AERIAL WARFARE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3313, 12 September 1917, Page 16

AERIAL WARFARE.

There has been marked aerial activity during the week. British aeroplanes and balloons, co-operating with the artillerv oh the western front, secured a great number of photographs, of which many were a great distance behind the lines. Enemy aeroplanes were disinclined to fight; 13 were brought down, and seven British are missing. During the recent air raids on Calais 100 German prisoners who were being removed wore mistaken for British, and an enemy plane dropped bombs, killing 43 and wounding 47. The Germans claim to have brought down 55 enemy aeroplanes on the western front during the week. The British Admiralty reports: Our naval aircraft on Sunday night (2nd inst.) bombed the docks, submarine shelters, and runway sidings at Bruges, causing a fire at the lock gates of the Ecluse Canal, and on Monday night raided the Bruges docks and tho Varssenacre and Ghistelles aerodromes. Our maohines dropped many tons of bombs, with good results. We again raided the Bruges docks at noon on the 4th inst., hitting many sheds and causing fires.

An Italian official report states: A squadron or aeroplanes bombed the military works and fleet in Pola Harbour and tho Fasana Canal. There were destructive fires.

According to Austrian papers Pola is no longer the naval centre. Owing to destructive air raids the main Austrian fleet has been transferred to Fiume. German aeroplanes bombed Dunkirk and Calais, and in tho region of Lunevillc. north of Nancy. There wore several casualties in Calais, but tho damage was insignificant. French aeroplanes dropped 15£ tonts of bombs on aerodromes, bivouacs, and railway stations, including Cambrai and Met?, causing important damage. Tho enemy bombed Dunkirk, wounding some civilians. French aeroplanes bombed an aerodrome, railway station, and many bivouacs. BOMBING HOSPITALS. A German aeroplane bombed the military hospital at Ladolaincourt on Tuesday, 4th inst., killing 19 and wounding 26. It flew over the hospital every 20 minutes, and hit the building each time. A French communique states: Gorman aeroplanes again bombed our hospitals near Verdun, causing some casualties. Four Americans wore killed. They also heavily bombed Bar-10-Duc (30 miles south of Verdun), where they inflicted some civilian casualties. The Germans bombed the American and British hospitals on the French coast on Tuesday night, 4th inst. Tho attack Avas deliberate, and, like their previous raids on the hospitals nearer the front, did little damage, except at tho Harvard Hospital, whero one American medical officer was killed and throe wounded. Sixteen others wore wounded, 10 of whom were p orients. As reprisals for bombing hospitals, two

of our aeroplanes bombed Treves (50 miles north of Mete). We also made many air raids on railway stations, aerodromes, barracks, factories, and munition dumps, causing a violent firo at Treves. AIR RAIDS ON ENGLAND. British official: A single aeroplane carried out on the 2nd inst. a raid on the Kentish coast. It dropped seven bombs on Dover, one man being killed and four women and two children being injured. A considerable number of aeroplanes crossed the southeast coast over a wide area on the night of Monday, 3rd inst. The raiders travelled singly or in groups, rendering any estimate of f\,,-;, „,, TT| jj orß b„t possibly they totalled 20. The first bombs dropped in the i.. on ci.strict led at _ 11.45 p.m.', and bombs continued to fall till 1.40 a.m. Bombs were also dropped on the coast. The casualties reported are: Nine killed and 49 in-jm-ed. The material damage is not extensive One machine was brought down in the sea off Sheerness (Isle of Sheppey). Tho Press Bureau reports that the casualties were: Eleven killed, 62 injured. Six aeroplanes participated in the raid. They proceeded as far as Chatham, and dropped bombs on tho Isle of Thanet and in the Sheerness and Chatham areas. No army casualties were sustained; but one civilian was killed and six were injured. The material damage done was slight. Our machines went up, and our anti-aircraft guns fired; but without result. The Secretary of the Admiralty reports that during the raid 107 naval ratings were killed and 86 wounded. A Gotha aeroplane bombed Chatham while hundreds of people were leaving the theatres. Tine bulk of the casualties were due to a chance bomb falling in the naval barracks. The raid lasted for five minutes. The Daily Chronicle says that most of the men at , the Chatham naval establishment were asleep in their hammocks in the Drill Hall. There were several terrific explosions, the roof being lifted off and then collapsing in fragments. • It is believed that the death roll will reach 230. Tho Royal Flying Corps intercepted at least half of the raiders and drnv« them back seawards. The rest reached London at a high altitude in throe relays at intervals of 20 minutes. They did not attempt to preserve battle formation, and dropped torpedoes and bombs aimlessly. The London residents generally took cover effectively ; hence the small casualties. A terrific thunderstorm, during which several London buildings were struck by lightning, broke the sequence of the air raids. It is reported that hostile aircraft's attempts to approach the south-east coast were frustrated by tho weather. GERMANY'S INTERNAL AFFAIRS. Admiral Souchon, Commander-in-chief of the Cerman and Turkish fleets in the Mediterranean, has been recalled. Essad Pasha, commander of tho First Turkish Army, has arrived at Berlin. A tremendous campaign has been begun in Germany on behalf of tho seventh war loan, of 10 millions of marks at 5 per cent, interest. The appeal is mainly based on hatred of America. The Hungarian Government's intention to expel all foreigners has angered Germany. Many Berlin families are living in Hungarian cities because of tho better food conditions. As a concession to tho Reichstag protests, the Chancellor has appointed Baron

