War News.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 29, Issue 38, 18 May 1917, Page 5

War News.

WESTERN OFFENSIVE. THE CAPTURE OF BULLECOURT. FURTHER DETAILS OF THE FIGHTING. LONDON, May 16. Sir Douglas Haig reports: Further details of the fighting this morning show that the enemy deliberately attempted by four strong concerted attacks, powerfully supported by artillery, to drive us out of Bullecourt and the section of the Hindenburg line eastward of the village. The first attack temporarily gained a footing in our trenches on the light flank of tho position on the Hindenburg line, but our counter attack immediately ejected the enemy, who left 240 killed and wounded.

Our artillery dispersed a simultancour attack on the left flank, and repulsed the third attack at the northeastern corner of Bullecourt. Tho fourth attack, delivered from the south and south-east, drove back our posts in the western portion of the village for a hundred yards. Tho enemy’s losses were heavy. The hostile artillery fire is heavy on the Scarpe. FRENCH FRONT. CONTINUED ARTILLERY STRUGGLES. LONDON, May 16. A French communique says the artillery struggle continued to-day in the different sectors, It is confirmed that the enemy sustained very heavy losses in yesterday’s attacks. AN ITALIAN MESSAGE. INTENSE ARTILLERY DUEL. LONDON, May 15. An Italian official message says: An intense artillery duel is proceeding between Tolmino and tho sea. Our raids led to considerable progress on the slopes of Monte Cucco and the hills eastward of Gorz, and also at Vertobizza. Wo simultaneously advanced in the northern sector of the Carso, and reached the linos eastward of Dossoxaite. SUBMARINE OUTRAGE. FRENCH STEAMER SUNK. MADRID, May 15. The French ship Medjirda, 1918 tons, was sunk. DISGUISED SUBMARINES. MISUSE OF DISTRESS SIGNALS. COPENHAGEN, May 15. The “Tidonde” reports that there arc numerous cases of German suN marines being disguised as fishing boats. The captain of a Norwegian steamer states that his vessel was sunk off, Brest by a disguised submarine. Other seamen report that submarines semi up fake distress signals and ruthlessly sink approaching vessels.

GREEK SHIPPING LOSSES. ATHENS, May 15. Greece lias lost by being torpedoed 70 ships, totalling 180,000 tons, or 24 per cent, of the entire Greek shipping, NARROW ESCAPE OF LINER BALTIC. NEW YORK, May 15. A torpedo from a submarine narrowly missed the liner Baltic on April 19th while on route for Now York. An American liner arrived to-day painted with white waves with, leaded background to resemble the water. A passenger saw a cruiser off the English coast firing at a U-boat. He did not see the result. GERMANY’S SUBMARINE STRENGTH. AN ESTIMATE OF LOSSES. AMSTERDAM, May 10. The “Teiegraaf” publishes an interview with one of the crew of a German submarine. He says Germany has at present 325 U-boats of various classes. Those of the latest class carry 50 or 00 men. Naval circles estimate that between 80 and 100 have been lost in the English nets. Two-thirds of the crews arc experienced, and one-third are novices. The vesels carry a fortnight’s provisions. The officers are young and impecunious, hoping to become solvent by means of the premiums for sinking ships. Hence thev lose their sense of responsibility.

THE REICHSTAG.

SPEECH BY THE CHANCELLOR. CENTRAL POWERS UNITED. REVOLUTION TALK DENOUNCED. AMSTERDAM, May 16. Dr. von Bethmann HolMeg, speaking in the Reichstag, affirmed that Germany had had no difference with her allies regarding tho peace question. He perfectly understood the passionate interest taken in tho German aims, but the only guiding line for the Chancellor was an early and satisfactory conclusion of the war. He could say nothing beyond that. Ho denounced the Socialist talk of a revolution. The nation were firmly arrayed around the Kaiser, whom they trusted, and who trusted them. Ho referred to the unparalleled batlcs of the past month. Even to-day the English and French showed no readiness for peace., and the most recent utterances from Loudon declared that the war aims announced i for two years were unaltered. Dr. von Bethmann Hollweg rejected the idea of arriving at peace by announcing Germany’s willingness to renounce her success. He equally dc- • f lined to set forth a programme of conquest. The latter would help as little as the former to win a victory that ■would end tho war. PEACE OFFER STILL OPEN. MILITARY POSITION AS GOOD AS EVER. AMSTERDAM, May 16. Herr Rocsicke, Conservative leader in the Reichstag, opened a debate on the war aiflm by inquiring the Government’s atitude towards the Socialist leaders’ recent d'-cision. Herr Schiedemann, on behalf of the Socialists, inquired whether Dr. von Bethmann Hollweg was ready to endorse the Russian Provisional Government’s 'formula of peace without annoxation.

Dr. von Bclhmanu ReJlwcg, in the ■ourse cf his reply, said he had consistently clung to the peace offer made on December 12th. Tho recent suggestions of differences of opinion bo tween the Central Powers belonged to •„hc realm of imagination. He had al ways looked favourably upon any prosp< ct of a speedy and favourable termination of tho war, but if, as now, the general situation imposed silence he would keep silent. He would not swerve from that attitude whatever pressure was brought to bear. Their enemies to-day evinced no abatement of their extravagant aims of conquest and economic annihilation.

