MANUFACTURE OF LETHAL GASES

Otago Witness, Issue 3195, 9 June 1915, Page 29

MANUFACTURE OF LETHAL GASES

TERRIBLE SUFFERINGS OF THE POISONED

USE IN FLANDERS AND GALICIA

SEVERE FIGHTING IN GALICIA

RUSSIANS CONTINUE THEIR SUCCESSES

ALLIES ADVANCE IN FLANDERS

FIGHTING AT YPRES

HEAVY ARTILLERY DUEL

AMSTERDAM, May 31

Heavy fighting has been resumed around Ypres. The roar of the guns is of unprecedented violence, and was heard at Bruges and Ghent. Germans from Liege and Luxemburg are. continually arriving at the front.

The Allies are advancing on St. Julien, and the German line has weakened. The enemy is giving ground north-eastward of Ypres before vigorous attacks, preceded by effective bombardment of the trenches. The enemy, despite orders to “ hold the ground. at all costs,” is gradually losing the ground won there a month ago. The line has been pierced at several points, but the forces continue courageously to defend every cottage, clump of trees, and stone wall. The defensive line, of being a series of unbroken trenches, is now irregular, consisting of a hastily improvised medley of small forts the whole way between Ypres and Dixmude. PARIS, June 1. Official : We have made further progress to the north of Arras on the road from Souchez. We occupied the Talon mill and some German trenches stretching from the mill to a sugar factory. There are only artillery duels on the outskirts of Bois le Pret e. THE GERMAN ACCOUNT. AMSTERDAM, June 1. A German official message states that strong French forces attempted to break our lines north of Arras and Bois le Pretre. The attacks -were defeated, thanks to the bravery of the Rhenish and Bavarian regiments The enemy sustained extraordinarily high losses at Bois le Pretre. The French penetrated some of our advanced trenches, otherwise the attack failed. Our artillery with a few shots again destroyed the railway viaduct at Dammenkirch, which the, French had repaired after months of toil. GERMANS’ PRODIGALITY OF AMMUNITION. DETROGRAD, May 31. Official: During the fighting between Gallitze (?Gorlitz) and Dunjetz (? Dunajec) the epemy used 1500 guns before the infantry made their assault, discharging 700,000 projectiles in four hours, which is estimated to require 1000 ammunition wagons to bring up. On another position one of our commands received 10,000 bombs. The Germans have exhausted their supply of ammunition at Cracow and other fortresses, and their infantry are now obviously lacking in a proportionate supply of artillery. BATTLE OF THE SAN. PETROGRAD, May 31. A communique states; On the front between the Pilitsa and the Upper Vistula we captured 209 officers and 8617 men between May 12 and 24. The battle on the River San is developing in our favour. We crossed the Lubaczowka and occupied the village and monastery, inflicting heavy losses. On the front Zaderewacz-Bolechow-Jaworow (north-east of Przemysl) we repulsed several attacks, and then assumed the offensive, taking 7000 prisoners and 30 quick-firers. The enemy began a dis-' orderly retreat. ZEPPEL3MS nEAR LONDON. LONDON, June I. Official: Zeppelins were reported near Ramsgate, Brentwood, and certain outlying districts of London. Many tires were reported, but they cannot actually be connected with the visit of the airships. The Press Bureau, on the ground of public safety, prohibits the publication of details. GERMANY’S REPLY TO AMERICA. A FURTHER CONTENTION. WASHINGTON, May 31. Germany’s reply to the United States’ Note further that it is impossible

BRITISH ARTILLERY’S WORE

to settle the question whether proper opportunity was given to place the Lusitania’s passengers and crew in safety until it is, determined whether the regulations adopted after the sinking of the Titanic for the proper supply of boats and for the provision of watertight bulkheads were incorporated in the American law and observed in the Lusitania’s case. The next of the German Note has been published. It confirms the cabled summary, and avers that Germany does not intend to attack neutral ships in the war zone unless they are guilty of hostile acts. German officers have been repeatedly instructed to avoid such attacks, and if neutrals suffered it was due to mistaken identification, in some cases attributable to Great Britain’s abuse of a flag, together with suspicious or culpable behaviour of the masters of ships. AMSTERDAM, June 1.

