General War News

Southland Times, Issue 17483, 26 July 1915, Page 2

General War News

European Theatre ALSACE-LORRAINE rBONT (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright) PARIS, July 23. A communique states : We occupied portion of an enemy trench at Bagatelle, altering the front to our advantage. Our infantry and artillery repulsed a strong enemy reconnaissance, supported by artillery, in the region of Arracourt. The enemy heavily bombarded our positions on tlie crests of Binge and Barrenkopf. The enemy momentarily penetrated our lines, but were driven out by an energetic counter-attack. TAUBE CAFTUEED IK THE ARGONNE PARIS, July 23. A Taube flew over St. Menehould and Neuville-au-Point (between Verdun and Chalons), directing the German artillery fire. Two French aeroplanes compelled it to descend inside the French lines. IN BRUSSELS mysterious wireless plant AMSTERDAM, July 2S. The Germans at Brussels are offering £SOO reward for information respecting a private wireless station for which they have vainly searched for the past nine months. They know it has revealed much war news which the Germans were anxious to conceal from the Belgians. All German soldiers on leave have been ordered to- rejoin immediately. During a recent air raid in the neighbourhood of Brussels a bomb destroyed a German meteorological post whence the weather reports were transmitted to the Zeppelin hangars. It contained many important instruments. PRIEST ARRESTED ALLEGES BELGIAN PLOT PARIS, July 23. Be Matin states' that the Germans have arrested Canon Vrancken, Cardinal Mercler’s secretary, who, they allege, is the leader of a big plot discovered in Belgium. A QUIET WEEK

LONDON, July 23. "Eye-Witness” reports' that the week ended July 13 was uneventful. “Some Germans,” he says, "waved flags on July 2 informing us that they were Saxons. Possibly realise the different light in which we regard Saxons and Prussians. At another point our men heard calls for help, and the English replied with rifle fire. Then they heard the words : ‘Damned Scotchmen.’ "July 14 was the French national fete day. In hundreds of towns small processions went to the cemeteries and placed wreaths on the graves of the British, Belgians, and French.” HIGH COMMXSSIONEE’S CABLES (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, July 24. Tlie High Commissioner reports ; London, July 23 (4.45 p.m.) : —There was artillery fighting at several points on the Allies’ front. In the region of Bagatelle portion of a German trench has been captured, rectifying our line advantageously. In the region of Arracourt a strong enemy reconnaissance, supported by artillery, fell back before our lire. In the Vosges a German attack on positions south of La Feye was easily repulsed* East of Metzeral the enemy momentarily penetrated our lines, but were turned back by an energetic counter-attack. London. July 23 (2.25 a.m.) :—ln the Champagne, in the region of the camp at Chalons, enemy aviators tried to bombard villages used as revictualling stations, but caused no damage. On the Lorraine front, east of Thiancourt. the French repulsed a strong German reconnaissance. In the Vosges, north of Munster, the French progressed and gained domination of the heights, after a determined tight. London, July 23 (4.30 a.m.) : —The latest Petrograd communique shows that tile conflict between the Vistula and the Eng assumed the most desperate character. On an extended front, above ,Sokal, the Kussians cleared the. right bank of the Bug of the enemy, and took 1500 prisoners. BRITISH PHIS OHEK3 BAISTK.XJP CAMP COMPLAINTS AMERICAN INVESTIGATIONS LONDON. July 23. A White Paper has been issued showing that Sir Edward Grey forwarded to Mr Page, American Ambassador in London, complaints from prisoners at Baistrup camp, in Germany. The prisoners said they were fed principally on beetroot. kohl rabi, and meat from diseased animals. Mr Gerard. American Ambassador at Berlin, reported that he was unable to visit the Baistrup camp, whose commandant wrote that the rations had previously been delivered under contract, but had since been altered and increased. Mr Gerard visited other camps, and found complaints infrequent. The British prisoners were in excellent spirits, except where prisoners of other nationalities were largely in excess. He heard the band at Friedrichfeld. where the violins and ’cellos are home-made. He found several soldiers before the altar of the Catholic chapel, but Protestants complained that there were no services. Kosher meat was provided for Jews. There were several complaints about vermin and a shortage of soap.

The Germans alleged that several British prisoners cut their boots and hid their good uniforms to avoid being included in working parties. IN TRANSCAUCASIA TURKS IN PLIGHT PETROGRAD, July 23. Official ; On July 19 we defeated the Turks, who crossed to the left bank of the Euphrates, near Obintcharc. retreating hurriedly in the direction of Bitlis and Mush. They abandoned a , quantity of amunition. We are pursuing them, and have captured a large convoy of cattle. A CONVENIENT NEUTRAL COPENHAGEN. July 23. A Swedish committee lias been formed to erect a wireless station at Karlsborg (on the shore of an inland lake in the south of Sweden! for direct communication with America, thus avoiding the British censorship. AMERICAN MUNITIONS NOT A DECIDING PACTOR NEW YORK. July 23. The exports of explosives for the 11 months ended May MI only amounted to 24,000,000d01. in excess of the corresponding period of 1911. The New York World states that this disposes of the German fake story that American munitions prevented Germany’s victory. COTTON OPERATIVES GET HIGHER WAGES LONDON, July 23. The cotton operatives have been granted an advance during the war of 5 per cent. Jis a result of reference of their dispute to the Government for settlement. NO LOCAL ELECTIONS LONDON, July 23. The House of Commons passed the second reading of a bill postponing the municipal elections for a year. The preparation of this year’s votes register has been abandoned, thus saving £IOO,OOO. VON HISSING’S BROTHER INTERNED AT LAST LONDON. July 23. The Daily Express states that Baron Von Bissing has been interned. internment has been vainly demanded for six months past. Many questions were

