General War News

Southland Times, Issue 17660, 18 February 1916, Page 2

General War News

European Theatre FUTILE GERMAN EFFORTS. SMALL GAINS AT HEAVY COST. (By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright) LONDON, February 16. A French official wireless message states that the German effort to advance at Artois and in the Champagne region lias definitely come to nothing. The assaults, which had long been prepared, were carried out at points forming salients of the German lines. Each assault was preceded by formidable mine operations which, it is estimated, took three months to prepare. The only result was that the Germans occupied a few craters and secured a footing in some of the French salients. It is certain that the Germans lost half their effectives engaged in the attacks, USE OF TRENCH MORTARS. LATEST GERMAN PHASE. LONDON, February 16. A correspondent writing from Britisli Headquarters shows that there is an increased German use of trench mortars, throwing 601h shells. The production of mortars has infinitely multiplied. Lately the enemy has fired 5000 shells into the Britisli position at Hooge. STRONG FRENCH FINANCE. RESERVES FAR FROM EXHAUSTED. PARIS, February 16. M. Ribot (Minister of Finance) has submitted to the Chamber credits for the second quarter of the year, amounting to 7.618,000,000 francs, whereof 6,333,000,000 francs are for war expenditure. in an explanatory statement he compares the financial situations at the end of 193 4 and that in December, 1915. He mentions with thanks the success of the war loan and the readiness of the country to deposit a large part of its savings in the Treasury. Advances on account of the Bank of France had increased only by 1,175,000,000 francs. Other figures were given to show that the country’s financial reserves were far from being exhausted. ROUMANZA’S WHEAT. GERMANY REBUFFED. BUCHAREST, February 16. The Government has refused Germany’s offer to outbid the British syndicate's contract for wheat. LOSS OF THE SOCOTRA. LONDON, February 16. Evidence given before the Board of Trade enquiry into the loss of the Soco.tra showed that the captain believed that the vessel was off the French coast, and mistook the light on the French coast for that on Beach Head. The captain attributed his error to a strong southerly inset. TWO STEAMERS DESTROYED. NEW YORK, February 16. The steamships Bolton Castlo and Pacific were destroyed by a disastrous fire. There were two deaths- and the pier was burnt. Incendiarism is suspected as the steamers were loading munitions for Vladivostock. TORONTO CLUB DESTROYED. OTTAWA, February 16. The American Club buildings in Toronto were destroyed by explosion and fire. The club was largely used to recruit Americans to serve with the Canadian forces. One person was killed and two injured. ACTRESS SHOT AS A SFY. NEW YORK, February 16., Information has been received by local Hungarians that the famous Hungarian actress, Sari Petriss, has been executed at Buda Pesth as a British spy. She allegedly obtained military secrets from Austro-Hungarian officers and forwarded them to England. Some of her letters were intercepted, and one of her dupes confessed. NEW ZEALANDERS FAREWELLED. 80 COMING BY TUBAHENA. LONDON, February 16. On Sunday a crowd of Anglo-New Zealanders at Paddington farewelled eighty unfits, under Captain Conway, who were returning aboard the Turakina. Those on the platform included Sir Thomas Mackenzie. On behalf of the Committee of English Women, Lady Smith-Dorrien presented the party with a silk Union Jack, a metal shield bearing the inscription : "To New Zealand heroes, from the women of England.” Miss Chamberlain, daughter of the late Mr Joseph Chamberlain, said that Englishwomen now realised that the British were one race. The Homeland and the dominions would in future be thankful to act together in the defence of the tilings of which they had the care, justice, freedom, and human kindness. The Anzac band played "Keep the Home Fires Burning,” and the departing soldiers were heartily cheered.