BRITAIN REPLIES TO RUSSIA

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3109, 13 June 1917, Page 5

BRITAIN REPLIES TO RUSSIA

CLEAR STATEMENT OF ALLIES' WAS AIMS

AND OFFERED REVISION OF

AGREEMENTS

NEW ZEALANDERS AT

MESSINES

FURTHER DETAILS OF EXPLOITS

ITALIAN SUCCESSES

.Britain's reply to the request of tho Bussiau Government for a elateraont of tho former's war aims is published to-day. Tho Koto is in harmony with tho principles laid down in. President Wilson's Note, and leaves the <loor opon for a revision of tho Allies' agreements should Hussia desire it Dispatches detailing the exploits of. the New Zealandcrs ami Australians at Mcssines continue to pour in. The men of Anzac had a very trying timo for a while, but all the objectives were attained with surprisingly fen- serious casualties. Fnrther. details of the firinz of the great 6ubterraneau minefield accentuate the horror of the event for tho Germans. On tho Italian front recent activity in tho Trenlino has resulted in tho capture of a pnsa and other successful operations. The "Times" correspondent at Athens etatos that a radical solution of the Greek problem appears to bo imminent. Tho probabilities point to hostilities, as tho Ministers are leaving the embassies, and aspeoial envoy from Prance, equipped with plenipotentiary powers, is discussing the situation with General Sarrail and M. Vcnizolos. Xo material developments aro reported, elsewhere. Mr. Ramsay Macdonald aud Mr. Jowott, tho Socialist delegates to Russia, are etill dofained at their port of departure.by tho Seamen and Firemen's Uiiione. Tho situation, is almost serio-comic. Haunted by pickets, the two have reached the stage of making promises and offering apologies.

BRITAIN'S REPLY TO RUSSIA

WAR AIMS DECLARED

LIBERATION OF OPPRESSED PEOPLES

(Bj Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright),

(liec. June 12, 9.55 p.m.)

London, Juno 12. The reply of His Majesty's Government to tho Russian Note regarding the Allies' war aims states: "Britain heartily concurs in the sentiment of he proIn the Russian people, which declared for a. ireo Russia, and does not ipose ?o domiateX oth P er'peoples, or deprive them of their national patnmouv or forcibly occupy foreign territory. Britain did not enter tho war as a war of ronnuest and is not continuing tho war for any such object Her purpose at the outset was to defend her existence and enforce respect for internation4nXeSr™bS now l.as been added-the liberation of the populations opmes4d bv tho tyranny of the Central Powers. Tho Government liearhly reK in free RiSia'e intention of liberating Poland, not only the Poland which the old ruled, but equally that within the dominion of tho Germanic EiZrel The British democracy wished Russia. God-speed inthis onterS Beyond eventliing, the Allies must seelc a settlement winch W ,ll secure the happinel and contentment of the Peoples and take away all legitimate CaU "The f British Government heartily endorses the Russian acceptance and apwnvnl of the principles laid down in President Wilson's historic messaao toC™, are the aime for which tho British peoples are fig; tings they n™ ae Priiiciples by which their war policy is and will 1» guided. The British CoveVnmenrbelieves, broadly speaking, that the agreements between the Allies awSEnaWe tothese standards, but tf the Russian Government desires, they, tith their Allies are quite ready to oxamino, and if necessary revise, these r g reement S ."-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Ecuter. SPEECH BY THE BRITISH AMBASSADOR ELOQUENT APPEAL FOR WARLIKE ACTION. Petrograd, June 11. •' 4. great public meeting held to discuss the was presided over by M. and attended by Sir George Buchanan British Ambassador), the l≥ Mlnista (S[Albert Thomas), and the Belgian and Italian lepiesentatlTe|ir George Buchanan made an eloquent appeal for warlike action. "If (lie Germans had not transferred a large number of troops to the West," he said, "it might have gone- hard with Free Russia. We look to-you now to help to relieve the constant pressure on our front. If Russia took the offensive it would bring the war to a speedy end." Sir George uttered .a warning against the Utopian fallacy that peace was attainable by fraternising, which the Germans •encouraged Tin order to demoralise the Russians. Nothing in our policy was incongruous with the policy ot "no annexation* and no indemnities. -Renter. IMPROVED OUTLOOK IN THE ARMY COSSACKS HEADING A DISCIPLINARY MOVEMENT. London, Juno 11. The "Morning Post's" Petrograd correspondent says there are sips of increasing discipline among the Russian soldiery. Distinguished regiments are drast rally weeding out undesirable elements. The Cossacks are at the head ot the movement Several thousand Cossacks, fu ly armed, paraded in Petrognul in Xfrtc mirtial array The significance of the demonstration is thoroughly uiiderstood™" in'licatinK an early restoration of order.-Au<.-N.Z. Cable Assn. AMERICAN COMMISSION OF RAILWAY EXBEETS. London, June 11. Advices from Vladivostock stsibo that a connnission of Amercican railwny exnerts has arrived to offer its services to Russia. Tt consists of leading experts in railway organisation, traffic control, and engineering— Aus.-N.'/. Cable Assn. DEMAND FOR EX-TSAR TO BE SENT TO KRONSTADT (Kec. June 12, 9.55 p.m.) London, .lime, 11. The "Times" correspondent at Petrograd states that the sailors on the Dreadnou/'ht Gangnt and the cruiser Diana have issued an ultimatum that unless the. 'cx-Tsor Nicholas nnd his family are sent to Kronstadt they will sail for Petrograd.—The 'Time?." . _____ THE AUSTRIAN MILITARY PEACE INTRIGUERS A SEMI-OFFICIAL DENIAL. Amsterdam, June 11. A semi-official message from Vienna denies that an army deputation has gone to Kussia to negotiate for -peace. . The "Lokal Air/.eiger, a Government paper, has been suppressed for publi=hin» reports of the arrival of the Austrian Military Peace Delegation at PetroS lit wi* previously reported Hint twenty-seven Austrian*, including (.wo gpn-n-ils were arrested'in Kishinev (in Bessarabia), and put under oscort. Anloiiiiciiiir tint they were peace delegates, they requested a ronference with <h<> Soldiers Hid W-'.rknien's Cominittec The Government ordered their arresM. '•iii.l word wns subsequently received at the capital that the delegation had been arreslcd. and 'would shortly arrive at Petrograd.l POLES REFUSE TO SUPPORT THE GERMANS . Washington, Juno 11. Acoordin , " t<> advices received by Jf. P.idereivA'i, (he I'olc? ivfuse to 6uppor(. the German "cause, ller.ruitins for the Gormau Army in Poland hss failed, and thoro h growing hostility to the German Authorities in Warsaw.—Aus.-N.7i. Cablo Assu.

