IN THE BALKANS.

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

IN THE BALKANS.

MILITARY RIOT IN BULGARIA,

LETTING THE TROOPS KNOW

PEOPLE HAD RISEN AGAINST GERMAN TYRANNY.

Seceived 9.5. " General Serrail’s aviators dropped proclamations among tlie Bulgarian troops, notifying them of the popular military riot in Bulgaria against the Germans.

GERMANS TIRING ON INHABI

TANTS.

Received 9.40,

PARIS, April 13

General Serrail’s Proclamation dropped in the Bulgarian linos, informed the troops of anti-German demonstrations by Bulgarian garrisons, and stated a revolt had broken out, especially at Sofia, where the troops and people had risen against German tyranny, German platoons traversing the streets, and firing on inhabitants. The proclamation also mentions America’s action, and invites the Bulgarians to emulate the Russians.

TG DEMONSTRATIONS IN SOFIA,

LONDON, April 12. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Athens correspondent says enormous crowds parad-

ed the streets of Sofia. The Bulgars

carried a real skull and crossbones and v denounced King Ferdinand, Germany, and the war. The military often fired there being many casualties.

GERMANY AND THE KEU-

ifO vVERS.

SPAIN'S NEUTRALITY.

IMPOSSIBLE TO MAINTAIN IT,

Received 9.5. MADRID April 13. A critical situation has arisen over the San Fulgencio incident. The king is consulting the political leaders to secure agreement before acting. Senor Alvarez, leader of the Reformists, in an interview, says neutrality is now impossible. BRAZIL DECLARES HERSELF. SEIZES GERMAN VESSELS. -A. Received 9.40. RIO JANEIRO, April 13. Brazil is arming all merchantmen, and has also seized all German vessels, GERMAN INTERNAL AFFAIRS A WORLD OF ENEMIES. V Received 9.5. AMSTERDAM, 'April 13.

The Socialist organ Vorwaerts states the German Government must tell the people the truth, that/ it is impossible to dictate peace to a world of enemies.

IN EGYPT.

TURKISH LOOTING EXPEDITION

ROBBING MAHOMMEDAN TEMPLES.

Received 9.55,

GENEVA, Appril 13

The Tribune states that Turks looted a Mahommedan temple a,t Medina, parrying off the famous 'diamond, ishining Star, valued at seven million francs.

RUSSIA’S INTERNAL AFFAIRS

ARMY WANTS WORKMEN’S COMMITTEE DISSOLVED.

PETROGRAD, April 12

A deputation from the armies has arrived. It demanded the dissolution of the Workmen’s Committee, declaring that it is undermining discipline. M. Criedzke replied that the committees was necessary to secure a full programme of democratic revolution. The deputation issued a proclamation emphasising the army’s firm attitude. BIG GERMAN OFFENSIVE EXPECTED. PETROGRAD,, April 13. A captured German army order recalling officers on leave is regarded 'as indicating that a German offensive is imminent against the junction of the Russian northern and. western fronts. As a result of exceptional snow in winter, the rivers in southern Russia are flooded, threatening towns and villages' with disaster. * RUSSIAN PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT. Received 9.55. ATHENS, April 13. Greece has officially recognised the Russian Provisional Government. A RUSSIAN CONGRESS. URGES NO ANNEXATION POLICY.

Received 9.55. PETROGRAD, April 13

A congress of workmen’s councils passed a resolution congratulating the Government on its decision to abandon its annexation policy, and promising Government the support of labour parties. The resolution appeals to all belligerent peoples to urge their Governments to abandon annexation proi posals.

ON THE SEA. THE BLOCKADE. PERILS FACED BY OUR' MEN. OUR SLEEPLESS NAVY. Capetown. Captain Erie Dannell, of the Norwegian sailing ship Hippo!os,, gives a striking example, culled from his own experience, of the manner in which the British navy is carrying out its dangerous task in the blockade of Germany.

Captain Dannell left Savannah last January with a cargo of oilcakes fon Denmark. At 10 o'clock one night a searchlight was turned on the ship. A heavy gale was blowing, and there was a terrible sea running, so, never dreaming tljat his vessel would be boarded in such dangerous cicumstanccs, Captain Dannell went below.

“Ten minutes later.,” said Captain Dannell to a Cape Times representative “a gun was fired, so we braced the main yard back. This brought us broadside on in the heavy seas,, and our decks were awash. The British warship which had inteneccpted us then launched a boat, a task which in that weather must have been very difficult; in fact, I thought it impossible to launch a boat in such weather. When the boat got near us, the waves were so high above that sometimes it was high above our rail, and at others far below in the trough of the sea. The attempt to board us was attended with the utmost danger., and in preventing the boat being dashed to pieces against our sides half a dozen oars were broken, and the boat was nearly swamped, but still the bluejackets were quite merry through it all. After a great deal of trouble and at considerable personal risk, a British officer and four men succeeded in boarding us. Subsequently I received a letter from the British lieutenant thanking me for my kindness during their stay with us.”