General War News

Southland Times, Issue 17633, 18 January 1916, Page 2

General War News

European Theatre RECENT RUSSIAN ADVANCE ENEMY LOSES 200,000 RUSSIANS CAN STRIKE AGAIN (By Telegraph—Press Assn. - Copyright > PETROGKAD, .la.nuary Hi. The A list re-German losses in the recent Russian advance on Hie southern front were nearly 200.000. The Russian offensive, though momentarily suspended, hampers and baulks the Germans. The latter are tied down and are unaware that Ihe Russians are able to strike with even greater effect when the moment is opportune. PANIC-STRICKEN GERMANS PKTROGRAD, January 10. A singular feature of the lighting at Czernowitz was the fact that ihe German regiments became panic stricken and began to run. The Austrian artillery, reversing the process to which the Germans had often resorted earlier in the war, directed its fire on the spike helmeted fugitives. Hut the Germans feared the Russians more and the artillery failed to stop Hie rout. AUSTRIAN REPORT. AMSTERDAM, January 10. Tile Austrian communique slates: The most stubborn battle yet fought in the Bessarabian frontier region is in pro gress at Lororatz., east of Retrancze. Our tenacious enemy advanced yesterday, four, six, and fourteen deep, but was everywhere repulsed. We maintained all our positions. Over a thousand dead Russians were counted before one of our brigades. We raptured 1o! guns and 10,1100 rifles. CZAR'S MESSAGE TO HIS TROOPS “WE MUST BE VICTORIOUS” PETROGKAD, January 10. The Czar in a message to his troops, says: "In this hard struggle the enemy is strong in numbers and ready in re sources. My soldiers have harrassed and checked him, their breasts are an invincible protecting shield to the Fa(belaud. Whatever pains and victims it costs, wc must he victorious. 1 enter the year with unshakeablc resolution." PALL OP MONTENEGRO NECESSITY POR ALLIED UNITY ROME. January 16. Signor Barzilai, Minister of State, jn a speech said that the fall of Lovtchen, the importance of which was exaggerated, was due to the impossibility of bringing heavy,guns to the summit, owing to the lack of roads. The temporary seal ing of Montenegro’s fate was the result of the Allies’ failure to settle a common far-seeing programme in the Balkans. As one of the Allied Ministers lie recognised that Italy wav not the most re,sponsible for that failure. Closer coordination was essential to prevent further paralysis. The Allies had an incontestable superiority in men, economic, and financial resources, arms and ships. Happily there was now every indication of great progress in the conception of a single front, a single war, and a common aim.

MONTENEGRO WILL FIGHT ON ROME, January 16. Tlie Tribune is authorised to make the statement that Montenegro will not make a separate peace. AUSTRIANS OCCUPY CETTINGE. AMSTERDAM, January 16. The Austrian communique states that Cettinge has been occupied. PREPARATIONS AT SALONIKA SENSATION IN GREECE LONDON, January 16. Reuter’s Salonika correspondent states that the destruction of the railway bridge at Demirhissar caused a sensation in Greece circles as it almost cuts off communication with eastern Macedonia. The population of Seres and the Greek troops in that region are largely dependent upon Salonika for supplies. They a.re now faced with the. problem of revictualling, and may be compelled to disband. It is reported that, all the bridges and viaducts on the Demirhissar line beyond Kilinder have been blown up, and telephones and telegraphs severed. While many Greek arc resentful the general opinion appears to be that the Allies have the host reasons for these measures of precaul ion. THE BALKAN LEGATION GERMAN DUKE TO TAKE CONTROL MILAN’, January 16. 11 Heroin's Bucharest correspondent slates that German is sending the Duke, of Mecklenburg on a special mission to assume direction of all Balkan legations. The. German Minister left last week and will not return. BRAVE TRENCH AVIATORS PARIS, January 16. While flying over German lines in a, biplane Captain Selliei* and Lieutenant Legall was suprised by a Focker machine. An explosive bullet from the latter struck Hie petrol tank of (heir biplane, enveloping it in flames. The nr. eupants tore up their journals and dropped pieces written in French Idling of their fate. Next day a German airman flew over the French trenches and dropped a letter paying tributes to Captain Sellier's and Lieutenant Legall's bravery and stated that they had been buried with military honours.

