HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance, 1916-09-21, Page 9BRITISH "HELL" MACHINES
3 BROKE GERMANS' SPIRIT
rritish Armored Cars Caused Consternation
Whell They Started Work
No Way to Fight Them, and Nothing Stopped
Their ilrive.
(By Frederick Palmer.)
Accredited Correspondent With the
British Army of the Press,
At the British Front, Sept. 16.-1,Vith
ceaseless shell fire from unprecedented
concentrations ot guns the battle rag-
ed furiously all day, with the Britigh
makbeg good, their advance of yester-
day, where the Germans were rushing
up reserves from other parts of the
western front.
The demoralization of their infantry
Yesterday by the use of the new Brit -
!eh armored motor cars called "tanks,"
was freely confessed by prisoners I
talked with to-deY. "There was no
standing against thee sort ot thing,"
said one German officer. "Of course
we surrendered, those of us who were
alive. We fired at a teak with our
rifles, Our machine guns were turned
loose on it. But the bullets were
only blue sparks on the armor, We
thought the British slow and stupid,
despite their courage and stubborn-
ness, and they gave us a surprise like
this."
IS IT UNDER CONTROL?
A column of German prisoners
passing a "tank," rejoicing in the
,nickname of "creme de mentb.e,"
which had just returned from the bat-
tle, and was resting from its labors,
spread out their hands and shook
their heads and looked at it, exclaim-
ing in a chorus: "Meiu Gott in him-
‚mell-is it under control? It won't
break out and begin firing again?
II Will we ever forget oar first sight of
the thing as it came at us out of the
morning mist? It is not war usiag a
Piece of machinery like that; it is
butchery."
To this a British officer replied:
"No, it is quite peaceable and tame
now. It has just been fed. As for it
not being war, it is quite In keeping
with The Hague convention. which
Your gas attack at Ypres was not."
There seems no question that Fri-
day was the most dramatic day in the
history of the British army in Franca.
The Germans themselves were mass-
ing at many points, it appears, with
a view to attacking to recover some
of the high ground they had lost. The
British anticipated the German at-
tack with their own onslaught, assist-
ed by their new hell machines. whose
seeret they had been keeping up their
sleeves for just such an occasion as
this.
GERMAN LOSSES EVEVIENSE.
Both accounts of wounded British
soldiers and prisoners takea from all
parts of the line agree that the Ger-
man losses were immense. As a rule
the forces in the front-linetrenches
support patrols in the shell craters in
the Somme battle area in email num-
bers with a plentiful supply of ma-
chine guns. This means a smaller force
expoted to artillery concentration in
cam of an attack. If machine guns
are silenced in the front trench taken
then the reserves are expected, un-
der cover of artillery fire from their
side, to retake it by a counter-attack.
Thus, as the Germans intended to at-
tack, they had massee, large numbers
of men in their front trenches. These
were not only caught by the surprise
of the sudden blast of concerted, Brit-
ish guns preceding the charges of the
British infantry, but were raked by
machine-gun fire from the "tanks."'
As the Germans were in new
trenches, which they had built as beet
they could under a continuous shell-
fire and had no dugouts, they could
find no shelter from the murderous
erifilacle from the "tanks." Despite
the German discipline and the bravery
and racial hate which the Germans
,serput alto their fights against the Bri-
tish, at many points mob, confusion
Prevailed among these in the front
lines. Some attempted to surrender,
though surrender seemed impessible
against these walking forts., Others
fired desperately and hopelessly' be-
fore they were mowed down, and
others were paralyzed by the appari-
tion which had no precedent in war-
fare. e
The trenches were filled with. Ger-
man dead and those in flight fell like
grain before the reaper wherever the
"tanks" could direct their sprays of
Lead in their path. The plan, as a
staff officer explained to the corre-
spondent before the attack, was not I
to take either Martinpuieh or Cour-
cellette yesterday, but Go succeseful
was the early morning advance that
the command was given to push on
and by nightfall both places were in
the possession of the British.
These two villages are on the left,
or hinge on the banks of the canal.
opposite Peronne. The German forces
were congeeted here in narrow area
tn order to hold the salient arid pre-
vent the British from widening their
battle line by breaking through More
trontage an the old first line fortifi-
cations from Thie.pval northwards.
se "But the larger the German num-
**berg, the more casualties it meant."
said the officer. "with demoralization
in their front line the Germans threw
torward all the reservee they had and
summoned a divislot from Lille by
train, while according to reports from
• prisonere a.hd observers in aeroplanes
every motor vehicle they had was
bringing, up men and machine guns.
read horse artillery was eutumoned
from right and left to reinforee the
already enormous concentration of
guns."
HEAVIEST YET MADE.
"Alarria" wording to all informa-
tion the laritioli have. best deecribea
the situation of the Germans after the
midden and unexpected await by the
British which was the heaviest they
had made yet.
To -day the Germans were gathering
•••
stances has been to restrain eager bat-
talions and "tactics" attempting to go
too far.
The commander of one regiment.
finding his men rushing beyond the
objective set for them, teepee up on a
htlIcelc and, stending up with face to
the enemy's tire, sounded the bugle
to call halt, but in vain. They went an
and took their second objective an
hour ahead of scheduled time.
"We wanted to have the job ever
with once we were started," said one
of them.
