THE RUSSIAN HAMMER

Otago Witness, Issue 3196, 16 June 1915, Page 29

THE RUSSIAN HAMMER

SUCCESS NEAR STRYJ. PETROGRAD, June 13. Official: On the Shavli-Bectegola front we captured several villages. In the region of Starojebo the Germans madfe a violent attack, but it failed a quarter of a mile from our trenches. In tire region of Ziurawno we captured 348 officers, 15,431 men, and much munitions and transport. On the Nesvisska-Zalestchiki front the enemy crossed the Dniester in several places. [Ziurawno is 2d miles east of Stryj.] The enemy’s new movement across the Dniester, owing to the river’s twistings, covers an irregular front of 30 miles. GERMAN OFFENSIVE SMOTHERED. PETROGRAD, June 14. Official: There was desperate fighting on Saturday along the whole front opposite to Vindava, Stenta, and Dubissa. The enemy north of Prasnysz, after a heavy artillery fire, launched a furious infantry attack by two German battalions (?), but were forced to abandon the offensive east of the Mlawa railway after heavy losses. There was heavy fighting in the Bzura sector, where two divisions attacked. The battle w'as continued on Saturday night. The enemy in massed formation attacked in the Lower Labaczowka region, at Mosciska, but suffered heavy losses and did not resume the offensive. Our sue-' cess at Zuravno relieved the attacks on Halicz. On Friday night our cavalry made a fiery charge near Zaleozeryki against detachments which crossed the Dniester, and sabred 500 and; took 200 prisoners.

FIRST USE OF GAS. PETROGRAD, June 14. Many incidents of heroism were connected with the first use of gas on the eastern front. The Russians were ordered to remain quiet in their trenches until the Germans, expecting to find the Russians stifled, crept up to the entanglements. Numbers of Russians fell asphyxiated, after intense suffering, but when the enemy appeared behind the death cloud our rifles swept away the first ranks, and the remainder retreated.- Our machine guns were worked with a soldier holding wet bandages over the gunner’s face until both died together. The first Russian trenches were practically filled with asphyxiated men, but the reserves came up and avenged their death with the bayonet. Many Germans came within their own gas zone, and their shrieks in the throes of poison were horrible to hear. ROUND PRZEMYSL. AMSTERDAM, July 13. The Lokal Anzeiger’s correspondent, who visited Przemysl, says that round one fort he saws piles of Russian corpses with crows hovering over them. Russian prisoners were employed to bury their comrades. The German siege guns had reduced the concrete foundations of the fort to powder. Most of the dead did not show wounds, but had died of the air pressure caused by the explosions. Many Russian heavy guns were blown to pieces, and fragments of steel, bodies of men and horses, lay together in ghastly confusion. ENEMY SUCCESSES CLAIMED. AMSTERDAM, June 14. An Austrian official message claims that the Austro-Germans captured Sienian and afterwards stormed vantage points northward of the town, capturing 3500 Russians. Our troops crossed the Bukovina frontier and occupied several places in Bessarabia. DROUGHT IN AUSTRIA-HUNGARY. ZURICH, June 13. The intense heat in Austria-Hungary and a state of drought since April are causing anxiety for the harvest. Serious rioting has broken out in Budapest owing to the dearness of food, beef costing 3s 4d per lb. A mob attacked the butchers’ and provision shops.

FRENCH MISSION TO AMERICA. PARIS, June 13,

The Paris Journal states that Senator Hambert’s mission to the United States on behalf of the French Minister of Marine resulted in Charles Schwab planing the whole of the works of the Bethlehem Steel Company and every other industry in which he is interested at France’s disposal. Mr Schwab wrote: "Our two great Republics ought to stand shoulder to shoulder.” He expressed an affectionate regard for France, and hoped she would Boon reap a rich harvest of victories.

MAKING MUNITIONS. LONDON, June 13. All skilled men on the Clyde have been stopped from enlisting. It is estimated that 16,000 Scottish engineers have already enlisted. The organisation of the Clyde munitions workers is proceeding with great thoroughness. France is taking steps to remedy the shortage of war supplies due to the mobilisation of skilled workmen. The volunteer munition brigade began its week-end work* at Woolwich Arsenal. The members were occupied in the rudiments of cartridge-making. GERMANY SPENDING MONEY. LONDON, June 12. New York reports state that regarding the scheme to obtain control of the principal gun and ammunition factories in America, the secret service agents of Germany are spending millions in buying up stocks to secure control. They planned a conference, at which Dr Dernburg and Count Bernstorff were present, A German banker asked Count Bernstorff if he understood the magnitude of the financial problem involved. Count Bernstorff replied that, as the fate of Germany might rest on the plan, the Kaiser was prepared to pay any sum, and there -was no limit to the amount of money available.

