OVERNIGHT NEWS

Mataura Ensign, 24 April 1917, Page 5

OVERNIGHT NEWS

ON THE WESTERN FRON|*. RHEIMS VIOLENTLY BOMBARDED LONDON, April 22. The French communique states : Between the Somme and the Oise the artillery duel has been most active south of St. Quentin in the region north' of Wivillers. The enemy violently bombarded Rheims, particularly the Cathedral quarter. - In the Champagne a series of enemy counter-attacks against the heights at Moronvillers, and a violent attack against Monthaut were repulsed after a sharp action, with sanguinary enemy losses. BRITISH PROGRESS. LONDON, April 22. Sir D. Haig reports:—We further progressed eastward of Havrincourt Wood, and carried the southern portion of Trescault village. Sharp fighting all day long southeast of Loos gained ground. There has been considerable air activity. Eleven enemy machines were brought down, and four o£ ours are missing. WITH THE ENEMY. STRIKES IN GERMANY. :. .. AN ANGRY CHANCELLOR. : *: ROME, April 22. Dr. von Bethmann-Holhveg received a deputation from the Spandan munition strikers, headed by a Socialist named Herr Haase.

Dr. von Bethmann-Hollweg said that the strikers were a disgrace to themselves and Germany. He\added that he had sacrificed his dignity in receiving them. A subsequent meeting of the strikers unanimously resolved to continue the strike. WIDESPREAD TROUBLE. AMSTERDAM, April 23. The strikes continues in the big German cities. The police used firearms to restore order in Berlin. There have been extensive strikes on the Rhine coalfields, including Hamburg, where 3500 are striking.

There was a tumultuous demonstration at Essen. The Madgeburg strikers’ resolutions demanded immediate peace on the basis of the abandonment of all annexations; the immediate abolition of compulsory service; full political liberty; secret universal suffrage for all public, corporations in the German Empire. EXPLOSION AT WILHELMSHAVEN ROTTERDAM, April 22. A big explosion is imported from Wilhelmshaven. Property was damaged over a wide area. A DISASTROUS IMPRESSION. ROME, April 22. The German official statement, confirming the enormous losses on the west front, also declaring that the whole army is ready to die, has produced a disastrous impression throughout Germany. People regard this as an official admission of the impossibility of obtaining further victories.

TURKEY WANTS PEACE. HOME, April 22. A wireless message states that Talaat,Bey will arrive in Vicuna on Monday bearing an appeal for a cessation of the war. REVOLT IN BULGARIA. ATHENS, April 22. An anti-German revolt in Bulgaria affected 20 towns. German officers were pelted with bombs. MACKENSEN TO COMMAND TURKS ATHENS, April 22.

The Kaiser has sent Mackensen to command the Turks in Asia Minor, the Sultan consenting . THE DOVER RAID. A PROMPT HAMMERING. LONDON, April 23. The prompt hammering administered to tlie Germans in the Channel was due to the speed and armament of two of the newest British destroyers. The engagement occurred 90 minutes after warning was given. Raider GBS belonged to the newest German class. It was of the fastest type, powerful, and heavily armed. Owing to the speed of the Germans magnificent skill was required to bring them into battle. Then it was soon over, the fusilade lasting only 15 minutes. The German official messages states: After a naval engagement during the night of 20th-21st east of Dover, Destroyer GBS and G 12 are reported lost. FANCIFUL GERMAN VERSION. LONDON. April 23. The German official version of the raid 'says: — Our destroyers advanced

towards the mouth of the Thames, .effectively fired 650 shots at short range at Dover fortresses, not sighting the enemy. On the return a portion of the force turned back, re-cruised, and encountered destroyers. Sharp engagements followed at short distances. One of the enemy was torpedoed, and others were heavily hit by artillery and damaged. One probably was sunk. The portion of the forces which advanced towards the Thames did not meet the enemy, only merchantmen. Prisoners were captured.

EXPOSED BY THE ADMIRALTY

LONDON, April 23

The British Admiralty now denies that any British ship was sunk or even seriously damaged. The only British force which came in contact with the enemy consisted of two destroyers. The leaders’ engagement lasted a few minutes, and the remnant of the enemy escaped by lieeing. I'lie merchantmen prisoners claimed u ere three of the crew of an abandoned barge.

The Position in Greece. sAg xzfi x

STILL UNSATISFACTORY.

