GENERAL WAR NEWS

Southland Times, Issue 17787, 17 July 1916, Page 2

GENERAL WAR NEWS

EARLIER CABLES

BRUSSILOPP’S COUP OEH3VIAIT FORCE SURROUNDED (By Telegraph—XTess Assn. —Copyright) (Australian k X. Z. Cable Association.) PARIS, July 11. Colonel Nadeau, Paris Press correspondent with the Russians states that stirring details come from ttie Chartory.skRaealorkn front. When the Austro-Germans were !. Mimed in on throe sides they decide i to retreat. There remained only one loophole for escape—a narrow passage IS versts in extent, into which they rushed. The Russians cannonaded them from both north and south, and the Russian cavalry harassed and sabred them mercilessly in the rear. The panic was so intense that the Russians occupied a valuable strategic position which had long seemed to be impregnable. TEE BULLDOG A GERMAN GLIMMERING LONDON, July 1 b The Vossicho Zcitung’s correspondent on the west front says: "The Germans are faced by the toughest .job of the. whole war against the British, who appear determined at any sacrifice to succeed. Attacks and counter-attacks are unceasing.” UNDER THE WHIP THE FRENCH LINE EAST PARIS, July 14. A communique states; Our mitraildeuse fire stopped two enemy attacks north of the Aisne, in the region of Ville du Bois and the Vauclcrc Plateau. An active artillery struggle is continuous in the Souville sector. Patrol engagements occurred In Chcnois Wood. . CONTALMAXSON THE PRIOR BATTLE PARIS, July 11. The German casualties at Contalmaison were 12,000. j Their losses afford an indication of the importance they attach to this position. AMERICA INTERESTED NEW YORK, July 14. It is reported that the Brtish have captured Bazentln le Petit. GERMANS SURRENDERING The High Commissioner reports, London, July 14: —The German first line trenches have been taken with small loss. Prisoners are coming in freely. Among the places captured is Bazentin le Petit. Ovillcrs is mostly in our hands. Fighting is proceeding there. Several German counter-attacks failed. ' HEAVY FIGHTING STILL ON PARIS, July 14. Le Petit Parisien states that after a bombardment of great intensity on Thursday the British infantry assailed the German second position along almost the entire line. The fighting is most fierce on both sides. The British seized trenches at several points. ' Their captures of heavy howitzers indicates that the fighting has penetrated to a good depth, inasmuch as howitzers are not found in first-line trenches. THE SOMME BRITISH MOMENTUM GROWS LONDON, July It. Sir Douglas Haig reports that the British advanced at dawn and broke in the enemy positions along a four-mile front. Press despatches report that Longueval and Bazentln le Grand have been captured, and Trones Wood has been cleared. THE BRITISH ADVANCE NO BREATHING SPELL LONDON, July li.

Fighting is proceeding in Dcbtlle Wood, H miles north-east of Longucval. A PRETEXT AMSTERDAM, July 14. On the pretext that the British Navy is stopping their food supplies, the Germans have transferred 15,000 civilians from Lille, 10,000 from Roubaix, and 5000 from Turcolng, to Mczieres and Charlevllle, employing them in agricultural pursuits. BRITISH REPORTS GAINS BEING CONSOLIDATED LONDON, July 14. An important afternoon despatch from the war correspondents at the British Headquarters states; Later reports tend to confirm the first accounts of the success of the British attack. Wc carried the second German line with small losses, and the enemy are surrendering freely. The captures include a regimental commander and his Staff, three artillery officers, and 150 infantry officers. The men reach one, single camp by 0 o’clock in the morning. , _ We have stormed and captured Bazentin le Petite. Fighting is also proceeding around Ovillers. Wc have taken practically the whole village. Several German counter - attacks against our new position were successfully repulsed. We arc now’ consolidating our gains. Our troops are in high spirits over their successes. CONFIRMATION OP GOOD NEWS BERLIN'S ACCOUNT LONDON, July 14. The German official account says: A stubborn fight has developed on both sides of the Somme. The English launched attacks, early in the morning on Mametz Wood and Trones Wood. They suffered considerably. 1 Trones Wood, held by our reserves, suffered a rapid night attach. The first enemy attempts were sanguinarily repulsed, but new attacks are developing. Futile French attacks In tho Barleux region, westward of Estrees. were unable to win a yard of ground. In tlie Verdun sector French attempts to recapture the lost ground east of the Meuse failed. On the east front a counter-attack on the Stokhod Hue, near Zarcpchc, threw j back the advancing Russians. The 1 enemy penetrated tlie first line of Von Bothmer’s army, but were thrown out by our counter-attack, with important losses. TEX RUSSIANS ACROSS BOTE RIVERS LONDON, July 14. A Russian official message says; On the. Stokhod front the enemy are attackintj our advanced troops on Inc left (west) bank of tbe ri\ei. Desperate Austro*German counter-at-tacks are, being delivered on tho west bank of the Strypa. THE TURKS SIT LONDON, July 14. A Russian official message states; Our offensive westward of Erzeroum is developing with great fruccess. We have captured another whole line of fortified positions. One of our regiments, after repulsing It* desperate counter-attacks, is now attacking, and is making considerable progress.

