THE RECENT AIR RAID.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 June 1917, Page 5

THE RECENT AIR RAID.

RAIDERS CAUGHT IN RING OF FIRE 82 ENEMY MACHINES DOWNED. London, June 7. The latest accounts show that half Tuesday's raiders did not return to Germany. Two were shot down over the Medway, two between Kent and Dunkirk, two off Ostend and four others were driven down off Ostend, of which two were destroyed. Eye-witnesses state that the formation of the Medway raiders consisted of a line of bomb throwers with Other aeroplanes on the flanks ready to engage the Britishers, who quickly ascended. The Germans at first were flying vary high, but then came lower than in previous raids. Not a British gun was fired until the raiders were above the to\ni, then the raiders were suddenly caught in a great ring of fire and, seemed trapped. A shell caught a German machine and sliced off the propeller. The aeroplane dived, but the pilot'recovered himself, looping the loop as ho descended Severn 1 times, each time breaking the ' speed of bis descent. A patrol boat first arrived on tho scene and released the wounded Germans; it was impossible to salve the plane. The German officer succumbed yesterday. Ten minute* later another machine burst into flames and pitched downwards at tremendous speed, falling in' the town. The rest of the enemy aircraft managed to get out of the ring of flre and fled, our machines chasing them. Tho worst damage was in a clothins store, where two bombs exploded and the building collapsed. Fortunately a large number of women workers were removnd when the raid was announced, and the fire brigade was able to extingushi the fire. The missiles included many aerial torpedoes, tho buzzing of which and the vhirr of their propellora gave warning as they fell. > Since Sunday the British have brought down 02 enemy aeroplanes; our lossc9 have been only 20. WISE AFTER THE EVENT. London,/ June 7. Sir Thomas Mackenzie presided at Professor Gilbert Murray's address on the "Control of Foreign Policy," in which he advocated a policy of peaceful negotiation. Sir Thomas Mackenzie said the Dn. minions disliked militarism, but were resolved to see the war through. Had those responsible for Imperial interests realised the European developmnt and provided adequate means to meet it we should not have been at war now. BLOCKING DELEGATES' DEPARTURE. London, Juno 7. The conference of the Sailors' and Firemen's Union ordered the strictest watch to bo kept at all ports to prevent the departure of Stockholm delegates. CHAIRMANSHIP OF IRISH CONVENTION. London, June C. The Speaker of the House of Commons has refused to preside at the Irish Convention. The Chief Secretary for Ireland has been invited to preside. DENUNCIATION OF PEACE CRANF ° London, June 7. Mr. Culling Carr, secretary of the British Empire Union, writing in the Morning Post, nsks: "Has it struck the Australians, South Africans, New Zealamlers and Canadians that tho Government is sending to Stockholm and Petrograd a revolutionary nonentity of the name of Macdonald as a representative of the British Labor democracy and Parliament, and that Macdonald states that he carries a mandate promising a peace based on no indemnities, no reparation, and no annexations? This means South-West Africa, Cameroon, New Guinea and German West Africa will he handed back to the Huns as a reward for murdering our women and children. "America and France have refused passports to their peace cranks. Why is t>» Government of the British Emniie luUtinjr between two opinions!"

i L4a LABOR AND THE WAR. MP Reuter Service. 3'; Received June 8, 5.5 p.m. London, June-l Mr. Hutchinson, of the Enghwre' Union, has declined the invitation of the Labor executive to go to Stockholm - and Petrograd. Tho Parliamentary committeo of the Trades Union* CongrM. ha» 3e»ld«l to send two representatives to Petrograd to advise the Russians as to British trade union mattfods. The mission will in no wise be political, and the delegates will not go to Stockholm. FRANCHISE AND OTHER MATTSB& London, June 6. In the House of Commons, an amend* ment in favor of separating redbtrflm- *' tion from franchise proposals was. ntga- 1 tived by 217 to 65. , Major Lascelleg, a New Zealander.JUta propounded a scheme whereby rtudebtc, whose university studies were interrupt- ■ cd by the war, may undergo a year's extended study at Oxford, the latter'e authorities and the Rhodes Sefokra Trustees being favorable to the scheme, which will bo submitted to the oversea* Governments. Major LasceUes is con- ■ ferring with Cambridge University. "'■ It is reported that the group ec&OJBe; '.' of enlisting recruits up to fifty yean of ■ age has been abandoned, other ZMUf being contemplated. ''■'..< NO OVERTURES FROM BULGABUi ■' Received June 0, 12.5 a,m, ' ' London, June 8. Lord Robe|t Cecil, speaking in the House of Commons, denied that Bolfv ■ ria had made overtures t2 the AQUhTw " a separate peace.