von Stein the Chancellor's representative at Headquarters for the purpose of curbing the- Kaiser's speeches and assuming l responsibility for their contents. Tho Daily Express' Amsterdam correspondent says the Kaiser has dismissed the Shipping Adviser, Herr Albert Ballin, for declaring that the Government had followed the Kaiser into bankruptcy and ruin. Tho announcement has caused a sensation in Germany. Although Herr Ballin is alone able to reorganise shipping, he intends to reside abroad. The King of Bavaria, in a speech <it Nuremburg, announced the construction of a Rhine-Danube canal, which would oe navigable for 1200-ton vessels. A German-Swiss agreement has been ratified, by which Germany permits the export to Switzerland of 200,000 tons of coal and 19,000 tons of iron and steel monthly, also sugar, seeds, corn, zinc, and benzine. Switzerland allows the export of 10,000 cattle to Germany. WHO ORIGINATED THE WAR? Dr Michaclis has issued a statement maintaining that certain revelations at the trial of„ M. Sukhomlmoff support Germany's contention that Germany was not responsible for tho war. Dr Michaelis says that the Czar cancelled the crder for Russian mobilisation ; but this ukase was thwarted by, among others, M. Sukhomlinoff, Foreign Minister. Dr Michaelis asks who is behind these pro-war criminals.' aggressive plans against Germany, which had long been prepared by influential politicians in France, Britain, and Russia, including M. Sukhomlinoff. .Liie Vossischc Zeitung officially confirms the accuracy of the correspondence between the Kaiser and the ex-Czar, and adds: ''The Kaiser acted after consultation with the Chancellor and the Foreign Minister." PEACE AND THE CENTRAL POWERS. A Berlin telegram states that Vorwarts says: "Germany will reply to the Pope, stating that the German people do not want to gain from the war, but desire a durable peace, guaranteed by international treaties." The Reichspost learnss that the Pope intends to propose a Peace Conference accompanied by the cessation of fighting, provided the replies of the Powers to the Papal Note afford any chance for negotiations. If the replies prove otherwise, the Pope will express his own views in a solemn proclamation as the leader of the Church.

Dv Michaelis, in being interviewed by the Stuttgart Tagcblatt, refused to outline the future of Belgium, Courland, or Lithuania. He declared that these matters were still developing. Germany would formulate peace terms beforo long. In the German Reichstag the Central party are advocating consideration of President Wilson's reply to the Pope. The party urge that, efforts be made to reach an understanding with America, whose war aims may be acceptable to Germany where they differ from those of the Entente.

