General War News

Southland Times, Issue 17665, 24 February 1916, Page 2

General War News

European Theatre THE WEST FRONT. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, February 23. The High Commissioner reports form London, February 22 (5.15 p.m.).—Following on a violent bombardment in the Artois the enemy strongly attacked the French at Bois-de-Givenchy, penetrating the first line of trenches and completely destroying these, on a front of about eight hundred metres and several points in the supporting trenches. In the following counter-attack he only occupied some sections. The enemy’s strength was estimated at seven battalions. These suffered considerable losses from the curtain of infantry and machine gun fire. In the south, at Rocklincourt, the enemy blew up a mine, the crater of which the French occupied. Yesterday evening the Germans attacked east of Brabant-sur-Meuse. between the Boise d’Harmet and Herbe Bois, gaining a footing in some sections of advanced trenches, and, in places, pushing as far as the supporting trenches. The French counter-attacks drove them out from the latter. The French made about fifty prisoners. East of Seppois two German attacks were repulsed. There has been considerable artillery action on the Chapelotte-Bandesapt front. A Zeppelin flew over Luneville yesterday, dropping bombs and causing unimportant damage. Pursued by French aeroplanes it made off towards Metz. ' STRENGTH OP SALONIKA. I ; (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright) LONDON, February 22. The Daily Chronicle’s Salonika correspondent states th'at aftftfe invitation of General Sarrail Greek generals inspected the Allied fortifications at Salonika, and were astonished at the strength of the forts. The Greek officers agreed that the enemy would need to attack in great force and with formidable artillery. Deserters state that there is a serious famine at Monastir. SERBIA'S «TWfl RECUPERATING. ATHENS, February 22. The King of Serbia, who is taking the sulphur baths at Edensos, is rapidly recovering. He is looking many years younger and is delighted to think that he will soon be fit again to lead his army, SCANDALOUS TREATMENT OP BRITISH PRISONERS. LONDON, February 22. Lord Robert Cecil (Foreign Undersecretary) announced. that the statements of the returned prisoners from Wittenburg fully corroborated the reports that the conditions there had been deplorable, and that the treatment of interned British subjects was scandalous. There had recently been an improvement. HEAVIER CUSTOMS TAXATION. LONDON, February 22. Lobby opinion expects a further extension of the Customs tariff to be an important feature of the next Budget. Many articles which are now exempt will be added. The Hon. R. McKenna will aim at striking at luxuries, but he will have regard to future trade with the dominions and the Allies. GERMAN MEAT RESERVES BURNT. ZURICH, February 22. Army cold storage and meat reserves at Schelraigheim, near Strassburg, were mysteriously burned. The damage is estimated at several million marks. EXPLOSION ON A SHIP. RIO DE JANEIRO, Feb. 22. The steamer Tennyson, from Buenos Ayres to New York, arrived at Marramhuo seriously damaged. An explosion occurred in her bunkers, due to an internal machine or a German ship s shells. An Englishman, a Dutchman, and an American were killed. PRANCO-BRITISH ENTENTE. PARIS, February 22. President Poincare and M. Briand (the Premier) accorded the heartiest welcome to Lord Bryce and the deputation of twenty-four British Parliamentarians who have come to demonstrate the sympathy existing between the two nations. TURKISH CLAIM DENIED. LONDON, February 22. In the House of Commons Mr Austen Chamberlain (Secretary for India) referred to the Turkish claim that a British force had been annihilated. He said that tile skirmish occurred on January 12 between a reconnoitring party from Aden and a Turkish detachment. A British officer and four Indian soldiers were killed, and four British officers and five Indian soldiers wounded. There were two hundred enemy casualties. The British were neither annihiliated nor defeated. UNINTERNED ALIENS. LONDON, February 22. The Hon. IL B. Samuel (Home Secretary) stated that 12,446 alien males and 10.500 females remained uninterned. The majority belonged to friendly races. N.Z. HOSPITAL AT WALTON VISITED BY HIGH COMMISSIONER. LONDON, February 22. At Sir Thomas Mackenzie’s invitation Mr Andrew Fisher (Commonwealth High Commissioner) visited the Now Zealand Hospital at Walton. The 250 patients are mostly able to take daily outings. The following have been at Walton sined it opened in August: Private MacNurney (Auckland), McGahey (Wellington), Sergeant Black (Canterbury), and Bugler Cliegwidden (Auckland I. There are no serious cases. One of the cheeriest is a Maori named John Morgan, who has lost both legs. There have been no recent arrivals, except an occasional accident.

Arthur Sanders, of Wellington, is suffering from concussion received on Saturday while playing full-back. Lady Mackenzie accompanied Mr Fisher, who was impressed with the excellence of the organisation and admired the system of putting the men on their honour, which resulted in their not breaking the rules. The hospital is extremely comfortable, and has delightful surroundings. The military regard it as a model hospital. Constant visits am paid by high officials, who are unanimous in their approval. BRITISH BLOCKADE. COBCEHTBATZKO THE COBTROX* LONDON, February 22. It is understood that Cabinet content* plates making a single Minister responsible for tile enforcement of the German blockade, exercising the powers which arc now distributed among the Foreign Office, the Admiralty, the Board of Trade, and elsewhere. It is likely that Lord Robert Cecil (Foreign Under-Secretary) will be appointed. GERMANS SHORT OF BUTTER. LONDON. February 22. Berlin authorities are limiting the saJ* of butter to a quarter of a pound weekly for each person. The allowance is obtainable upon presentation of a card.