SIGNS OF OFFENSIVE.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 5353, 9 February 1916, Page 5

SIGNS OF OFFENSIVE.

GREAT ENEMY ACTIVITY 'ALONG THE WESTERN FRONT.

FRIGHTFUL SLAUGHTER IN THE BUKOVINA CAMPAIGN.

GREECE DEMANDS INDEMNITY FOR GERMAN AIR RAID.

MORE ABOUT THE PROJECTED ATTACK ON SUEZ.

Press Association. —Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.

EVENTS PENDING IN WEST. TREMENDOUS ACTIVITY. INTENSE BATTLES RAGING London, Last Night.

the eyes of the Turks are turning ambitiously Egygtwards. It is doubtful whether this accords with German plans, which considered Mesopotamia as likely to be the principal German objective. The nearest line of communications from Constantinople to the Tigris is less exposed to an Allied attack than the route to Egypt through Syria, across the Sinai Peninsula. It is reported in Constantinople that two Turkish divisions which fought at Gallipoli are already on their way to Mesopotamia. GREECE DEMANDS INDEMNITY. MEN CALLED UP. Amsterdam. Last Night. Greece has demanded from Berlin an indemnity for the Salonika air raid. • Athens, Last Night. King Constantine has called up the men of the 1892 and 1914 classes inclusive and those living abroad except 'in Russia and in the Balkans. HOAX ABOUT ROUMANIA. London, Last Ni ght. The Government has received definote information that the Central Powers* alleged ultimatum to Roumania was unfounded.

Communiques reveal increasing activity on the western front. A German communique alludes to the fierce artillery battles between La Bassee canal and Arras, and also to jbe south of the Somme. The eneimy artillery violently bombarded Lens during the last few days. Sir Douglas Haig alludes to the enemy’s artillery activity at Loos. The British bombarded trenches near the Ypres-Roulers railway. The "Daily Mail” Rotterdam correspondent says that there is great activity from Ypres to Nieuport, following the German concentration in that region, especially at La- Bassee, where the German trenches have been flattened by the bombardment. The Germans haye many new guns opposite Ypres. German newspapers profess to foresee a renewed Allied attempt in the near future to break through. Signs are increasing more and more, especially of artillery activity at Lens and in the Artois, and the activity of British patrols is most noticeable.

Amsterdam,. Last Night. The "Telegraf’s” Belgian correspondents agree that the Germans are preparing a Western offensive. Enormous stores of artillery, ammunition and guns are arriving. As the result of a month's preparation every place in central Belgium and southwards close to the main railways, is full of stores and troops. The organisation has improved and is apparently now working smoothly. Engineers and pioneers and great quantities of machine guns hare been sent to the firing line. The recent fighting at Armentiores resulted in a small German gain with heavy losses. Many officers still persist in using dose formations. Owing to the admirable calm and accuracy of the British shooting, twelve hundred Germans were killed in one day. The British artillery and machine guns mowed down the German lines, but the German commanders }Miy no regard to the sanguinary sacrifices when an objective is desired. The correspondent assert that Ypres is likely to be the location of the next offensive. A great hospitnl is being erected and grave yards have been marked out.

FEELER" THROUGH THE POPE

N EGOTIATION OFFERED

Rome, Last Night,. The Pope recently offered the Entente to negotiate with Germany to ascertain the condition of Belgium. The Entente expressed their appreciation of the offer but politely declined. stating that no negotiations were desired until Germany was defeated. It is authoritatively believed that Germany prompted the proposal, desiring a general discussion of peace in view of her increasing unsatisfactory position.

"LA UGHTER IN BUKOV IN A

EVEN THE COSSACKS SICKEN

Petrograd, Last Night. Fighting in Bukov ina is expected to rocommenee shortly. The Austrian positions ut Czernovitz have been strengthened by electric wires provided with many asphyxiating bombs. The recent fighting was of the most desperate and sanguinary character. The Russians almost sickened at their bayonet work. Hie enemy held out until their losses exceeded onethird of. those engaged. FIGHTING IN ALBANIA. Paris Last Night. The Corfu correspondent of the “Petit Parigien” reports a severe Austro-German engagement close to Durazzo. The Austrians were driven off. Rome reports assert that the Austrians have reached the Isanti River, compelling the Servians to retreat. ATTACK ON SUEZ CANAL. PREPARED FOR. THE Si’RlNur. CONCENTRATION AT SMYRNA. Paris, Last Night. “Lo Temp’s” Geneva correspond, ont. says that Prince Leopold >1 Bavaria is about to command die »ureoGcrroau army to attack he >ucz Canal in the spring. It is r-ported that between thirty thousand and forty thousand are concentr.itad at Smyrna. Artillery of all calibre has been stmt to Smyrna, and a motor road has been opened between Damascus anti Jerusalem.

“I/o Temps” says that Germany has. been boasting that a hundred thousand Germans anti, half a million Turks are about to invade Egypt. Tf so they will find the defences of the Canal, wherein the British staff has lavished every effort during the year, includes a network of railways, and a groat number of frtiops at all weak spots than the Turks are able to command, in addition to more heavy artillery and abundance of ammunition. Despite boastings, everything shows that these preparations have discouraged Germany, who is ready to abundoh the expedition. Malta, Last Night. A report states that forty thousand Turks with heavy artillery are oonoetitrated at fiimyrnia, fearing a landing. London, Last Night. Mr Ward Price, writing from Salonika, on January 19th, says that

AMERICA’S “BACK DOWN.”

CASE SAID TO BE SETTLED

London, Last Night.

Reuter’s New York agent here says that a choice of words will not be permitted to interefere with the Lusitania negotiations. America will not insist in the use of the words “IllegQ.l” or ‘‘disavowal.” and it is believed that the case have been practicnllv settled.

Copenhagen. Last Night. Mr Morgenthan, the American Ambassador at Constantinople, is en .route to Washington on an important mission. He said that he d'd not believe there was a possibility of a German-American conflict.

FREEDOM OF THE SEAS

GERMANY'S DESIGNS

Washington, Last Night

Germany is attempting to induce the United‘States to co-operate with her in any endeavour to secure the freedom of the seas before the war ends. Her concessions in connection with the Lusitania ease are made with such an object in view.

THE RAIDS ON ENGLAND

London, Last Night

When Parliament re-t»i>eiis on Tuesday an amendment to the-' Address will be moved emphasising the importance of precautions in regard to air raids. It is expected that the Uovernmout will face a very critical House.

There were impressive scenes at the funerals of the Zeppelin victimß in Staffordshire. The Admiralty denies me German report that a Zeppelin bombed the Caroline in the Humber, sinking her. with great loss of life. No warship or merchantman was strucK during the raid.

GERMAN FRIGHTFULNESS

TREATMENT OF PRISONERS

London, iatst Night. A large party of wounded soldiers from Germany has reached Tilbury. One related an astonishing story of German fright fulness. Two thousand Russian prisoners were taken, to the tiring line in Franco and forced jo dig trenches. They were underfed amt worked for days and nights in a famished condition. Many were.killed by shell fire. Finally they ►ere smuggled hack into Germany, si ggesting that the Germans themselves were ashamed of their treatment. Germany ordered other prisoners to build Zeppelin sheds, and those who refused were furnished with a y-ar's hard labour. Many civilians accompanied the wounded men. including married women and families, and a number of goveraessos expelled from Get many by a recent order.

A SUBMARINE SURPRISE

Amsterdam, ’*ist Night

The Cologne * Volks Zeitung” says that the Germans have jteparod a further submarine surprise which will amaze the world in the next few days.