GENERAL WAR NEWS

Southland Times, Issue 17935, 29 January 1917, Page 2

GENERAL WAR NEWS

EARLIER CABLES FOREIGN SECURITIES MUST BE OOZiD (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association). LONDON, January 26. An Order-in-Council makes compulsory the hitherto voluntary sale of loan foreign securities, as they arc required to regulate the rate of exchange. The Treasury is announcing shortly a list of the securities immediately required. The requisitioning of foreign securites may be entire at market price, or temporary. The Treasury in the latter case pays interest, plus I per cent. It is understood that the voluntary response to the previous Treasury requests was inadequate, and further measures are necessary in the interests of exchanges. VON WEIGAHD INTERVIEWED, HIS OPINION OF THE ANZACS. NEW YORK, January 26. Hen von Weigand, the most famous American correspondent in Germany, who is on a brief visit to New York, gave an exclusive interview to the Australian Press Association. He said; We have seen the Anzacs in action on the west front, and have nothing but praise for their bravery and initiative. German officers are unqualified in their admiration of the Australians. The Crown Prince Rupprecht told mo the Australians and New Zealanders were the most daring of the British troops. Prince Rupprecht, as a mountaineer, appreciated the colonials’ contempt of obstacles, yet he said the recklessness of the colonials sometimes led them into unnecessary losses. Whereas other troops utilised all the available cover, the Australians charged in the open, and were indifferent to and even contemptuous of danger during the advance at Loos. A Bavarian general spoke with admiration of the perfection of every detail of the Australian plans for taking trenches. Herr von Weigand met many British prisoners at Guillcmont. The Tommies willingly sold him helmets and other souvenirs, but he noticed 20 or 30 standing aloof who contemptuously refused to sell anything. They were Australians. He did not see many Australians in the prison camps. Prince Rupprecht asked one how he was faring. He replied: "Not bad; X did not expect beefsteaks daily.” Herr von Weigand considers the war will last throughout 1917, and believes the British and French will make a gigantic effort on the west inext spring. The Germans arc planning most extensive defences. If the Allies have no success on the west they will transfer their offensive to another field, most probably the Balkans. VON TTBPITZ IN EXTT.T, NEW YORK, January 26. Herr von Weigand continued: Germany was experiencing most severe winter privations and sufferings, but not starvation. The economic conditions hamper, but do not fatally affect, the military situation The von Tlrpitzites’ Influence is greatly exaggerated ExMinisters in Germany have no influence owing to the excessive jeaonsy of their successors Von Tlrpitz is practicaly an exile. “I recently visited him at St. Blasscn, in the Black Forest. He is living hermit-like in a small villa.” Von Weigand does not think there will be ruthless submarining, because the big four, —viz., the Kaiser, Generals Hindenburg, Ludendorff, and Chancellor von Bethmann Hollweg do not approve of it, believing it likely to rupture relations with America. Germany launched her peace drive for psychological and political reasons. She was not sanguine of its success, but considered it worth while owing to the possibilitty that it would avert the Allies’ threatened offensive. THE BAIDCES’S CRUISE NOTHING BUT SENSEEESS PIRACY PERNAMBUCO, January 26. The captured crews states that', the Saint Theodore kept the raider comi pany unltl she transferred her prisoners I to the Yarrowdale; then the Saint Theoi dore’s crew were placed aboard the raider. The Saint Theodore went off raiding on the 28th December. When the Mount Temple was sunk many horses broke loose, and swam to the raider, but were shot from the deck. The captives are badly nervestrung, owing to being confined in watertight compartments during the various chases. IN BOUMANZA LONDON, January 26. Mr Bourchler, writing from Jassy, states there is great indignation ’ over Germany’s removal of neutral Ministers from Bucharest. The removal is doubtless due to the American Legation sanctioning an investigation, and the consequent discovery of packages of explosives and of microbes of dangerous diseases, which were found buried in the German Legation. The presence of neutrals is not desired pending the meeting of the Kaiser and his allies. ME WILSON AND PEACE. A CANADIAN SENATOR’S VIEW Senator Pope had introduced a resolution in the Senate to the effect that only nations participating in the war shall participate in the peace negotiations. His view is that the nations which have taken no part in the war are taking a liberty in suggesting a settlement. He thought Canada should express an opinion on who is entitled to sit at the peace negotiations. Unuess Mr Wilson’s efforts for peace meet with greater success than his eggorts in Mexico, the world will have to look for a new man and new methods. LORD NORTHCDEPPE ON NEW ZEALANDERS HIGH PRAISE FOR THE MEN, THEIR LEADERS, AND THEIR OGANZSATION. LONDON, January 26. Lord Northcllffe, writing from British Headquarters, says; Before the days when the strand (?) began I decorated a tall young man In khaki from the dominions. We thought the New Zealand footballers were picked men, but the clay we spent with the New Zealand army in France gave us proof of the wonderful physique of the ordinary New Zealander. There must be something in the climate of New Zealand that makes things grow. The New Zealand army Is a compact, well-equipped family, made up mostly of open-air men. Perhaps the fighting instincts have been kept alive by the Maori wars, and women’s suffrage has proved militant in a just cause. New Zealand women are as anxious as the most eager allies to quell Prussianism. 1 found the New Zealanders in the muddiest, floodiest scene imaginable. The streams were swollen into rivers and the rivers into lakes. The surroundings were clod, drab, and cheerless. General Russell’ head-quarters were partly submerged. General Russell is a typical Now Zealand gentleman sheep-farmer, with harsh ways for the Prussians. After lunch we travelled miles through the snowy slush of the Flanders roads. The Maoris are doing excellent work as pioneers. General Haig had just reviewed the New Zealanders. He praised the men enthusiastically to me, but I was not prepared for the size of these handsome fellows. General Godlcy told me their good health and physique enables the New Zealanders to stand the rigors of the northern winter. The Anzacs miss the sunshine, but do not grumble. The New Zealanders occupy a fair front line stretch. Their billets, rest camps, and lines of communication go back a long way, forming a little New Zealand world in Franco. War lectures are a feature behind the lines, where the New Zealanders closely follow the technical expositions of the use of complicated weapons and all subjects relating to modern warfare. If anything could have saved Gallipoli it would have been the fine work of the Australians and New Zealanders and the 29th Division; but it w'asn’t until the Somme that the Anzacs received their chance of participating in a great success. Some experts regard the preliminary home training of the New Zealanders as too long. It might wisely be curtailed, the men finishing their actual training in ! the war zone, where ttie troops learn

