Furnace of Flanders

Southland Times, Issue 17495, 26 April 1915, Page 5

Furnace of Flanders

INFERNO ON HILL 60 r ' British Hold Fast DESPICABLE GERMAN TRICK Forces French to Retire FIERCE FIGHT ON THE YSER The Canadians Save Situation Enemy’s Success Temporary Russians Over the Carpathians 40 Miles Front in Hungary THE DARDANELLES Decisive Operations Begin . CAMPAIGN IN EAST AFRICA * V 265 th Day of the War (By Telegraph—Press Assn —Copyright) WELLINGTON, April 25. The High t'-oinniissioner cables, under dale, London, April 24 (2.5 p.m.) The War Office slates that the fight for the ground into which the Gormans penetrated between Stecustraale and Langemarek continues. The loss of this part of the line laid hare a Canadian division, which was forced to fall hack in order lo keep in toneh with the right wing of the neighbouring troops. Four 4.7 in. guns belonging lo the Canadians passed into the hands of the enemy, hut some hours later the Canadians made a brilliant and successful advance and recaptured the guns, taking numerous German prisoners, including a colonel. Though the Canadians suffered many casualties their gallantry and determination undoubtedly saved the situation, and their conduct was magnificent throughout. WELLINGTON, April 25. The High Commissioner reports under dale, London, April 24 (5.20 a.m.): In the dine lion of Lutowisla, north of the I'zsok Pass, the Russian troops have made progress, captnring a portion of the trenches on a hill north-east of Luffing, and 200 prisoners. The enemy’s offensive on the front immediately north of the Uzsok Pass failed, with enormous losses.

WESTERN THEATRE THE EIGHT IN EEANDEBS STATEMENT BY "EYE-WITNESS ’ GRAPHIC DESCBTPTION OF WAS (Times and Sydney Sun Service). I.OXDO.V. April 1’:;. "iiy.'-'.vitn.ss" staled un Tuesday that a survey ».f llie. general army shows tt’.al in all parts generally it is in no wav inferior, and in many p'aces supei ini', to llie army of the enemy for the form of warfare tor which, .u I gi na 11 \ . at least, it lias been n't pared. In spit" of initial handicaps wo are beating the Germans at their own game. The mastery of sniping is so delinite that in some places men are aide to walk outside tile trendies in eornparat ive solely, even when within siiorl range, (if the hostile lines. Generally the position is to harass the Germans and stive them little rest by means of shelling, bombthrowing. and sniping. The consciousness of their increased power as shown by the fight at Neuvo Chapolle has inspired the men to a .se.nse of tlieir superiority, and they are only animated by one desire —that is to get on. Concerts, cinemas, variety shows, ana boxing and football matches are otganiscd to divert the men’s minds from their immediate wretched surroundings. The psychological value of music is remarkable. A penny whistle or u mouth organ instills fresh life into tired legs. The Germans still hold Dixmude. but are unable to debouch because of the river. _ , . Here in entrenchments is tho Belgian army, tin vanquished after eight months of war. Behind stretches a narrow strip, ten miles in extent, of Belgium soil, which is left to defend. JOvcn there verv few villages or towns have escaped the enemy’s lire. Nicuport Uos in ruins. Latterly shells from 43 centimetre guns have been raining on it. Burnes is battered, and historic Ypres Is partially destroyed, while the villages immediately in tho rear-line have been raxed to tho ground. Tho war lias added, desolation and horror to tho natural melancholy of the countryside, which was always of tho dreariest character. A visitor approaching tho Belgian trendies from the west traverses one battered village after another, and secs tho ruins, with a few women and children still clinging to what is loft in their homes. in tho front linos there s a waste of water melting into the sky, the further bank obscured by mist. German corpses long dead, and the swollen carcases of cattle and sheep, their logs sticking stiffly in the air, drift aimlessly about. Hide shots are ringing at the front and shells rumble overhead, which accentuate tho prevailing silence. The strongest contrast is presented amongst the sand dunes farther north, where the desperate struggle for advantage continues each day. Tho trenches are only a few yards apart, and tp© wind blow's the sand along in stinging clouds, which necessitates the wearing of motor-goggles. The configuration of the landscape is continually altering, frcsli dunes being formed and others disappearing. ST. GE OBOE’S BAY LONDON, April 33. St. George’s Day was observed by a service in the Chapel of St. Michael and St. George at St. Paul’s. The members of' the Kt. George’s Society included Lord Islington and Sir ,G. H. Keid. mv attended in khaki.