ACTION m AUSTRALIA. MELBOURNE, June 14. In the manufacture of shells the Sunshine Harvester Company will act upon information obtained by the head of the firm in England, and by their chief engi neer in Canada and America, where he spent three months investigating. His information has been placed at Senator Pearce’s disposal. MELBOURNE, June 14. It is stated that the Australian production of important parts of shells is to be undertaken by eight Broken Hill companies. Their London managers madedirect application to the War Office, and obtained the formula for the special steel needed; while the Sunshine Harvester Company, working independently, has ob stained the requisite machinery, and has arranged with the Imperial authorities to supply a large number of shell cases monthly. Working in conjunction with the Broken Hill Company’s Waratah Steel Works, they will turn out shell cases for 18in shells for the British field artillery. They anticipate that these shells will be in use before Christmas.

THREE MORE (SUBMARINE VICTIMS. LONDON, June 13. The crews of the two trawlers submarined in the North Sea have landed. The steamer Leuctra was torpedoed off the Essex coast. Her crew have landed. A WEEK'S CASUALTIES. LONDON, June 14. The week-end casualty list comprises 160 officers and 3600 men, including colonials and Indians at the Dardanelles. OPTIMISM IN AMERICA, LONDON, June 13. The Times Washington correspondent says the prevailing optimism is due to a belief that Germany will awake to the disadvantages of her uncompromising policy towards America. For the moment the ultra-pacific think that Germany will see the error of its ways. Should this belief be shattered it is taken for granted that a warlike dissatisfaction will leap like wildfire across the country. WASHINGTON, June 14. Mr Bryan, in a further statement, says his opinion has not materially altered since his resignation. Although he saw the final draft the change was not sufficient to justify the withdrawal of his resignation.

THE BRITiSH NAVY. PETROGRAD, June 13. The Novoe Vremya, in an article, states that the gallant work of the-British Navy has created a situation unprecedented in naval history. The blockade of Germany is real and complete. It could not be more effective if the British Navy had destroyed the German fleet. It is true that Germany is not yet stifled, but she is breathing through the gag. GERMAN IDEAL SHATTERED. LONDON, June 13. Das Forum, a Munich review, publishes a series of articles by distinguished German jurists, one of whom says: ‘‘The avowed objects of our absurd Nationalists cannot be attained. Everyone should realise the fact that it is not any longer possible for Germany to triumph in Europe as a world dominator. The ideals of equality and justice, which have been cruelly disregarded, will not permit of the humiliation of isolated States. In another article a member of the Austrian Upper Chamber denounces the campaign of hate against England, which, he said, had made Germany cut an absurd figure in neutral eyes. THE NEW ZEALAND. A NEW COMMANDER. WELLINGTON, June 14. The following cable has been received by the Prime Minister from the High Commissioner : “ The Admiralty reports that Captain John F. E. Green Las been appointed commander of H.M.S. New Zealand in place

of Captain Halsey, who has been selected for another appointment.” THE AMERICAN NOTE. OPINIONS OF THE GERMAN PRESS. COPENHAGEN, June 13. The Vorwaerts (Socialist) says that Mr Bryan’s resignation is practically an ultimatum. Count Reventlow, in the Tages Zeitung, urges Germany to stand firm by her February declaration. The very thought that she should discontinue submarine warfare on account of the American Note is offensive to Germany. GERMAN HATRED.

LONDON, June 12

An American traveller, after a study of Germany, says that “ Many enemies, much honour,” is Germany’s new motto. The authorities appear desirous of bringing America into the war. The belief is current that America is in the pay of the Allies. Many even assert that there is a secret defensive Anglo-American Treaty. The sale of munitions by America is quoted as proof of her hostility. Responsible Germans declare that it is more desirable that America should come out openly on the side of the Allies.