FURTHER PROGRESS BY THE BRITISH MORE ABOUT THE ANZACS 1 AND THE GREAT MINE EXPLOSION Tl,e High Commissioner report*:Sir Douglas Haig reports: "Southward of Messinea we- slightly advanced our lino. Eastward of Epeliy and southward ot i'pres- artillery activity i h mutual. Westward o£ La Basse*, eastward of Vermelles. and (southward ol Aimentiei<* we carried out successful raids." The High Commissioner reports:— ° London, June 11, 11.uO p.m. A British official message states: "Our progress south : oast of %^, co »: tinues. Early this morning we captured i<. trench system in the neighbourhood of La Potterio Perm, on a mile of front. Mid subsequently gained lurthor ground in this ami. We captured prisoners and seven neld guns. WITH THE ANZACS AT MESSINES FULL STORY OF THEIR EXPLOITS. (Rcc. Juno 12, 8.30 p.m.) London, June 11. Witnesses of the light at Messines point out only the complexity of tho plans leadin" up to the battle allows an estimate to be made of tho part piajed Lj uo Australians and New Zealand**, and discloses the bnlhauce ol their achievement. Although Mesaincewillbe a historic and most gigantic arhlUryundngineerinjf victory, tho mighty concussions would have accomplished little unfe* the Troops had followed them up by taking possession of tho desolated land, l< Xew ZeaWers have been given meet prominent mention because they weio Iβ first to enter MesSlnes. The Australians don't grudge them the honour. llie Australians like«-ise had a definite part. They attacked and Penetrate la* fai eastward as any of the troops. The English regiments attacked the noithein lml lof the salient, and the Australians and Now Zealaiidera wove responsibc- tor the ■southern half. The New Zealanders faced the ridge at the point ot it, prea *.l rise oDDOsite Messiiies Two distinct bodies of Australians were engaged. Uie iiS. Xck ],as a L« record of fighting in France, acted as export troops behind Hip New Zcalanders, and also supported the English upon the Now I Seders' 8 loft W The" Australian bojly » given a complete *»t. »dvan«. I in- unassisted on tho southern end ot the salient upon the New 1 "" right. These Australians had not long beon ,„ France, and won he.h, I laurels. They attacked with wonderful coolness, and advanced sleadilv under Me opinion that the spectacular opening attack, with the hngo mino bursts, put the boys in good humour, and the whole line moved fonrard in tho highest spirits. The New Zealanders, having seen Messuies ro m> *- ward with the great explosion, never stopped until they took the trench W ward of tho village which they discovered to bo a mass of bricks and Broken Sis although some of the houses were rtill habitable despite the ravages of 'CffinSta and the final miirnig upheavals. A few mans crawled from the, ruins and surrondored. Tho New their position and awaited the next stage of tho operations. The second body ot Australians on their right had already made good progress on the flatter pound. The Afternoon's Operations. Tho afternoon's oncrations consisted in the taking of two main trench lines farther to the eastward. The Australian supporting troop,? advanced with wonderful order up the ridge throiirfi a lively barrage of heavy shells, passed though Messines, reached tho. New Zealr.udors, and passed them, ncwil uifrto time-table Then the Australians jumped oft and carried out the attack allotted to them. 'The British suns continued to wreck the trenches which .the Australians were approaching, with the result that the enemy failed to fhow hjilil. The attacked found few occupant.. The Australians then hastily oonsolu uod their positions. 'Hie southern body of the Australians meantime had completed (ho advance while the English troops to tho north also reached their objectives. Bv nightfall thn lino had bnen. straitrhtoncd and secured. " The casualties were greater dumurtho last part of the operations Aftei tlior ln/1 mssed flip village thn Germans, in addition to the big Rtnlt; show?ef u on the who did not flinch, although aftor they reached their objectives fliej- had still o hold tho line wider a terrible shell-fae until tho Australians came through. IWiko the fighting at Bulleconrf, the ens. - altics at Messines we phenomenally light. Many wore very slightly wounded. