GENERAL WAR NEWS

Southland Times, Issue 17734, 11 August 1917, Page 2

GENERAL WAR NEWS

EARLIER CABLES THE WEST FRONT. (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, August 9. The United Press correspondent at Headquarters reports that the sunshiny day stimulated aerial and artillery warfare on both sides. Aeroplanes were swarming in the thunderous cloudy skies, the Germans desperately endeavouring to ascertain changes in the British front since the unspeakable weather began. There were numerous local fights. The enemy heavily shelled the lines north-eastward of Loos, in the region of the Ypres-Comines canal and the Lombaertzyde sector. The Canatlians raided north-westward of Lens. The British gassed the Germans along the sand dunes. Sir Douglas Haig reports; The French have advanced northwards of Bixschoote. Our fire drove off the enemy northwards of Rocux. PARIS, August 0. M. Marcel Hutin states that the British storming troops made successful raids in the Nicuport and Lombaertzyde region, securing useful information and prisoners. The Kaiser is reviewing and deluging Prince Rupprecht’s divisions with speeches. Dr Michaclis has joined the Kaiser. CIVILIANS LEAVE ARMENTIERES. PARIS, August 9. The civilian population has been compelled to evacuate Armcntiercs. The enemy for some days has thrown a multitude of small shells containing a colourless liquid which evaporates slowly, producing heavy gas, which filters through passages and descends into cellars. The effects are similar to those of lachrymatory shells. Women are the chief sufferers. The use of tobacco Is found to be an antidote. TERRIFIC GUN FIRE. i AMSTERDAM, August 9. Terrific gun fire in a westerly direction was heard on the frontier on Wednesday afternoon accompanied by three great explosions. AUSTRIA FEARS ITALIAN OFFENSIVE. WASHINGTON, August 9. Official advices state that Austria is franticaly fortifying, fearing an early Italian offensive. She refused Germany's request to transfer many Austrian divisions to Russia, and instead mobilised older Austrians. for the Russian campaign. Vienna believes the Italian ofieusive is the most serious danger to the Central Empires this autumn. LATEST SUBMARINE PLANS. LONDON, August 9. The naval correspondent of the Times says over 50 per cent, of vessels attacked have been sunk despite increases in armed vessels. The failure of the German timetable has caused a change in the submarine plans. Germany has abandoned indiscriminate methods and is concentrating on specialised attacks on selected vessels with large cargoes. .AMSTERDAM, August 9. Germany aims at intensified destruction of British shipping and will shortly concentrate submarining exclusively thereon. WASHINGTON, August 9. Austria is said to be increasing her submarines in the Adriatic and the Medterraneau. MARTIAL LAW IN GREECE; ATHENS, August 9. At a stormy sitting of the Chamber an Opposition member denounced the press restrictions and shouted “down with Venizelos.” He pleaded for freedom for Opposition criticism but emphasised that the Government was determined to etush any attempt at reaction. Parliament passed the bill to establish martial law. KING AND FOREIGN POLICY. LONDON, August 9. In the House of Commons Lord Robert Cecil, in reply to Mr Lynch, said there had been no violations of constitutional practice whereby the Foreign Secretary dealt with all letters and telegrams relating to international policy. Mr Lynch inquired whether there was any record of pre-war correspondence between the King and the Kaiser or Prince Henry of Prussia. Lord Robert Cecil referred Mr Lynch to the Command Paper issued thereanent. Mr Lynch : Has the King made foreign policy and, if so, ever pursued it without reference to the Foreign Office. The Speaker ; That raises a very different question. Mr Bonar Law, referring to the Kaiser’s telegram to President Wilson, said there had been no change in constitutional practice. The sovereign takes no independent action in foreign affairs. Mr Bonar Law said the Government was considering the question of denouncing the most-favoured nation clauses in commercial treaties, but it was one of considerable complexity. AMERICA’S PART. WASHINGTON, August 9. Mr Guthrie, British Traffic Commissioner, is having a conference with Mr Hurley for the purpose of formulating Anglo-American control of trans-Atlantic shipping. It is expected to begin next week eliminating nonessentials and saving extensive space for foods and munitions. One-third of the 587,000 have been drafted, and are mobilising on September 1. NEW YORK, August 9. The Slants Zeitung, a local German organ, says the Germans are now realising that if the war continues into 1918 that America will be an immense factor. The problems of transporting and feeding troops in Europe will be solved. Germans are no longer using a tone of superiority towards America’s war efforts. There is no reason why the Allies should be dissatisfied with Americ.fti slow but sure preparations. EMPIRE DEVELOPMENT. LONDON, August 9. Mr Walter Long, speaking at the West Indian Club, said our distant dominions and dependencies had played a part in the war 1 winning for them eternal honour. They had left their mark upon the conduct ol the war, rendering it absolutely certain that the Empire in future could not be anything like the immediate past. We had been thinking overmuch of England and ovcrlittle of the Empire. He hoped they might yet follow Mr Joseph Chamberlain’s advice to think imperially and accept the King’s advice “Wake up, England,’’ placing the Empire on a more practical, commercial and common-sense basis than in past years. GENERAL ITEMS. WASHINGTON, August 9. Mr Elihu Root, the American Commissioner to Russia, told the President that a republic would unquestionably eventuate in Russia. PETROGRAD, August 9. The Minister of Justice announced that the charges against M. Tehernoff had been proved to be baseless and he has resumed his former post in the Cabinet. OTTAWA, August 9. The Senate rejected, by 34 to 25, an amendment in the Compulsion Bill exempting divinity students.