The Vossiche Zeitung states that if America allows American citizens to risk Britain’s recklessness and then blames Germany she is no longer a neutral. ' WASHINGTON, May 31.

Deep disappointment is expressed over the German reply regardingsthe Lusitania. LONDON, May 31.

Reuter’s Washington correspondent says that profound disappointment has been caused by Germany’s reply, and the situation is considered grave. The New York newspapers state that Germany’s reply is mere temporising and is insincere.

SUBMARINE VICTIMS. LONDON, May 31

The American steamer Dixaama was torpedoed off Ushant, after several shells had been fired at her. The>crew had a narrow escape. They "took to the boats, and a Greek steamer picked them up and landed them at Barry.

The Dixiana was deceived by the submarine using sails. The Danish steamer Sobong was torpedoed 40 miles north-eastward of the Tyne. The crew were saved. A shell passed through the Dixiana’s engine-room and narrowly missed upsetting the boat. Splinters badly injured the second mate. WASHINGTON, June 1. Mr Gerard has cabled that the Gulflight was torpedoed bv mistake. STOCKHOLM, June 1. It is reported that 40 passengers perished by fire on board a steamer bombed by Zeppelins at i Helsingfors. UNIVERSAL SERVICE ADVOCATED. DRINKING ON THE CLYDE.. ' LONDON, May 31. The Times declares that evidence is accumulating on all sides proving that the country requires an early declaration for national service, followed by instant action by the new Government. This is the only remedy for unfair methods of recruiting and the deficiency of munitions. The labour disputes are depressing, and there is a sense of national impotence at a time when every man and woman is needed. ”» The special correspondent of The Times, dealing with the munitions question, says drinking is worst on the Clyde, and is an appreciable evil on the Tyne. In the Clyde workshops he saw a batch of men turned out by the foreman, as they were too drunk to work, and they brought in spirits to their work. The unusually large wages are the principal cause of the evil. He advocates the prohibition of spirits, and remarks that many of the men are overworked, being subject to continuous strain, and are in danger of breakdown. Several thousand hosiery workers at Leicester, mostly employed on Government contracts, have struck for an 8 per cent, advance.

LONDON, May 31

The Morning Post’s correspondent in the North of France made it his particular business to inquire into the shell supply to the British army. He says: “I was assured from a number of reliable sources that our artillery is doing splendidly, and while high-explosive shells are certainly

COMPULSORY TRAINING,

required in ever-increasing quantities, the situation has been altogether exaggerated in some quarters. To quote an expression from the front (the correspondent goes on): ‘We are dynamiting our way through the German defences in much the same way as the French are blowing the parapets to bits, and we are doing it rapidly and well. In certain instances, when we got into the German trenches, we found their occupants trembling with' fear. Iheir dugouts and trenches were concreted and steel-plated. Notwithstanding this, they were rendered absolutely untenable by our fire.

" I find among the soldiers widespread indignation against the attacks on Lord Kitchener, and it is logically urged that if the matter is really meant patriotically, serious representation in the right quarter would have been sufficient to call attention to any grievance.” From other sources it is stated that the alleged scandal of the shortage of shells has been grossly exaggerated for political purposes, and the crisis is solely the result of personal quarrels at the -Admiralty and at the War Office.