“Docs anybody,” be continued, “expect to induce sucb enemies to conclude peace by a programme of renunciation or abstention? Shall I simply grant them license to continue the war indefinitely without any risk of losses to themselves? Shall I tell them, ‘What J\er happens, wo, under all circumstances, will renounce our war aims, whilst you who axe making an attempt upon our existence arc free to try conclusions without risks?’ .Shall I compromise the Empire by endorsing the in every respect one-sided programme which relinquishes our successes? I decline such a policy, which would imply the meanest ingratitude for the heroic achievements of our people on the battlefields and at home. It would permanently lower the standard of life of the entire nation, and sacrifice the country's future. ’ ’ The Chancellor said he equally declined to outline, a policy of conquest. Germany did not enter the war to make a conquest, but to defend her existence.

Dr. von Bethmanu Hollweg said ho did not doubt that an agreement could be reached with Russia satisfactory to both parties. Germany would not make demands incompatible with the liberty and will of nations.

“By outlining a programme,” he proceeded, ‘‘ I would be only playing the game of the foreign ruling Powers, and thus facilitate their task of misleading their respectho nations, which are weary of the war, and thereby prolong the war. This would also bo mean ingratitude to our soldiers. Regarding Russia, she would appear to decline all plans of conquest by violence. Whether Russia will and can influence her Allies in the same direction I am at present unable to foresee.” He did not doubt that England, assisted by her other allies, was endeavouring by all means to bring Russia further under the yoke of Armageddon, and frustrate Russia’s longing for the speedy establishment of the world’s peace.

"Our military position is as good perhaps as it has ever been since the beginning of the war,” he continued. “Our enemies in the West, in spite of the most gigantic losses, arc unable to pierce our front. Our submarines are working with increasing success. Neutrals will recognise this, and as far as our duty to Germany permits wo will respect neutrals interests. Dr vou Bethmann Hollwcg concluded; ‘‘Time is working for us, and we are entitled to believe that wo arc approaching the successful termination of the war. Then will be the moment to negotiate concerning war aims, re-

gar ding which I am in full accord with the supreme army command. Then wc will win a peace giving us liberty to reconstruct by the powerful use of our forces all that the war has destroyed, so that from so much blood and so many sacrifices tho realm and people wil emerge strong and independent, never to be threatened by enemies, and a protecting tower of peace and industry.”

LONDON ’BUS STRIKE,

POLICE WARNING ISSUED,

LONDON, May 16,

There has been a dramatic development in the ’bus strike. The Commissioner of Police has issued a warning that impediment to traffic used by munition workers constitutes an offence under tjfie Defence of the Realm Act, being equivalent to interference with tho output. STRIKERS REMAIN FIRM. LONDON, May 17. The ’bus strikers remain firm. THE ENGINEERS’ STRIKE. STILL NO SETTLEMENT. LONDON, May 16. he mootings of engineers at Woolwich have not yet resulted in a settlement of the strike. The position in other districts is unchanged. A national conference of strikers is sitting in London in the strictest privacy. SITUATION IMPROVING. LONDON, May 17. The engineers’ strike situation has generally improved. The dockyard men at Chatham passed a resolution refusing to strike. BRITAIN’S FOOD PRICES. NEARLY DOUBLED DURING THE WAR. LONDON, May 17. Food prices in Britain have increased by 98 per cent, during tho war. THE RUSSIAN CRISIS. A REMARKABLE CONFERENCE. GRAVE DANGER OF TROOPS FRATERNISING. LONDON, May 14. The ‘ ‘ Daily Chronicle’s ’ ’ -Petrograd correspondent says that M. Miliukoff, M. Skobcloff, and M. Kerensky had a remarkable conference with delegates from the fighting front.

Replying to questions, M. Miliukoff declined to publish treaties with the Allies which revealed military secrets. Regarding Russia ’s renunciation of annexations and indemnities, he said that the question was so bound up with the right of nations to determine their own fate that nothing definite could be said. As regards compensation, the Allies held that a nation which suffered must be rehabilitated by the Power which mined it. The uniting of the three Polands into one and the return of Alsace and Lorraine, to France were not annexations. Russia had relinquished all claim to the Dardanelles. The fate of Constantinople depended on the views of the Allies. M. Miliukoff added that, it was untrue to say that Japan was preparing to bring an array into Russia. America had given a loan at 3 per cent., and had offered to put the Siberian railway in order. It was supplying vast quantities of ammunition.

M. Skobeloff condemned the fraternising at the front. The army must bo ready to advance. M. Kerensky’s speech was a grave warning. He emphasised the tremendous danger to Russia. “It may be that the time is near when it will be impossible for us to provide you with the bread and ammunition you need. This won’t be the Government’s fault. Russia may play a decisive role in the world’s history, but organisation and patience are necessary. Purely Russia is not a nation of rebellious slaves. My strength is failing. I no longer feel my former courage. It is said that Russia no longer needs an army, because the soldiers are fraternising with the Germans. If the soldiers are fraternising in Russia the Allied soldiers are not fraternising on the French front. The enemy’s forces are being thrown upon the Franco-British front, where the Franco-British advance has already stopped. There is no such thing as a Russian front; there is only a general Allied front. If the most desperate nature of the situation is not realised our dream of liberty will be thrown back for decades and may be drowned in blood. We have tasted freedom and are bueom’ni, intoxicated. Wo now need the greatest possible sobriety and discipline.'’