quicker, and arc also taught the newest devices in manoeuvres. The Dominion troops have 14 weeks’ hard drill in England before they go to France. Their teachers’ only complaint is that the Anzacs are not taught the right kind of bayonet practice. The New Zealanders' organsiation in France is a well-oiled machine. Although the New Zealand army is on a microcosm in Sir Douglas Haig’s wonderful force, it gives an excellent idea of what a model British army should be. Lord Northcliffc further said that the New Zealanders with whom he spoke told him they were satisfied with all arrangements. particularly with their English training, and the Brockenhurat (New Forest) and Walton Hospitals, where there are 2000 patients. A highplaced British officer had told him that the New Zealanders as individual fighters, were equal to any in France. He particularly praised some of the work of a New Zealand tunnelling company, working in a special area. They outwitted the Germans every time. not permitting in a single instance Germans surprising the British. When New Zealand's small population is remembered. he adds, we are better able to realise the splendid contrast between these finely-organised Antipodean crusaders and the levied masses of unwilling Poles and Czechs, and Turks and Uuthenes and Slavaks whom Prussia has bullied into the trenches. AN AMERICAN THANKS THE ALLIES WASHINGTON, January 20. Senator Root (an ex-Chief Secretary of State), in the course of a speech, said: “I am grateful with all my heart to the allied soldiers, who are fighting for my liberty, my peace, and that of my children’s children. Our liberty and security depend upon the destruction and abandonment of the bated principle of national aggrandisement and immorality.” Senator Root approved Mr Wilson s speech because ho interpreted it as implying the crushing of Prussian militarism. If Germany’s principles were victorious, then American freedom would surely die in this generation. WAS ORGANISATION THE GOVERNMENT SCHEME. WELLINGTON, January 27. Important proposals for industrial organisation as a phase of New Zealand’s war effort have been considered by the Government and the outcome will be the appintment of an Industrial Efficiency Board, who will advise the Government regarding measures which may be necessary to meet the labour shortages caused by war. The board will act in conjunction with leal committees. One task will be to advise the Government as to what use can be made of balloted men who are medically unfit. GENERAL CARLES PETROGRAD, January 26. Packs of hungry wolves infest the Ploesci front, and the soldiers are beatting them off with machine guns. In some cases the Germans joined the Russians in fighting the wolves. Recently the Rnsso-Germans suspended a hot encounter and organised a joint hunt, and drove off the wolves. Afterwards they returned to their resupective trenches. There was no attempt at treachery. PARIS, January 26. The Chamber of Deputies approved a secret session to discuss Macedonia and the events at Athens on the Ist December. The shortage and exorbitant price of coal are intensified by a severe frost. Coal now costs 10s a cwt. The Governments are taking, steps to meet the dearth. The canals of Paris have begun to freeze, thus further handicapping coal transhipment. LONDON, January 26. The Daily Mail’s correspondent states that the petty officers and men of V 69 admit that Germany’s smaller craft are being rapidly used up. Last year the Jutland and submarine losses were heavy, necessitating much replacement, but the latter are regarded as worth while. . Lieut. Selwyn Goldham Williams, of the Field Artillery, son of Mr George Williams, of Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, has been killed in action. Bankers predict an amazing war.lpna total. Carnegie’s Trust have invested six and a-half million sterling. A French communique states: A German organisation of batteries in the region of Luneville and Hartmanns Wellerkopf was destructively bombarded. There is a fairly lively artillery struggle in Upper Alsace. The High Commissioner reports under date London, January 26, (3.55 p.m.):— A French official reuport states that on the left of the Meuse, following on a violent bombardment, the Germans attacked at four points between Avocourt Wood and Mort Homme. They were repulsed by curtain fire, infantry fire, and machine guns. The assailants returned to their trenches after suffering heavy losses. The Higli Commissioner reports: — General Hoskin succeeds General Smuts, who goes to England to attend the War Council. ... Northwards and southwards of Rufiji the Germans are retiring; likewise in the western zone. At Mahenge an advanced detachment were invested and surrendered. , _ The High Commissioner reports under date London, January 26 (1.50 p.m.'), reports that the Suffolk coast was bombarded by a small unidentified German vessel last night. There were no casualties and, insignificant damage.