GENERAL WAR NEWS

Southland Times, Issue 17777, 1 October 1917, Page 2

GENERAL WAR NEWS

EARLIER CABLES THE WESTERN FRONT. (By Telegraph. —Fresa Assn.— Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, Sept. 28. Sir Douglas Haig reports: We broke up a hostile counter-attack last evening against our positions at Zonnebeke and cleared up isolated strong points southward of Tower Hamlets and Polygon Wood. We carried out successful raids south-westward of Cherisy. There is considerable hostile artillery activity southward of Lens. Correspondents at British Headquarters estimate that forty German divisions have been exhausted in the battles in Flanders since July 31. Ten have been broken and withdrawn since the commencement of the battle of Menin road a week ago. The French communique states: The enemy thrice attacked north-west of Tahure and west of Navar, in the Argonne. We prevented him reaching our lines. The enemy suffered heavy losses. Our air squadrons heavily bombed aerodromes, railway stations, and cantonments. All objectives were attained. RUSSIAN TANGLE. PETROGRAD, Sept. 28. An All-Russian Democratic Conference has opened. Twelve hundred delegates are present. All the Provisional Ministers are present. M;Tcheidze, in the inaugural speech, said the reason for the conference was the grave condition of the country. M. Avksenheiff saic( the time had come for democracy to collect its forces and prevent an irreparable catastrophe. He reported that M. Lenin had arrived at Petrograd. Orders had been issued for his arrest, but he must not be arrested if be appeareid at the conference. M. Terestcbenko, Minister of Foreign Affairs, has resigned in consequence of revolutionary attacks. Thus the Cabinet is now exclusively Socialist.

The Kief! Soviet refuses to hand over Generals Denekim, Markoff, and Elsiner to the special commission of enquiry. The Soviet demands a direct military courtmartial.

COPENHAGEN, Sept. 28,

General Kaledin has been elected Superior Alaman, of Ukraine, and becomes actually master of Southern Russia between the Dniester and the Don. He possesses an army in fighting trim, and thus becomes a dangerous adversary of M. Kerensky. AMERICAN MEWS. WASHINGTON, Sept. 28. After October 15 the Government requisitions every American merchantman over 2500 tons. The ships will be operated by the owners under Government super-, vision. Mr MacAdoo has announced a new liberty loan of three billions at 4 per cent. 'The State Department has announced the creation of a peace information bureau. Colonel E. M. House, unofficial adviser to Mr Wilson, heads the bureau, which is not connected with peace negotiations now. ITALIAN RAIDS. LONDON, Sept. 28. Italian official: Our airmen,' aiming at the interruption of the railway traffic to the Bazza Valley, caused the destruction of. the railway plant at Podzerba. A bombarding squadron reached Pola effectively and bombarded the arsenal, also the ’submarine base at Olivi Reef, dropping three tons of explosives. GERMAN FINANCIAL LOSSES. AMSTERDAM, Sept. 28. Speaking at his election as Rector of Berlin University, Professor Penck declared that the German losses abroad were enormous, amounting to nearly three trillion m&rks in English hands alone, which were irreplaceable. Germany must begin where she stood eighty years ago, but if the loss was compensated by large colonial acquisitions they need not be frightened of the future outlook.

CANADA’S SHARE.

OTTAWA, Sept. 28,

Mr Newton Rowell, leader of the Ontario Liberal Opposition, recently returned from the front, states that Australia and New Zealand exceeded Canada’s war effort. Canada’s actual effective contribution in men was 348,418. On the basis of Australia’s contribution Canada ought to contribute 200,000 more. HONOURS FOR NEW ZEALANDERS. LONDON, Sept. 28. The bar to Military Medals has been awarded to Sergeant P. A. Gordon (Wellington), and Private C. Quinn (Auckland). Thirty-eight Military Medals have been awarded to New Zealanders. COAL MINERS’ WAGES. LONDON, Sept. 28. A conference of the Miners’ Federation decided to accept the Coal Controllers’ offer of an increase of Is 6d daily for workers over sixteen and ninepence for workers under that age. It is estimated that the offer involves an annual increase in miners’ wages of £20,000,000. GENERAL ITEMS. BERNE, Sept. 28. The Liberal party of the Austrian Reichsrath introduced a resolution in favour of the formation of a committee of fifty-two to discuss how the Austrian Parliament can most quickly promote the conclusion of peace. A fire completely destroyed the largo German munition works at Emmshopen, near Constanza. ATHENS, Sept. 28. M. Venizelos has given up the War portfolio, which he has offered to General Doughs. AMSTERDAM, Sept. 28. Only smuggled German newspapers are arriving in consequence of serious internal trouble. Travellers leaving Germany are searched for newspapers. The Military Wochenblatt announces that General von Demling, of Zabern notoriety, is about to be pensioned. It is believed be is to be made the scapegoat for the Verdun failure. LONDON, Sept. 28. Newspapers applaud the raid on St. Denis aerodrome, pointing out that it prevented raiders starting for London.