A It'S! urging A IgT> WAKHXNGTON, July U. Tlie American Consul at Bremen bats been asked why he failed confidentially to a civile the United Statos Government uf the li.rnUidgJhUdrr. dsnatrCxcr-

AUSTRALIA’S GIFT FOR OUR AIR SERVICE •SVDXEV, July 15. A movement has been started to secure funds for a complete air squadron from each State for the Imperial Government. THE DEUTSCHLAND 2IEB RETURN TRIP NEW YORK, July 11. Intense interest is taken in the Deutschland. It is reported she will make a night dash. Count Bernstorff lias inspected her, and placed official letters aboard. The New York World's Berlin correspondent states that a third German freight submersible lias been finished, and a fourth is nearing completion. The shipyards are working night and day ">i submarines. GERMAN CROP PROSPECTS LONDON, July 14. The German Minister of Agriculture has been interviewed. He said the people need not worry .about .another year war. Last year's harvest was very poor, hut this year's is much greater. Potatoes will lie plentiful, while barley and oat crops are abundant. The outlook lor the meat supply is improving. 810 ITALIAN COUP The. High Commissioner reports, London, July 14: —The Italians heat off an enemy counter-attack at Mount Maio. On the Gett Plateau there has been heavy fighting. On Tuesday, in the Tofana region, the Italians exploded a powerful mine entirely blowing up the enemy positions on Castelletto summit, eastward of Peak Coldeihois. This commands the road to the Dolomite Alps, giving ns entire possession of the whole Austrian occupying force. The summit is buried in wreckage. Last night the enemy made an attempt to regain the lost positions, which meantime we had strongly fortified. The attempt completely broke down, the. enemy losing heavily. PRANCE'S NATIONAL PETE SOUL - STIRRING SCENES LONDON, July 14. The warmth of Britain's affection for France was demonstrated everywhere in the streets, men, women and children wearing miniature tri-colours. Mr Asquith and his wife and many distinguished people attended requiem mass. There , was a striking scene in the great cathedral. The massed bands of the Household Brigade played “The Marseillaise,” and the Irish Guardsmen, with fixed bayonets, stood with bowed hears at the sanctuary guarding a catafalque draped with the French flag, representing fallen heroes. The “Dead March” and “Last Post,” were played. PRESIDENT POINCARE’S TRIBUTE TO BRITISH TROOPS PARIS, July 14. The Boulevards arc thronged and the monuments decorated with flowers. Anglo-French, Canadian, Indian and Australian troops paraded the Invalides to a medley of martial music. Belgium trumpets sounded together with the bagpipes and the melodious Russian military bands. President Poincare reviewed the troop’s before the Petit Palais. Amid soul-stirring scenes President Poincare handed certificates of national appreciation to the reJatives of 500 who had fallen. The names were called out during a momentary silence, an officer solemnly announcing that each soldier had died for his country. The procession marched to the Champs Elysees, the Rue Royale, and the Grand Boulvards, and dispersed at that place. The British were warmly cheered. The women threw flowers at the Anzacs. President Poincare stirringly addressed the troops, and said: —"You know how during interminable weeks, under concentrated artillery, heedless of the rain, our battalions defended Verdun with endurance and stoicism, which facilitated elsewhere the combined operations of the Allies. It was a spectacle whose epic grandeur surpasses anything humanity had hitherto known. Verdun is now little more than a heap of ruins, but over the blackened stones of your houses the Gorman army sees from afar France’s victory. Our enemies do not retain the illusion of the possibility of bringing the Allies to their mercy, or of drawing from their weariness a peace, enabling militarism to mask its preparations for a fresh aggressive. We would not weaken if the fighting was for honour alone, hut wo are also lighting for the life and the conscience of European nations, in the face of a poignant problem. A free democracy will not submit to the existence of simply vegetating in the stifling and unhealthy shadow of the German Empire, which was strong enough to spread throughout the whole of Europe its heavy hegemony.

Sir Douglas Haig sent a message to President Poincare stilting that the British were participating with the valiant French in a struggle which had now become desperate. The British Army expressed its admiration of the results the French had obtained, and the unfaltering confidence and prompt realisation of common alms.

President Poincare replied as follows; —Convey to the gallant British my keen admiration of their splendid successes so brilliantly developed. French hearts are with your troops, and Paris to-day received them in a manner that was thrilling evidence of public feeling

A FOBETASTE 'l'hv ALLIED MUNITION'S (Reuter’s Telegrams.) LONDON, July 11. The Frankfurter Zeitung estimates that the Allies fired three million shells in the seven days’ bombardment preceding tlie Somme offensive. KITCHENER MEMORIAL FOB DISABLED OFFICERS LONDON, July 14. The Lord Mayor of London has opened a Kitchener National Memorial Fund, intended to provide for disabled cfficcrs and men of the Navy and Arm;;. Queen Alexandra is president of the council and the fund.

GERMANY’S FOOD POLICY SOLDIERS FIRST (United Service.'' LONDON, July 'l. Mr Fhillip ( ‘rib’.j.s wires that Germany's food policy is: The soldiers first. German prisoners' letters disclose increasing hardships. A woman wrote: "Von reproach me with not writing. If 1 told yon the truth of the conditions here at homo i should he locked np. There are tickets for everything including flour, sausage, sugar ami soup. " Aiolher woman wrote: "England is not so wrong ahont starving ns. If the war lasts another throe months we will he dune. God is punishing ns over severely. We have had no meat for six weeks. Wo are all on the downward path. Itiots continue in the markets. Some people with money are unable to buy anything.” -Mr Gibbs comments that there is only one satisfaction in these pitiful letters — namely, tin- hope that the. devil at the hack of this business will realise that war does not pay, and that he will haul down the flag with the skull and crossbones.