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable 'Assn. _J SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S TRIBUTE TO NEW ZEALAND London, June 11. Replying to Sir Thomas Mackenzie's message of congratulations, Sir Douglas TTaiR &«phed a worm oulogy of the Now Wanders Ho says: 'The people of New Zealand have good causo lo be proud or the recent achievements o then; line division. Attacking on a front ,-f .15(11) yards, they, crossed a most difficult pieco of country in tho face of strong opposition. especially about tho villi go of Mossines, and reached their objectives up to time. I cannot speak too highly of (ho manner the Now iSenUnd Division was commanded, and of tho gallant beha.viour of all ranks. Their splendid spirit fills mo with admiration mid confidence."— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. GENERAL PLUMER'S ACKNOWLEDGMENTS TO BIS TROOPS. (U«c. June 12. 8.110 p.m.) London, June' 11. General Fliunnr has complimented all ranks on the soldierly conduct irhich resulted in the. capture of Messines Ridge. Tho precision with which tho orders were cavriod out, ho. says, oiiablwl this programme to bo fulfilled to the last detail, and with a minimum of losses and wounded.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ■ THE GREAT MINE EXPLOSION MORE ABOUT THE "MAN-MADE EARTHQUAKE." London, Juue 11. M. Andre Tudesq, tho Paris "Journal's correspondent ou tho British front, states that six months were occupied in creating fresh saps, extending 2000 yards to the' far slopes of the captured crests. The tunnellers duff nineteen pockets, stopping underneath a similar number of strongly-cemented and armed enemy fortresses. . Quadrangular wells were sunk, and crammed with the most powerful explosives, about 25 tons in each. Every-thing was comploted by the end of the winter, and since January tho first line troops have been living above a slumbering inferno.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo'Asen. Renter's correspondent, describing the effects of the Messines mino explosions, says: "They wrecked the hill, filled up marshes, and changed a wood into a lake. They altered the geography of two centuries, and transformed an enormous area into a cemetery. Hours after tho attack there were repeated dull sounds from the earth below, in some eases Germans wore- dug out half suffocated. Since then, along the whole ridge, soldiers have been listening between the crashes of shells for tho cries of frightened humanity from the underworld."—ltauter. GERMAN LOSSES NEARLY FIVE TIMES THE BRITISH Paris, June 11. The "Matin's" correspondent states that in the Battle of , AVytschaetc the British casualties numbered 8000, and estimates the Germans' losses at 30,000 to 40,000. He states that the light batteries of a singlo British division fired 170,000 and the heavy batteries 80,000 shells in. one sector alone.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE GERMAN REPORT London, June 11. A German official report states: "On tho dunes sector, near Nieuport and eastward of Ypvcs there is intense artillery activity, We repulsed Jinglish. nignt attacks westward of Hollebeke, at AVamboke, and against La Potcrio I 1 arm, west of AVarneton. Our destructive tire near Fcstubort, Loos, and Jlonchy prevented English attacks."—Aus.-N.is. Cable Absn.-Reuter.' GERMAN INFANTRY BETRAYED BY THEIR COMMANDERS (Hec. June 12, 5.15 p.m.) Pans, June 11. The correspondent of tho "Petit Parisien" at the British front states that the Herman commanders throughout knew that defeat was certain at Messines. Thenchief preoccupation was to save the guns without alarming the infantry, lhe latter wore fooled to the end. The generals actually arranged a comedy of false signals for artillery action, to which there was no response, the guns really being hurried to the rear. This explains why it was necessary to soparate the prisoners iu the cape.-f. owing to mutual accusations of treachery.—Aus.-A , ./. Cable Assn. ON THE FRENCH FRONT London, June 11. A. 'French official communique states: "There is considerable reciprocal artillery" nvi "? llort,l of the Sonime and in Die region of Cerny.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Heuter. AMERICAN HEADQUARTERS STAFF ARRIVES Paris, June 11. The officers of General I'ershing's staff have nrrived.-Aus.-N.Z. Cable. Awn.