AUSTRO-GERMANY.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 February 1917, Page 5

AUSTRO-GERMANY.

X MADNESS PRECEDES DESTRUCTION. HOLLWEG'S ILLUSIONS. Amsterdam. Feb. 1. ITerr von Bethmann-Hollweg, speakini In the Reichstag, declared that the most important fact was that the number of Germany's submarines had very considerably increased compared with last spring, thereby a firm basis was created for success. The second decisive reason was the bad corn harvest of the \<i,rvi, whicu had already caused Britain. France and Italy serious difficulties, which Germany firmly hoped to make unbearable by unrestricted submarining. He declared that the coal question was already critical in France and Italy and that German submarines would rendu it still more critical. Moreover, an regards England, there was the question of the supply of ore for munitions and timber for coal mines. The Entente's difficulties were rendered more acute by the need for increased cargo space, while a time of submarine and cruiser warfare had prepared the ground for a decisive blow. He also asserted that the disadvantages to Germany from this course had correspondingly decreased since last spring.

He said that Field-Marshal von Hin- " denhurg a few days ago described the , situation as follows: "Our front is firm on all sides; we have everywhere requisite reserves; the spirit of our trooK is good. lam confident the military situation as a whole permits us to accept all the consequences of unrestricted submarining, and as this in all the circumstances, is the means to injure our enemies mots grievously, it must begin.'' Herr von Bcthmann-Hollweg stated that the enemy's refusal of peace showed a determination to annihilate Germany. The latter accepted the challenge and would fight to the bitter end and hazard everything to gain vitcory. A ruthless submarine campaign would bring peace near by making the enemy's food and poftl supplies more precarious. THE KAISER AGAIN. ISPLACED CONFIDENCE. Amsterdam, Feb. 1. ine Kaiser has issued a proclamation cf thanks for his people's birthday expressions of loyalty, to which he adds: "Hard times are ahead for the Fatherland, and our needs compel the concentration of exceptional forces. The Gcrman people will do their duty to the last man in defence of our righteous ■cause. I am confident God is with us »ad will give us victory." gECRECY OVER PREPARATIONS. Received Feb. 2, 5.25 p.m. Stockholm, Feb. 1. The greatest secrecy is being observed in connection with Germany's war preparations. Neutral attaches who have returned from the front declare that nobody is allowed to visit any front. Probably only the Kaiser, Field-Marshal Ton Hiridenburg. and General Ludendorff •hare the military secret*. WORTHY OF "PUNCH." Received Feb. 2, 8,50 p..m Amsterdam, Feb. 1. The Dusseldorf Anzeiger publishes a telegram from" Constantinople that the ©tamboul University proposes to nominate the Kaiser as a candidate for the jtfobel Peace Prize. JHF. BEGINNING OF THE END. Eeuter Service. ' Amsterdam, Feb. 1. Field-Marshal von Hindenburg is expected' in Brussels to-day, en route for Ghent and Flanders. Herr von Bcthmann-Hollweg and Herr Zimmerman, Foreign Secretary, have returned- to Berlin from headquarters, after debating the policy by sea and land. ' A telegram declares that the most serious and decisive period of the war k about to begin. BERLIN'S DEATH RATE. Zurich, Feb. 1. The death rate in Berlin for the first fortnight of January increased 40 per_ ftkt. over 1016. ANOTHER WAR LOAN. London, February 1. Tfca Frankfurter Zeitung foreshadows ■ cirtb German war loan shortly, and pfrinni the copying of British methods.

WESTERN ATTACK.

THE GIGANTIC CLASH. ANGLO-FRENCH READY. A CRUSHING SURPRISE PREPARED. London, Feb. 1. Activity on the Anglo-French frant is increasing pending the gigantic clash of arms Tho opponents are taking each others' measure. French critics, who full}- expect the li'l7 campaign to end the war, interpret the Germans' attacks on January :i() as only feelers whereby the staff is seeking to discover the well-kept s'ecret of the Allies' plans. "But the attacks are a prelude to the German offensive. The Anglo-French stall's are fully prepared to cope with any German effort. General Rawlinson, discussing the possible German offensive, said: "W-; have everything we need and if the Germans care to lose a few hundred thousand for no purpose we have nu objection." Major de Oivireux', ' writing to the Matin, points, out that mobility and inrge Anglo-French heavy artillery reserves are assured by railway aiid motor ti action, enabling a crushing surprise offensive to be directed against- the enemy while they are engaged in another sector. The Allies will not be content with a defensive and thus absorb the enemy's effort and exhaust his effectives.

BRITISH POSITION IMPROVED. ENEMY ATTACKS REPULSED. A. & N.Z. Cable Association and Renter, Received Feb. 2, 10.10 p.m. London, Feb. 2. Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig reports: We improved our position northwards of Beaumont Haniel, and carried out a successful raid south-eastward of Neuville St. Vaast. We repulsed attempts to approach our lines south-east-ward of Armentieres and eastward of Yprcs. Two other attacks in the neighborhood of Wytsehaete, by strong parties dressed in white, were beaten back with heavy losses. The enemy's artillery has been more active southward of Yprcs. The British took prisoner 1228 Germans, including 27 officers, in January. Among the troops specially distinguishing themselves were the 2nd Battalion of the Third New Zealand Rifle Brigade. A French communique says that there is nothing to report except a lively artillery duel at Hartmanns . Weilerkopf and east of Metzeral. ■ FRENCH ACTIVITY London, Feb. 1. A French communique states: A French air squadron bombed railway stations and depots at Quiehy, Voyannes, and bivouacs east of Nesle. A French gun aeroplane fired fifty shells on the cantonments at Masnil, St. Nicaize and Herly, on the Sorame. BELGIANS DRIVE BACK ENEMY. Admiralty, per WircleßS Press. London, January 31. A Belgian communique states:—Our artillery and infantry, with machine-gun fire, drove back a German detachment which was approaching posts eastward of l'eroyse and southward of Snoordsclioote, after a violent bombardment. A French communique states:—There liavo been somewhat violent artillery actions at different points, especially oil the sector east of Rhcims, right to the lleuse.