ALL MOWED DOWN,
In one case where no "tank" assisted
tho artillery to silence the machine
guus, the duty of a certain battalion
east to keep up to those on its right
and left. Seventy men went forward;
all were mowed down. Then another
Platoon of seventy rushed ahead; all
were mowed down. But the third sec-
tion, charging over the dead, toot that
German strong point, and thus pre-
vented any break In the line of ad-
vance.
As for the "tanks," stortes of their
progress continuo to be told. One took
on board a German colonel, who eur-
renderecl to it, kept him along through
the fight. Another took command of
the eituation in a shellevreeked beet
sugar factory, sprayieg fire right and
left into the doors of the dugouts. .An-
other ambled in on a German battery
of field guns and with its machine
guns killed the gunners who were not
able to flee from the grotesoue caller.
One which went through the main
street at Piers had a splacard up an
wilich stood the words: "Extra -Full
.Aecount of Great Hun Victory."
SURPRISE TO GERMANS.
Headquarters of the British Army
in France, Sept, 17. -The work of the
new armored cars, in co-operation
with . the British infantry In their
charges in yesterday's successful at-
tack, is the one theme of the talk
thrOughout the army to -day. "The idea
was so good • when it was offered,"
said a staff officer, "that we had some
built, and the way they have gone
over the German trenches and have
enfiladed themswith machine gun fire
is some return for the surprise the
Germans gave us with their gas at-
tacks in the first battle of Ypres."
Evidently the British were able to
keep the building of these cars en-
tirely secret, and the first that the
Germans knew of their existence was
wben. in the misty dawn yesterday
morning, they came trundling across
shell craters and over tree stumps,
cutting down many small trees ore
their way. toward the Getman
trenches on to the second line and
oven to tne third line.
So ludicrous are thee in appearance
that British soldiere lausehed at therm
In the Midst Of the charge and cheered
them as they poured their streams of
machine gun bungee. Like some pre-
historic monaterd they must have
seemed to the dtermana, who were
fc reed to steek safety in ;light or hunt
their dugouts or try to surrender.
DRIV[KG ALONG
UPON TRIESTE
New Italian Offensive
Makes Henry Gains,
• their forces and attempted, a counter-
attack at ;some Pointe to break the
new British lind. while the British sre-
eiSted at these. jethate aSid'etttatked at
others. l'nder -the Pounding of the
moat terrific. elabit, Vire' ntodeers 12ftt1-
iery an prodnee. the stubborn wrest -
tie for Peattiselaerse,t4inatettaineeeelit.P.
Britieli in piateession of more ground
tositlaht than theyaltatieplantied ,te
tekfeteThe only avrivo 4it.etterig eta
-se
Spent Three Weeks Bring-
ing Up Big Guns.
London, Sept. 17. -In their new
drive on the whble Isonzo frontthe
Italians have' broken through the
Austrian line at several points and
captured in the last two days several
thousand officers and men, according
to a brief announcement by the Italian
War Office this afternoon.
Vienna admits officially that Gen-
eral Cadorna's troops 'attacking along
the whole line ftom the Pippaeh
(Vippocco) River to the sea "gained
a little ground."
On the northern wing of the Carso
plateau the Austrians were compelled
to take back their line, so -that it now
stands slightly east of San Gradoll-
merna, Five hundred prisoners ahd
three machine guns were taken In
counter-attacks, it is asserted, In
Tyrol the Austrians are violently at-
tacked on the Fassarie ridge, The cap-
ture by Alpine troops of a point of
upport west •of the summit of Mount
Cauriol also is reported. Austrian sea-
planes raided Vallone and. the Men -
Falcone region.
The first- detailed accoMits of the
-iew Italian offensive on the sotithern
Carso reached Rome today, The last
hree weeks were entirely devoted to
the moving up of heavy artillery and
the preparation of dugouts for the
bombardiers. The work was done most-
ly at night-time. as. after the fall of
Gorizia, the Austrians toncentrated
egainst the Italian lines a terrific fire
to prevent. the preparation of a new
offensive.
The new battle front is ten milea
long and lies in a streight line from
north-east of the heights of Gorizla
to the Adriatic. hear $t. Antonio. The
Austrians held strenglysfortfled posi-
tions between the Western slopes of
Monte Santo and Duino Castle.
AUSTRIANS REINFORCED.
After the fall of GOrIzitt General
llorivitchad had asked for and re
eeived several fresh brigades of ixt-
Pantry, besides a large number of guns
of every calibre. The Italian artillery
DreParatiOn began Thiitatlity at three
o'clOck in the morning, Wheit hum
elreds of Mins began throesing tohs of
1 steel against Casten:wine, whicb
' domine.tes on the north -oast the road
to Dornberg and On south -wet road
tO.00Inen, whose entrenchea weer d0.
fends the read to Trieste.
ISIthe newS of the attack, was en-
teredjfaTrieste On the Setrie day,
-4
v. •
when tw.entyasese Ottpronhe borehersame
the arsenal. D'Annunito was among
the ilets. The observers dropped
numerous cards expressing the hope,
that the day of aeliveranee was near.
The infantry attacked again at it
oselock in the afternoon, when Vi.
bombardiers who, Under over of the
artillery fire, had crawled up to the
entanglements, completed the work sat
the artillery. One hour later the
weole line from the Wippach to the
Adriatic was In the hands of the Ital.
