EARLIER CABLES

Southland Times, Issue 17498, 29 April 1915, Page 5

EARLIER CABLES

HOBTH OF TTFB.ES THE BRITISH ADT4MCIH6 S7STEUATIC AJR RAIDS UTJTOE ErESUAIT COMMUNICATIONS (By Telegraph—Press Assn —Copyright.) LONDON, April 27. Sir .Tollin French reports; “We repulsed all attacks north-east of Ypres, and took the offensive. Wo have progressed towards St. Julian. “We made successful air rajds on the railway stations and junctions at Tourcoins, Kouhaix, Inglcrminstcr. SLaden, Langcinarck, Thlclt, and Koulers.” FRUITS OP THE CONFLICT AMIES HAVE THE OPPEHSITE LONDON, April 27. Sir John French reports; “Wo took the offensive yesterday afternoon. The French, co-operating on our left, retook lletsas. Our artillery took full advantage of several opportunities for inflicting severe casualties on the enemy.” HILL 60 THORN IN GERMANY'S SIDE (Times and Sydney Sun Service). LONDON. April 27. The Times’ correspondent In the North of France says that the mine which blow up Hill No. 60 started a conflagration from Ypres to the sea. There is fierce fighting and the thunder of many guns along the whole line. The Germans had been for long preparing a blow, but the re-capture of Hill GO is an essential , preliminary to a general advance on their part. NORTH SEA “FOG” TEE LATEST STORY ABOUT GERMAN NAVY A SASH FOR CANADA LONDON, April 27. A message from Portland (Maine, United States) states that Captain Branch, of the interned German barque Dolbeck, says that a German squadron of 15 vessels is heading for the coast of Canada, intending to destroy coastal cities and fortifications. This information was contained in a letter from an officer of the German navy. Captain Branch believes that the squadron is making Us way along the coast of Norway, and will thence make a dash for Canada. , TURKISH PLOT TO DESTROY MMISTEES AND GERMAN GENERALS PARIS, April 27. The. Echo de Paris’s Salonika correspondent states that a huge infernal machine was discovered at the War Ministry, limed to explode during a meeting of a council of Ministers, which inclu-led Fnver Pasha, von Sanders, and von der GolU. The German police believe there is a serious political organisation working against the Germans and the Young Turks. Heveral functionaries of the Ministry have been arrested. THAT POISONOUS GAS A NEW THEORY LONDON, April 27. It is believed that the asphyxiating gases were produced by the Gormans feeding wood fires witli sulphur. A DANGEROUS WEAPON AND ITS ANTIDOTE PARIS, April 27. Many of the German prisoners possessed cotton wads. They state that they inserted them in their nostrils when charging through the gas fumes. THE OLD OBSESSION ROAD TO CALAIS SUITS ALLIES’ BOOH (Times and Sydney Sun Service). LONDON, April 27. The Times’ military correspondent says “The magnet which calls, and still lures the Gormans is their fierce hatred of England. There is no proof that the Germans’ old plan of campaign has been changed. Troops tiro coming in from all parts of Germany. They (?wel will have cause for.regret if they fail to send every man they can spare. It will cause us to rejoice if the Germans come on in force. There is reason to hope for a German ousel in Flanders: yet we can hardly allow ourselves the gratification of believing that it is coming.” GERMANY’S GAMBLE VICTORY AT ANY COSTS (Times and Sydney Sun Service). LONDON, April 27. The German authorities are keeping the frontiers of Germany and Belgium closed. No mails have been despatched from Belgium or Germany to Holland for several days. The Belgians are expecting the gravest developments. It is reported at Cologne that the Kaiser is departing for the Yser. The German onset in Flanders is attributed to Germany’s desire to obtain a success which will react on the political situation, IMPRESSING NEUTRALS DERNBERG AGAIN BOASTING (Times and Sydney Sun Service). LONDON. April 27. Dr Dcmberg, in an interview in New York, declared that the Allies were unable to compel lint Germans to evacuate Belgium and I-Vance except on Germany’s own terms, which are the freedom of the seas and liberty for Germany to expand outside Europe, There was once a scarcity of ammunition which lost Germany the Marne battle, but l>er armies were notv fully supplied, and prepared for any emergency. THE CANADIANS SAVED THE SITUATION LONDON, April 27. The newspapers all feature the Canadians’ gallantry. .Many Canadians paraded the streets. The feeling behind it all is that the Canadians saved the situation at the sacrifice of their lives, Mr J. L. Garvin, in the Observer says: “The men of the maple leaf set their teeth to dare all by a magnificent feat of arms, which will stand out in the annals of the war. Their sheer valour at a critical hour baffled the Germans. The asphyxiating gases proved how thb utmost resources of scientific deviltry’ go down before the indomitable hearts of freemen. Canada’s hour is today; it will be Australia’s and Now Zealand's to-morrow. The situation exceeds in some ways the precedents of political romance, and opens up a possibility which had not boon conceived. Before the war the dominions had known Britain as a mighty mother, but she is now mightier than of old.” ALONG THE LINE ALLIES QUASH ATTACKS HIGH COMMISSIONER’S MESSAGE The High Commissioner reported under dale London, April 27 (2.15 p.m.): North of Ypres the Allies made very sensible p. gross on the left of their fighting line, repulsing (ho enemy, and inflicting great loss. The Germans again using asphyxiating gab, but the means for protection taken show good results, among the French and Belgians. There was a lively infantry combat north of Chaulnes (between Albert and St. Quentin) for the possession of a hollow caused by the explosion of a German mine. The enemy were dislodged, ant ] the position was maintained by the Allies in spi.’e of two counter-attacks.

