General War News

Southland Times, Issue 17663, 22 February 1916, Page 2

General War News

European Theatre BRITISH TRENCHES RAIDED. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright) LONDON, February 20. Sir Douglas Haig reports: The Germans early on Friday morning raided our trenches at Commensort, capturing a few prisoners. IK THE BARKANS. BULGARIA UNEASY. SALONIA, February 20. Roumanians attitude and Greece’s profound change of opinion towards the. Allies have created uneasiness in Bulgaria, The bulk of the Bulgarians who have been co-operating with the Austrians and Germans in Macedonia have now been transferred to the Danube. HOSTILE ADSTKO-ETOBAE CLAIMS NOT A HAPPY FAMILY ATHENS, February 20. A well-informed correspondent states that the delayed advance upon Salonika is due to Germany’s failure to reconcile the claims of Austria and Bulgaria. Eacli wants the other to attack. Bulgaria will not, unless she he given Salonika to keep. Germany has not yet persuaded Austria to consent to this. AUSTRIANS IN ALBANIA AMSTERDAM, February 20. The Austrian communique states; The Austro-Albanians occupied Ravaja, south ward of Durazzo. ISC,OOO SERBS B3S-EQUXPPBD SALONIKA, February 20. One hundred and thirty thousand Serbians have been drilled and equipped at Corfu ready to proceed to the mainland. GERMANY AND TURKEY TURKS AMPLY OCCUPIED IN DEFENCE LONDON, February 26. Germany’s policy in Turkey has in view the controlling of the centre of the Empire during the war and to weaken it by despatching Turkish troops to its furthest extremities and beyond its frontiers. The fall of Brzcroum implies that the Austro-Germans must rely exclusively on themselves and Bulgarians in the Balkans, as the Turks are restricting themselves to the defence of Turkey.

THE MOEWE LONDON, February 20. Liverpool Germans built the Ponga, a sister ship for the banana trade in the Cameroons. The Ponga was re-named the Moewe and captured the Appam. THE APPAM WASHINGTON, February 20. The Appam’s owners have brought proceedings to regain possession of the vessel under the Hague Convention. GERMANY ABTD AMERICA ENEMY AMBASSADOR WARNED WASHINGTON, February 20. It is reported that there has been a serious clash between Count Bernstorff and Mr Lansing, the result of the German Embassy’s circulating a statement to the effect that America’s policy on the Lusitania question lias changed. Mr Lansing declares that unless this unfair propaganda ceases a certain Ambassador will be sent home. MURDER OP THE ARMENIANS AMERICA PROTESTS UNOPPICIALLY WASHINGTON, February 20. Afr Lansing (Secretary of State) has cabled to Constantinople protesting against the Armenian atrocities, hoping that the perpetrators will be punished, and in the event of a repetition, threatened with drastic action. / Mr Lansing has explained that the American protest regarding the Amenian atrociHes was unofficial. America cannot officially take notice of a foreign Power’s treatment of its own subjects. RUSSIAN AWARDED V.C. PBTRORRAD, February 20. At King George's instance a Russian named Semenenko has been awarded the Victoria Cross. He saved a northern Russian trench, which was practically obliterated. AUSTRIAN SPY ARRESTED ’ TOKIO, February- 20. An Austrian staff officer, who travelled in disguise from Seattle to Yokohama aboard a Japanese mailboat, has been arrested at Yokohama for trying to convey secret instructions to Austrians residing at Fatesniu. Burr. DING LAB QUEERS COMMANDEERED

IjONDON, February 20. Mr Hloyrt George used the powers of the Defence of the Realm Act, and ordered work on the new Hondon County Hall to cease, as the labour was Required to build a munition factory. CHARGE AGAINST LABOUR SBCRETABT DELATING MUNITIONS HOXDOX, February 20. Thomas Jtees, Hondon secretary of the Associated Engineers, was summoned for delaying the output of munitions at the controlled factory of Abbeywood by inducing the night shift since February 7 to cease work, and to demand higher pay, insteed of resorting to arbitration. The case was adjourned for a fortnight. FEDERAL PREMIER IN CANADA OTTAWA. February 20. The Hon. W. M. Hughes (Federal Premier), speaking at the Canadian Club, and that preparedness and compulsory service were essential to the security of any free people who desired to retain their freedom. Australians valued democracy and liberty, and were ready to (light to their last man. "We could," he added, "have purchased an ignoble peace with Germany, as the Germans were prepared to treat Canada as an independent nation and confer a like favour on Australia. Now she knows that she is lighting .England and the British dominions." am HUGHES IN LONDON SWORN IN AS PR ITT COUNCILLOR ATTENDS CABINET MEETING HOXDOX, February 20. The Hon. W. M. Hughes, the Australian Prime Minister has reached Hondon and after being sworn in as a Privy Councillor, attended a Cabinet meeting, whereat Imperial affairs were discussed. The Press suggests that this precedent ought to be followed everywhere in the dominion, Premiers being ex-officio members. CONVERSION OP FREETRADERS HOXDOX, February 20. Herd Cromer, in a letter to the Spectator, expresses, as a convinced freetrader, his opinion that there is a general agreement in favour of a general tariff. Ho Brinks that the Government should have introduced such a tariff early in the war, also preference for Indian and colonial produce. THE SHIPPING SHORTAGE FRUIT IMPORTS TO BE REDUCED. HOXDOX, February 20. The Hon. W. Runciman (President of the Board of Trade) informed a deputation that, if a scheme were formulated for the utilisation of half the usual tonnage for the importation of fruit, he would probably bo able to arrange it. The deputation said that a scheme was being drawn up for the allocation of tonnage to various ports, and that it will Im submitted to Mr Rnnciinan.