THE WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 February 1916, Page 8

THE WAR.

GENERAL ITEMS. NOTES FROM THE TIMES. BULGARIA QUAKING. Times ami Sydney Sun Services. Copenhagen, Feb. 27. Sofia is enormously impressed by the fall of Erzerum, fearing a Russian invasion in the near future, as the majority of the German troops have been withdrawn from the Balkans frontier. BULGARIAN FLEET BOTTLED UP. A small Bulgarian squadron of ten torpedo-boats and some barge 9 attemptert to enter the Black Sea and was forced to take refuge at Varna, where it was bottled up. _ ~. • v „ TURKISH LOSSES. ""> '" Rome, Feb. 27. II Seeolo publishes a careful examination of the Turkish losses, which it estimates at half a million, excluding those at Erzerum. The paper points out that, despite Enver Pasha's iron hand, discontent in Constantinople has reached a dangerous point. GERMANY IMPRESSED. Copenhagen, Feb. 27. .Mr. Asquith's speech .strongly, impressed the German public. The Politiken writes that Mr. Asquith never used unconsidered words, so the speech was a proclamation. of tbe fernpire's determination to win a literally compelled victory. GERMAN EXPORT OP COTTONS. NO LONGER POSSIBLE. The Press announces that German textile manufacturers have informed Scandinavian importers that the export of cotton goods is ceasing, as the German reserves are exhausted and the majority of factories are without material or stocks. NEW 'AMERICAN SHIPPING COMPANY. New' York, Feb. 27. A new shipping company, with a capital of five million dollars, has been formed to run a line of steamers between New York, China, .Tapan, and Russia under the American flag. PRESIDENT WILSON'S POLICY. Washington, Feb. 27. It is reported in the lobbies that President Wilson has decided to sever diplomatic relations with Germany if a single American is lost owing to the new submarine campaign. ■ BIDING HIS TIMES. I London, Feb. 21. In the Houes of Commons, Mr. Quthj waite stated that three successive Greek Premiers indicated that Russia was opposed to the Greek Government's offer to land forces to participate in the proposed attack on the Dardanelles, because there was no Greek port within fifty miles of Constantinople. Sir E. Grey did not reply to the statement, VARIOUS NOTES. FROM ITALIAN SOURCES. Rome, February 2.">. Preparations for an imminent advance are reported on the Balkan fronts. Italian communiques report increased activity in the Alps, particularly towards Levico, Trent and Rovcreto.f Henceforth' the Allies will be ready for a great general action. Military experts point out the opportunities of the advance of the German offensive against France to strike the AustroGermans simultaneously on other fronts.