naval action possible DEMANDED BY STARVING NATION UNDERPED MASSES DEPRESSED NEW VO UK, January 16. An English message states that a British Admiralty offieial brought word that a German battleship left her anchorage in Kiel harbour and made Hirer sorites in December. She made no effort tti find Hie British fleet, but coasted by the mouth of the Elbe within Hie Bight of Heligoland, and keeping within minepmteeted waters alt Hie time. Tile food riots in Berlin and ruber cities, and the animosity Hie blockade lias aroused, obliged the warships to make a pretence of searching for our warships, Xf file blockade is going to he drawn tighter we must expert the Kaiser’s fleet to be compelled to steam past Heligoland. The North Sea fleet is keeping a bright lookout. If will bo Hip biggest battle in history, and it will begin without warning. Hospital ships are being held in readiness on Hie East Coast against Hie day. Another message says: The Berliner Zeitnng. discussing Ihe fond shortage, declares that il is difficult lo imagine things becoming worse than they are now, unless a crowning disaster occurs. The masses are hungry all dav, and many ariie'es of common consumption have reached prices wholly beyond the working classes' pockets. Hunger ren decs them sullen and deprives them of all iov of victories, even though all the bells, are ringing. Cnderfed children are wan looking, like faded flowers, everywhere. To such an extent has Hie birthrate fallen that Hie matter is occupying the attention of tlie Government, At a meeting of Hie People's Warfare Assn elation a representative of Hie Prussian Ministry who was present said that Hie Government was fully aware of the lm poranro of the question, and its bearing or, the future of the nation, especially now when hundreds of thousands of vonng men are being cut off in the fiower of their youth. In Hie meantime Hie military have forbidden the holding of meetings to disenss Hie high cost of 1 iving. BELGIUM ATROCITIES Li iNHi I.N. January 16. J ,n Herman and Austrian episcopates have refused the Belgian bishops' request for a mixed commission to investigate German atrocities in Belgium.

THE KAISER'S HEALTH OPERATION PERFORMED LONDON, .1 aniwry 15. Pouter's Homo correspondent states that it is reported in eecle.siasl ioa.l circles that, the Kaiser's operation on January K! was successful, lint a week had to elapse before lie was out. of danger. Complications were possible. FOKD'S FARCICAL MISSION GOING HOME AMSTKPDAM, January 15. The remaining members of the Cord peace party have left for America. POST WAR PROBLEMS. CARE OP THE DISABLED LONDON, January 15. One of the most important post-war problems the care of disabled soldiers —is receiving attention in Britain. Among the schemes which Australasians will particularly watch is the experiment of training them with a view to their taking up land. The Government is offering (raining at the Agricultural College in Cheshire to disabled men as a nucleus for the new campaign to increase small holdings. There has been a severe shortage ol labour, as emigration has depleted farm hands, and the war lias taken many more. The Government lias invited .>0 disabled men to apply for the experimental course, and 15 have commenced studies. Their disablements include hernia, gas poisoning. strained heart, diabetes, and loss of a hand. The Government is likely to facilitate the studies of disabled Australians, and New Zealanders, in the event of any desiring to obtain preliminary scientific tra.ining. The, Colonial Governments will possibly agree to pay the cost, which is 25s weekly. It is even suggested that (he War Contingent Associations will he glad of this opportunity to further the usefulness of their funds. AUSTRALIAN SOLDIERS DRUNKENNESS IN LONDON LONDON, January 15. Australian soldiers, who were charged With drunkenness and assaulting the police pleaded that they had been drugged. Their counsel said that something should he done to protect colonial soldiers. The Australian provost marshal gave evidence that in a good many cases soldiers became senseless after one or two drinks. They had been victims of numerous robberies. The Inspector or Police said (bat he did not believe that the soldiers had been drugged. Their insensibility was due to raw spirits, of which they had purchased a bottle at a time. RE-ENGAGEMENT OP TIME-EXPIRED MEN LONDON, January 16. An army order gives details of the facilities offered to enable time expired men to re-engage, under certain conditions. when they have completed 21 years' service, in lieu of pensions.