack an armed vessel.

Some of the U-boats have been captured and taken to England. Most of. them, however., have been sunk, and it was impossible, owing to the methods adopted to save the crews. JUTLAND BATTLE HERO. A THRILLING STORY. LONDON, March 5. A thrilling story of the battle of Jutland is now fully revealed in an Admiralty announcement of the posthumous award of the Victoria Cross to Commander Jones of the destroyer Shark, which led the division of destroyers in the attack on the enemy battle-cruiser squadron. ■ The Shark was disabled by two shells. Another destroyer came between the Shark and the enemy and offered to assist, but Commander Jones refused, saying that if the destroyer remained she would certainly be sunk Then, though wounded in the leg, he helped to man the after wheel. Subsequently, when the forecastle and after gun's crew were blown away, Jones assisted in keeping the midship gun in action. All the time the Shark was under most heavy fire. A shell amputated Commander Jones' leg above the knee, but h e continued to command the gun crew despite his agony. Commander Jones, noticing that the ensign was not properly hoisted, ordered another, tQ. be raised. Then,' seeing the ship was doomed, he ordered the crew to don lifebelts. Almost immediately the Shark was torpedoed and sank. Commander, Jones was drowned. The survivors who were picked up were

awarded Distinguished Service Mec als.

THE TRANSPORT ATHOS. HEROIC CONDUCT .OF TROOPS. A SECOND BIRKENHEAD. Received. -9.20. PARIS March 6. A stirring narrative is published describing the sinking of the Athos on the 17th, which was a second Birkenhead. When the torpedo struck the Athos the captain g£ve her ten minutes' life. Chief engineer Dongel, whose hand M-as blown off went to the ■engine-roomr instantly to prevent an explosion. He knew he could never come up, and did not. The Athos carried a thousand Chinese coolies, going as labourers to France, under Captain Silvestre, and a dozen interpreters and officers. These saved all the coolies, but Captain Silvestre and the interpreters went down. The transport carried three German spies, caught in Indo-China. They were confined in separate cells, and Sergt. Mmoujeau, who was responsible, went to the hold and unlocked the two cells. The prisoners were saved. While unlocking the third the Athos sank, and a spy and Mmoujeau were drowned. A battalion with the Senegalese weret drawn up in line, presenting arms, officers at their head saluting. Captain Dorise, w>ho was commanding the transport, went down with the ship, but came up and" died on the surface. Two men swam ashore with his dead body.

NOT ANNEXATION. GERMAN DIVISION OF BELGIUM. AMSTERDAM, March 5. Belgium, which, has now been divided into two provinces by the Germans, remains under a Governor-General, the new provinces having a status similar to Poland. The "Cologne Gazette" states that the step proves Germany's best intentions towards the Flemish, and adds that this is not annexation. IRISH AFFAIRS. Received 9.55. LONDON, March 6 Th© Daily Chronicle states the Government contemplates appointing a commission to report on the expediency of an Irish settlement. The Government will not refuse Mr. T. P. O'Connor's resolution point-blank, nor will it accept Mr. Reid's amendment. The paper adds that the Government has to prolong Parliament until after April.

BRITISH POLITICS. WAR PROBLEMS DISCUSSED. LONDON, March 5. In the House of Commons Mr. Pagecroft urged the War Office to look ahead. It would be a tragedy if the offensive failed owing to lack of men. Mr Pringle moved a reduction of £IOOO and urged the War Office to iralro the utmost possible us? of existing figures. He described tli« Salonika expedition as wasteful, involving an unwarranted call on shipping.

Mr. Winston Churchill said the Salonika expedition was closely associated with the tonnage and man-power problem. We might have provided an army early in the war capable of achieving decisive results in the B'alkans, but when Bulgaria entered Germany obtained the route to Constantinople, because it was impossible for us to carry thither an army of sufficient size, and it should then have been recognised that th e hour for successful intervention in the Balkans had passed. When the expedition's history was told it would be full of unsuspected tangles and complications, but it must b e remembered that the expedition still there involves an obligation of honour. Apart from military considerations, we need an increasing army in the Balkans. Simultaneously our tonnage was steadily decreasing and constituted a problem of the greatest complicity and gravity. The Entente must consider Venixelos' claims, which an honourable Government could not brush aside. Mr. Churchill advocated secret sessions, enabling frank discussions of such matters. India's asistance, coupled with the extent to which India was yet able to supply man-power, were important considerations. The policy of the India Office had had the effect of largely shielding India from the sorrow of war, and India's enormous manhood was practically untouched. Mr Churchill said that if the Secretary for India a year ago had endeavoured to raise half the divisions which Mr. .Churchill then advocated, he would have released probably 00,000 British from Egypt and Salonika for the West front and Mesopotamia. He complained of the inadequate use of African man-power. He pointed out that although great masses of British cavalry were being maintained in France, ,only one squadron had found opportunity for tactical use in 1916. Mr. Churchill hoped the Government would not oommit the armies to the vast policy of attrition unless absolutely certain they could pursue the policy effectively. In conclusion he said it would be foolish not to prepare for a 1918 campaign, and unless it was possible to strike a decisive blow it would be better to patiently develop oun superior resources until that. was possible. We had no right to count on events turning immediately and decisively in our favour. We ought to use the whole Empire's man power in every race and clime for fighting behind the lines. We must use the be fatal to withdraw skilled men from factories for the trenches. We could make a certainty of 1918. There was still time for that.

