War News.

Woodville Examiner, Volume XXVIII, Issue 4627, 7 May 1915, Page 4

War News.

Speech by Mr Asquith. London, May 4. Mr Asquith, addressing the wholesale and retail traders, said 260,000 out of 480,000 shop assistants of military age had enlisted, also 170,000 shop clerks and travellers out of 310,000. He added :—“ I am not ashamed to call myself an optimist. Not that 1 underrate the prowess of the enemy or the gravity of the struggle, but because I believe, first and foremost, in the righteousness of our cause, next, because I am confident we will leave nothing untried or undone to bring our cause to a decisive and glorious issue. Here there must not be a man ox a woman who, at the end of the struggle, will not be able to say, : ‘ I was not idle in the greatest task in the storied annals of our country, which it has ever fallen to the lot of Britain to achieve in her chronicles.’ ”

Russian Successes. Peteoorap, May 5. Our troops in Khoridalmon region after three days’ fighting, opened a determined offensive against the Turkish corps under Khalil Bey. We completely defeated the enemy, who left 3500 dead on the field. We captured a Turkish hospital with the entire staff. The pursuit of the enemy continues. The Russians on Sunday occupied at South Wyskow, several points of the greatest strategical importance. Fifty thousand Austro - Germans violently attacked the Russians between Koztova and Wyskow, but the Russians diverted their passing troops and placed eighty thousand in the battle line, and almost surrounded the Germans, who retreated, leaving 2500 prisoners. Official.—Our fire prevented the enemy, after reaching the right bank of the Dunajetze, advancing further. The fight at Tunesow was desperate. The Russians took hundreds of prisoners. One hill near Golovetzko changed hands thrice, and remains in our hands. We captured twelve hundred, including five officers. The fleet bombarded the forts on the right_ flank of the Cbatalarvja position, and Fort Karaburnu on the sea shore.

Naval Guns Assist. Athens, May 5. The heavy naval guns co-operat-ing with the army isolated a number of Turkish columns at various points on the peninsula and forced them to surrender. The enemy burns every village he abandons.

In Retaliation. Paius, May 5. Unless the Germans relinquish gas the French will retaliate with hand grenades containing chemicals paralysing men for gevei'al minutes. Journalists witnessed the tests of the new invention.

New Line. London, May 5. General Sir John French reports that the loss of ground resulting from the use of gas last week necessitated readjustment of the line in front of Ypres, and this was successfully completed on Monday night. The new line runs to the west of Zonnebecke. The situation is now normal on the whole front that was attacked. The Telegraaf says the bombardment of Ypres latterly was terrible. The inhabitants have shown the greatest courage, but many are now departing.

Japan and China. Tokio, May 4. The Chinese - Japanese negotiable: s have come to a deadlock, and there is apprehension tl\at Japan may take action. Japan is particularly anxious to share Britain’s pre ferrntial position in the Yang-tz< China conceded most of the de mauds, but postponed the demam that China should not permit t foreign Power to establish a base the province of l r etk• ■• >i - <' in»i declined to accede U' Hu- employ ment of Japanese advisers. China declined to concede the Yang-tze railway rights because they conflicted with another Power. Hioke, the Japanese delegate, announced he must withdraw the offer conditionally to restore Kiaochau, May 5. The Japanese Cabinet is considering an ultimatum, as China’s action is considered to be dilatory.