England has informed the United States that President Wilson's reply to the Pope is in effect Britain's reply. A new political party has been formed in Germany. It declares hostility to the Reichstag peace resolution, and urges that Germane do not desire peace, which is instigated by weak nerves. The party will not run Reichstag candidates. It will dis T 6olve the day peace is declared. Admiral von Tirpitz and Duke John of Mecklenburg are presidents. The Vienna correspondent of tho Hamburger Nachriohten denounces the renewed activities of an influential circle in AustriaHungary working for the speedy termination of the war

The Reichspost declares that since tho beginning of August Austria has been exerting the strongest pressure to induce Germany towards peace, and has been sending feelers in other directions, especially to London. It concludes: "If Germany fails to yield to Austrian pressure, it is very possible that an agreement may shortly be reached with Downing street without Germany." AMERICA'S ATTITUDE. President Wilson's Note has created a. profound impression in Vienna, where it is regarded us an incitement to revolution in Germany. The United States State Department announces that the American Government will not insist on the actual abdication of the Hohenzollern dynasty as a condition of peace. Tho United States will judge whether any attempted reforms arc bona fide, and will sufficiently eliminate tho sinister elements known in Hohenzollernism. Mr Roosevelt, in a speech, declared that there must be no peace except through the complete defeat of a brutalised and Prussianised Germany and of the Hohenzollerms. Germany's' methods of warfare were hideous beyond belief. They were cruel and unspeakably brutal. Mr Roosevelt declared that the German-language papers in tho United States were scandalously disloyal, and should be suppressed. GERMAN BRUTALITY. The Belgian Government has given the Now York Times Paris correspondent a statement describing tho sufferings of the Belgian people and impressed workers in the " hungerland " behind the Flanders front. " The iprC'SS gang System, begun in October, 1916, has been continued without intermission. Men of 17 to 45 years are seized haphazard, irrespective of health or social position, and employed on military work and tho construction of railroads. They aro treated - brutally and beaten unmercifully. Complaints of illness and exhaustion are unheeded. They are not even permitted to receive packages of food from their families. Six hundred men were taken from Herlebck, of whom 22 are now dead and 108 aro reported incapacitated. When any inhabitants refused to serve they were forced into service by cruel gangs. The departure of the Americans from Belgium removed the last scruples of tho invaders. " The cost of living has quadrupled. Butter ia 18 francs per lb; potatoes, which were the staple diet, are entirely lacking. The Germans axe forcing the Oourtrai residents to distribute their food, and are practising tho most dastardly form of blackmail." THE NEW POLAND. Following on the failure of the Polish kingdom, proclaimed in November, 1916, Austria and Germany are repartitioning tho country. Germany takea one-tenth ii Russian Poland, and Austria takes the remainder.

Tho Emperor Charles will become King of Poland, including Galicia. Tho Dual Monarchy thus becomes tho Triple Monarchy. The now Poland will have its own Government and Parliament; but its army and its foreign policy will be imperially controlled. Tho scheme renders the Poles liable to serve in the Austrian army. It aleo removes the Galician deputies from the Austrian Reichsrath, thus ensuring German predominance in that body over the Czechs.

