The War News.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 18 January 1917, Page 3

The War News.

FRIDAY. Gains on Riga Front—lmportant Russian Activity — Roumanian Situation Improves—Advance on the Tigris—Allies' firm attitude to Greece. German military circles admit the importance of the Russian offensive on the Riga front, and that the Russians have achieved a real success, although at a heavy price. They have forced their way to within 12 miles of Mitau. While the enemy claims further progress in Roumania, and to have forced the Russians beyond the Sereth, the Roumanian ||Legation at Rome states that the has improved. The British made an advance on Tuesday on the right bank of the Tigris, north-east of Kut-el- , Amara, in Mesopotamia. A Rome newspaper states that Greece has accepted the allies' terms in their entirety. General Sarrail has been empowered to secure the safety of the allied army. The enemy on the Monastir front is being reinforced. The allies' reply to Mr Wilson's Peace No te has been handed to the United States' Ambassador in Paris. Its contents have not been disclosed. The military correspondent of the London Times suggests that during the coming summer the Germans will attempt to crush Russia, while remaining on the defensive on the western front. Three incendiary fires are reported to have occurred in Zeppelin sheds at Kiel. One destroyed two new Zeppelins and 24 aeroplanes. SATURDAY. The Allies' Terms—Reply to the American Note—Turks Defeated by Anzacs — British Pre-Dread-nought Sunk — Greece Accepts Allies' Demands. The allies' reply to Mr Wilson's Peace Note has been published. It says the allies will insist on the restoration of occupied territories, and also territories wrested from the allies in the past, the liberation of the Italians, Slavs, Roumanians, and Czechs from Austrian domination, and the expulsion of the Turks from Europe. The Note recounts German crimes, and says that a satisfactory peace cannot be obtained at present, but the allies support the proposal to create a league of nations to assure universal peace and justice. In a speech in support of the new British war loan, Mr Lloyd George said that with proper support the armies would cleave a road to victory in 1917. The allies were more and more looking to Britain. A British force, which included the Anzac Mounted Division, gained a further success on the Syrian frontier of Egypt. A German attack on the right bank of the Meuse, north of Verdun, was repulsed with heavy p is officially annqunced that (Greece ha.s ac(sept§c( the allies' jjemand.s, The British pre^Dreadnonght battleship Cornwallis, 14,000 tons, was sunk by a submarine on Tuesday. Thirteen of the crew are missing.

MONDAY. Warning to Greece—Enemy Bombarding Galatz—Severe Fighting qn Riga Front—ltalian Battleship iYUned^Winter Activities on the The allies are not satisfied with JfcS&e reply given by Greece to ■ptheir ultimatum. They are now Wt informing Greece that complete acquiescence with all their demands is -imperative, otherwise General Sarrail will take action. The Germans have concentrated fresh troops on the Riga front, and are obstinately resisting the Russian offensive. The enemy h?as stiff-eyed very he^vy Jqsse.s, p)§ ejienqy. claim, |q ha^ve (sorn.menced bombarding Galatz, the chief river port of Roumania. Their advance is hampered by the swamps, which they are attempting to bridge. The recent capture by the British of three-quarters of a mile of trenches at Beaumont Hamel, on the Somme front, grew (VUt of small local actions, which jjpame more intense, until two infles "of front were ip.vqlyed. feritish^attacks in winter weather proceed successfully. The, last raid c>n the New Zealand front was undertaken by nfembWi! of l the Ri^e Brigade, syho" {nlled or 43 Germans'and took pr.isqne.rs.'

THE WEEK'S SUMMARY.

The Italian pre-Dreadnought battleship Regina Margherita, of 13,427 tons displacement, struck two mines in the open sea, and sank. Only 270 men were saved out of a completement of 945. The allies' reply to Mr Wilson's Note is welcomed in the United States, where it is regarded as a diplomatic triumph, which will strengthen neutral opinion in favour of the allies. TUESDAY Sereth Line Attacked — Germans Capture Vadeni—Allied Air Raid on Pola—British Activities in West. The Germans are attacking the Russian positions on the Sereth line, in Moldavia. They claim the capture of Vadeni, halfway between Braila and Galatz. A Russian army order describes the recent offensive on the Riga front as a triumph for the bayonet. The fortifications stormed had taken 15 months to construct. The booty included 15,000 rifles. Italian and French seaplanes raided, the Austrian naval base at Pola, and dropped bombs on the Austrian fleet. The Italians have captured two Austrian submarines, one of which has been incorporated in the Italian navy. In a raid on the Black Sea coast of Asia, a Russian squadron sank 40 Turkish sailing vessels laden with provisions for Constantinople. The British are harassing the enemy without relaxation along their entire front in France. The two days' battle on the Ancre front last week was the most important action since November. The redoubts captured were regarded by the enemy as invulnerable. WEDNESDAY Anzacs and Turks—New Zealanders at Rafa—Victory against Superior Forces — Attack on Roumania Weakening. In the engagement at Rafa a few days ago —which finally drove the Turks from Egypt and resulted in the capture of over 1600 prisoners—the New Zealand Mounted Rifles played a distinguished part. They took the town of Rafa itself, and, working round the strong Turkish positions, which covered the town, entered the enemy's trenches from the rear, while the Australians and Camel Corps entered from the front. The enemy pressure in Roumania is now decreasing, partly owing to bad weather. The Danube plains are immense swamps. The Russians arid Roumanians have repulsed attacks in Western Moldavia after violent bayonet fighting, It is reported that a great movement of German troops and guns to the western front is in progress. Reports have reached the United States of gross mismanagement qf the German Foo4 Bureau, resulting in a. sjeriqus situation. The rations of Austrian troops in the, Trentino have been re* duced, This has led to dissatisfaction, and in one instance to mutiny.

THURSDAY Falkenhayn in Greece—Conference with the King — Greek troops moving North — Partial Swis§ Mobilisation—Roumanian Resistance stiffen in.g : Qenera.,l F^lkienhaya has reaeh= ed Northern Greece, either by submarine or aeroplane, and has held a conference with King Constantine. It is reported that the troops which Constantine promised to withdraw to the south of Greece are moving north, suggesting that the Athens Government has been playing for time.

Gfeman, reports i^dmit, that the allied resistance in Rqumania has stiffened," 'This is attributed, to the army receiving large supplies of artillery and munitions. The Russians and the Roumanians are again on the offensive. They gained a mile and a-half south of Predeal Pass.

Switzerland has ordered the immediate mobilisation of three divisions—about 60,000 men. .£ statement has b,een issued thai; Respite this: precautionary measure Switzerland remains fully confident 'of the belligerents' intentions.

Austria is said to be csqncenti;ating'troops in \he Innsbruck" qistrict for'"" another offensive against Italy.