:anti. The Austrians were fottad dazed
In the trenches and surrendered with-
out resistituce. The Austrian lessee
were especially heavy on Hill No. 208,
the fortifications of which were the
subject of a heavy and prolonged
bombardment.
The battle .continues. Fresh infan-
try columns baelc of the lines advance
hourly, taking up the work of tired
troop,
SAW STRICKEN ZEP,
Maud Allan, the Dancer, in
Late London Raid.
New 'nark Report. -Miss IVIaud Al-
lan, classic dancer, who will coon tour
the United States an Canada, and
who arrived yeetereay on the Lapland,
told of a narrow escape she had in the
last Zeppelin raid on London, Sept. 3,
when thirteen Zeppellries bombarded
the eaet coast of kngland, and three
succeeded in dropping bombs on Lon-
don itself.
Mise Allan said she was awakeaed
at, 2.30 in the morning by the heavy
firing of the auti-aircraft artillery in
a near -by arsenal.
"Shrapnel began falling all around,
and Londoners had a, taste of real
warfare," she said, "We watched the
tiny, cigar -shaped object, which was
occasionally illuminated by one of
the high-power searchlights. Suddenly
a spark glowed at the end of the air•
ship, and soon little tongues of flame
could be seen spurting from various
parts of the envelope. Two explosions
followed, and the Zeppelin burst into
a mare oe flames.
"It remained stationary a moment,
then swayed, and dropped with amaz-
ing rapidity. The following morning
t found many plecee of shrapnel and
burst shells in my garden, which
showed what a narrow eseape we all
had."
BRITISH PLANES
RAM PALESTINE
17
Turks' Railway Communica-
tions Are Damaged.
Enemy Camp Also Success-
fully Bombed.
London, Sept. 17. -The following re-
port was issued by the British War
Office to -day:
"Between August 25 and 29 a series
of attacks and reaannoessances upon
tho enemy's railway eommunicetions
In Palestine were "serried cut by a
British seaplane squadron under some-
what hazardous conditions, dueto the
fact that the railway runs for the most
part behind a range of mountains dif-
ficult for seaplanes to surmount.
"Bombs were dropped on Afulell
Junction, where considerable damage
was done to the rolling stock and
stares in the vicinity. A railway
engine and fourteeri carriages were•
sent afire and destroyed. The rellway
stations at Tulkerm and .Ardana and
an enemy camp four miles to the
northwest were successfully combard
ed and severely damaged.
"On the 26th seaplanes bombarded
the railway station at Home, 45 miles
inland."
RUSSIAN DRIVE
SWIM AHEAD
Is Resumed in Both Galicia
and Volyhynia.
Nearer to Lemberg-Halicz
Soon to Fall. -
• 1 .s.4ifk
ONTARIO WENT
DRY WITHOUT
ANY UPROAR
Very Little Demonstration
As the Sale of Liquors
Ended,
QUEER WINDSOR CASE
Citizens Who "Tanked Up'
in Detroit Excluded
Prom City.
...1••••••••••••••••••
Toronto, Sept, 18 -Toronto admirers
af strong liquor bade a quiet farewell
to the bar. The long -heralded comieg
of prohibition was attended by praeti-
oallY no serious disorder -"there was
aothing doing" -as the police reserves
put it. After the wind-up the down-
tewn etreetseof the city were plenti-
fully sprinkled with "drunIce." As the
evening wore ea tney were more and
more in evidence, the pocket aupply of
whiskey, gin, ete., beginning to show
its effects. The police, ilowever, were
more than usually forbearing, ana
the round -up for the night was actu-
ally lase than a week previous.
In anticipation of excitement a big
crowd of people came down -town Sat-
urday evening and congregated around
um hotels. But they had. little fun for
tneir trouble. The only real disturb-
ance was at the corner of Queen and
Victoria streets, where a cumber of
over -laden enthuelasts pulled a street
car trolly off the wire.
The absenee of disorder was due
to two factors; the earnest desire of
the hotelmen themselves to prevent
trouble -a desire that in raany cases
was expeeeeed by the voluntary Mos-
ing of bars some time before the legal
closing hour -and the shortage of
whiskey and other strong liquors. A
mend of the downtown bars after
five o'clock was a hopeleee quest if
tile thirsty hunter was looking for a
drink of whiskey, adn after six it
was almcet impossible to get it.
THROUGHOUT THE PROVINCE.
Guelph, Sept. 17. -Those who were
looking for excitement when the On-
tario Temperance Act came into
force at seven o'clock Saturday night
were disappointed. Nothing happened
in the way of a demonstration.
Belleville, Septa 17. -In the ushering
in of prohibition at least four hotels
in this city will be closed up, as they
have not beeu granted a Standard ho-
tel license. Under license there were
fourteen hotels, and ten have been
granted the new license. The houses
closed up are the Dominion, Victoria,
Internaticaal and Kyle.
Kitchener, Sept. 17. - Some of the
barrooms will open to -morrow as
lunch rooms and others will dispose of
soft drinks, including two and a half
Per cent. alcohol beer. All of the ho -
leis in the two towns have been grantee:
ed Standard hotel licenses.
Kingston, Sept. 17. -Three of the
Kingston holders ot liquor licenses
liaise been denied a standard license
by the Ontario Licease Board. Those
denied are the proprietors of the Im-
perial, the Collender and the bar at
the outer G. T. R. station. Twelve
Kingston hotels arc given licenses.