BRITISH CASUALTY LIST. LONDON, June 1. The British casualty list, including th» Dardanelles, from April 26 to May 24, is : • —Officers'—killed 992, wounded 2279. From April 14 to May 14 :—Non-commis-sioned officers and men—Killed 5478, wounded 19,648, prisoners 3131. The latest British list from France contains 404 belonging to the Lancashire Fusiliers suffering from gas. UNEASINESS IN HOLLAND. LONDON, May 31. The Times correspondent in Amsterdam says that Holland is uneasy over tho spread of the war, and is doubtful if her army is sufficient for her safety. Leading men are advocating universal service in Holland, saying that 600,000 troops are necessary to preserve her neutrality. RUBBER FOR GERMANY. LONDON, May 31. The Times correspondent at New York says that at the British Consulate an examination of some bales of cotton by tlia X-rays indicated tliat five Austro-German merchants were conspiring to smuggle rubber into Austria and Germany. The German authorities furnished these merchants with large credits. At first the rubber was packed in barrels of resin, but this was declared contraband. It was then hid in bales of cotton, and the shippers sought to export it in British ships to Genoa. They have been charged with defrauding the American Government by making false declarations. PRESS CENSORSHIP. LONDON, May 7>l. The Government is prosecuting tiie publisher of The Times and Major E. Richard-., son, a breeder of dogs for army police work, for publishing Major Richardson’s letter, written .after a visit to the front, stating that the last French reserves had been called out, and that young, raw recruits were being called up, and other information useful to the enemy. Major Richardson’s letter said that France was looking to us to supply enormous numbers of men ; failing this, there was a distinct danger of public sentiment in France wearying of the war. He saw here scores of lusty young men utterly callous and indifferent to the anguish of then brothers, so long as they got the wai bonus. Mr Bodkin, K.C., who was prosecuting, said The Times, in common with other newspapers, received an order as to what might not be published, and ought to have consulted the Press Bureau if in tho slightest doubt. The French militaryauthorities seriously complained to our War Office about "th > letter. The War Office appreciated the seriousness of tho statement in tending to assist the enemy by making them consider the French forces had reached their limit. A detective testified that Major Richardson admitted writing the letter, but said he thought it would be submitted to tho censor

LORD DENMAN’S LETTER. LONDON, May 31

Lord Denman, in a letter to The Times says: “Having had experience in administering the government of a great dominion at a time when compulsory service came into operation, I venture to refer to the national service so urgently needed in England. In Australia its success is generally acknowledged. Surely if a tabour Government in Australia, where democracy is further advanced than any other country could, in a time of peace, carry a scheme of compulsory service, a National Government at Homo should be able to organise our manhood for the purpose of war. It is objected in some quarters that it favours certain classes. My experience in Australia proves that no more democratic measure can be placed upon the Statute Book. We -are told it would disorganise trade. It is precisely because trade must be organised for war purposes tbat compulsion la vitally necessary. National service would carry conviction to our allies and enemies that the country is really in earnest in the prosecution of the • war. The fact that the War Office is accepting men of 40 years of age and reducing the height is (

- \ proof that the voluntary system has broken down.”

THE COUNTRY WAKING UP. LONDON, May 31. The Times military correspondent sajs; « The new meaning of national service involves the necessity that the whole ablebodied population must come forward and serve, not only in the navy or armj, but in any capacity where services are needed. It is useless to posess an army of millions of men unless the munition fac tories are fully manned; Our allies have placed the whole of their able-bodied men in the field, and 'vVe cannot endure that Britain is doing less. A vast work in national organisation lies before the new Government, and victory depends upon the manner in which the Government handles -it. It is impracticable and unwise much longer to rely upon voluntary service. It is unfair that anyone should be permitted to shirk his share of the national burden and the country’s danger. The people must be organised for war, and the existence of national service only can ensure victory. Already there is a clear expectation of compulsion in England. We have been assailed by ships and aircraft, and may possibly yet be assailed by troops, whose bases would be in the enemy’s territory. They must be attacked at those bases. The whole strength of the nation must be brought to bear to defeat the chief enemy in the principal theatre. The country awaits the call, and will throw itself into the contest enthusiastically.”

| HERR VON JAGOW’S ADMISSION. WASHINGTON, May 31. Herr von Jagow, interviewed by an American correspondent in Berlin, said that from the outset Germany was willing to abandon the submarine war upon merchantmen if Britain raised the embargo on foodstuffs and placed raw material on the conditional contraband list. It was Britain’s P fault, not Germany’s, that America’s well meant proposals failed. The question of foodstuffs and raw materials, said Herr von Jagow, was t not a question of necessity for Ger* many, but of principle. Germany had shown that she could not be starved ' out. She might be short of some U particular foodstuff, but she had enough to live on and continue the struggle. This was similarly true of raw materials. She was able to get along, even if the imports were cut off, but Germany objected to Britain’s cool assumption that when she was unable to defeat the German armies legitimately on the battlefield she was entitled to force the nation to her knees by economic pressure, disregard* I - ing all accepted precepts and regula* tions. There was no precedent for the siege of the civilian population of a & whole nation in its own land with no possibility of escape. Germany would fight such an unjustifiable method of war with all the means at her dis= f V posal. f Herr von Jagow said he was unable to tell how Germany’s Note would be . received. He had no means of com* municating with the Ambassador at Washington. He had no cables, while wireless messages were read or inter* fered with by the British. .Germany was practically cut off from America, and was working in the dark.