The average German regards the American as a money-grabbing coward, and does not hide his contempt because, under the cloak of neutrality, she is supplying one of the belligerents with the sinews of war and acquiescing in starving the other. There is growing up an intense hostility to America throughout Germany, and Americans are treated almost like enemies. The press campaign is of a singular bitterness, the papers alleging that American Consuls are industrial spies. The situation of Americans is becoming untenable, and most of them are sitting upon packed boxes ready to depart. Relations between America and Germany are strained to breaking point. The American Notes and protests are regarded as bluff, and are dismissed with a sneer as a piece of preposterous presumption in suggesting that America may compel Germany to adopt hunger methods. Hatred, futile rage, contempt, and malice towards all enemies, neutral and belligerent, have, distorted the German outlook. Militarists appear to desire a rupture of diplomatic relations with America, but they do not anticipate that even then America would join the Allies. THE HUNGARIAN SPY. ■LONDON, June 14. The Daily Mail s inquiry into the career of Tribich “ Lincoln ’’—who as member of Parliament, missionary, and political propagandist, wormed himself into the confidence of British public men, and was able to procure valuable information for Germany—shows that he was guilty of theft from a Jewish mission in the East End through the forgery of a bill Avhich a money-lender cashed. Tribich failed in 1911, his liabilities being stated at £17,118, Mr B. Seenohm Rowntree being a creditor for £7500. Mr Rowntree employed Tribich to make investigations into social conditions on the Continent. GENERAL NEWS. LONDON, June 13. The Times correspondent reports that the sanitary conditions of the Serbian army and civil population are enormously improved. Typhus fever is now not a serious problem, and cholera, which was apprehended, has not appeared. The powers of the Board of Control of the liquor traffic include the prohibition of the sale of liquor and the establishment of refreshment rooms. The board may make provision for the prevention of the practice of “treating” in any area, the maximum penalty being six months’ gaol or a fine of £SOO.

Owing to a possible shortage of farm labour the War Office has promised the Board of Agriculture to grant furlough to a limited number of soldiers to assist the farmers *in haymaking. The French, German, and Russian Governments have notified their formal consent to the Pope’s proposal that sick and wounded prisoners should be interned in Switzerland at the various health resorts. The Earl of Selborne, speaking at a recruiting meeting at Godaiming, said that in the first week of the war a general on the eve of his departure for the front confessed that he went with forebodings. He said he knew what the mdoern war was going to be like. Our now educated men would never face what their forefathers had faced. Was ever prophecy more wrong? Ours had faced more than their forefathers had ever been called on to face. COPENHAGEN, June 13. Sweden has prohibited the exportation of eggs for two months. ATHENS, June 14. The elections are proceeding. Experts predict a large majority for M. Venizelos. [M. Ycnizclos is the ox-Premicr, who is very strongly in favour of Greece intervening in the war on the side of the Allies, and resigned in consequence of his advice being disregarded. Popular outbursts in his favour have been frequent since his retirement.] SOFIA, June 13. Bulgaria has protested to Germany against the confiscation of the Pay’s rifles, and has obtained restitution. PARIS, June 13. Prince Ernst von Gingen has been killed in action on the Russian front. When Plight Sub-lieutenant Warueford

grounded his aeroplane after bombing a Zeppelin it was 35 minutes before he reasccnded. A hail of bullets from German troops coming up followed his ascent. ROME, June 12. The liner Bayern, which left Hamburg on July 24 for the Far East, and was interned in Naples in August, landed her cargo this week. The Italian authorities axe confiscating a number of guns, machine guns, and aeroplanes not declared in her bill of lading. The Bayern’s guns and aeroplanes were hidden. According to some correspondents, the Bayern left Hamburg 25 days before Austria’s declaration of war on Serbia. AUSTRALIAN ITEMS. SYDNEY, June 14. Numbers of crack shots from the rifle clubs are recruiting. Their services will be utilised as sharpshooters. The railwaymen and tramwaymen, on their own initiative, provided, in aid of the wounded fund, one of the finest patriotic displays every witnessed in Sydney. Two miles of splendid and clever emblematic designs were comprised in the procession. The bottle-workers’ strike has ended, the men resuming work under the orders of the Federal Council of their union. [The trouble arose from refusal to work with expert naturalised German glassblowers.] Mr Thomas A. Dibbs, general manager of the Commercial. Banking Company, has offered the Government the fee simple of his residence, “ Graythwaite,” and grounds (six acres and a-half) as a convalescent home, primarily for the use of wounded soldiers. The estate is valued at £15,000. SOLDIERS’ LETTERS. SYDNEY, June 14. The papers are deluged with soldiers’ letters containing conflicting allegation? regarding Turkish atrocities and mutilations. One writes: “Turkish women and children put the finishing touches on our wounded. The Turks captured one of our wounded h med Bxxtlrr, cut out his tongue, and sent him back to the lines to show their handiwork. A sailor who had both his legs cut off was mutilated in an unmentionable manner.” Another states: “The New Zealanders put up a good show. Now all ill-feeling between New Zealanders and Australians should be over; they coxxldn’t do too much for us.” HIGH COMMISSIONER’S CABLES. LONDON, June 14 (3 a.m.). Army Casualties ; Officers —Killed, 8 ; wounded, 11; gas poisoned, 1. Men— Killed, 351; killed by gas, 8; wounded, 886; gas poisoned, 48; missing, 115. Dardanelles: Men—Killed, 54; wounded, 224; missing, 21. *®»