THE RUSSIAN TASK.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XLI, Issue 12807, 27 March 1916, Page 5

THE RUSSIAN TASK.

CONFLICTING REPORTS.

Received March 26, at 5.5 p.fn. Petr'ograd, .March 24. A communique says: The Russian offensive is developing north and west, of Lake Vnrgunck. Desperate bayonetfighting is in progress in the Klipa sector, where, despite the heavy German fire, ive have forced all the enemy's protective lines by a vigorous thrust. Fighting continues in the Lako Narotch district.

Ticce ivetl March 26. at 11 p.m. Petrograd, March 25.

A communique savs: We continue to follow iit» our successes south of Atigustinbof. After a fierce conflict for fortified ground around Lapuku,-a furious counter-attack followed. We continue io advance in the Dvinsk and Yidzy regions. , Tho .Germans in the latter district are using explosive bullets.

Timuveil March 26, at <11.45 p.m. Amsterdam, March "JC. A German communique savs: TJie Russians renewed their attacks westward) of Jaeobstadt, using Fresh Siberian troops. The attacks broke down with heavy losses. Received March 27, n't 8.50 a.m. . London, March 26. The Morning Post's Petrograd correspondent says that, the Germans are busily engaged fortifying Vilna, wliicli tliey recognise as the objective of the Russians' blow. Anglo-French prisoners are thus employed-. The fighting is very, fierce between "Riga and Smorgon, wliere the Germans are preparing to force a wedge across the Dvina. The Russians anticipated the completion of the German preparations, and have, enormously increased the stores of guns and ammunition.

GERMANY STARVES POLES,

REDUCED TO DOGS' FLESH

Received March 26, at 5.5 p.m. Rome, March '25. The Vatican has received reports that the Germans arc reouisitioJing all the food sniffs in Poland and are starving the peasantry. They lmve ordered dogs to be Killed for fowl. Numerous deaths from starvation, especially among women and children, arc reported.

KAISER COES TO VILNA,

Received March 26, at 5.5 p.m. London, March '25. Petrograd reports that the Kaiser is going to Vilna.

ELSEWHERE IN THE WEST.

Received Mait-h 26, at 11 p.m. London, March 26. General Sir Douglas ilaig reports: The enemy on Friday night sprung a mine near the Hohenzolfern redoubt mid an entire trench was blown out. We liombod the trenches at BoisBlancs, badly damaging 100 yards. The enemy s reply was feeble. > Received March 27, at 10.20 a.m. London, March 26. The Britl-h front has been extended to ninety miles from Yser to the Soiiime. relieving the French and thus materially helping in the defence of Verdun.

THE CERMAN WAR LOAN

j Received March 26. at 5.5 p.m. j Berlin, March 25. j Dr HclfFcrich, German Imperial j Treasurer, lias informed the Jleichstag i that £530,000,000 has been subscribed j to tbc last German war loan.

THE DARDANELLES,

Received March 27, at 10.20 a.m. Petrograd, March 26. M. Milnakoff, in the Duma, said tliac the Allies in April satisfactorily settled the Straits of the Dardanelles and Russia must realise that this is her out. let. She cannot prosper without the open sea. It- is not a question whether the straits shall become Russian or Turkish. They must not become German.

TURKISH TRADE SUFFERS.

Received March 25, at 11.0 p.m. Petrograd, March 25. A communique savs: Our torpedo boats have destroyed sixteen vessels on tho Anatolian coast.

OUR MEN PLAY FOOTBALL

Received March 27, at 8.50 a.m. London, March 26.

In a football match at (.'atlierham the New Zealanders scored! 27 and the Wel>h Guards team 0. Burns scorei. three tries, Jeffs two. Griffiths, Eraser. Everett, aiiit Muir one each. Tho Sew Zcalanders showed excellent- combination. A high wind militatedagainst place-kicking.

SCENES IN THE REICHSTAG.

SOCIALIST TOO OUTSPOKEN. Received March 26, at 5.5 p.m. Amsterdam, March 25. The stormiest Beichstag sitting on record occurred during the BudftOt debate. = Herr Haast, of the Socialists, created a uproar by denouncing German ambition for world power, declaring that no one would win the war. . ' A series of exciting scenes followed, members frequently being on the point of exchanging blows. A noticeable majority of Socialists were especially incensed against Herr ifaast., ~Tho.party, later, by 50 to 33, repudiated Herr Haast. Tho minority hare since seceded from the Socialists.

A FINE RECORD.

Received March 27, at 9.40 a.m. _ Sydney. March 27. Speaking at his welcome home Lfeutenant.Cofonel Burnage referred to tlii unique record of the 13th Battalion. He.stated that not a member was returned for a disciplinary reason.

AUSTRALIA'S ARMY.

Receired March 27. at 9.40 a.m. Molltoiirne, March 27. Mr Fearce. appealing for more men, stated that if more were necessary Ilit reinforcement would l>o new division would be formed.-