asked In Parliament regarding him in February and March. • (Baron Von Bisslngr, brother of the Governor of Brussels, occupied a residence at Hythe, on. Southampton water, in proximity to the Solent and Spithead). COMMERCIAL MORALITY BLESSING THE GOVERNMENT OVER WAR SUPPLIES LONDON. July 23. In a case in the King’s Bench Division over disputed commissions for selling motor cars to the War Office the evidence revealed that the various commia. sions amounted to £40,000, or 10 per cent, of the purchase money, which the Judge pointed out the Government had practically paid. ON THE ADRIATIC ITALIAN AERIAL RAIS AUSTRIAN NAVAL RAIS ROME. July 23. An Italian dirigible on Thursday night bombed the Santeloi-Nabresina railway, and returned safely. An Austrian fast cruiser and four destroyers this morning bombarded the Ortona Coast railway and the islands of Tedaiso and Tremiti. COAL POR OUR ALLIES LONDON, July 23. In the House of Commons Mr Runclman announced that the Government had already given the French Admiralty and railways the benefit of the arrangements between the British Admiralty and the Welsh colliers, and both Admiralties were benefiting by the prices secured. Existing contracts with Russia and Italy were favourable, and when they expired they would receive similar treatment to France. SLAVE LIBERATION IN OCCUPIED COLONIES LONDON, July 23. The Anti-Slavery Society, in a letter to Mr Bonar Law-, urged the liberation of any forced labour found in German South-West Africa, Togoland, and the Cameroons. Mr Bonar Law. in reply, said that doubtless the administration of those German territories now occupied by British forces would not allow a continuance of a practice repugnant to British methods. DEPENCE OP WARSAW PETROGRAD, July 23. The Blonie-Nadarzyn line, defending Warsaw from the west and southward, is splendidly entrenched and manned by veterans from the Bzura and the Rawka lines. The news of the cold-blooded shooting of 5000 Russian prisoners ot Rawa Ruska has aroused burning indignation in the Russian army, who are determined to make the Germans pay dearly for it. COAL PRICES BILL LONDON, July 23. The Coal Prices Bill has passed its committee stage. A clause was inserted exempting Ireland from its provisions. OFFER PROMT SOUTH AFRICA CAPETOWN, July 23. The Transvaal coal owners have offered the Imperial Government 100,000 tons of coal. HA? CROP COMMANDEERED LONDON, July 23. The Government is commandeering the Scottish hay crop for the army at prices ranging from 75s to 130s, according to the date of delivery. THE NATIONAL DEBT LONDON. July 23. A White Paper announces that the national debt at the end of March was £1,161,951,000. SALE OP LIQUOR RESTRICTED LONDON, July 23. Drastic liquor regulations have been imposed at Barrow-on-Furness. The hours of sale are restricted from noon to 2.30 and 6 to 9 in the evening. Sales of liquor for consumption off the premises are limited to certain days. Treating and credit are prohibited. SINKING OP GERMAN BATTLESHIP PETROGRAD. duly 23. The Tsar proposes decorating Commander Max Horton with the Order of St. George. The Germans still persist that no warship was submarined in the Baltic. (The British Admiralty has received no official report confirming or otherwise the alleged submarining of the Pommern).

ALLEGED BLACK SEA ENGAGEMEKS COPEN'HAGEX. July 23. Berlin denies that 51 vessels were, sunk at Varna, and states that no battle has occurred between the Russians and Germans in the Black Sea. PEACE SETTLEMENT THE DOMINION’S VOICE MELBOURNE, July 24. In the Federal House. Mr Fisher, in reply to a question, said there had been negotiations between the Imperial and. Dominion Governments with a view to consultation between responsible Ministers later, prior to a peace settlement, hut most of the information had already come through the press in the shape of answers to questions in the Imperial Parliament. Personally lie did not think tile British Government realised the position of the distant dominion Governments, EMPLOYERS’ SUGGESTIONS SYDNEY, July 21. The Employers' Federation have passed a resolution against contentious party legislation during the war. They urged national unity, and suggested the appointment of national committees of iinancial experts to co-operatc with the Government in financial matters, and securing committees of leading commercial men to undertake purely civil work in connection with army equipment, relieving military officers of this service. N.S. WALES BECBUITETG SYDNEY. July 24. To mark the anniversary of the commencement of tlie war, the New South Wales Government have decided on strenuous effort to make August r> a record recruiting day. It is now claimed that New South Wales’ low record in the lately published recruiting averages is due to the inclusion of men from Broken Hill, the Rivt-r----ina, and the Northern Rivers in the lists of the three adjoining States of South Australia, Victoria, and Queensland. INTERNED VESSELS’ EARNINGS MELBOURNE. July 24. The German prize ships in Australia, utilised as transports. have earned £300,000. For Influenza take Woods' Great Peppermint Cure. Never fails. 1/6, 2/Sj