St. Catharines, Sept. 17. -All but
four houses in the city and county
nhial\t-se. been issued standard hotel per -
Niagara Falls, Ont., Sept. 17. -The
hotel accomneedation here will not be.
sericusly curtailed as a result of the
new Ontario Temperance Act becom-
ing operative. Three hotels will close,
the Imperial, the Savoy and the Resit.
Chatham, Sept. 17. --The Chatham
city police station has a clean bill to-
day. Not a single arrest was made
last night for drunkenness. although
_hotel bars and liquor, steres were
crowded until 7 o'clock.*
Ottawa, Sept. 17.-Fouateen Ottawa
hotels went out of business at 7
o'clock Saturday night with the pass -
big of the liquor regime tn the Pro-
vince of Ontario. four of them vorun-
tarny and ten through refusal of the
authorities to grant them standard
hotel licenses. Tire retnaining thirty
hostelries will make a trial of the new
conditions.
St. Thomas. Sept. 17. -The Colum -
tin Hotel will be granted a ;special
lacense until Nov. 1. when its lease
expires. All of the thirteen hotels of
the city have now taken out licenses
and will continue In business.
London, Ont„ Sept. 17. -All hotels
bave prepared to operate under stand-
ard licenses, and rates have advanced
50 cents a day all round.
White local temperance men are
jubilant, hotelmen and liquor dealers
assert eltet a reign of unemployment
and stringency is certain to follow.
They aver that a dozen of the twenty'
odd hotels which have taken out
standard licenses will be out of busi-
ness within a few months. .and that
though travellers will pay about 60
cents more per day all round, the same
acecnannodation cannot be given.
Windsor, Sept. 17.--)t. number of
citizens of Windsor who crossed to
Detroit Saturday night following the
closing of the bars here, were dis-
agreeably surprised when returning
tete somewhat worse for rear, they
were informed by the Canadian immi-
gration authorities that as Ontario bad
pon become it dry province they were
"undesirables" and must gobach
across the river.
At the Detroit ide objection was
en
aleo taken to their prestre, and half
.,_
It dozen of the worn eases were turned
ever to the police. The mine thing
(recurred- again to-nIght.
;s
•
. „
SHORT OP 1VIEN •
.•••••••• •••••41.4.4...
.ee
London, Sept. 11. -The Russians
9
bave resumed the drive on Lemberg
with full vigor. The Petrograd War
Office announced to -night that the
Russians have captured Teuton posi-
tions south of Brzezany, 46 miles
southeast of Lembere, taking 14 offi-
cers and 557 Turkish soldiers.
In aa eneircliug movement against
Balicz, '60 relies south of the Ualician
capital,. the Russians have _taken 3,174
German prisoners, including 84 effis
ctolues..The fall of Halicz la expected
liiy
Simultaneously with the resmnation
of the campaign againet Lemberg* the
Rossians took the offensive In Vol-
hsnia. on the whole froht south of
Pinsk.
The German War Office stated tbis
afternoon that the MuScovite attacks
launched "morning, afternoon and
evening" on a front of twelve and a
bell miles, vsith "strong forces and in
numerous waves," were repulsed
everywhere. The Russians lessee are
terined "monstrous" In °Metal reports
from the fighting ground.
Berlin asserts officially that the
Russian ttesauIts between the Sereth
alonsds.the Strypa (Galician front /teeth-
eaat of Lemberg) were equally fruit -
A. slight withdrawal Of Archduke
Karl Isranz josef's front on the Nara-
jovka River is admitted officially by
both nerlIn and Vienna.
SPANISH CELEBRITY DEAD.
Madria, Vim Paris, Cable. -.Tose Mahe.
garay, one of the foremost Spanish dra-
matists, and fortner Minister of Finance,
is dead,
Senor idehetto.ray was born In Madrid,
in Mareh, i135. He served as Minister
of Finance from 1887 to ISM, but is prin.
equally known for Ills plays, some of
which have been translated inte all the
Vurapenn languages. Jointly with the
French pont, Frederic Mistral, he was
;awarded the Nobel prize for literature
in 1914
It tests tnerneY to go to law, Tile
Judgeiehargett thesjaeys but the leetvster
ehargels • „`'
1. . •
„. • -r ••**
* "
•
BULGARS ARE
FALLING BACK
ON MONASTIR
.•,,,•••••••••,,•••••••
Serbians, Avenging Their
Betrayers, Made gavoc
Among Enemy Troops.
•
FLORINA DOOMED
4.44444444^,•••••
Three Ally Forces Converg-
ing On the Centre-
Do'brucija, Front.
London, Sept. 17. - The Bulgarian
right wing in, Macedonia, unable to
check the furious onrush of Serb.
Wrench and Russiau forces is contire
iling to retire northwestward on both
sides of Lake Ostrovo, in the direct-
ion of Monastir. Equally great pres-
sure is executed on their lett wing lite
the British and Italians on the
Struma. The Bulgarian War Office
tete to -night admitted the loss of Ni
efzep and Nina, near Lake ()strove.
he French big guns are keepiag
up an incessant (Wm -afro against the
Bulgarian centre between the Vardar
and Lake Doiran, the defenders' guns
replying vigorously.
The Serbs during the last 24 hours
agate defeated the Bulgarians in bat-
eles before Vetrenik and Katmak-
eaten, east of the Czeran River, ac-
cording to to -day's statement from
Gen. Sarrail's headquarters at Sa-
lonika They also cfrove the Bulgars
.over the Brod River, northwest of
Lake °strove. The defenders are
"powerfully" entrenched on the right
bank of the river, ccording to the
official report.