THE LINE ON TEE YSER GERMANY’S ENORMOUS EFFORT BLOODY BATTLE OF THE WEST (By Telegraph,— Brass Assn. —Copyright) 'BONDON’. April 24. Received April 27, 2.30 p.m. The Daily .Mail's Rotterdam eorres-pnmfi-n; stall’s that Germany is making an enormous effort to break the Allies' line on the Vser. and is throwing every available man against them to the north of Ypres. .Masses of German troops are pouring through Brussels-, and all the German troops guarding the Dutch frontier have gone to the Vser. TiiO battle is described as the most bloody of the Western campaign. The enemy's losses during the last few days have been tremendous. They advanced against the Allies' trenches with desperate courage, the new troops dashing forward over masses of dead and wounded comrades. The German artillery is very effective, and the expenditure of shells is prodigious. HILL 60. AN UNSPEAKABLE TUMULT TERRIFIC ARTILLERY FIRE BONDON’, April 24. The, Daily News’ Dunkirk correspondent slates that an unspeakable tumult reigned throughout Thursday on Hill Gt). The Germans brought up the whole of their heavy artillery, but the Britisll fifing on grimly against, the most terrific bombardment which they had ever experienced. and which resembled a volcano in its deafening noise, (everything was obscured by dust and .smoke. The major of a battery shouted his orders through a megaphono to the gunner at his side. The Britisii infantry, consisting of the best shots of many regiments, wore lying prone on the ground for hours, firing until their rifles wero too hot to hold. The courage and staying power amid tho battle for this hill were sublime. Shrapnel was continually bursting over them, and hundreds w-ere wounded. Whenever there was a chance for a charge they took it with magnificent "iCnemy aeroplanes flung hundreds of incendiary bombs on the entrenchments. By nightfall Hill 60 was an indescribable spectacle. SUFFOCATING SHELLS NEW GERMAN DEVICE FRENCH RETIREMENT FORCED BONDON, April 24. Received April 25, 2.40 p.m. Official: Despite a French retirement lo tho canal at Boesinghe, as the result of fumes from Gorman shells, tho Britisii front is intact, except on the extreme left, where it conforms to the new French line. GENERAL FRENCH'S REPORT GERMAN ATTACKS REPULSED ENEMY AIRCRAFT BROUGHT DOWN , BONDON, April 24. General Sir John French reports officially that the Germans heavily bombarded the French troops on our loft on Thursday evening, near Bixschoote nnd B.mgomark. Tho quanlity of asphyxiating gases discharged proves long and deliberate preparations.