TIDE OF VICTORY WITH THE AT.T.TEB PARIS, April 27. A communique states: We have consolidated our positions north of Ypres and on the Meuse heights. We recaptured llartsmann - Weilerkopf (in Alsace) and took many prisoners. TEEATMEHT OF FRISONERS LOSS KITCHENER SPEAKS GERMAN BABBASZTIES FEOVXD LONDON’. April 27. Lord Kitchener, in the House of Lords, in reply to a question in regard to the treatment of prisoners, said that hitherto ho had always held German officers in respect, but now, with the greatest reluctance, lie was forced to accept as incontestably true the maltreatment by the German army of British prisoners. Constant testimony had been received, not only from our own escapees, but from French, Russian, Belgian, and American sources, that the inhumanity of the Gorman authorities, especially towards the British, was beyond doubt. The Hague Convention had laid down sufficient rules for the treatment of prisoners, and if these were observed belligerents could not reasonably complain; but Articles 4 and 7 had been flagrantly disregarded by Germany. The High Commissioner reports under date London, April 27. Lord Kitchener, in the House of Lords said that British prisoners were stripped and maltreated in various ways. In some cases there was evidence proving that they are also shot in cold blood. Even wounded officers are wantonly insulted and frequently struck, according to the testimony of the Germans themselves. It was only right to say that German hospitals are excepted from charges of deliberate inhumanity. The Germans last week introduced a method of placing opponents hors-de-combat by asphyxiating gases in order to prevail when the attack, according to the rules of war, might otherwise fail. GERMAN SUBMABIKE PRISONERS REASONS FOR DIFFEBEHTIATXON ME CEUBCHILL EXPLAINS LONDON’, April 27. In the House of Commons Mr Winston Churchill, in reply to a question, said that no special conditions applied to German prisoners because they fought in submarines, but special conditions applied to prisoners who had been wantonly killing non-combatanls, neutrals, and women on the high seas. The Government could not recognise persons systematically employed in sinking merchant ships and fishing vessels without warning, and regardless of loss of life, as being on the same footing as honourable soldiers. The sinking of the Oriole and Falaba, and fishing boats caused them to place all German submarine prisoners captured after February IS. and as long as this system continued, in a distinct and separate category. He could not at present tell how far it was possible to bring home to a belligerent nation at the end of the war the result of their action, nor what form of reparation of a special character could bo. exacted. The treatment of the submarine prisoners was humane. America’s representative had been offered facilities to make a report, provided reciprocal facilities were afforded by Germany. Thirty-nine German submarine men were tiius interned. Germany’s reprisals could not be allowed to influence any action we regarded as necessary. nr thi! Caucasus TURKS MASSACRE ARMENIANS I/ON DON. April 27. Tiffs reports that refugees who have reached the Russian lines state that the Mohammedans arc massacring the Armenians wolesale. and that tlie inhabitants of ten villages have been slaughtered. SEAPLANE TRAINING LONDON, April 27. Sub-lieutenant Modlicott and a mechanic wore killed by a seaplane accident at Calshot (near Portsmout li ). ITALIAN INTERVENTION ONE MORE STEP ROM PI. April 27. II Mcssagero states that the Italian Ambassadors at Paris. Vienna. London, and Berlin have been summoned lo Rome. RECENT CASUALTY LIST The High Commissioner reports under date. London. April 27: - Army casualties: Ten officers killed, 27 wounded. SOUTH-WEST A ERICA. ANOTHER GERMAN REVERSE CAPPTOW.V. April 27. Official: Commandant Skinner's force guarding the railhead ai Trekkopjes. r.O miles north-cast of S v.a k opn mn d. repulsed. after a four-hours' light, a. force of 70(1 Germans, provided with 12 guns. Tile enemy lost 27 killed and wounded. THE LATE REBELLION EE WET’S RESPONSIBILITY. LONDON. April 27. A Blue Book issued on the rebellion in South Africa states that there is ample reason for believing that lie Wet and Beyers interpreted the t'nion Government's inaction after De Wet had refused to confer with Steyn as a sign of weakness. They believed that I lie Government's action was due to anxiety to avoid bloodshed. Jie Wet's liisingennous'ncss was particularly glaring. iic not only' misled Steyn. but misled his own officers. Ho alone of all tiie rebel officers appears to have wanted war. HIGH COMMISSIONER’S CABLES BIG CARPATHIANS BATTLE BOSPHORUS PORTS SHELLED The High Commissionin' r su-ts under date. London, April 27 ilii.'ei u.in.):On Hie Poiangon littoral c north of Mcmel) at Kurland on Sunday an enemy cruiser bombarded two villages without result. At dawn on Sunday a Zeppelin discharged several bombs on the town of Bialystok (North Boland) without doing any damage. In tiie Carpathians on Saturday we successfully repulsed on-emy attacks on the heights of Bolen, in the direction of Htry.i on Saturday and Sunday we engaged in a desperale battle, whiclt still cent innes. Our Black Sea fleet on Sunday bombarded the Bosphorus forts, and great explosions were observed in one fort. A Turkish battleship in the strait made a futile reply. 'i' U H PL ANDERS FIGHTING LONDON, April 27 (12.30 p.m.i On Sunday the Belgian infantry repelled three German attacks south of Dixmude: the Gormans, who again used asph vxiating gases, suffered heavy losses. The enemy’s artillery is active, Tiie Belgians’ repulse of tiie enemy in face of a strong (ire provi-d useful to tiie Crenel), who attacked LRome, wresting it from the enemy, into whose hands it had fallen on Sunday. April 27 (2..7,7 p.m.) Sir John French reports that yesterday Gorman attacks north-east of Ypres wore repulsed. In the afternoon the British took the offensive. and made progress near St. Julien and west of that place. Tim French co-operated on on'r left further north and retook 3 lethars. In the eours'e of yesterday's fighting our artillery took lull adtantage of several opportunities for indicting severe casualties on the enemy. in addition to the destruction of Sourtrai .1 unction, our airmen yesterday successfully bombed tiie railway stations and junctions at Puitoing. Rouhaix Ingelrnunster. Kiaben, J.angemarck, ThicU, and Ronlers. GERMANY BUYING FOODSTUFFS POUR YEARS’ SUPPLIES WANTED COPBNMAGEN’, April 27. Herr Gottschalk, a German State Councillor, states that von Bethmann Hollwe-g, the German Chancellor, lias ordered the various States to buy a four years’ supply of foodstuffs. He declared that Germany must be prepared for that period. Herr Gottschalk is visiting Sweden and Norway to organise purchases.