FALL OF FLORINA NEAR.
Meanwhile the France-Rassian
forces forming the link betweea the
Allied left and centre are pushing
their pursuit of the Bulgarians toward.
elorina. Their advance guards have
arrived before the town, but it is
still held by the Bulgarians, though
its capture is expected hourly.
Seventeen miles to the north of
Florina lies Monastir, the important
Macedonian eity, the possession of
which has for decades been one of
the bones of contention between the
Bulgars and Serbs. it was taken by
the Bulgarians last fall, after terrible
fighting, and has been formidably
fortified during the past twelve
months. The Bulgarians are expect-
ed to make a desperate stand to hold
It. while the. Serbians fighting on
their own soil, will bend might and
main to take it, and thus clear the
path for the reconquest of their icing-
dom. They are led by tbe Serbian
heir -apparent, Prince Alexander, who
has sworn to avenge Bulgaria's "be-
trayal of the Slav cause."
Monastir lost. the Bulgars would he
exposed to a flanking attack from
the • right, for a strong Italian force in
Southern Albania' is eagerly awaiting
a chance to aid from that side in the
alacedonian campaign, and thus es-
tablish a claim for the long coveted
"windows on the Adriatic." As long
as Monastir is safe, it acts as a block-
ing stone to a junction of the Italians
with. the allies.
To -day's Serbian War Office an-
nouncement foreshadowed the capture
ef Florina by stating "the Serbians
have already descended into the Flo -
rine Plains."
WONDERFUL MARCH OF SERBS. •
Powerful as were the first line de-
tences of the Bulgarian right, it was
• awept back with comparative ease by
the embittered dash of the Serbs dur-
ing the last five days. An interesting
psychological factor is that when
Jeneral Sarrail some months ago as-
signed the Serbians to the left wing
the Bulgarian general staff felt con-
siderable relief. Froth that quarter
they .expected the lease danger, for
the Serbian army was generally con-
sidered; irreparably shattered, and its
spirit broken. The Serbian positions
were regarded as defensive rather
than offensive. -The Bulgarian line
wae formidably fortified In antiCipte
den of drumfire from the French big
guns, but open infantry battles were
13 et looked for. „
Thus the spielted Serbia 'onrush
when the signal or the allied offen-
sive was given toot the Bulgars by
surpriee. How precipitate their re-
treat has been is indicated by the
fact that the pursuers captured thirty-
two gune, many, as yet uncounted,
priecners, and huge quantities of ma-
terial. Tremendous losses were in-
flicted on the Bulgars, the Serbian
madquartere report says, one regi-
ment alone losing two-thirds of its
effectives.
Bombardment of Maeda by the En-
tente fleet set on fire the barracks in
one part of the town, but caused no
lose of life, aecording to the Bulgarian
report.
MANY KILLED BY BOMBERS.
Germany is Withdrawing
Even Frontier Guards,
London, Sept. 17.-A despatch to The
Fivcning News from Amsterdam reports
that the Prussian guards along the Dutch
frontier toward both Belgium and (ter,
many have been withdrawn. From /3el*
glum, adds the despatch, numbers offBel.
glan families who for months had ap.
•'tented for permission to •enter lielland
are now steaming across the ime at dif.
Mott points with their belongings piled
on evetzikind of, conveyance.
Tito above report, if eonfirnied, Would
indleate that the Germans are PIA hardly
preFted,fordroett•thdt they are etillIrW,,thik
frouti,er-vdttris !to •the Institute' frpm
.0 41. I,' ow NO E.
A -a.
•• a:set • tes. • - •
.•• •••••••••yr
COSTLY BLAZE,
$501000 Loss in St. Thomas
Factory Fire.
St. Thomas, Sept. 17. -The anost (Us -
0u. and spectacular fire in Bt.
Thomas for several years occurred on
Saturday night, when the buildings and
machinery of the St. Thomas Dehydra.
tIon Co., Limited, and also those of the
Canadian Woodenware Co., Limited, ad.
joining, were entirely destroyed. The
fIre, which is supposed to have been
of incendiary origin, started in the main
three-storey wooden structure of the
Dehydration Company, and although
every effort was made by the fire de.
partment, the whole group of buildings
was burned to the ground 'within an
hour. During the fire a strong south
wind was blowing itnd the burning debris
was carried for many blocks over tho
city, but fortunately no other aerlotis
conflagration developed,
The Dehydration Co., who were manu-
facturers of soup ingredients, and have
already filled large orders for the Brit.
ish Government, were oreparIng to start
operating for the Vali season and had
several carloads of vegetable:3ln transit.
The company, when operating, amploy.
ed about 200 hands, and ran night and
day. The loss of their building and con,
tents is estimated at $40,000, with insur-
ance of $15,000. The loss of the Wooden.
ware -Co. Is about $10,000, with insurance
of $2,600.
SOMETHING OF
NEW WAR ARM
Britain's "Tanks" and
Their Terrific Powers.
