IMPORTANT SUCCESSES

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 5 April 1917, Page 5

IMPORTANT SUCCESSES

ON THE WESTERN FRONT MORE VILLAGES CAPTURED AUSTRIA LIKELY TO BREAK WITH AMERICA KAISER'S POPULARITY WANING —i - »-w —I MORE PEACE TALK

AMERICA AND GERMANY. ANOTHER GERMAN PLOT. VJ NEW YORK, April 3. A big plot has been revealed. It originated in North Carolina and extended through the entire United States, aiming at turning the negroes against the Government. A rising throughout the south was planned. The conspiracy was the result of two years" organisation by German secret agents. GERMANY'S PROTEST. AMSTERDAM, April 3. Messages from Berlin state that the Government contemplates sending all neutrals' protests against America's declaration. She will denounce Wilson's anti-German policy as a peril to the neutrality of the South and Central American Republics.

AMERICA'S INTERPRETATION

NEW YORK, April 4

President Wilson's speech is interpreted in America as meaning that he will not consent to participate in peace negotiations until th e German Government has been democratised.

New York and other cities are beflagged, especially the foreign districts which are anxious to saov/ their p;.. riotism.

AUSTRIA TO BREAK WITH AMERICA.

Received 9.45

THE HAGUE, April 4

It is understood that Austria lias decided to break relations with the United States.

WASHINGTON, April 4

Mr Hitchcock, in advocating that the Senate pass the war resolution, said the United States did not want anything itself, save to vindicate her honour and independence. Messrs Swanson and Lodge advocated aggresiveness from the start.

.BRITAIN'S ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

LONDON, April 4.. Mr Lloyd George and Mr. Asquith -will take the first oportunity (possibly to-day) to acknowledge America's adhesion. BRITISH AMBASSADOR'S MESSAGE. LONDON, April 3. In the House of Commons, Mr. Bonar Law said the British Ambassador at Washington had telegraphed that President Wilson's speech was we! received by Congress. It was expected that the authority he asked for would be given. SATISFACTION" TS BRITAIN. AT PRESIDENT WILSON '3 SPEECH Received 9.5. LONDON, April 4. Newspaper comment on President Wilson's speech says that it is welcomed as offering prospects of an earlier speech afforded even profounder gratification, in that American officially and unreservedly recognises the justice of the Allies' quarrel. There have been so many disappointments and perplexities on this score that the President's lofty denunciation of Germany's policies has now fallen with cumulative effect. BRACING EFFECT ON STOCK EXCHANGE. LONDON, April 3. America's entry into the war had a bracing effect on the Stock Exchange. >AII gilt-edged securities rose. Consols ar e now £s4|. ARMY FOR EUROPE. URGED BY ROOSEVELT. WASHINGTON, April 3. Ex-President Roosevelt visited President Wilson at the White House. Mr Roosevelt repeated the opinion which he had previously expressed, that the United States ought to dispatch troops to the front immediately. A defensive war would be of no help, and a vigorous offensive should be begun in order to make America's voice count for civilisation and justice. Mr Roosevelt hopes to raise a division for serivce, guaranteeing that his division will be the finest at the front. The Senate Committee in charge of the war. resolution intends to hold a

Mr Swanson said the war was forced on the United States, and the only alternative was acceptance or cowardly abject submission. He long had suspect ed Germany was ready to ignore the Monroe Doctrine,) and seek territorial spoliation in the western hemisphere.

Messrs. Stone and Vardama contend ed war would be a blunder.

Germany, through the Swiss Minister, officially protested against the United States' allegation regarding the treaties of 1755, 1799, and 182(5. Americans were free to leave Germany at any time.

3ESMAN INTERNAL AFFAIRS

THE KAISER'S PLACE IN THE SUN

SUFFERING aN ECLIPSE

Received 5.40

THE HAGUE, April 4

Hostility towards the Kaiser was most marked during the (Bismarck Birthday celebrations in Germany.

GERMAN DIPLOMACY ATTACKED.

Received 8.40

THE HAGUE, April 4. Dr Baumcr, a member, of the Prussian Diet, attacked Germany's diplomacy.

continuous session until the resolution is passed. This is intended to prevent i pacifists* (ston/fcwallipg the resolution. * and tying the hands of Congress. Intense pnthusiasm has been aroused "by Pre&Jtent Wilson's remarkable speech. No official deliverance during the war has caused such a sensation in the newspapers, the streets, the clubs, < and the House of Commons.

ON THE SEA.,

NORWAY'S MARINE LOSSES.

Received 8.40,

COPENHAGEN, April 4.

Norwegian ships, of a total of 243,000 tons, and sixty-nine lives were lost during the current year.

GALLANT FRENCH BARQUE

SINKS A SUBMARINE. -

PARIS, April 4

A French barque, armed with a small gun, sank a submarine after a twenty minutes' fight.

SUBMARINE HUNTERS.

