LATE WAR NEWS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume VI, Issue 285, 17 November 1916, Page 6

LATE WAR NEWS

PICAHDY BATTLEFIELD. FRENCH PUNISH THE GERMANS. [AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSN.] (Received 17, 2.30 p.m.) London, Nov. 16. A Paris communique states that after an obstinate fight we drove out the enemy' from St. Pierrevaast Wood. Our gains are entirely held. The enemy sustained heaviest losses in yesterday’s attacks. They employed troops belonging io three divisions. NEW YORK’S LATEST. RIMUTAKA DETAINED. BECAUSE ARMED FOR DEFENCE. (Received 17, 2.30 p.m.) New York, Nov. 16. Because she is armed for defensive purposes, the State Department is considering whether to allow the departure for Dunedin the New Zealand steamer Rimutaka, carrying a cargo worth £200,000. A number of passengers on the British steamer Towanda, (ex Birkenhead), bound for New Orleans have also been detained. MACEDONIAN FRONT. SERBS PROGRESS IN SNOW AND RAIN. FRANCO-RUSSIANS NEAR MONASTER. (Received 17, 2.30 p.m.) Salonika, Nov. 16. Despite rain and snow our offensive on the Cerna front is being continued successfully. Violent enemy' counter attacks were repulsed. The Franco-Serbians have advanced north of Taperi towards Jaratok. The enemy’ west of Cerna abandoned their principal positions. The Franco-Russians, pursuing the enemy north of Kenali, have reached the right bank of the Biro river, six kilometres south of Monastir. THE FUTURE OF BELGIUM. OUTLINED BY HOLLWEG. IF ALL GOES WELL ? [AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSN.] (Received 17, 11.50 a.m.) London, Nov. 16.

A Berne wireless message says that, despite, the secrecy maintained by’ the Reichstag Committee, it is now known that considerable discussion took place in its proceedings. Herr von Bethmann-Hollweg stated that he did ot commit the Government to any' definite policy' with regard to Belgium when he outlined a possible settlement regarding Belgium. That country must, he said, be nominally independent, but it would remain a German dependency. King Albert must be deposed, as, being an implacable enemy, he would be a perpetual menace. If the Belgians desire a King he must be a German prince. ■Among other conditions the Chancellor outlined were the following: A perpetual offensive and defensive Belgo-German alliance; the maintenance of a Belgian army at specified strength; a permanent German military commission in Brussels; a commercial treaty in accordance with German dictates ; and the lease of two ports as German naval bases. Several speakers demanded the retention of Belgian as port of the German Empire. No one mentioned the possibility of being driven out of Belgium.