Their Worst Effects Not
Known Yet
London, Sept, 16. -The Evening
Standard gives the following details
of the new armored cars used by the
British in the west:
"Britain's latest weapon of war is
nothing more nor less than a huge
land ship fully armored and capalsle
of travelling at fair speed over the
shellsbattered and cratered terrain of
Picardy, Designed, as they are, to
traverse the most difficult country
and to sweep away all obstacles in
their path, they naturally are of fairly
large size, with caterpillar wheels
constructed to cover the widest trench
or shell hole and to enable the vehicle
to tackle almost any depth of mire.
Their crews are protected by varying
numbers of armored plates, any one
of which is impervious to machine
gun or rifle fire as well as shrapnel
bullets, and it is asserted that only a
direct hit from a gun of large calibre
could put one of these monsters out
of commission.
"While from a. defensive point of
view they are almest perfect, their
offensive qualities are even superior,
and when they have cleared a trench
of the enemy or have forced the sur-
vivors into the shelter of their dug-
out, these land ships -Pranks,' as the
Tommies prefer to call them -have
another little surprise in store for the
beaten enemy, about which perhaps
It were wise not to say more.
"'west of the great engineering
works In Britain can claim a share in
the production of these armored ears.
They are built in parts at different
factories in order to preserve the
secret ot their construction. and they
are then assembled at a central fac-
tory under the supervision of experts
of the armored car division.'!
Hall Caine, in a special article, says
he has been told that if the allies had
2,000 "tanks" the war would be ovei
In a month.
Other writers say that the "tanks"
smash trees and other like obstacles
to their progress, including wire en-
tanglements, with the greatest ease.
They carry both large and small guns.
weigh over 400 tons, and have a speed
of fives miles an hour.
Sucee,ssful raids by British patrols
In the region of the Struma, north-
east of Salonika are reported in to-
day's War Office statement 'on oper-
ations along the Macedonian freat,
which follows:
"On the Struma front our patrols
succeesfully raided enemy lines at
Nechori and north of the Beres road
iaSt night,
"On the Doiran front more thati
150 Germans were kilted by our
bombers during the operations of Sep-
tember 13, and in enemy caunters
attacks our machine guns inflicted
(wavy casualties."
French mad Russian trolgiA ad-
vancing rapidly on the \eastern eiAd
of the Entente Macedonian fegat have
arrived tin front of lelorina, close elt
the Serbian border; south brafones-
the the Preneli War Office; anhonneed
in eltim afternoon's ,Official. Statement,
Further east the Serbians .are ael-
vetoing on both sided. of' take thi-
treste, deteeting tilos Balgartantadin Leos
gttgements near slaajrnackalah, arid
continuing to throw troops aeroes the
rieeeslIrOdi Where the, Bulgartans ape
resiettina oo the rightbank' Of tlic
rieer. •
ite? frrit Doattitirk:'
TOlitt's "ufficial "flip4rts4 t&llr t6
thrifty 'anY-definitt iTtht onathdt state
of 1IT1flg} 1i Itonthaffiii.edleelliMbriefty
itrineuncedethis afteeneon; .thetse Meld
Marsha; vem. Meeckelle Wee array, len ine
Dobrudja "ie continulakStlietdtteeutt pf
the enetiye Nonidw" 50E60 is'arn-
Petted trent. 'thesIttnubb MAW tiksir
leffielod Statefeatit lleareiese-4 'lath
ttiettitittefseePatnitellaWiet Itnefetlysstaketi
thatsitaten*Wittu trove .hayse equent
With the ady.atit'e detticliMents Of the
O.len
• * * t 5" it.
' • •• ' esiteee ist• rt•jvra
• •
arie0 • f:'
• SO
SHORT ITEMS
OF THE NEWS
OF THE DAY
Spain Protests to Germany
Against Acts of Her
Submarines.
NOT HES DEAD
Premier Scott, of Saskatche-
wan, Very Low, as Re-
sult of Asthma.
ALLIES GAIN HEAVILY
IN THE SOMME DRIVE
British Repeat Friday's Successes, and Take
Much More Ground
••••*,
French Resume Attack, and Win Two Villages
and Other Posts.
London, Sept. 17. -Both the latitisli
and French increased their galas on
the Somme frolet during the last 24
ho
The British in further attacks Sat-
urday enlarged ground gained in Fri-
day's great drive. They captured 61
()Veers and 1.700 men In straiglztening
out their lines. The number of
prisoners taken indicates that the pro -
mess made in the eourse of Me "nib-
bling process" is important.
Saturday night Sir Douglas Iraig's
troops again extended their galas near
Courcellotte on a front of 11000 yards.
Pushing their linese. Waller north-
eastward against Bat:Shame. At the
came time they captured the formid-
able German stronghold known as the
"Danube" trench. ori a front of about
a mile, near Thimval. and the Pow-
erful fieldwork near tbe Mouguet
farna bitterly contested for maw
weeks. To -day Sir Douglas Haig's
troops repulsed a series of strong Ger-
man counter-attacks and consolidated
yesterday's gains. They took 249 pris-
oners, including six officers.
The total advance made by the Brit-
ish in the two clays' fighting. ;teemed-
ing to Sir Douglas Haig's nigat re-
port, is from one to two miles deep,
and extends over a front s.sf six miles.
Altogether the British captured 4.000
men and 116 officers, 6 guns, 50 ma-
chine guns and much material. To-
day's aerial successes brought the
number of German machinse destroyed
since yesterday morning up to 15.
FRENCH RESUME DR1V11
The French after two slays of com-
parative rest resumed their drive
south of the Somme this afternoon.