THE GERMAN INFLUENCE

ATHENS, April 23

The position in Greece is grave but tlie incapacity of the Royal regime is rapodly leading to a situation which a final solution will be reached. The Lambros Government has not carried out the Allies’ demands, though apparently attempting to do so. Many rifles are still undelivered to the Allies, and no steps have been taken to turn out German officers who continue to frequent the palace clandestinely. German agents are everywhere in Thessaly, organising irregular bands, which maintain communications with Albania, frequently raiding the communications of the French troops. The French have full proof that regular Greek army officers are organising the irregulars. When the Allies laid the facts, including the names of the officers, before the. Greek Government, M. Larabros replied that the officers are above suspicion, and their character cannot be questioned.

HOSPITAL SHIPS SUNK.

GERMAN WOUNDED ON BOARD.

DESPICABLE BEHAVIOUR

LONDON, April 22. The hospital ship La France was sunk with serious loss of life, including a number of German wounded and a party of officers. The only panic that occurred was due to the anxiety of the Germans to save their own skins. They believed their own submarines would save them. .When the rescue ships appeared they thought them Germans, and shouted loudly to bring their countrymen quickly to their rescue. 'The La France was attacked at eight o’clock in the morning in a heavy sea. A week previously she saw the Salta sink in nine minutes after striking a mine in the Channel.

She did not carry nurses owing to the submarine danger. During the passage to England the risks of torpedoing were discussed, and the German officers indignantly denied that hospital ships, bearing distinguishing marks, had been torpedoed. The ‘Daily Chronicle’s’ correspondent interviewed members of the crew. All agreed that some of the German officers behaved despicably, and led a panic rush for the boats. PRUSSIANS RUSH LIFEBOATS. LONDON, April 23. The La France survivors state that 20(J Prussian Guardsmen were aboard. When the torpedo struck, the Prussians made a mad rush for the lifeboats, headed bv an officer.

A British officer shouted, “Go back !” The Prussian scowled, and said, “You must save us!”

He was told to wait his turn. Other Prussians dropped on their Knees and implored pity. Meanwhile stretcher eases were brought on deck and the first boats were lowered without delay, and many vessels were hurrying to the assistance of the La Prance.

While the wounded Tommies, many of whom were helpless, lay on the decks the Prussian morale dropped to zero. Some Prussians made a crazy effort to

get into the boats. When one was lowered it overturned and the Prussians were thrown into the sea. They fought each other in order to reach another boat containing a number of gravely wounded Britishers.

One Britisher, whose leg was severed, lifted himself up the La Prance staircase on his hands in order to summon Help to aid a Prussian who was unable to move owing to internal injuries. TROOPSHIP WITH WOUNDED SUNK.

SPLENDID GALLANTRY

LONDON, 4pril 23. The Donegal, a troopship, was almost in sight of England on Tuesday evening when she was torpedoed in the stern. She carried slightly wounded soldiers who did not require the comforts that are aboard a hospital ship. There was a strong sea ; and most of the wounded were seasick, lying in their berths. There was no panic. Tiie Donegal was torpedoed at 8 o’clock and went down in half an hour, stern first. The torpedo caused an explosion in the engine-room. The ship’s officers and crew showed splendid gallantry, and the wounded maintained wonderful calmness. Otherwise it would have been impossible to save practically all the wounded, as most were in cots below.

A large percentage of the wounded were immersed, and their garments were still wet when they landed.

Many others were without proper clothing and are suffering severely from shock.

Newspapers sharply comment on the failure of the escort to protect hospital ships. For three years ships carrying troops have been daily crossing the Channel, and none have been caught by the enemy, who must have been doing his best.

152 GERMAN WOUNDED SAVED.

07 MISSING

LONDON, April 23

The Admiralty announces that owing to the German practice of sinking hospital ships it is uo longer possible to distinguish iiospital ships because they become more conspicuous targets. Therefore the Donegal and La France were not marked as hospital ships, but were provided with an escort. The Donegal carried only the slightly wounded, 29 of whom, also 12 of the crew, are missing. The La France carried 254 British wounded, 107 German wounded, 52 medical staff, and 125 crew. Twenty-three British and 15 Germans are missing. Patrol boats at imminent risk of being torpedoed rescued 152 German wounded. The Admiralty later corrects the above, stating that one of the hospital ships retained its distinctive marking. GENERAL NEWS. SOUTH AMERICAN AFFAIRS. CONFERENCE OF REPUBLICS. WASHINGTON. April 22. The Argentine has called a conlerence of American Republics at Buenos Avrcs with the, object of establishing

friemuy relations. Nine countries have accepted the invitation.