The General further explains the false charge against us cabled on the 20th, and states that the Gormans twice attacked our tines east of Ypres but were repulsed. Fighting continues north of Ypres, and the aviators of two German machines were brought down and drowned. NOT SERIOUS the FRENCH EETIBEKEirr COUNTER - ATTACKS PROGRESSING , PARIS, April 24. Official: Our retirement at Boe-singhe is not serious. In consequence of combined Anglo-Fronch-Belgian counter - attacks wc are progressing. Anglo - French troops have made progress between Stcenslraato and the Ypres - Pole - Capelle road. We captured enemy trenches in the forest of Apremont, and found 200 enemy dead. Our artillery blew up two ammunition depots in that vicinity, annihilating an enemy company. A CANADIAN DISASTER FORCED TO RETIRE BRILLIANT RECOVERY OP GUNS BOX 13OX, April 24 Received April 2a, 2.4." p.m. The War Ofice reports that lighting near Steenstraate continues, and a Canadian division was forced to fall back. Tile enemy captured four 4.7 guns, but some hours Jatcr the Canadians, by a brilliant advance, re-captured the guns, and captured many prisoners. There are many casualties amongst the Canadians, but their gallantry and determination saved the situation SOME FURIOUS FIGHTING GERMAN ATTACKS REFEREED WELLINGTON, April 25. The High Commissioner reports under date Bondon, April 25 (9.55 a.m.): North of Ypres the Germans on Friday night and Saturday made fierce attempts to take advantage of the confusion provoked on Thursday by their asphyxiating gases, but failed. At dawn on .Saturday they captured Bizerno. on the left bank of the Yscr, but it was retaken We are making appreciable progress. The British were violently attacked but immediately made a counter - attack. There have been severe German attacks at Bcausojour, whore mines wore exploded, and at Buiscailly. and the forest of Apremont. All were repelled. A TREES SALIENT GENERAL FRENCH’S REFORT (Per United Press Association.) WKBBINGTON, April 24. The High Commissioner cables under date, Bondon 24 (1.5 a.in.); — General Sir John French reports that on Thursday the enemy attacked the French troops on the British left, north of an Vpres salient, with heavy bombardment. die enemy using many appliances for the production of asphyxiating gas, the quantity of which indicates that there had been long and deliberate preparation for the employment of devices contrary to The Hague Convention to which the enemy subscribed. Two fresh attacks on British trenches east of Ypres were repulsed, htu the fighting continues. North of Ypres two German aeroplanes were brought down. Paris reports state that the German surprise by asphyxiating bombs was not attended by serious results, French counter - attacks supported by the British on the right and by the Belgian troops developed and successfully gained ground to the northwards. In the Apremont forest the French troops have made progress, finding in the enemy trenches 200 dead THE BIGGEST BATTLE THE STRUGGLE IN FLANDERS BRITISH ARTILLERY TO THE FORE TRUTH ABOUT “HILL 60 " Correspondents agree that the present fighting in Flanders will become biggest in which the British army has been engaged. It is calculated that Germany has rushed reinforcements equal to an array corps to Hill 00. The British have massed a large force of artillery behind the position. Their latest surprise is a formidable array of machine guns. The German losses are appalling. The area wesl of the Bruges-*'onrt rai road is full of German troops and trains are still arriving from Kasiern Belgium. Other troops have inarched through Aix-la-Chapelle to the west continuously during the last three days. Other reports state that 100.000 Germans have concentrated between Antwerp and Ghent during the last lew days. Hill GO is a little over 1 00 yards long, and is a perfect large! for artillery, lienee, in great part, the British losses. Sonic of the German trenches are still virtually mn the hill, twenty yards from ours. Thus the front trendies are free of shell lire. THE BOESINGHE ATTACK GERMAN SUCCESS TEMPOBAB". LOST GROUND REGAINED PARIS. April 2.7. Received April 2G, I^2. :'.O a.m. (Official: The enemy's renewed obstinate efforts to turn to good account the surprise achieved by the use of asphyxiating gases at Boesinghe failed. Our Zouaves and the Belgian Carbineers recovered the -.Ullage Bizerne on the left hank of the Yscr, whidi the enemy had temporarily carried. We appreciably progressed on our 1011, keeping touch with the Belgians, ami advanced more .slowly our right. The British troops meanwhile were subjected to a violent attack and replied with an immediate i counter - attack. The result is not yet announced. TRAIN LOADS OF WOUNDED GERMANY’S SEVERE LOSSES FEARFUL FIGHTING IN FLANDERS TEUTONIC VICTORY CLAIMED AJISTKIiDASt, April 23. Received April 2C», 12.20 a_m. On Thursday and Friday night many train loads of Gorman dead arrived at Hassell, and civilians were compelled to bury them. Twenty-live thousand German wounded have reached These, where most of the business places have transformed Into hospitals. A German official message claims to have beaten off the Allies, tint! to have attacked from Ypres to Bixschoote. and captured 2770 prisoners, with many rifles and machine guns. ON THE RIGHT CENTRE THE FRENCH STAND FIRM BARTS, April 25. Official: The Germans exploded live heavy mines in the neighbourhood of our trenches on the northern spur of a small fort at Bcau-Sejour. Despite violent explosions, we. outdistancing the enemy, occupied the craters which wer 1 ’ twenty-five metros in diameter. There is hot fighting at Bois d’Aiily. The Germans are making repeated and desperate efforts to recapture the trenches taken on Thursday. After evacuating a portion we retook and retain them. TH H ASFHYKTATXNQ BOMBS ALLIES RECOVER LOST GROUND PARIS, April 25. A supplementary official message states that the authorities think that the yellow smoke emitted from the German trendies on Thursday evening and driven before a northerly wind, produced the effect of complete asphyxiation. It was felt even in the second line of trenches. Yesterday’s counter-attacks enabled the Allies to recover part of the lost ground and completely consolidate their position. The action is progressing with the support of the British and the Belgians. We repulsed an attack at Bcs Kpargcs and the forest of Apremont. At Keichacherkop the enemy suffered k«avy losses.