They captured the village of Verman-
dovillers and Berny, portions of which
they have held for more than a week.
The day's fighting put tbe French in
possession of the whole ground be -
ween 'the Vermandovillere, Denie-
ccurt and the Denlecourt-13erny sec-
tors. At Deniecourt the Germans are
still desperately defending every inch
of ground, but the two ties of the
southern line of the great salient have
been completely crushed in. General
Fecles infantry added still further to
this success by capturing a number of
trenches between Berny and Barleux.
Repeated furious counter-attacke were
beaten off by the French curtair of
fire. Seven hundred prisoners, includ-
ing fifteen officers, were taken by the
French in the day's advance.
SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S REPORT.
Saturday night's report reads:
"To -day (Saturday), south of the
Ancre we continued our attack in cer-
tain localities, and further progress
1.as been made. iiince yesterday we
advanced to a depth of from 'inc to
two miles on a front of six miles.
"The number of prisoners taken
to -day is over 1,700, of whim 61 are
officers. The total number of prison-
ers captured in the fighting of the
last two days, is over 4,000, of whom
116 are officers.
"Up to the present six guns and
over fifty machine guns are reported
to have been taken or destroyed and
a considerate quantity of war mater-
ial has been captured.
"Further reports on the aerial
fighting on Sept. 15th bring the total
of German machines destroyed to fif-
teen. Another hostile kite balloon
was brought down in flames.this af-
ternoon.
"Two more of our machines are
missing making alto,gether six."
Sir Cavendish Boyle, who was Gov-
ornor ;et Newfoundland 1901-4, died in
London, Eng.
Fishermen report the. catch in
Georgian I3ay as exceptionally light
for this season of the year.
The body of an unidentified man
about 50 years of age Wits discovered
hi Toronto Bay at the foot of York
street. t
Complore returns give William Hun.
ter, Conservative, sixty majority over
C. P. Nelson, Liberal, in Slocan rid-
et.
T o: y
ergeeant-M
ajor joseeph
ilnusr, of the gaoth (Voltigure)
I3a Ll oiC. E. la, .was found in tire
e. Canal, at Ottea.
$Lov aged 6, :publicist) ata
frnetayor of New York, (ied al
hissummer hono at Bedford Hill,
N.., ateea longeillriese.
;Harvey Maranntriatedeisites
while crossingthe $taJohn Moyer.
twee Wadetoelt; t. Da -after 'attend:
liars a political rneetina,* Peeves yleowned.
;Wen/deal Gritchleye of ;the-Strath.-
eena riorse, has. Josen„recoNed byeehe
Icing at Windsor and lave.sted With
'the inaignie °lithe laiptitiguielidd Sete
Itstese ctrdee. eets re, . •
sleen. WattereScotte Premier. sof Sat-
ekatelidwime tee becll-qqrifinsect ese his
•Iihd the past wealreilth an nettle at-
taperof astinha„ quit testa a, yell Joe*
tonditfori,
• • , •
'Weath.• ,ers Isimigorsee
alenetotels' arid SlYeatihlOrrinteS flitere•
sheen Stink lily eubrintrines. The titeWe
,of ilthSa Vetesele liat•PrettraVed and arrisSed
ut Marseilles. •
:Daniel Cliniten aged ,45, of BelMott,
'd led "dr *61'
.. • - '
Sunday afterneen's report reads:
"South of the Acre our troops
echieved turther success. Last eveu.
Ing in the vicinity of Ceureelette we
extended our gains on a front of about
1,000 yards, Jn the neighborhood
of Thiepval we obtained a consider-
able success yesterday evenipg by
eanturing the hostile fortifications
known th Danube trench on a
front of about a rale. Here the
enemy abandoned cousiderable quan-
tities of rifles and equipment. We
also captured the strongly defended
work at lVfouquet Farm, possession of
whicla had been hotly contested for
some weeks past.
'The number of prisoners is in-
creasing.
"A number of succesful minor en-
terprises were also carried out by Us
last night on other parts of tht Brits
Ise front."
Saturday aftrenoon's re,port stated
that all the ground gained Friday
bas been held, including the whole
of the large vfilages of Courcellette,
Martinpuich and Piers, each twice the
size of Guillemont, and added that
250 additional prisoners had been
brought in.
FRENCH REPORTS,
Paris, Sept. 17. -Sunday night's War
Office report reads:
"North of the Somme our artillery
violently bombarded the German of-
ganizations during the day. South of
'the Somme our troops at 2.30 this af-
terneou initiateu the attack at differ-
ent points of the front and won Ines
portant advantages in the villages of
Vermanclovillers and Berny, which we
previously only partly held. Some
Notated places are still resisting. The
whole ground between Vermandovil-
lers and Deniecourt on one side and
between Deniecourt and Berny on the
other, defended by strongly -organized"
systems of trenches. fell into our
hands after desperate fighting, The
fight is still raging in the neighbor -
hod of Deniecourt. Between Berny
and Barleux we captured a number of
trenches. All counter-attacks made by
the Germans during the end of the
day were repulsed by our artillery.
which inflicted heavy louses to the
enemy. Up to the present 700 un-
lyounded prisoners have been counted,
including 15 officers."
The Sunday afternoon. report reads:
"Except for rather lively artillery ex-
changes on the Somme front, in the
sectors of Berny and Vermandovillers,
no important event is reported."