RUSSIAN POLITICAL PRISONERS.

REPATRIATION DELAYED

COPENHAGEN, April 22. Owing to transport difficulties 100,000 released Russian political prisoners have not yet been deported from Siberia.

KING CONSTANTINE TALKS.

OFFER AND ALTERNATIVE

WASHINGTON, April 22. The ‘New York Times’ Washington correspondent learns that King Constantine has served a semi-ultimatum on the Entente diplomatic authority. Bo states that King 'Constantine has agreed to form a Cabinet acceptable to the Entente if are given that the French will not invade Greece and that he will not be dethroned by Britain and France. The King is understood to have inh rmcd the British Minister that the alternative will be war.

HUNGER IN SWEDEN.

SERIOUS OUTBREAKS THREATENED.

COPENHAGEN, April 22

Twenty thousand Stockholm workers made a demonstration outside Parliament House.

The Premier promised a deputation that the food situation would improve after the completion of negotiations with England. The crowd was orderly but occasional cries for a revolution and a republic were raised.

Similar demonstrations and strikes occurred in. several towns in Sweden, and the military participated in some cases.

Socialist newspapers published a secret order instructing two regiments to be hi readiness day and night. The entire regiment at Norbotten struck owing to the small bread ration. Two divisions have been deprived of their arms and ammunition.

Serious outbreaks are threatened for May 1.

RUSSIAN WORKERS’ DEMANDS.

PETROGRAD, April 23. The President of the Workmen’s Council stated that they demanded an eight-hour day owing to the principle involved, but were ready to work 21 hours in order to secure victory.

THE PALESTINE OPERATIONS. LONDON, April 22. An Egyptian official niesage states: — We consolidated the ground gained and are now in contact with the enemy’s main position covering Gaza. This extends to the sea coast near Sheik Halmed, through Alemutar to the eastward of Gaza, thence in a southeasterly direction to Abusaleira, We took 219 prisoners. INDIA RECOGNISED. LONDON, April 22. The Imperial War Conference unanimously adopted a resolution, moved by Sir 11. L. Borden and seconded by Mr Massey, “That the resolution adopted at the Imperial Conference in 1907 be modified to permit India being fully represented at ail future Imperial conferences, and necessary steps taken to assure the assent of the various governments that the next conference be constituted in accordance therewith. THE BOILING-DOWN WORKS GERMANS QUIBBLING. THE FACTS CONFIRMED. LONDON, April 22. ‘The Times’ characterises the German quibble regarding the word “Kadaver” as definitely and deliberately untrue, and repeats the charge that the Germans are using soldiers’ corpses, pointing out that Government lists fixing the prices of fodder differentiate between “Tierhoorperinehl,” or carcases’ meal, and “Kadavermesl,” or corpses’ meal.

Mr Massey, speaking at Manchester, said that German madness had culminated in the boiling of slain soldiers for commercial requirements. He expressed his horror, and trusted that Germany’s evil power would be broken for generations. Lord Curzon, speaking at Derby, confirmed the facts regarding corpse factories, adding that no horror repels the Germans.

The Bishop of Carlyle described the German use of corpses as cannibalism, recalling Prussian cannibalism during the thirty years’ war.

BRITISH NEWS.

WHEAT MUST BE GROWN. BRITAIN’S BREAD. LONDON, April 22. The Board of Agriculture held a conference with leading farmers, and directed that 3,000,000 acres of pasture land in England and Wales must be ploughed for wheat in the coming autumn. FLOURMILLS AND WOOL. LONDON, April 23. The Press Bureau states that after April 30 the Food Controller will take over all flourmills in the United Kingdom whose output exceeds five sacks per hour. The Wool Advisory Committee recommends, with a view to the heavy military needs, that it is necessary to accumulate a considerable wool reserve, and therefore urges the rationing of ma^nfac l nrers and spinners, also economising by the use of substitutes. No distribution of Government wool or tops, or auctions of free wools, should be allowed until after May. V.C. AND LEGION OF HONOR.

LONDON, April 22. The Victoria Cross has been granted Commander Gordon Campbell in recognition of his conspicuous gallantry and Coolness and skill while in command of his Majesty’s ships in action. Commodore Halsey lias boon made a Commander of the Legion of Honor.