GENERAL NEWS. LONDON, June 1. The Germans have removed their hospital base at Tournai further back. The verdict on the Princess Irene victim's was that the explosion was due to an unknown cause.

Sir Edward Grey is to take a short holi-

, day, owing to eyesight trouble. The Mar- , quis of Crewe will temporarily take charge of the Foreign Office. Lord Lansdowne

assisting him. ■ - A German soldier, trying to escape at night from Leigh prison camp, climbed on the roof of a shed. The sentries thrice ordered him to descend, but he Refused, and was shot dead. The Daily Telegraph’s Rotterdam correpondent confirms the suspicions of the British headquarters that the Germans are using explosive bullets. The correspondent states that 625 machine guns sent to Thielt were equipped wuth explosive ammunition.

AMSTERDAM, June 1,

Allied airmen have been very active, bombing magazines, stores, and reserve troops, and they raided Zeebrugge on Sunday.

COPENHAGEN, May 31

Great Britain has refused to allow the steamer Sydland, owned by Albert Jansen, to leave Liverpool under the Danish flag, on the ground that his company, owning 15 large steamers, was really a German concern.

SHANGHAI, June I

The British Chamber of Commerce has carried a resolution regretting That the Imperial Government has tacitly sanctioned trading with the enemy. China has urged an amendment of the regulations to preclude this.

AUSTRALIAN ITEMS. MELBOURNE, June 1. A meeting of officers in the State service | decided to adopt and follow the King’s - movement in regard to abstention from I alcohol.

MELBOURNE, June 1. v Senator Pearce (Minister of Defence) Ifptates that up to last week 83,0CX) men had ; teen trained for active.servi.ee, and there |%ag no decrease in recruiting.

EMPLOYMENT OF GERMANS. SYDNEY, June 1

As a result of the employment of a number of Germans, 600 employees at the Sydney and Waterloo glassworks struck. The Germans are expert glass-blowers, and are mostly naturalised, and have been in the employ of these companies for years, as well as members of the union. The management points out that putting off the Germans means throwing idle many others, because it is impossible to replace these experts. The companies, however, decided not to employ Germans whose work British tradesmen are able to do.

The employees at the Neuchatel asphalt works, which supply the Sydney City Council, struck because two Germans were employed. The management states that the Germans- are naturalised, and married Australian women, and have been employed for many years. The men have laid their case before the City Council.

A JAPANESE OPINION. FREMANTLE, June 1

The Japanese training squadron has arrived here, and will visit other commonwealth ports. Admiral Chisaki, who is in command, is of opinion that Japan will- not be required to send troops to Europe, but if the necessity arose she would send men and munitions, and w'ould carry out the spirit of her alliance with Britain.

HIGH COMMISSIONER’S CABLES.

LONDON, May 31 (4.50 p.m.)

At the Dardanelles on Friday we detected the engineers of the enemy working under the British post. We exploded a counter-mine very successfully. The same evening the Turks effected a lodgment in these vacant trenches. Our troops counter-attacked with the bayonet, and recaptured the firing line and the trenches, whereupon the Turks in support of the trenches surrendered. Heavy columns of the enemy advanced to make good the temporary local success. They were visible in the bright moonlight, and our gunners were able to bring a cross-fire to bear at an accurate known range. In consequence the Turkish advance became demoralised, and their second line of bomb-throwers flinging their missiles into their own first line completed the rout. The enemy’s casualties were 2000; ours 300. On Saturday night the Turks twice attacked the new post won the night before, but made no impression.