EASTERN THEATRE nr THE CARPATHIANS. WHOLE RUSSIAN PBONX XH EOTOARV A LINE OP POETY MILES (By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright) PETKOGRAD, April 25. Received April 25, 3.20 p.m. The whole line of the main Russian advance on the Carpathians is now in Hungarian territory. The capture of tile trendies on the height dominating Hill 1001 having brought the left wing across the frontier. The front extends for forty miles between two railways which cross the Carpathians at Nlezoloborez in the west and i'zsok in the east. The Russians, while awaiting favourable weather for an advance, are lighting actions daily. They occupy the upper waters of the Magority ravines running from the Carpathians into Hungary. The success near Hill 1001 facilitates the conquest of the XJzsok region by reducing the importance of Hill 1)02;. which is still in the enemy’s lianas. AGAIN INVADED RUSSIANS ENTER EAST PRUSSIA PHTKOGP.AU, April 25. A strong column of Russian cavalry lias entered Hast Prussia, near Aleinel, and is threatening the enemy’s left flank. A RUSSIAN ADVANCE AUSTRIANS AGAIN DEFEATED PETUOG RA D, April 25. Official: We have seized important heights in the Telepoetch-Sianka regions. Austrian attacks at Polen and Volossate were repulsed with enormous losses, ■I'BU AYESHA'S CREW RIGHT IN A DESERT LONDON". April 25. Received April 25, 3 2.20 a.m. The Turkish headquarters .slate that A rails attacked the Ayesha’s crew while inarching in the desert from T.idd, south of Jeddah, and fought them for three days. The Arabs were driven off hut the Gormans lost a lieutenant, and two men killed and three wounded. The latter were taken to ttie hospital at Jeddah. A German official wireless message already stated that they reached Damascus before March 1, but made no mention of the attack.

THE DARDANELLES DECISIVE ACTION BEGINS AN UNOFFICIAL EEPOET (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright) ATIIKXS, April 24. lleceived April I'"*, 11.10 p.m. Unofficial reports state that a decisive action has begun in tho Ifaradnelies. Allied squadrons bombarded ,tho straits at various points west of Gallipoli, and landings were effected at four points, Savla, Gallipoli, linos, and liulair. FRENCH AIK. ATTACK WHAT AN AEBOFX.ANE EEVEAI.S 3’ATIIS, April 25. Heceivod April 211, 12.15 a,m. French aviators dropped two bombs on Fort Kastro. Smyrna, killing ami wounding several soldiers. The aviators also bombed the railway station, and the German vessel which sank the Kciio do Faris at Salonika. Allied aeroplanes are frequently flying over Smyrna. The observers estimate that tiler,, are ;;r.,ooi> Turks there, half in tile trendies and half on the heights overlooking the town Thirty heavy guns from i'oostanlinople have been placed on the new front.

IN AFRICA OPERATIONS JOT THE EAST THE BHEHT OtEABED OUT NAVAL FORCES ASSIST (By Telegraph—Preps Assn —Copyright.) LU.MIOX, April ft. Received April L’ti. 1-.1.T a.m. The War Odice publishes the following ollicial details of the operations in J-lasL Africa ij'y .iannary _ (it stales) tin- enemy wits cleared out of British territory and a British -1 nil iau eiliimn, with the assistance of naval forces established itself along the L'mlu Valley and occupied Jassen. ft) miles from the enemy's territory. which was held by lit fee companies of Indians under Colonel Jiagiin Single On .January It: a strong < let man force was repulsed with heavy loss, Tln> Germans. -Uiio strong, wild six guns and many machine guns, again attacked on the I Mil and lit u garrison, losing its commander, surrendered on [lie IMlh after exhausting its ammunition and losing -TO men. most of whom were made prisoners. Concurrently with Gmba. we occupied. .Matia. The garrison surrendered. Our armed cruiser on Lake VictoriaMyanat drove ashore and disabled the armed German steamer -Muanr.a. (lur forces defeated ih.to Germans in the .Sltirali district, indicting heavy loss.

