GENERAL WAR NEWS

Southland Times, Issue 17971, 12 March 1917, Page 2

GENERAL WAR NEWS

EARLIER CABLES THE DARDANELLES REPORT. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright) (Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, March 9. Comment on the Dardanelles report is of a most scathing character though there is a variety of opinion as to apportioning the blame to individuals. It is generaly considered that the report sheds a most disagreeable light on the War Councils discussions. Attention is mainly directed to the Tack of systematic procedure and also to the ambiguous nature of experts status at discussions. Most newspapers blame Mr Asquith for not insisting that experts should give their views fully and frankly. Some are indisposed to accept the censure of Lord Kitchener, pointing out that he might have justified the delay in sending the Twenty-ninth Division. Mr Asquith will ask the Government whether it will grant a day for the discussion of the Dardanelles report and publish the evidence. It is understood that debate will he permitted, but it is unlikely the evidence will be published without careful editing. The Daily Chronicle regrets the publication of the Dardanelles report in war time because essential effects and material features are withheld, making seriously for injustice. The Daily News says whatever blame attaches to Lord Kitchener the fact remains that his foresight and dominant personality save Britain from irretrivable disaster in this war.

THE SUBMARINE CAMPAIGN. PROBLEM NOT YET SOLVED LONDON, March 9. Sir E. Carson, First Lord of the Admiralty, at the Aldwy Club, said: “I openly confess we have not yet satisfactorily solved the problem, wherewith the navy is grappling to maintain supremacy of the sea. Nothing would be gained by exaggerating or minimising the anxieties we feel as to the grave position of the nation to-day. We have to deal with an enemy who has set at nought all humanities. The man-power of our race will assert itself, but it must know its task and pay no attention to amateur strategists. YVs could not afford to gamble with the fleet. If we failed it would mean the end of the Empire. If the Germans gambled with their fleet it would not mean even the end of the war. He was determined to see that our sailors have full scope without interference. He declared: “I am neither a coward nor a pessimist. Wo will stick to it to the end.” He instanced the Navy's gigantic effort. We had 150 small patrol boats at the outbreak of the war and 3000 now. They must not under-estimate the difficulty and danger of dealing with the submarine and mine-layers. Mines had been laid as far as the Cape of Good Hope, the Gulf of Aden and Colombo. The men in the mine-sweepers were momentarily risking their lives, and were feeding Britain. "I do not believe,” said Sir E. Carson, “the sailors of any other country would face those dangers. Honest Englishmen would be ashamed of a strike in shipyards and arsenals if they understood the Navy's privations. Haig a million tons had been sunk in February, whereof half was British.” He believed still more drastic restrictions on imports would be necessary.

TEE EFFECT ON GERMANY. ROME, March 9. Advices from Berlin state that the failure of the submarine warfare has led to a violent agitation against Dr von Bethmann-Hollweg and his colleagues. A crisis is regarded as inevitable. The Kaiser has summoned von Buelow and von Tlrpitz to headquarters. THE WEST FRONT PARIS, March 9. Semi-official: Though the situation on the Ancre is momentarily stationary the British continue driving in the German flanks on both sides of the river. Artillery activity at Verdun continues concentrated on the left of the Meuse, where the French are ceaselessly battering the German works. An amended Government Bill for the mobilisation of civilians provides for voluntary enrolment of both sexes from 17 to 60 years, and eventual compulsion. COVET ZEPPELIN’S DEATH WASHINGTON, March 9. A message from Philadelphia say that Countess Anna Dagenfeld, Count Zeppelin’s niece, is of opinion that Count Zeppelin’s death was due indirectly to the failure of his balloons to accomplish the purpose intended by their inventor. The Countess recently received a letter from Count Zeppelin wherein the Count expressed regret that his balloons had not been more effective over the British. GERMAN RAIDER NEW YORK, March 9. The freighter Suruga has arrived from Havre. The captain reports that a mysterious craft of cargo type, two masts, and one funnel, approached the Suruga on February 20 off the Azores, completely circled round, and then disappeared. No signals were shown. Her description is similar to that of the Atlantic German raider. AUSTRALIAN COASTAL ROUTES MELBOURNE, March 10. In the House of Representatives Mr Cook said he had received advice from the Admiralty that although the risk of a raider on Australian coastal routes may not be great, the Admiralty considers that shipowners and cargo owners should act with prudence in the matter of insurance. THE HUNGARIAN PREMIER ROME, March 9, Advices from Switzerland state that Count Tisza’s fall is imminent. UNITED STATES INVESTMENTS WASHINGTON, March 9. The Federal Reserve Board, stating that the warning in November was misunderstood. now endorses investments in foreign loans.

GERMAN PLOTTERS IE AMERICA WASHINGTON, March 9. The New York World says German plotters bought a tract of high-lying land opposite the military academy at West Point. The Federal authorities are investigating. A semi-official source states that a powerful wireless plant In Mexico City has established direct communication with Germany. An investigation has been ordered. It is believed efforts were made by Germany to persuade President Carranza to invade Guatemala with the promise that Mexico would hold Guatemala in the event of Germany’s success. The plans involved British Honduras. The grand jury is investigating the von Igl documents. NEW YORK, March 0. Captain Alfred Frltzen, a German officer, has been arrested at Los Angeles. He is alleged to be connected with plots to destroy the Welland Canal in Canada. It is believed connection between Fritzen and the German Consul, Bopp, has been established. Wizen visited Cuba and Mexico recently. GENERAL ITEMS. LONDON, March 9. At Lord Devonp art’s instance the Produce Exchange has convened a meeting of the principal provision firms throughout the country. It has been decided to fix maximum prices for butter, cheese, bacon, and lard and to prohibit intertrading. Importers must only sell to retailers and not to importers except without profit on commission. Similarly wholesalers must only sell to retailers who can only sell to consumers.

Mr Lloyd George has sent a personal letter to every farmer urging him to sow every acre and defeat the last hope of the Prussian submarines. PARIS, March 9.

The Archbishop of Cologne, a faithful friend of the Kaiser, has issued a pastoral ordering the ISth to be devoted to prayer, because the nation will be on the eve of military events which will decide the future of the Fa.tb racimvi.