VIGOROUS WINTER WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 October 1916, Page 5

VIGOROUS WINTER WAR.

TO KEEP GERMANS BUSY, l Times Service, Received Oct. 20, 11.50 p.m.

Paris, Oct. 20. L'lntranigcant states that the AngloFrench high commands have deeided to prosecute a most vigorous winter war. not permitting th> Germans to transfer troops or keep reserves, in home garrisons for a Spring campaign. The Allies are making all arrangements for winter comforts in the trenches.

GERMANS' FRESH DEFENCES,

REMOVAL OF ARTILLERY. Received Oct. 21, 1-2.50 a.m. London, Oct. 20. Tiie Daily Telegraph's Paris .correspondent says that owing to the loss of Sailly-iSaillisel the Germans are hastily forming a fresh line of defences between Warlencourt, Le Transloy, and Sailly-Saillisel.. •But Le Transloy is in imminent danger of capture by the British. This would probably compel the Germans to withdraw their first line three or four miles eastward of Vaux Wood, which is virtually lost. The Germans have already removed artillery from Vaux Wood three miles eastward, under harassing French fire.

CHINESE COOLIES FOR FRANCE. Received Oct. 21, 12.50 a.m. Shanghai, Oct. 20. Despite German efforts to prevent recruitment, 5000 Chinese coolies have been despatched to France. UTILITY OF AIR SERVICE. Received Oct. 21, 12.50 a.m. Paris, Oct. 20. Le Matin's correspondent says that British airmen. during the recent operaions made 3000 rips across the enemy's lines to ihe enemy's dozen over theirs. Before every attack the troops resting behind the lines could reproduce a plan of the enemy's complicated works, from the airmen's photographs, and thus rehearse their capture. CAPTURED GERMAN ORDERS. -jondon, Oct. 19. The Daily Chronicle's Paris correspondent states that two more captured German army orders emphasise the importance of economy of material. General von Gallwitz, on August 1, complains of the fearful number of accidental explosions of gun tubes, and says that unless the bungling 1 ceases there will soon be a sensible diminution of the artillery ..power. General von Eulow, on August 9, made a similar complaint, especially with regard to field guns. He concludes: "The replacement of cannon put out of action is now gravely compromised," and adds: "The War Minister states that it i 3 no longer possible to increase the supply 0 f cannon tubes."

IRELAND.

MR. REDMOND ANSWERED. HIS MOTION- REJECTED, ~ London, Oct. 19. Mr. H. C. Duke, Chief Secretary for Ireland, replying to Mr. Redmond, said li was impossible to repeal martial law until the ringleaders of the rebels were convinced of the wickedness and hopelessness of their proposals.' The British Parliament was not responsible for the failure of the last effort to secure. Home Rule. The failure to attain a settlement in July was due to the fact that Irishmen were unable to agree. Meanwhile the Government must secure the protection of all lawabiding citizens.

Mr. Asquith repudiated the allegation that Dublin Castle was being run. by a Unionist administration. fie paid a tribute to Mr. Redmond's work in connection with Tccruiting, and said that no man in the Empire had rendered more constant, more loyal, or more effective service. They must remember that the Government was dealing with a transitory situation. Martial law in the commonly accepted sense, of the term was not being applied. .Everything was toeing done under the powers conferred by the Defence of the Realm Act, but, in view of the possible recrudescence of disorders it was impossible to dispense with safeguards. •

Mr. Asquith admited thaj; some stupidities had been repeated in Ireland at the beginning of the war, and many things had been done which had offended the national susceptibilities. There had been 150,000 recruits in Ireland since the beginning of the war, making 157,000 volunteering to enlist. This was only 2 1 /„ per cent, of the population, which was a low percentage compared with the rest of the United Kingdom and the contributions from Australia, New Zealand, Canada and South Africa.

The rebel prisoners would be released the moment it was safe to do so.

The Prime Minister urged the necessity of dispersing the present suspicions and obtaining an agreed settlement. Every sane politician in Britain would welcome an agreement with joy. ■Mr. Redmond's motion was rejected by 303 to 100.