POLITICAL PRISONERS RELEASED. A number of political prisoners have been released in Austria under an Imperial decree. It is estimated that between 60,000 and 200,000 are being set free. It has been revealed bv this action that a large number of Slavs have been incarcerated without trial in the prisons, where they suffered lack of food and terrible privations. Thousands have emerged mere skeletons, many having to be carried from the prison to the hospital. One prisoner had both lege amputated, owing to his frozen feet being neglected by the prison doctor. CHINA DECLARES WAR.. A Provisional Government has been established at Canton, pending a revolutionary Constitution, under the leadership of Dr Sun Yat Sen. The new Government has declared war with Austria and Germany. THE FRENCH CABINET. The Cabinet has resigned. President Poincaro has asked M. Ribot to reconstruct his Ministry. M. Ribot's new Ministry was expected to include several Socialists. At a meeting of the Socialist party it was decided to participate in the Ministry if a more energetic war policy is carred out. MM. Painleve and Thomas, having refused to accept office, M. Ribot has relinquished the formation of a Cabinet. ANOTHER NEW ZEALANDER WINS V.C. Nine Victoria Crosses have been awarded, including:— Corporal Leslie Walton Andrew, New Zealand Infantry, for conspicuous bravery while in charge of a small party taking an enemy , position. Corporal Andrew s objective was a machine gun post, which had been located in an isolated building. Leading his men forward, he encountered unexpectedly a, machine gun post which was holding up the advance of another company. Andrew immediately attacked it, capturing the machine gun and killing several of its crew. He then continued tho attack on the machine gun posp which, was his original objective. He displayed great skill and determination in his disposition, finally capturing the post and killing several of tho enemy, and putting to flight the remainder. Corporal Andrew's conduct throughout was unexampled for cool daring, initiative, and fine leadership, and set a magnificent example and was a fine stimulant to his comrades. Corporal Leslie Walton Andrew, who has been awarded the Victoria Cross, is a son of Mr W. J. Andrew, head master of the Wanganui East School. Ho was 22 years of age at the time of his enlistment in 1915. He was employed in th-; office of Mr M'Villy, assistant general manager of railways. His parents live in Wanganui East. NEW ZEALAND SOLDIERS' CLUB. The annual report of the New Zealand Soldiers' Club sets forth that the club supplied soldiers with 250,000 meals and 65,000 beds. Sir Thomas Mackenzie paid a tribute to the far-reaching good that the club was doing, and appealed for the fullest support of the people of New Zealand. Men on leave from the trenches were met at the railway stations and brought to the club, where every care was taken of them and their comfort provided for. General Richardson said the New Zealanders described the club as the best home in London. GENERAL ITEMS. A Liverpool resident has insured £IO,OOO at 5s per cent, that Lord Kitchener was alive on August 31. ~,... t. The British Minister of Munitions has taken possession of all lead in the United Kingdom as from September 1. The newspaper statements regarding' increases in soldiers' pay by 50 per cent, were unauthorised and inaccurate. An official announcement will be made shortly. The British Press Bureau states that parcels for prisoners in Asiatic Turkey except Magnesia are suspended, but letters and money orders are still being forwarded. The French and British Governments have agreed to an unrestricted exchange of imports, with specified exceptions. •Captain Hedley Baxter, of rho Warwickehires, and formerly of Ashburton, New Zealand, has been killed in action. Harold Kempthorne, a lieutenant in the Field Artillery, and a son of Archdeacon Kempthorne, of Brightwater, Nelson, has been killed in action. . Sir Oswyn Murray has been appointed Permanent Secretary to the Admiralty, in succession to Sir Graham Greene, who becomes Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions. , , . . ... In an interview with a Paris journalist Miss Chrietabel Pankhurst said: "Wo have an immense programme of social reforms in hand : but just now we are only concerned with the war and its energetic nrosecution to a decisive victory.'' A ship has arrived at the Tyne which picked up six German war prisoners in a boat at sea. It is believed that these Germans wore among those _ who recently escaped from camps in Britain. A small boat recently disappeared from Scarborough, and this is" believed to be connected with the attempted escape. % Troubles have broken out in Portugal, and it is reported that mutinies occurred on some of tho warships, and many offenders have been arrested. Tho trains have stopped running. AUSTRALIAN ITEMS. 'Hie Australian war pensions granted to the end of August total 55,696; expenditure* £1,933,798. . V, Adela Pankhurst was in Melbourne on the 4th inst. sentenced to nine months' imprisonment in connection with the recent disturbances. A military proclamation oloses all hotels in Adelaide during the stay of a hospital ehip, which is shortly to arrive with a largo number of wounded aboard. Members of the I.W.W. who attempted to interfere with a recruiting meeting in Sydney were surrounded by a large force of police, and seven of them were arrested.

In the Federal House of Representatives Sir John .Forrest (Commonwealth Treasurer) Introduced a Bill to authorise the raising and expending of £SO,CCO,OOO for war purposes. The Government proposes also to .'ssue immediately the prospectus of another war loan for £20,000,000, _to repay a former loan which matures in December, 1917. In tho Senate Mr Pearce, Minister of Defence, said there were not sufficient recruits lo enable leave to come homo to be given to members of tho First Australian Division.

Instructions have been issued that youths under 18A years are not to be allowed to embark for service abroad, even if their parents have consented to it.