NAVAL MATTERS abandoned at sea SKIES TEAT PASS IN THE NIGHT PATE OP CHEWS UNKNOWN (By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright) BOX DON'. April 21 Received April 25, 3.21) p.m. The steamer Ilflmor passed tlie Norwegian sailing vessels. Kva and Oskar, which had been abandoned in the North Kea. The Kva was burning and the Oskar was awash, but under full sail. Both were bound for Scotland, with cargoes of limber. It is supposed that enemy submarines attacked them and the late of the crews is unknown ■CTirTt EVA AND OSKAE b’UNK BP A SUBMARINE LONDON’, April 25. Received April 2(i, 3 2.10 a.m. A German submarine sank the Kva and Oskar. The crews were landed at Shield, GERMAN WABSHIPS IN THE NORTH SEA A STEAMER’S REPORT COX’EXUAGEX. April 25. Received April 26, 12.10 a-in, A steamer that has arrived at Christiania reports that she saw last Sunday a large number- of German warships west of Heligoland. Tire steamer was stopped, but was eventually allowed to proceed. THE E IS’B CREW. AMSTERDAM. April 25. Twenty of the British submarine E 15’t? crew have reached Constantinople. TIRPITZ and his birthday MORE IRON CROSSES AMSTERDAM, April 25. Grand-Admiral Von Tirpitz congratulated Germany on the celebration of his navy’s jubilee. lie is hailed as the saviour of his country. Gcuint Zeppelin received an iron cross.

EARLEER CABLES nGHTHTG EOTOD TPBES DETEEinNZD OEKMAN ATTACS asphyxiating bombs used GEOUHD QUICKLY BEGAIITED (By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright) PARIS, April 23. A communique states ; The Belgians at the bend of the Yser, north of Dixjimcie, repulsed an attack on Chateau inlllctins losses. Nortli or Vpn*s the (Jermans cmplnyrd a, "large quantity of asphyxiating bombs, the effort of which was felt two kilometres < L !.-. miles) behind the Allied lines, forcing us to retire. The dormans' attack on Yprts was held up, and our vigorous counter-attack enabled us to regain the ground and make many prisoners. HILL NO. 60 •WHAT ITS CAPTUBE MEANS BELLE IS EXPOSED (Times and Sydney Sun Service). LONDON', April 23. A correspondent in the North of Prance says the capture of Hill CO has removed what has been a check on tire British advance for months from Ypre.s towards Nlmin. Bille is now seriously exposed, compelling the withdrawal of the German line considerably towards Memo. The strain might well reach breaking-point, because here ihe Gerjyinns do not possess a salient, as they do at Ha Hassee and St. -Mihiej. It is. on the other hand, a eoncuve line, with Zandpoundrc in the centre of Uie curve. The capture of Hill CO will break a long neriod of comparative inactivity.

FINNISH STEAMER SUNK BY GERMAN SUBMARINE STOCKHOLM, April 25. A German submarine sank the Finnish steamer Frank with a cargo of 12,000 tons of iron, in the Baltic. It is believed that the crew were saved. SWEDISH STEAMER TORPEDOED LONDON", April 25. Received April 27. 12.20 a.m. The Swedish steamer, Ruth. from Leith to Gothenlung, was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea. The crew were piclted. up.

