War News.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 29, Issue 46, 15 June 1917, Page 5

War News.

BRITISH GAINS. CONTINUED PROGRESS EAST OF MESSINES. i ENEMY ARTILLERY ACTIVE. ♦ LONDON, June 13. Sir Douglas Haig reports: We gained further ground eastward and northeastward of Messines on a front of nearly two miles. We occupied the hamlet of Gapaard. We also advanced the line slightly astride the Souchcz river. There is considerable enemy artillery activity north-eastward of Gouzeacourt, southward and northward of the Scarpe, and in the neighbourhood of Lens and Ypres.

Our aeroplanes yesterday did useful work, despite unfavourable weather. ,

GERMANS’ COMING FATE.

DOOMED TO COMPLETE DEFEAT,

LONDON, Juno 12,

Sir Douglas Haig’s special army order congratulates General Plumer and the Second Army on their success, and says that nothing can save the enemy from complete defeat. The Germans are brave and tenacious, but is it only a question of how much longer they can endure such blows. Our losses were gratifyingly light considering the magnitude of the battle.

Headquarters correspondents report that the intermittent shelling east and north-east of Ypres does not appear to indicate anything definite, but rather suggests jumpincss.

Extraordinary activity prevails on practically the whole of the present battle front.

The United Press correspondent at Hcadquaters states that patrols are operating well eastward of the positions gained in the battle of Messines. The beaten German army has not yet been reorganised. Patrols yesterday taptured seven field guns whose crews bolted at the sight of the Britishers. THE MESSINES BATTLE. GERMAN PAPER’S COMMENT. AMSTERDAM, June 13. The “Kreuz Zeitung,” discussing the Messines battle, says the people long for the jubilant cry of “Forward!” instead of daily reports of resistance to superior hostile attacks. Brave men are already losing courage, while cowards phophesy misfortune. ITALIAN OPERATIONS. NEW OFFENSIVE OPENED. LONDON, June 13. Italy has opened a substantial new offensive in the Trentino. Monte Ortigara was stormed despite elaborate defensive systems. Thousands of Austrians were crushed beneath the weight of the Italian bombardment, Signollo Pass was taken at the point of the bayonet, although it was fortified with concrete armoured works. “The Times” Rome correspondent states that important developments arc expected. The battle is still raging.

Vienna c’aims that the assaults collapsed after heavy losses, the Italians being ejected on Sunday evening from the positions taken during the morning. Count Cadorna’s newest stroke is on a narrow front between Asiago and the Brenta. SUBMARINE WARFARE. FAILURE ADMITTED BY GERMANY. VIOLENT REACTION EXPECTED. ROME, June 12. German newspapers are permitted to speak of the failure of the submarine war. The “Deutsche Tages Zcitung” affirms that Germany cannot rely on submarines to secure victory. Swiss telegrams state that the political situation in Germany is darkening. The failure to conclude a separate peace with Russia, the lack of submarine success and military disasters on the French and Italian fronts, showing the impossibility of a satisfactory peace, have produced universal irritation and discouragement. People in public places no longer raise their hats when the Kaiser is mentioned. The adoration of Hindenburg is ending and Mackensen and Falkenhayn are forgotten. Government circles realise that a violent reaction is likely. They are making desperate efforts to avert the threatened storm. GERMANY’S AIM. SPEECH BY THE KAISER, AMSTERDAM, June 13. The Kaiser, „ addressing Prince Eistol’s division, said Germany was only striving to break the enemy’s will to war.

GREECE.

ABDICATION OF KING CONSTANTINE. LONDON, June 13. King Constantino has abdicated. Prince Alexander succeeds* him. Telegrams from Athens are greatly delayed, but it is understood that M. Journart’s mission betokens strong measures for the purpose of ending the anti-Entcntc machinations. unconfirmed REPORTS. PRINCE ALEXANDER’S SELECTION. LONDON, June 14. The Greek reports lack confirmation, but the Allies have appointed M. Jonnart with other objects besides the security of the Thessalian harvest. The determining factors in the substitution of Prince Alexander for Prince George are his being less under German in-

fluence and his possible acceptability to M. Venizclos, whose refusal of a reconciliation with King Constantine does not include the whole royal house.

SECOND DIVISION. AMENDED CLASSIFICATION. WELLINGTON, June 12. The amended classification of the Second Division of the Expeditionary Force Reserve, which has been under consideration by the Becruiting Board, was approved by Cabinet to-day. After the meeting of Cabinet Sir James Allen said that under the amended classification the Second Division would consist of six classes, and age would not be a factor in the classification. The classes are as follow:—,

(a) Men between the ages of 20 and 4(5 years who have no children. (b) Men who have one child, (c) Men with two children.

(d) Men with three children. (e) Men with four children. (f) Men with more than four chil dren.

In these classes the age is between 20 and 46 years.

“I want to say with regard to the question of dependents,’’ said the Minister, “that it was not practicable in classifying the Second Division to take into account dependents other than wives and children, because the Government Statistician has no particulars as to the number of dependents of reservists, and it would not be possible to get this information without a great deal of inquiry. But, those who have dependents other than' wife and children have' ample protection, because they have the right to appeal to a Military Service Board on account of undue hardship. This is one of the reasons why Military Service Boards were established. I also desire to say with regard to men of 43, 44, and 45 years of age, that in all probability we shall have to make arrangements to alot them to the home service branch, because it is found that if they have come to the age of 45 years when they reach England they are not sent forward to the front in France. It has been found by experience that these men do not stand the strain of campaigning as well as men of less age." FIRST CALL PROBABLY IN SEPTEMBER. ENOUGH FOB TWO BALLOTS IN EACH CLASS. WELLINGTON, June 13. Enquiries by the “Post'' show' that the number of men in different classes into w T hich the Second Division has been divided, according to Cabinet’s decision yesterday, will be as follows: Class 1 (men without children), 15.000. Class 2 (men with one child), 15,000 to 20,000. Classes 3,4, and 5, each 15,000 to 20.000. . Class 0, men with five or more children, no estimate available.

It is calculated that each class will contain enough for two ballots.

The first call on the Second Division will probably be made in September.

MELBOURNE LICENSING BOARD. FURTHER HOTELS TO BE CLOSED. MELBOURNE, June 14. The Licenses Board is closing 23 mbre hotels in new districts at the end of the present year.