PAEIS, March 3

Six hundred aeroplanes have been built to scout for submarines. They can detect submarines at from GO to 100 feet depth, and can drop bombs which burst at fixed depths. They carry guns capable of destroying submarines.

NEW SHIPPING RATES.

Received 9.5.

SYDNEY, this day

The Underwriters' Association has issued new year rates between New Zealand and Commonwealth ports. North *)f {including Port Moresby and Samaria, and north of Fremantle, steamer rates will bear a 10.60 per cent, increase; sailers 20.60 per cent, increase. Between New Zealand and all other Commonwealth ports the increase will be 5/ and 10/-.

ON THE WESTERN FRONT.

BRITISH STILL GOING ON

LONDON, April 4

Sir*Douglas Haig rcporcs: Southeast of Arras we captured' the village of Henin sut Cojeul and stopped counterattacks further south.

We captured Maissemy and occupied Eon say Wood. Eight German aeroplanes Avcr e downed. Six of ours are missing.

JILITISH SHORTEN THE HINDENBURG LINE.

LONDOX T , April 4,

Mr Beach Thomas, describing the position on the West front says: We have contracted the Hindcnburg line from Bcaurains to St. Quentin. The German guns are within reach. We see great mixing places for concrete with which the line has been fortified. Heavier artillory is resounding. The department of the Somme is now completely liberated from villainous destruction. Attempts at assassination by man-traps continue. The commonest methods are sham fires made of bombs resembling sticks.

THE FRENCH OFFENSIVE

EXCELLENT PBOGRESS MADE

OX AX T S-MILE FRONT.

LONDON, April 4.

French official communique: On the east and west of the Somme, after violent artillery preparation, our troops attacked a position extending north of the line Castles-Essigny-Benay from che Epinc de Duiicn to the Oise. Despite a. desperate resistance, we every- ,-. hero reached our 'Objective, and captured on a front of thirteen kilometres,

i series of strong points solidly organised, which were held by important forces. Epine de Dallon and the villages of Dallon, Gifl'ecourt, Cerisy, and several heights south of Urvillers are

in our possession. South of the Ailette we continue to progress, also in the region of Laffaux, of which wc hold the south and northwest boundaries. • >-> ;

We' also captured Vauxeny and gained a footing on the ridge northwards of it.

SUBSTANTIAL FRENCH GAINS,

Received 11.45.

LONDON, April 4.

A French communique states: We continued our advance east and west of the Somme along the entire front,, which was attacked by us yesterday. Our reeonnaisances pushed forward beyond Dallon and Furs, the southwest suburb of St. Quentin. We reached the southern edge of Grugies, northeast of Castres. We entirely captured the village of Nioy, on the Oise. On our right the fight continued south of. Ailette as far as the village of Laffan, whereto we penetrated. Our fire smashed with heavy losses German counterattacks south of Vauxeny. . PEACE TALK. DOES AUSTRIA WANT PEACE? LONDON,. April 3. In view of the German press statement regarding the Central Powers' efforts in the direction of peace, it is significant that an gathering is being held at the German headquarters. There are other indications. The most prevalent belief is that Austria, is bringing pressure to bear on Germany to end th e struggle which is threatening to ruin the respective countries and endanger the dynasties. INCIDENTS OP THE WAR. WORK FOR WAR PRISONERS. LONDON, April 3. The Press Bureau says: Arrangements have been made to license on parole selected civilian war prisoners for employment in essential industries on employers' premis'es "and not connected with war operations. The ordinary rate of wages will be paid and prisoners must > report themselves twice weekly to the police.

A V. C. HERO.

Received 10.50

LONDON, April 4

A Gazette just issued announces that the Victoria Cross .has been awarded to Sergl P. W. Palmer, Royal Fusiliers, who was also promoted to second-lieut. When the officers were shot down he took command of the company, and hacked his way through wire entanglements under point-blank machine-gun fire, and captured and held vital positions against eight successive counter-attacks. This very conspicuous bravery cannot be overstated, and his splendid determination and devotion undoubtedly averted what might have proved to have be,?n a serious disaster.

THE RUSSIAN CAMPAIGN ALEXIEFF APPOINTED COMMAND-ER-IN-CHIEF. SOLDIERS ENTHUSIASTIC. Received 8.40. PARIS, April 4. The Petit Parisien's Pefcrograd correspondent states that the-army has received General Alexieff's appointment as Commander-in-Chief with enthusiasm RUSSIANS REPEL ATTACKS. LONDON, April 3. A Russian official message says: We threw back at the bayonet's point enemy atacks which penetrated out trenches in the regions southward of Illuket, and south-east of Vladimir and Volynski.

