LATEST DEVELOPMENTS.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 5355, 12 February 1916, Page 5

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS.

RUSSIANS OVERWHELM ENEMYARTILLERY SUPERIORITY.

IMPORTANT STRONGHOLD.

(Received this day at 8.5 a.m.) Petrograd, This Day. Fuller reports emphasise the importance ot the success at Useiczko, a stronghold on u high ridge between the Dneister and the Zurn. near the point of confluence. From this portion the enemy had been able to direct a galling tire on tlie Russian positions. The east bunk is precipitous and the slopes of the ridge covered with dense undergrowth, and it had been converted into a miniature Gibraltar. The Russians drove in numerous saps from whence they assailed the enemy with hand grenades, while the batteries poured nigh explosives an dshrapnel with unerring precision. The first Russian success was attained at the end of January, but being heavily reinforced the enemy kept the Russians at bay for a week. Then the Russians won a position enabling their heavy guns to bombard the enemy reserves across the river, Finally, after four days and nights of desperate fighting, the Russians rushed the bridgehead on a Tuesday and crossed the Dneister, though the opposite bunk was equally precipitous and strongly fortified, it is reported that Bohmermolli was wounded in the heavy fighting. Uscieezko was the connecting point between Bothnier’s armies, operating on the north of the river, and the armies of 1 Mia rider and the Germans between the Dneister and the Pruth. The Russians hjuw thus thrust a wedge between the two parts of tho enemy armies. The Russians are also threatening the Czemowitz plateau, north-east of Czernowitz.

The strenuous fighting is not yet decisive and has not been mentioned in the official bulletins. The successes illustrate the importance of the recent reconstruction of the Russian artillery. Formerly the German artillery overwhelmed the Russian, but now the German fire is beaten down. The Russians are provided with ample shells and guns of the pattern of the French seventy-fives. These do not require concrete platform. whereas the Germans are forced to work guns in two or three positions connected laterally by rails, which the Russian gunners readily pick out.

RAID ON ARMED MERCHANT MEN.

GERMANY WARNS NEUTRALS

SOME REASONS STATED

Berlin, This Day. A memorandum has been handed by Germany to neutrals regarding the treatment of armed merchantmen. It state* that Britain, prior to the war, gave ship-owners guns, ammunition and the personnel necessary for drilling gun crews, and it is argued that such ships maintain tho /character of paceful merchantmen while they carry arms solely for defence in accordance therewith. The Ambassador at Washington on August 2oth. 1 i>l4. gave Ainerico far-reaching assurances that British merchantmen would never fire unless first attacked. On the other hand Britain had armed vessels under other flags and should be treated ns war vessels. The German Government does not doubt that merchantmen equipped with guns aoquire a warlike character whether the guns serve Tor defence or attack, also that such activity is contrary to National law. Germany, however, takes into consideration the contrary conception by treating the crews as belligerents and not as pirates. Some neutrals have concurred with the British view and others have held that armed merchantmen are really war vessels. Reports by German naval men show that British merchantmen are not only offering armed resistance but even attack the Germans under the repeated use or false colours. Britain’s Allies are copying Britain’s example. The British Admiralty, in a memorandum, instructs merchantmen to wage war mercilessly on German submarines without awaiting war-tike action whenever they meet submarines. Tlie memorandum concludes: “In view of the circumstances enemy merchantmen. after a short, interval in the interest of neutrals, will he treated a belligerents. Germany has notified neutrals in order that they may warn their subjects before entrusting persons and property to armed merchantmen. The appendix enumerates nineteen cases in which merchantmen have attacked German submarines.

Going to # tlw> Show? Wo moan Evans’ Show of Sale Bargains in tho “Oont.ro” Window. Soo those blonsos at half-price ; millinery half-prioe; 40 inch dross material is yard. Close neon Friday for A. and P. Show. Evans. Headache? T/ongnwxre’s Headache Wafers, Is 6d, or powders Is. are tho safest and surest headache remedy.— L. W. Longmore, Medallist. “Some” Bargains.—Men’s Island hats Is each; tennis or work in g t shirts 3s lid each ; poplin ties 9d each: wido-end silk noekweor Is each. Open till G Wednesday; close Friday noon —Evans’ Sale.