AN OFFICIAL REPORT.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 February 1917, Page 5

AN OFFICIAL REPORT.

THE USUAL SUCCESSES. .A. & N.Z. Cable Association. Admiralty, per Wireless Press, London, February 15. German official. —In numerous reconnoitring engagements we inflicted considerable enemy losses at Armentieres and Arras. Wo stormed positions north of Glaczow and Tarnapol. AVc penetrated a hundred metres and destroyed an extensive mineshaft. We also bombarded the harbor and military works at Galatz. KAISER'S ORDER TO NAVY. Router Service. Received Feb. 10, 8.45 p.m. Amsterdam, February 15. Berlin, official. —The Kaiser, in an Order to the navy, says:—"ln the impending decisive battle, the task falls to my navy of turning the English war method of starvation, wherewith our most hated and most obstinate enemy intends to overthrow the German people, against himself and his Allies, by combating 'their sea traffic with all the means in our power. Herein the sub marine will siand first." The order expresses confidence that; the enemy's designs will be broken. AUSTRIAN GENERAL DISMISSED. Reuter Service. Received Feb. 10, 11.40 p.m. Amsterdam, February 16. A Vienna message states that the Emperor has relieved the Archduke Friedrich of the post of eecond in command. AUSTRIAN FOOD SHORTAGE. Vienna, February 15. Newspapers announce that the first consignment of Roumanian grain "has arrived in Hungary. The Government announces that it is impossible to give any to the civil populace. There aro bitter complaints of the Government yielding to German orders on the food question and allowing so much grain to go to Germany. It is stated that food is so short that the lower and middle classes remain in bed the better part of the day to save food, clothes and shoes and to prevent a collapse from starvation. ■FOOD CRISIS EXPECTED. London, February 15. The Daily Chronicle's Amsterdam correspondent states that an American who has just left Germany, where lie has resided throughout the war, says that after the Kiel and Leipzig food riots the soldiers refused to fire on the rioters. This was considered a dangerous symptom and led to the appointment of the Food Dictator, Farmers are still holding stocks in expectation of a rise in prices and any attempt to compel the surrender of hidden stocks may cause internal dissension. It is expected there will be a crisis at the end of March or earl) in May, when the masses will be reduced to a condition' where further endurance i« impossible. It is possible that' the soldiers will be forced to yield stores to feed civilians. There is no fear yet of military defeat, but a desperate fear that iiunger may force a capitulation, MOVEMENT OF TllOOrS. Amsterdam, February 15. The Handelshlad states that German troop movements on the eastern fron- | tier have ceased. A great proportion of the troops have disappeared to the southward. HEAVY WAR TAXES. j " London, Feruary 15. It is stated that, in order to meet the interest on war loans, the new taxes levied in Germany will produce sixty million sterling. They include a coal tax, traffic tux, and an addition of 20 per cent, upon war profits.