One of our seaplanes, which raided Derkos, on the Black Sea coast, 20 miles from Constantinople, was compelled to descend. The aviators machine-gunned a Turkish schooner, the crew of which abandoned the vessel. The aviators then boa Med her and sailed towards the Russian coast. Then encountered a -heavy storm, and arrived at Djarligatch Peninsula, whence they returned to Sevastopol by torpedo-boat. THE UNSPEAKABLE HUN. SCIENTIFIC MURDER. Received 8.40. COPENHAGEN., 'April 4. Germans have been discovered endeavouring to smuggle sugar containing anthrax bacilli, and explosive pencils into Russia. RUSSIAN LOSSES AND GAINS. Received 11.45. LONDON, April 4. A wireless Russian official states:'— We threw back the enemy who temporarily occupied trenches in the regions southward of Illukst and southward of Krevo. The enemy heavily bombarded with chemical shells our positions on the river and passage of the Stocked. In the region of St Chervitch and Gelenin stations the Germans discharged thirteen successive gas waves, pressing back our troops. The Germans crossed the Stockod northeast of Selinin. lit'-retiring across the Stockod some of our detachments lost heavily. .; .«!:•.

i We occupied three rows of Austrian trenches six miles -westward of Rafailova. We frustrated a Bulagrian attempt to cross the Gcorgievc "branch of th e Danube. REINFORCING THE ARMY. LONDON, April 3. The Daily Chronicle's Petrograd correspondent says M. Gutchkoff points out that the enemy are preparing a vigorous offensive on the Russian front and emphasises that the Army needs fresh contingents, lie instructs commanders and governors to comb out all except indlspensables and to train them rapidly for service at the front.; ~ •

WAS NOTES

ARRESTED AS A SPY. Mr Christopher Williams, the Welsh artist, who .recently went to the Somme battle front at the request of Mr Lloyd George to paint a picture of the charge of the Welsh Division at Mametd Wood had the unpleasant experience of being arrested, as a spy. The Manchester Guardian prints Mr Williams' story of the incident as follows: — "I had wandered some distance from the officer in whose charge I was, and happened to be the only man in civilian clothes the locality. Everybody stared at me, and some men coming from the firing line noticed me emerging from a trench. They were staggered. I proceeded to sketch, and they stared dumb for a while. Then one of them aproached, and asked what I was doing. I told him I was sketching and in charge of an officer who was some distance away. He allowed me to complete the sketch, and then marched me to where the officer was* but he was not satisfied with the explanation of either of us. Nothing of this sort had happened before, and the soldier was very doubtful as to our passes arid passports, so he marched us both to his officer's quarters. Here the authorities were satisfied, and dismissed us with courteous apologies for the inconvenience caused. I did not realise how desperate the position was until I mentioned the incident at the War Office on my return. There I was told: 'Mr Williams, you are a very lucky man. It's a wonder you were not shot at sight.' "

STRUCK A MINE.

FULL STORY OF TYNDAREUS ACCIDENT.

MEN SING MARCHING SONGS

A RACE AGAINST TIME

The Tyndareus is a vessel of 11,000 tons, built in 1915 for A. Holt and Co. The full circumstances of the accident were made public in South Africa, although apparently the censor has up till now prevented publication in England. About 15 minutes before the accident the Tyndareus had passed the Oxfordshire, bound for Capetown, and was being followed by the Eumaeus, which most of the men were watching at the time. The Tyndareus was rapidly leaving the Eumaeus in the distance, when the mine was struck, and shook the ) troopsship from stem to stern. The "assembly" was at once sounded, and the troops, wearing lifebelts, lined the decks in perfect order. The ship was settling down by the head, with her propellers hanging well out. of the water. It appeared almost certain that the vessel would sink before assistance could reach her, but although they must all have realised their imminent peril, the demeanour of the men did not suggest that they were facing death, but that they were parading for long leave.

OMINOUS INCLINE OF DECK

As soon as the roll had been called and the order "stand easy" given, someone started the "Long, Long Trail," and in a few seconds the whole of the gathering, from end to end of the ship, had taken up the refrain of the song. Then came the old favourite "Tipperary," and for half an hour afterwards, while an ominous incline of the deck towards the bows became more and more noticeable, chorus after chorus swept along the lines, while both the Oxfordshire and the Eumaeus were racing to the i-escue. The wireless had not been damaged, and "5.0.5." signals were immediately sent out, whilst boat after beat was lowered to the water. One of the boats was upset in its descent, and a young seaman, without a moment's hesitation, jumped overboard and succeeded in righting it.. The same man, a little later, distinguished himseli - diving from the lifeboat and rescuing the regimental dog. Another example of pluck was given by half a dozen privates who were engineers by profession. They volunteered to assist in the engine-room, and, exchanging khaki for overalls, did splendid work in the most dangerous spot on the ship. Six boats had been lowered when the Oxfordshire, followed a few minutes later by the Eumaeus, arrived, and the work of transferring the troops was begun. A strong wind was blowing, and the sea was very choppy, but the work was carried out in a little over an hour, and the rescuing vessels turned for port. Two warships took the crippled liner in tow. ALMOST HOPELESS TASK. It appeared to' be an almost hopeless task, as she was well down by the bows, but wonderful seamanship on the part of the officers and crews of all three vessels triumphed, and the Tyndareus was safely brought into port.