Mr MacPherson, in replying, said the Salonika expedition involved high policy. He could not reply to questions, which should not be raised except at a secret session. There was a strong case highest forms of machinery. It, would for a secret session, when the Government could be presed to disclose its high policy. He hoped there would be a large increase in men from all parts of the British Empire. Mr Bonar Law said it was iraposible to disclose the Government's intentions regarding the Salonika campaign or discuss the merits of the expedition policy. We must not use our brains alone; we must act in concert with the Allies. If the expedition wer*e abandoned, Greece would be thrown open to the whole Balkans and would pass into the

enemy 's hands. Our Balkan supporters would be placed at the mercy of the enemy, and we knew how they treated their enemies. He was unwilling to agree to a secret session unless ther* was a strong demand. The Government could not frankly discuss Salonika even at a secret sitting. He recognised himself the disadvantages of the expedition. The Government was fully aware of all the circumstances. He was sowy he could not say more. There had been difficulties because those of our Allies who were particularly interested ia Greece and the Balkans had not always taken the same view of policy, but there was now a common policy, whose main object was to ensure that we should not run our former, risk of being attacked from behind in the event of a German advance. He thought that a great step. (Cheers). No threats had been used to induce Roumania to enter the war.

LONDON, March 6. Received 9.55. Mr. Bonar Law, in the House of Commons, said the Government would make proposals regarding the certificates of naturalisation when the Imperial Conference meets.

THE ROUMANIAN CAMPAIGN. BRITAIN'S RESPONSIBILITY TO ROUMANIA A DOUBTFUL LETTER Received 10.15 LONDON, March 6, In the House of Commons Mr Dillon asked whether we impressed Eoumania by pledges of assistance which we were unable to fulfil. He quoted an alleged letter from Viscount Hardingc to Sir George Buc-nanan apparently seized among mails and published in Germany, stating that M. Bratiano had always been a most evasive fellow, and even now was endeavouring to wriggle out upon the pretence that our offensive at Salonika is not everything desired. Mr MaeFlierson safd Mr. Dillon ought to read the doubtful letter with great hesitation. He asked whether Mr Dillon • quoted the letter with Hardinge 's permission. GREECE. DRIFTING TO THE STARVATION MARK. ROME, Mach 5. The "Tribuna" states that the economic situation in Greece is drifting towards starvation. The Entente is still dissatisfied with the political position. Violent hostile articles appear in the newspapers, and the League of Reservsts still exists clandestinely. THE BALKAN CAMPAIGN. SNOWED UNDER. BULGAR TRENCHES AT MONASTIR LONDON, March 5. Router's correspondent at the Serbian headuarters states that the Bulgarians' trenches at Monastir arc snowed up. It is officially estimated that the enemy dropped 2627 .shells and bombs in Monastir, in three months. Forty-three houses were destroyed, and three hundred damaged, while thirty-two men and forty-five women were killed and 'thirty-seven men and seventy-five women and children injured.

THE CLERGY AND THE WAR A GOOD RECORD. Received 10.15 LONDON, March 6. The Bishop of London announced that every clergyman in London had volunteered for national service. DRUNKENNESS AND THE WAR Received 10.15 LONDON, March 6. Sir George Cave announced that the convictions of women for drunkenness for the past four years were 35,765, 37,308, 33,210, and 21,244. DAYLIGHT SAVING MARKED BENEFITS : $. Received 9.50 ! •■■ LONDON, March 6. The Summertime Committee recommended the permanent adoption of daylight saving, which has had excellent social and economic advantages, and the moral tone has been improved owing to the tendency to spend an extra hour in the ope nair. There has been a markdecrease in juvenile offences. A vast preponderance of the public favour its permanence.

AUSTRALIAN SHPPPING REQUISITIONED BY THE GOVERNMENT. SYDNEY, March 6. The Shipping Controller has notified shipowners engaged in the Australian and New Zealand trades of his intention to take over the control of all tonnage engaged therein. It is understood the step is being taken to ensure the most economical and advantageous use of tonnage. Owners retain the management. The owners committee will collaborate with the Controller in regard to the disposition of ships. If the Controller transfers any vessels to employment with countries nearest the United Kingdom, the committee will advise as to the best means of rearranging the programme of vessels left in the Australian and New Zealand trade. The programme of homeward loading from Australia should be placed in their hands or the hands of a central committee of agents. It will possibly be entrusted to the two committees now administering the loading programme of refrigerated tonnage. Similar action respecting other trades is under consideration and will be put into operation as soon as possible.

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