WAR NOTES a fruitless quest GEEMAH ZEPPELINS SETUBJI (By Telegraph.— Press Assn. — Copyright^ LOXDOX, April 24. Received April 25. 2.30 p.m. The German Zeppelins returned seawards without malting an attack. THE PAEIiAT CONDEMNED HONG KOXG, April 24. Received April 25, 3 40 p.m. The Prize Court lias condemned til* Paklat. BRITISH CASUALTY LIST. THE GERMANS REPULSED (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON', April 25. Tinder date London, April 24 (5.25 p.m.) the High Commissioner reports the following British casualties; — Officers. Men. Killed 30 129 Wounded .. 46 130 Missing ...... Prisoners .. .. Thirty-nine naval officers have been placed under arrest in Germany as a reprisal for tiie treatment by Britain of a German submarine crew in ’England. Kneniy attacks on Les Kparges and Tete-a-vache have been repulsed. Attacks in the forest at Parroy and P.eiohakeroff were checked with heavy German losses. GERMAN REPRISALS. LONDON, April 25. Received April 27, 12.15 a,m. Official: The thirty-live officers who liave been arrested under the German reprisal scheme include Dord Garlics, the Master of Saltoun, Spencer Coke, and Hunter Blair. “ALL IS OVER” BRAVE BELGIAN QUEEN. PARIS, April 23. Received April 26, 12.30 a.m. Pierre Hot! visited the Queen of tho Belgians, and during the conversation reference was made to Bavaria. Tho Queen, in a low voice, said: “Between thorn and myself all is over. A curtain of steel has fallen between U3 for all time.’’ BANISH STEAMER CAPTURED COPENHAGEN, April 25. Tile Germans captured a Danisll steamer laden with agricultural products bound towards Grimsby, It was taken to .Syll. HATE AGAINST AMERICA COUNT R EVEN'PLOW'S ARTICLE LONDON. April 2.5. , Count Revenllow, in tin* Tagis Zeittinff, writes an insulting article, against America. He declared that the United States by becoming hostile to Germany can never be a mediator for peace. THE EELBIEGE GERMANY WANTS PROOP CllltlSTt Axn, April 2.'. Received .April 26. 12.tie a.m. Germany tb-mamls tit,.- opportunity to examine pieces of tint Hc-Iridgc torpedo and promises to apologise if the torpedo is of German origin, or refer the matter to 'i'lle Hague j f (pc j osped ive Goveriij ments fail to agree. BRITISH MEDICAL CORPS TRIBUTE BY “ EYE-WITNESS ” LONDON, April 24. Received .April 26, 1 2.30 a.m. “Kyi - witness' 1 pays a tribute to tho Army .Medical Corps for maintaining such a low sickness rate lie mentions that during the Nile campaign then* were mote cases of typhoid in two brigades in eight months than'in the whole British army during tile present war to date. Tin* mobile bacteriological laboratories have prove<) a great success in delecting germ-carriers and inoculation Iras proved the surest defence against typhoid or other diseases. MORE RUMOURS TURKEY SOUNDS ITALY AND AMERICA. POR SEPARATE PEACE PARIS, April 2j. la- Temps says that Turkey has sounded Italy and America with a view U) WCranging a separate peace. GERMANY AND PEACE A PRESS DISCLAIMER AMSTERDAM, -April 255 The Not tit German Gazette denies that Germany is preparing for peace ncgotli aliens, and adds that no sensible person would think of sacrilicing»a war situation so favourable to Germany for a promature peace. LANCASHIRE TEXTILE MILLS PRODUCE GUN-PARTS LONDON, April 25.. Received April 26, 12.10 turn. Many Lancashire textile mills are now making munitions, chieily parts of rifles.

