GENERAL WAR NEWS

Southland Times, Issue 17938, 1 February 1917, Page 2

GENERAL WAR NEWS

EARLIER CABLES

OK THE WEST FBOKT

(By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright)

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.)

LONDON', January 30

The French communique states: A grenade attack in the region of Hill 304 was smashed up by our fire. A German coup-de-main north of Dadonvillers failed. Our artillery has been active east of Seppols, in Upper Alsace. PARIS, January 30.

Correspondents insist that the French preparations for the offensive are so complete that they will be able at attack on a big scale wherever and whenever they choose, thus restoring the lement of surprise which was absent at Loos, Champagne, and the Somme, where the Germans were aware of concentrations of troops. The French have now prepared vast stores of ammunition and material, and laid great lengths of now roads and railways.

THE POSITION" IK OBEECE

ATHENS, January 30,

AI the Venizelists have been released. The Royalist press attempted to instigate mob law, but the populace, frightened by the blockade, remained calm. The Royalist clique is losing heart, and anxiously hoping for some German victory.

LONDON. January 30

An official telegram from Athens states that Prince Andrew, of Greece, led the cavalry in the march past ceremony, saluting the Allied flags. The public were not admitted, but the behaviour of the crowd in the streets was excellent. All the other demands of the Allies are being met satisfactorily. The relations of the Allies to the Greek Government may be regarded as indicating a return to normal conditions.

Members of the Cabinet and the united Athens garrison attended at the Zappeion esplanade and the Allies’ flags were grouped under the peristyle, where the Allied Ministers and chief officers stood. The Greek troops then lowered their flags to those of the Allies and defiled before the peristyle, bands playing the Allies' national anthems.

THE PEACE MOVEMENT

VIENNA, January 30

At a great peace demonstration by women it was resolved to appeal to the women of enemy countries to declare their desire for peace. NEW YORK, January 30.

The World's Washington correspondent says the Entente envoys expect the President to make another move towards peace. They consider that there are two possible courses. Firstly, he may formally invite official discussion by the belligerents on the principles of his peace speech. Secondly, he may invite the belligerents to confer with the United States with a view to adopting general principles as a basis for an armistice pending actual peace treaties.

Mr Lewis, the Democratic whip, introduced a resolution in the Senate to the effect that nothing in Mr Wilson’s address Implies the abandonment of the Monroe doctrine or the intention of sending American forces to foreign soil except in defence of American interests. Mr McCumber (Republican) introduced a resolution stating that while the Senate does not favour crushing any belligerent, It also docs not favour peace without victory.

Mr Cumins (Progressive Republican) in a speech in the Senate, declared that if Mr Wilson’s plan were- adopted the United States would be constantly engaged in wars wherein she had no interest or in rebellion against alien authority which the President sought as the world’s overlord. Mr Baruch, a well-known Wall street man, testified before the Congressional Committee that he had no advance information regarding Mr Wilson's Note, but he.made 476,000 dollars on the Stock Exchange in thirteen days during December, when he read Mr Lloyd George’s speech in the House of Commons on December 19, followed by the rejection of Germany’s peace offer with the word "but.” Mr Baruch accepted "but” as a peace tip and sold 28,400 shares. Mr Baruch, a leading Wall street broker, testified that he made £IOO,OOO profit late in December simply because of his foresight in interpreting Dr von Bethmann-Hollweg’s and Mr Lloyd George speeches on peace. He stated that he was not aided by leaks from Washington.

QEB3ULN TB3EATM3TWT OS' PRISONERS

AMSTERDAM, January 30.

The Echo do Beige states that 11,000 deported Belgians at Soltar are refusing to work. Herr Schiedermann, speaking at Beilin on Sunday, opposed annexation and declared that the Imperialists had caused the war. The Socialists voted for granting war credits in 1914, because the Chancellor stated that it was not a war of conquest. They must now prevent greedy pan-Germans from changing their policy. COPENHAGEN, January 30,

German newspapers announce that the General of the Ninth Army Corps haa ordered enforced labour of enemy aliens.

