MAN OF MYSTERY

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 787, 18 August 1916, Page 7

MAN OF MYSTERY

A GERMAN COMMANDER

IS VON MACKENSEN ON THE SOMME FRONT?

BRITISH AND FRENCH TAKE TRENCHES RAPID PROGRESS IN GERMAN EAST AFRICA EXPORT OF GOODS TO SWEDEN PROHIBITED The British Forces in German East Africa are making progress. Smuts and van der Venter are converging, and naval forces are occupying important positions on the coast. An American rumour has it that General von Mackensen is Germany's mysterious ruler on the Somme front. In the Somme region both the British and French have made substantial advances, chiefly in the regions of Maurepas and Guillemont. The French War Office is granting leave to soldiers whose wives present them with babies. French experts hint at the possibility of new enemy operations on the Eastern front, aimed simultaneously at the forces of Generals Brussiloff and Lechitsky. Export of goods from Great Britain to Sweden has been prohibited except under the most strict license.

GERMANY’S MYSTERIOUS COMMANDER. VON MACKENSEN SAID TO BE ON SOMME FRONT. HOPES BRITISH WILL CONTINUE THEIR ATTACKS. By Cable. —Press Association. — Copyright. Australian and SCable Association. (Received August 18, 9.50 a.m.) NEW YORK, August 17. The Berlin correspondent of the ‘‘.New York Times,” who interviewed the Gcnuaii Commandor-in-Chicf on the Somme, represents him as saying;—-“I hope the British offensive will continue. Wo have several hamlets which I will gladly sacrifice for the loss of 20,000 British each.” The “New York Times” says: —‘‘There is reason to believe this mysterious Herman (,‘ommander-in-Chief on the Homme is General von Maekensen. A message I'oceiveil yesterday stated Hint- the Berlin correspondent of the “New York Times” says: —“I spent two evenings with the man of mystery who is in command of the chief German armies on the Somme. Jlis name is unknown even to the German people. I am not permitted to disclose it. 1 asked him if (he English offensive was weakening, and he replied: ‘No, despite their very heavy losses, the British will come back again. They arc stubborn foes, but, though the British offensive should last for two months or perhaps longer, I am prepared for a winter campaign. The British arc tough, dogged, and determined, but they will not get past me. ’ ’ ’

TIGHTENING THE BLOCKADE. EXPORT OF GOODS TO SWEDEN STOPPED. BRITISH GOVERNMENT WILL RUN NO RISKS. Renter's Telegrams. (Received August 18, 1.35 p.m.) LONDON, August 17. Tlie Government has decided to prohibit all exports to Sweden, except ujider the most stringent license. The trouble was first brought to a head by a law passed on April 17, prohibiting importers from furnishing exporters in the United Kingdom with information regarding the disposal of imports. The exporters, therefore, often had to admit the challenge of the Customs that they were unable to supply this essential information. Great Britain has, therefore, decided to make exports to Sweden in the future dependent on the production of a guarantee, signed by the importer, and endorsed by the Swedish Government, that the goods and their products shall not be re-exported.

BRITISH SUCCESS IN EAST AFRICA. SMUTS AND VAN DEE VENTER ADVANCING. NAVAL FORCE OCCUPIES IMPORTANT CENTRE, Australian and X./. Coble Association. (Received August IS, 10.25 a.in.) LONDON, August 17. Lieutenant-General Smuts, advancing on August 1;> from (lie Nguru Mountains, overcame slight opposition, and readied tlio junction of the principal tracks to Mrogoro and Kilossa. Our columns arc now clear of the difficult hilly country, and only 25 miles of open steppe separate us from the central railway. Colonel van der Venter, further westward, occupied Mpapua, and is moving towards Kilossa. Our Naval Brigade on August 15 occupied the important military coastal station of Bagamojo, 3G miles northward of Dar-cs-Salem.

REAL ENEMIES OF GERMANY. PEOPLE WHO PRATE ABOUT VICTORY. STRAIGHT SPEAKING BY MAXIMILIAN HARDEN. jiuttmlioii urn! X.Z. Cable Association. {Recei vcd August 18. 10.25 a.in.) BERNE, August 17. 11 (‘it Maximilian Harden, in an arliele in Ids journal, “Dio Zukunfl," which has since licru suppressed by tho German authorities, says:—“ Germany's worst enemies are the braggarts who are trying to make Germans believe that tin* war has been won. “The hour has not yet come for Germany to divide the world and set lb* the future of the nations. “Who can promise, if the Russians are now driven back, that they will not return, as formidable as ever, next spring. “France is still ardent with righteous fury. The resolution of Great Britain and Franco is declared in the Somme offensive, which is only a fragment of the coming great offensive. “Only the future can show whether this is an empty boast. - ’ y ■ POSSIBLE NEW MOVEMENTS IN THE EAST. ENEMY MAY STRIKE IN TWO SECTORS. BRI7SSILOFF PREPARED FOR EMERGENCIES. Heater's! Telegrams. (Received August 18, 1.35 p.m.) PARIS, August 17. French experts arc discussing the possibilities of an AusfroGcrman counter-offensive from Kovel towards Lutsk, simultaneously with an attack against General Lechitsky's left wing. General Brnssiloff is prepared for such au attempt. ,