UOBHTE QEBUUI ATTEMPTS TO SETAXE u f.T. 60 Aißuznrs coup at ohent LONDON. April 23. Sir John French reports : “The CJer- s man attacks on Hill Mo. 60 have tailed. During these the enemy fired some liin shells into Ypres. We forestalled German mining operations near Armentieres’ by exploding a. mine.” He adds that the British airman who attacked the Ghent aviation shed recently ran the gauntlet of tire from a cap■tlvo balloon, also from the ground. He descended to 200 ft and effected his obcausing a large explosion. HEAVY INITIAL handicap Mint! UP BY ALLIES (Times and Sydney Sun Service). LONDON, April 23. j The Ximes’s military correspondent j says : "The success at Hill No, 60 shows that the offensive is passing to the Allies, and tit at the Germans are not so good as formerly. The Allies for months have sustained the light against bewildering disadvantages. The Germans had heavier guns, more machine guns, giant periscopes for trench mortars, took the initiative under ground. and organised bomb-throwing and sniping. The Allies have gradually caught up. and have been accumulating heavy guns until they are beginning to dominate the battle. We have more machine guns, periscopes for mortars, telescopic sights, bombs, and steel shields; and our snipers and night patrols have become active Mul enterprising.” A-ra WAS IN POLAND BTJSSZAN EXPLOITS PETIW6RAD. April 23. A Russian airship bombed a German transport column at Plock, also German boats on the Vistula. Two Russian dirigibles bombed the railway station at Mlawa and the a'-rodronie at Sanniki. fcouth-eastward of Block, badly damaging tt. < HUNGARY REBELLIOUS WAR TOTE REFUSED (Times and Sydney Sun Service). LONDON'. April 23. Count Tisza. Premier, lias failed to induce the Hungarian Parliament to vote the credits demanded by the military Situation. GERMAN FLEET proud over immunity DARING NORTH SEA CRUISE BERLIN', April 23. The German Admiralty suites that the ■ High Sea Fleet have been rcpeatedly cruising in the North Sea. and advanced , into English waters without meeting any British warships. . OUR NATAL LOSSES | LONDON. April 23. n the House of Commons, Mr As- | Quith, in reply to Air E- T. John, stated that between the outset of the war and | and the end of March our naval casualties were 332 officers killed. 61 wounded, I 7 missing, 4 1 interned, and 11 taken : prisoner; 4IISI men killed, 640 wounded lof whom 5e were taken prisoner). .2 . missing. 1324 interned, and 923 taken prisoner (exclusive of the above 30 yvounded). 1 ANOTHER TRAWLER GONE | ECCENTRIC GERMAN BARBARITY LONDON. April 23. A submarine torpedoed the trawler St. Lawrence in the North Sea, and two men ; ■were drowned. . ■The skipper of the St. Lawrence states that after the submarine fired ins crew : launched a boat. When all his crew- ex- i cept two wore aboard it the submarine ordered the boat to cut away. This was dene, ami the other two jumped into the ■Witter. When he < the skipper) attempted to pick them up the submarine resumed firing, and the boat was compelled to : leave thc two men to he drowned. The | submarine eventually blew up the trawler. nett tactics ONE TAKEN TO GERMANY AMSTERDAM. April 23. I A niCv'vsa? 1 :’ from Berlin states that a . submarine captured the British steam trawler Glencarg off Aberdeen and : brought her to a German port. TTT K DARDANELLES PROGRESS TOO SLOW ADMIRALTY HEADS COSTER PARIS, April 23. ) Mr Churchill visited M. Augagneur I (.French Minister of .Marine), and they j held a conference in the North of : France on methods for hastening the j liardar.elles operations. GREEK MERCBANTMAN SUNK I BY GREETING TORPEDO j ATHENS. April 23. I A Greek sailing vessel was sunk by a | drifting torpedo in the Aegean Sea. I which, apparently came from the Dar- j danelles. The captain, two women, and i nice of the crew were killed. S BULGARIA’S NEUTRALITY j NATIONALISTS PATOUR ENTENTE (Times and Sydney Sun Service). LONDON. April 23. IT) 0 National party in Bulgaria have Issued a manifesto urging an under- j standing with her 111., rater. Russia, and in« iatt. r s Allies. England and France, ebtaining guaranu -es for Bulgaria's nation il unity in tin- event of her plcdgla# n-'r-olf !.> military collaboration. RUSSIAN PROPOSALS PERSIAN CONTROL WAITED IN RETURN FOB TURKEY (Times and Sydney Sun Service). LONDON. April 23. Th o Slavonic- Reciprocity Society in Petrograd arc urging that Russia bo grant-d the Turkish Black Sea coast, the Allies to b- given control of the Bagdad yacl way. TURKS IN PERSIA PETROGRAD. April 23. The Persians at Kermanshah are retiring before the Turks, who are advancing towards Hatnadan. The Persian Cabinet is pout-parleying with the Turkish Ambassador, hoping that the troops may be recalled. GERMANY'S LOST COLONIES COPENHAGEN. April 23. Herr Daasche. Vio—Presiden t of the Reichstag, in a lecture at Berlin, said it was doubtful whether it was desirable t" get back Kiao-cl.au or the South Pacific colonies, because they were 100 remote. He added ; ■ Germany should ■ rather establish a great German Central Ulrica round the Congo.” LIEUTENANT GLADSTONE'S PUNERAL LONDON. April 23. The remains of Lieutenant Gladstone, M.P.. were interred at Htiw.arden Castle to-day before a large concourse- of mourntr*. I Licutcnam Gladstone. u grandson of William Ewart Gladstone, was killed at Ific front). LOOTING AT RABAUL MELBOURNE, April 24. Senator Pearce, interviewed respecting the allegations of looting at Rabaul, emphatically declared it to be untrue that the officers alleged to be involved were being trie.! by brother officers, also said t.j b.- concerned in tin- New Guinea y n: i i r TRADE WITH ENEMY MELBOURNE. April 24. Zwicker. an importer, bos b*«n fined €SOO for attempting to trade with the enenqr.