INDIAN SOLDIERS DECORATED

DELHI, January 30

At a special parade in the presence of a brilliant assemblage, Lord Chelmsford presented the medals and orders won in the war to 200 Indian officers and soldiers, including three Victoria Crosses —to Chatta Sing, of the Ninth Bhopalis, Nail Lara, Forty-first Dagras, and Kul Tiri Ghapa, Third Ghurkas. Several French and Russian decorations were presented, besides many additional large presents to the war and other funds by native princes and others. It was announced that in December the central relief fund totalled 108 lakhs of rupees.

A QUESTION OF RIFLES,

LONDON. January 30.

A White Paper publishes correspondence relating to the Canadian Ross rifle. It shows that Sir John French and Sir Douglas Haig strongly advised the substitution of the Lee-Enfield, because it was more reliable for rapid fire. The men were losipg confidence in the Ross rifle. Sir John French instances that three thousand of the first Canadian Division, without authority, substituted the Lee-Enfield from their British comrades who had put out of action. Sir John French would not send a division into battle until the remainder had been similarly armed. Sir Douglas Haig pointed out that after the Ypres fighting in May, 1916, a battalion of the Third Canadians applied for Lee Enflelds. because the Ross rifle so often jammed during the German attack. Sir Douglas Haig decided that the whole Canadian Corps ought to be armed with the Lee-Enfield and the Army Council adopted his advice.

MJLSXBTE OFEBATIOITS,

CHRISTIANIA. January 30

The crew of the sunken German submarine state that for live days they endeavoured to keep her alloat until only the’tower was above water. Then they sent up rockets, attracting a Norwegian ship.

LONDON, January 30

The Norwegian vessels Theresoal (1762 tons), and Pulton (1030 tons) have been sunk.

Sinkings: The Norwegian vessel Argo has been mined and nine of the crew were lost. The Norwegian Hallbjoerg, the British Cambrian Range, and the Portuguese Foxdodouro have been sunk. COPENHAGEN, January 30.

The seamen released from the Yarrowdale state that the crews of the armed vessels whicli the Moew r e sank were detained as prisoners in Germany for the period of the war. They include Americans, Swedes, Dutchmen, and Danes.

POOS SUPPLIES,

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Assn & Reuter)

AMSTERDAM, January 30,

Herr Batocki, the Food Dictator, in a speecli recently, declared that supplies were sufficient only by the most careful distribution and economical use. Calculating potatoes into the value of corn there would be for the current year two million tons of corn less for human and animal consumption. The assets of Roumania would only gradually Improve conditions owing to transport difficulties.

OEITEBAI. CABLES.

LONDON, January 30

The King, In a message to county Lord-Lieutenants, thanks them for the enthusiastic response to his father’s 1907 appeal for assistance in the formation of the Territorials, who fought shoulder to shoulder with the regulars in France. Gallipoli, .Egypt, and Mesopotamia with equal courage and fortitude. He adds:

“They are superior to the enemy’s best. I canot forget the prompt and patriotic response to Lord Kitchener’s call for troops for the garrisons in India. We must organise for home defence a force of volunteers to replace the Territorials. I am confident you will loyally support the organisation for defence of your loved country.” Twenty women carpenters have gone to France, and others are training in readiness to wear khaki. They will wear shirts, riding breeches, and puttees, and be employed in hut building for the troops. They will work ten hours a day. Some have husbands fighting at the front. The Bishops have refused permission to clergymen to enlist in the army on legal grounds. Many clergymen are now offering in the National Service scheme. The Bishop of Salisbury strongly encourages them. Lloyds are leading a movement to establish a West End residential club for lonely overseas officers with 200 bedrooms, reading and smoke rooms. AMSTERDAM, January 30.

There is anxiety owing to the reported continued German concentrations on the Dutch frontier north-cast of the province of Over.iissel. Forty thousand troops have newly arrived at two border towns and also much artillery. ROME, January 30.

In order to re-establish communication at some points on the Italian front is has been necessary to pierce tunnels 500 yards through avalanches of snow.