LATEST DEVELOPMENTS.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 5361, 19 February 1916, Page 5

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS.

GERMAN OFFENSIVE FAILS. IN PLAN TO REACH CALAIS

NEW DESIGNS ON VERDUN

[Received this day at 8.30 a.m.) Paris, This Day. Markelh/umin, (in the “Echo do Paris” states that %hc Allies have already re-gained several sections and six hundred yards of the captured trenches. The British had been expecting an attempt to break through to Calais for some time as the Germans were largely reinforcing and had thousands of tons of munitions. Seeing that, only a few sheds and trenches were captured, while Heavy losses were incurred, the offensive is virtually equivalent to a failure. The writer adds: It is reported that the Crown Prince Inis' been promoted to (‘ommamlor-Aii-Chicf in Argpnno, Lorraine and Alsace, and is contemplating another attempt to capture Verdun.

RUSSIANS WITH BAYONETS

SIBERIANS’ STERLING WORK

(Received this day at 9.30 a.m..» Petrogrnd, This Day.

The advance on Erzcroum was conducted by three mutes. The downfall was due to a frontal attack. The first fort was taken on Monday. The Russians,, on tin' following evening, impetuously rushed the entire first line of forts jvhieli fell in less than thirty-six hours’ fighting. The mn,forty were taken at the bayonet, point.

Earlier in the advance a special striking, column of Siberians seized the Bwzlmlagh ridges and were lost, sight of for a week. They evidently

\ mftde across the country to circum- | vent the enemy and ultimately took ■ Karacubek and Tafta forts, the capI tuxes necessitating hard fighting. The Siberians swept southward to Cyclonliki, behind Deveboyun, and within twenty-four hours were masters of seven forts, opening a free passage for the forces along the shortest route via Koprkeiu and Hassankala. l IMPRESSION IN GERMANY. 1 (Received this day at 9.30 a.m.) Paris, This Day. Advices from Shaffhausen state that tlie fall of Erzeronm caused an enormous impression in Germany, coupled with uneasiness over its effect on Constantinople. I CAMEROON OPERATIONS. ) *\OW PRACTICALLY ENDED. (Received this day at 9.30 a.m.) London. This Day. Official: In British East Africa on the 12th a reeonnaisance force was called out at Salaita Hill to ascertain the enemy’s strength, and the position was found to be strongly held by the main German reserves in the neighbourhood. Our casualties j numbered 172, whereof 139 were of I the Second South African Brigade. \ It was their first experience *in bush fighting. A branch railway is now 21- miles from Salaita. Active operations have practically ended in the Cameroons with the exception of an isolated position at Mora Hill. The German Commandant, Zimmerman, escaped to Spanish territory. REPRISALS OPPOSED.

CONTRARY MOTION LAPSES

(Received this day at 9.30 a.m.) London, This Day.

On the Archbishop of Canterbury’s motion the Upper House convocation passed a resolution against reprisals. The Bishop of Bangor, in rgoving the previous question, found no seconder. He contended that there were nrncticelly no non-combatants. We should leave the effective conduct of the war to soldiers and do nothing to weaken their action. If a fmndred of our aeroplanes bombarded Frankfurt the Germans would realise that the sending of Zeppelins was a blunder. HUNDRED NEW SUBMARINES. (Received this day at 9.30 a.m.) Geneva. This Day. The “Journal Geneva” learns from a German source that Germany ha* built a hundred submarines of the new type. WOMAN SPY PUNISHED. (Received this day at 8.30 a.m.) London. This Day. The Right Hon. H. L. Samuel stated in the Commons*that a nonBritish woman spy, had recently been sentenced to death at the Old Baile.v, hut the sentence had been commuted to servitude. CAPTURE OF THE AI’PAM. THE AMAZING ADVENTURE. PASSENGERS REACH ENGLAND. (Received this day at 8.5 a.m.) London, This Day. One hundred of the Appam’s passengers have arrived. Billingham, n gold miner, who kept a diary, states that the Clan M’Tnvish fired seven shots in a running battle on the eighteenth. A German commander sente a message to Captain Merewether stating that alt ,the jGasffcmgers who would give their word of honour not to np arms against Germany during the war would bo convoyed to their destination. Captain Merewether recommended 1 everybody to sign os there was no alternative.

On Jantiray 30th Billingham wrote: “Tlie coal supply cannot) last ntueh longer, and only five days’ more provisions. It seems strange that we have been roaming about the Atlwntio for two weeks without n British ship coming to our assistance.” He sates that- Lieutenant Berg told them that (he Moewe got out of tlfe Kiel Oaual in a fog on New Year’s Day. and passed British wai'sships, who signallet!. asking tf they had seen any Germans. The Moewe replied “no,” and wished the British a Happy New Yivir. Throughout the Moewe was communicated with as though she was an ordinary British trader. There had been a rumour that the passengers of the Appam met in tbel lounge and divided to t*ike over the ship and out the German crew. He had not heat'd of it. When the Germans ordered tint Appam to stop the German prisoners from tlv Cameroons. realising that they were about, to be released, smashed the doors of the cabins where they were confined. All the passengers had to give up firearms, knives -and telescopes, and they even took tile golf sticks from one man and a Syntnbok from another.

A Liverpool passenger stator that, tlve Gurtirnit') Jnunoliicd two boatis, which worn filled with crews armed with revolvers nml other fire arms. When the Hermans hoarded and ordered the officers from the bridge, they said they would not sink the ship. Titov sow the Clan M’Tnvish sink how* first. Some of the crew reached the Appnm in small hoots, including injured Lascars. The rations were kept very low —for breakfast kippered herrings and a piece of broad for lunch throe biscuits and a piece of choose, for dinner curry and rice. Drinking water wits very short. Lieut. Howell, of the Royal Navy, who had been iti tlve noticed that the MoOivo was well provisioned!. (.'ernran officers boasted 1 that in leaving the Kiel they passed ten Rritislt ships. ADDRESS in reply passed. (Received this day yt 8 .‘lO a.in.) 1/ondon. This Day. The Rouse of Commons passed (lie Address-in Reply. AMERICA'S ATTITUDE. want* fell agreement. (Received this day at 0.30 n.mA AVasliington This Day. After an interview with Count Bornstorff Mr Lansing said America

would accept nothing short of a full and complete agreement as Germany’s announcement of the new submarine campaign is inconsistent with the previous assurances. He added that assurances are wanted extending immunity to all merchantmen.