Saturday night's report reads:
"On the Somme front the day was
comparatively quiet. We made some
progress north of Bouehavesnes and
captured a trench northeast of Berny.
German counter-attack against our
positions between Belloyen-Santerre
and Barleux failed under the fire of
our machine guns.
"There was the customary cannon-
ade on the rest of the front.
"During Friday night one of our air
squadrons bombarded the blast fur-
naces at Utkingen and Rombac. The
stations at Spincourt and Longuyon
also received sixty proJectiles.
"Last evening a German aeroplane
dropped several bombs on Rheims.
Two civilians, including a child, were
killed and another was wounded."
Saturday afternoon's. report said
that German attacks west of Clery
and near Berny, south of the Somme,
were repulsed and 400 prisoners
taken. In a single trench element 86
dead Germans were found. Six more
hoStlIe machines were brought down
and many enemy military establish-
ments bombed.
when he was thrown from his buggy
as it slewed against a stone on the
Previous night.
The old wooden barge, Rob Roy, in
tow of the tug Home Rule, founder-
ed about five miles off Erie in the
strong southWest wind. There was no
loss of life reported.
The Italian forces have occupied
Paliscrestro, five miles from Argy-
rocestro, in Albania. according to an
Athens despatch to the Exchange, Tele,
graph Company.
The body of Samuel McKenzie, the
engineer of the fishing tug Hattie
13erry, who was drowned about three
weeks ago, was. found tioating in
Lake Erie by the tug Douglas H.
Brig. -General Lord Brooke, of the
10th Canadian Brigade, who recently
went to France and was wounded, is
not in a dangerous condition, accord-
ing to a despatch to The Daily Ex-
press.
Spain. has made a strong protest to
Germany against its practice of sink-
ing peaceful Spanish ships, ahd has
aemanded• that there be a modifica-
tion of the eubmerine campaign.
Delphis Brouillard, 36 years old,
brother of Patsy Brouillard, pugilist,
was killed at the corner Of Aylmer
and Sandwich streets, Windsor, when
a taxicab he wag..driviag crashed into
a wagon. •
Tho body of Sam McKenzie, a Port
Stanley fisherman, who was drowned
on Aug. 28th by falling from a tug
neer Port Bruce, was fourid fiver milee
ettst of Port Burwell and taken to
Port Stanley. Art inqueet will be held.
°illy seventy freshinen have so far
enrolled at the Ontario Agricultural
College, which is about half the usual
nurabert. The eollego advertised only
• fOr Men who coalft not enlist, and dice
Coaraged elfgible young men front at-
tehding.
AEW CABINET
15 FOR WAR
Reorganized Greek Govern-
ment is Named.
Premier is Friend of Great
Britain.
••••••••••1•mwm.Am.•••••
London, Sept. 17. -A despatch from
Athens says that the new Greek Cab-
inet will be constittited as follows:
President of the Council, War Minia-
ter and Finance Minister, Nikolas
Kalogeropoulos; Minister of Marine,
Rear Admiral A. Darnianos; Minister
of Interior, Loucas Roufas; Minister
of Foreign Affairs, Alexandre Car-
Pallos; Minister of Justice, Mr. Voko-
topoulos; Minister of Public Inetrue-
tions, M. Kanaris; Minister of Cent-
Lyssandra Kaftahdog-
lou; Minister of National Economy,
Mr. Busiest.
The new Greek Cabinet, headed by
Mr, Nikolas Kalogeropoulos, assumes
power under the setae tonditions as
surrounded that ot tea predecessor, and
Is merely a serviee
The new Premier, eft% Kalogero-
poulos ,is considered one of the moat
clever lawyers hi Greece ,and has re-
seived the Degree of Doctor of Laern
from the 'University of Paris. He
lived Jong time Prance, and has
close relations with Great Britain.
arr. Kalogeropoulos Wes Minister of
ritance. for a brief time in 1904-05.
and was Minister of the Interior in
the Theetokis Celjnet of 19080.
The new Prienraer is friendly to Mr.
Crushed beneath big, seven -pas- Venizelos, although he is not all ad-
s6ideir etentring; ears which -Planseed 157te Masan In the Venizeloe pelley,
deWn an ein,banionent on the Cold 'the new Cabinet ia considered here
}prigs roade IIarry Price, Partner to be favorable toward Greek's par.
In the firm of St Price keit Ownks aleiPation in the war.
a•the weIlatianen,Hrindale: Sleek ,
' 'KAMER TO OPEN REICHSTAG.
Farms and proprietors of it large Tor-
otttet dairy, was inSteritly Jellied. s Leask Cab1e.-4 Geneva dea-
l. patch to the Exehadige Telegraph Coin-
ofbaihroga..etalrideistropqribI dekillierd6 tieotw4eebidt front umnny, tinft thoperoe w mi am,
pany says it Is reperted tinefficially
tite %Owed son Wilt Prevent the .14ft/hes attendetteeay Cheneellor veti. sia,eth-
MannsII011weg and Field Marshal non
Aiming on the eight side.
e Therefore. if a man look sharply, he Ifindenbarg, Chief ot Staff, Will Olsen
Stall see IstOrtunet tor, though she be Ihnerson eho aesalop. asf the Relehitteg,
ms none ,blliq,yet sh% ts..not iivi,sb1e 1EAdo1 Which Olytteneft on Septeitiber 25.
Pee - • •
,
1' a Ll"
5