» A l/SACS LONDON. April 27 (4.25 p.m->' Casualties; Canadian officers killed, 20; wounded, SC; men killed, 10; wounded, 42. British; Men killed, 65; wounded, 127; prisoners, 35. The summit of Hartmanns-Weeiler-kopf, taken by the Germans yesterday, was re-taken by the French, who also took some prisoners. YHER RATTLE GERMAN COMMUNIQUE. A communique states: A hostile artillery attack south of Ypres failed under our fire, with heavy losses. We evacuated Lizerne after the enemy's artillery had completely destroyed, the houses. We maintain our position at Tetc do Pont (bridge-head), eastward of Lizerne, on the left bank of the Yser Canal. BELGIAN RELIEF A GENEROUS CONTRLB l/TTON NEW PLYMOUTH, April 2». The Belgian National Relief Committee’s appeal, contained in yesterday's cables, lias bad an immediate effect here, the Tlon. Oliver Samuel having to-day made a contribution of £IOOO to th« Taranaki Herald fund. LORD KlifC H )Ji HR ON GERMAN MILITARISMS ITS HONOUR SMIRCHED LONDON, April 27. Continuing his speed) in the House of Lords on prisoners* treatment Lord Kitchener said that British officers had lately been subjected to solitary confinement. in retaliation for the supposed treatment of German prisoners in this country. lie hoped shortly to receive evidence on tiie point. Germany for many years bad posed to the civilised world as a great military nation, tilie had' abundantly proved her skill and courage, and snrely she should set a standard of military honour which would gain her the respect if not the friendship of nations. Instead of this she stooped to acts which would indelibly stain her military honour, vicing wit!) the barbarous savagery of the Sonlan dervishes. He did not think there could be a soldier of any nationality, eve)) amongst tiie Germans themselves, who was not heartily ashamed of the slur cast on the profession of arms. Tiie usages of war had not only bee.n outraged by cruelties, but Germany had introduced a method of placing her opponents hors de combat by the use of asphyxiating gases when, according to the rules of war, her attack might otherwise have failed. Germany herself signed Uie article of The Hague Convention prohibiting such methods.