MEAT 808 THE ABUT MELBOURNE, April 24. The British War Office is inviting tenders for the supply of nine million tins of meat. THE MAORI CONTINGENT TO GO TO MALTA (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON. April 24. The Prime Minister states that the destination of the Maori contingent will be Malta. IVlieu the services of the Maoris were accepted - it was thought they were to go to Egypt. Later on, j when things developed in Turkey, our • field forces went to Egypt, and there has been speculation as to whether the Maoris would join the main body at Cairo. It appears, however, they have been reserved for garrison duty at Malta. A WANDERING ZEPPELIN LONDON. April 23. The military observed a Zeppelin five miles from Newcastle. ON THE TRAIL LONDON, April 23. Two Zeppelins were reported off the Northumberland coast, near Blyth. Four British aeroplanes have gone to reconnoitre. MR ASQUITH AND THE MINERS LONDON. April 23. The Prime Minister conferred with the executive of the Miners' Federation. The latter claim a joint conference with the* owners and the Miners' Federation. The conference adjourned until when they will consider the Prime Ministers reply, which is promised on that day. GERMAN CLAIMS ENGLISH PRISONERS AND GUNS INCLUDING POUR HEAVY ONES BERLIN, April 23. A communique states that we advanced on Thursday evening from Steenstraate to Fast Langemarck and attacked the enemy north and north-east of Ypres. We advanced on the front nine kilometres to the heights south of Ihlkcrn. Simultaneously the infantry and artillery forced the passage of the I scr near Steenstraatc. We captured at least 1600 French and English prisoners and 3u guns, including four English heavy guns. GREAT NAVAL STRUGGLE -nvnvrTN k'jjt AN AMERICAN REPORT LONDON. April 23. ; American newspapers are publishing j reports emphasising British submarine j activity on the German coast and tho ■ suspension of British and Dutch ship- I ping. They declare that a titanic naval i struggle is imminent. j GERMAN BRUTALITY TO ! PRISONERS | PETROGRAD. April 23. j Russia informed Germany through Spain that German prisoners would bo . treated similarly to what Russians were j in Germany owing to the ill-treatment ! of the latter. ! immAT. LAW AT TRIESTE j ROME. April 23. j Martial law has been proclaimed at I Trieste. HIGH COMMISSIONER’S BULLETINS (Per United Press Association.) I WELLINGTON. April 24. | The High Commissioner reported un- ; der date London, April 23 (4.40 p.m.) : —j At tho bend of the Vscr, north of Dix- | mmle .the Belgians repulsed an attack . directed on Chateau Vigogne, with heavy • losses. ’ North of Ypres tho Germans employed ; large quantities of irsphyxiating bombs, ! tho effect of which was felt two kilometres behind the Allies’ lines, anil sue- j cecdod in compelling them to fall back in the direction of the Yser canal westwards ami Ypres southwards. The , enemy's attack was checked, and a vig- : orous counter-attack enabled the Allies j to regain the ground, taking many jirisoners. i At D’AiUy Wood, near St. Mihiel, an j attack ''astwiirri ami westward of the j position the Allies primarily captured result' d in their taking 700 yds of Ger- | man trenches and 100 prisoners, ! The High Commissioner reports under, date- London. April 23. that Field-Mar- . shal French reports that the German at- i tacks on Hill 6". which had stopped at ' the time of his communique on .Monday, have been since renewed several times, j The attacks till failed, and for the time | being have ceased. We hold the entire | crest of tho hi!!, denying its use to the i enemy, who attached great importance | to it. There never has been any truth j in die statement established by the Ger- j man communique that the enemy had re- | captured the position. i