GERMAN DESTROYER RAID.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 23 April 1917, Page 5

GERMAN DESTROYER RAID.

action in the channel,

FIVE DESTROYERS RAID DOVER

LONDON, April 21

The Admiralty reports: Last night five German destroyers attempted to raid Dover. They fired a number of rounds into a ploughed field a few miles from Dover. They then steered in the direction of some of our shipping, possibly with the intention of attacking them, but they met two patrol vessels, which in five minutes sank at least two—possibly three. The remainder fled, escaping in the darkness. The British suffered no materia] damage and their casualties wore exceedingly slight in comparison with the result obtained. A very fine example of destroyer work saved ten German officers and ninety-five men of the sunken vessels.

The Admiralty reports that the Ge" mans saved at Dover were ten officers and 108 men.

FURTHER DETAILS

THREE' REPORTED SUNK, ANOTHER BADLY DAMAGED.

Received 9.55,

LONDON, April 22.

The Germans began a bombardment near Dover at 12.30 this morning. The consensus of opinion is that the raid was intended as a spectacular coup to interrupt Lloyd George’s return from his Continental visit, but proved to be premature.

Five destroyers came from. jZoie:brugge, and it is unofficially reported that three of them were sunk and another badly damaged. Star shells were used on both sides. Flashing guns lit the surrounding- district, awakening inhabitants. The raid divided itself into two parts. It was a blind rush through the misty night, firing a few shells haphazard towards the land, then a scurry back to sea, when the British interecpted, and played havoc with their superior force. Trawlers landed thirty dead Germans.

BELGIAN DEPORTATIONS

BRAND WHITLOCK’S REPORT

lOULEST DEEDS IN HISTORY

HINDENBURG RESPONSIBLE,

Received 8.50

WASHINGTON, April 22 Mr. Brand Whitlock, in his report on Belgium, says the evidence stamps the deportations us one of the foulest deeds in history. The evidence suggests that Von Hindenburg is responsible for the deportations. Hindenburg critcse'd Von Bissing's rule as mild, and they quarrelled. Thereafter the reign of terror began by separating families, and the barbarities’ were committed by brutal Uhlans. The hungry, shivering people made a distressing scene. The Germans have proved that their capacity for blundering equals their cruelty. They have impressed the hearts of the Belgians indelibly with what methods mean—not atrocities in the beat, passion, or first lust of war, but coldly-planned and studious-matured They deliberately and systematically executed deeds so cruel and monstrous that even German officers are now ashamed.

SPAIN AND THE ENTENTE

IN LINE SHORTLY.

MADRID, April 20. • There is general expectation that Scrior Eomanones will shortly return to power and that Spain will fall into line with the Entente. Senor Eomanones announces that while Spain keeps to her present w r ar policy it is impossible to defend the lives and interests of Spaniards.