BRITISH HOLDING ON

Taihape Daily Times, 26 November 1917, Page 5

BRITISH HOLDING ON

* MOST DESPERATE FIGHTING NEAR CAMERA! Several Important Positions Captured RUSSIA’S STATE STILL UNSETTLED A Message from Kerensky German Peace Mission Leaves for Russia

PALESTINE

ON THE SEA.

NEW ZEALANDERS AT RAMLEH,

GERMAN SUBMARINING. INDICATIONS OF ITS FAILURE. Received 8.55. Nov 25. Consensus of experts’ opinion is ibat the extension of the barred zone is directed against neutrals rather than against Britain. It foreshadows increased efforts to deprive them of Supplies, unless these supplies are handed over to Germany. It also denotes Germany’s disappointment with the results of its submarine warfare against Britain, and a desire to suggest to the German public that the German Admiralty still has a card up its sleeve, ORGANISATION OF SHIPBUILDING. A MIXED COUNCIL APPOINTED Received 8.35. LONDON, November 23. The Press Bureau states that the Admiralty has announced the formation of a Shipbuilding Council, under the chairmanship of the Admiralty Controller, and includes representatives of and engineering trades. ■Officers of the Admiralty will consider the problems of naval and commercial shipbuilding, including repairs. ECHO OF GERMAN MUTINY. NAYAL BOSUN ESCAPES. AN ILLUMINATING NARRATIVE. SIGNIFICANT SUBMARINE DIFFICULTY.

CAIRO, November 23

Reuter’s correspondent, describing the operations around Rarnleh, 14 miles south-east of Jaffa, says: ‘‘There were little opposition until four miles from Rarnleh, when two fresh Turkish battalions came into action and couhter-at. tacked with much determination, getting within fifteen yards of the New Zealander mounted troops, who were dismounted and had been advancing on foot. The Turks paid dearly for their temerity. It was a case of "Up, lads, and at them.” The Auckland and Wellington Rifles charged ■with the bayonets, and practically wiped out the Turkish force. Over four hundred dead were counted before our lines. It was a case where strength ■ and skill met their reward. The Turks were utterly routed, The very few survivors continued their way to the supports near Rarnleh. It -was too late for the Anzacs, to push on, but next morning they' entered Rarnleh without opposition. They captured three hundred prisoners at Lydda and a large amount of war material, the enemy having hurriedly retired during the night. The following day Jaffa was entered by the Anzaes % In all these operations, extending a fortnight, of almost ’daily fighting it is gratifying to know that our losses were comparatively small, especially in the case of animals, where it was very much less than was feared.

ATROCITIES IN PALESTINE. MORE GERMAN BARBARISM. LONDON, November 25. Refugees, who have arrived at Alexandria, brings further stories of terrible Turko-German atrocities upon the Jews. Last month all the leading Jews at Jaffa were accused of espionage, and on the strength of false evidence or evidence that was extorted under torture, were convicted by a German court-martial and hanged, with members of their families, in the presence of German officers. Mon and women were publicly beaten to extort confessions. Lower classes arc taking advantage of the evil plight the Jews arc in and are blackmailing and robbing them.

Received 8.35. AMSTERDAM, November 25 Weigat, the boatswain of the dreadnough Kron Prinz Weso, who participated in the Kiel mutiny, as cabled on October 15th, has escaped to Holland. Interviewed he states that 300 sailors of the Kron Prinz, and ’Schlesweig were ordered to proceed to a submarine school for instruction. It was decided to revolt when the Kron Prinz men paraded for departure if they w'ere refused leave. Admiral von Schmidt struck Heilmann, the men’s leader. Heilmann returned the blow and floored the Admiral. Officers then fired their revolvers at the mutineers, -who were used to rifles took to knives. In hand to hand conflicts seven officers, including the Admiral, were thrown only the Admiral being rescued. Military police boarded the Kron Prinz, and the mutineers surrendered. Six of the leaders, were shot; many others were sentenced up to 2'o years.

GRADUALLY WORKING EASTWARD. LONDON, November 24. Mr Massey reports from Palestine: The scene of the fighting gets further eastward of Eamleh daily. We are driving the Turks out of the hilly country by persistent attacks. The situation is most encouraging, though the enemy are stubbornly resisting and rarely retiring until hardpressed. West County men made a gallant bayonet charge to dislodge them from nooks and crannies. The Turks have managed to get their guns into position, which re„tard us somewhat. Although the country is difficult, the cavalry arc always threatening the enemy’s flanks. The conditions arc depressing for fighting. The men tried to sleep in cheerless bivouacs, while supply troops worked unceasingly getting food and stores through the slippery mud amid violent rainstorms and piercing winds which followed a warm day.' Palestine official. —We stormed on Wednesday Nebisamwil Ridge, which is the site of ancient Mizpah, 5000 yards westward of the Jerusalem-Ab-dus road. We beat off repeated counterattacks. The enemy bombarded the mosque containing the traditional tomb of the Prophet Samuel, which we earn fully avoided. Our Mounteds, which approached Bcitunia, on Wednesday, wore forced back Dy a strong counter-attack. We are now holding Beiturefona. The weather is bright, but cold.

INTERNMENT OF ALIENS.

SUVA, (FIJI) Nov. 18. In both Australia and New Zealand there is a good deal of feeling on the internment question, and Fiji has probably set both countries an example in thoroughness.

When the crew of the Seeadler made their visit here the Governor, Sir Bickham Ecott, sent Home a cable to the effect that unless he heard to the contrary he was going to intern the lot. The same principles up till then had "been followed as were adopted in the Dominion and the Commonwealth. This left out a number of enemy origin who had been naturalised before and during the war. Possibly they were not doing any harm, but they were a potential source of danger, especially peeially with -a—possible raider paying a visit to these islands, so the fiat went forth to intern the lot, and the interned. By a recent boat to Sydney there left, under escort, 29 who up till now had been allowed to remain, generally under some form of supervision.

Monday’s successful action -west of Euryet el Enat was due to the gallantry of the Somerset, Wiltshire, and Ghurka regiments