Zeppelins again

North east coast visited

Italy and the war

Next to Sir John French’s despatch and the unpleasant piece of home news, the most interesting message available for publication this morning relates to the attitude of Italy.

From an official but reliable source it is learned that the situation is now undoubtedly critical and that there is reason to believe Italian intervention is imminent. Italy, it is stated, has tabled demands for concessions from Austria and these demands, it is further asserted, go far beyond anything to which the Dual Monarchy could possibly agree.

Imminent of recent times has become a word a little more elastic and in this instance it may mean something very different from immediate.

It is suggested that conversations may continue for some time as Austria will probably regard the Italian communications as a basis for bargaining although as our telegram says, the possibility of eventual agreement seems hardly possible at the present.

Very much to the point is the fact that military preparations are complete. Italy’s demands definitely formulated and forward concern, is it may be conjectured, control of the Adriatic and as the Italian parliament does not re-assemble until the middle of May it is not unlikely that the nation will be at war some time before then.

Further particulars of the Zeppelin raid on the North East coast last night are awaited with interest and anxiety.

The places attacked appear to be Blythe, Wallsend and the Tyne but at the time of writing no loss of life has been reported.

If there are no victims the circumstances are particularly fortunate for it is stated that one house was set on fire, many others damaged, while one bomb is reported to have narrowly missed a train full of passengers.

Our airmen are reported to be up after the raiders but previous experience does not warrant a very hopeful conclusion in this respect nor at present is it advisable to accept the claim that a Zeppelin was brought down near Newcastle.

We reproduce Sir John French’s despatch today and it may be mentioned that certain remarks made in this column seem to have been well founded. Our losses, moreover, are lower than expected and it is to be hoped that the lesson the British commander in chief deduces will be brought home.

The loss and waste of life in present day battle with such means of defence that exists can only be reduced by the most efficient and powerful forces of artillery available and an almost unlimited supply of ammunition.

There is very little fresh news from either of the main fronts.

Amsterdam: there is growing evidence amongst certain parties that there is a desire for a separate peace with Russia which would enable Germany to utilise her entire forces for victory in the west. The ‘Vorwaerts’ approves the condemnation of the wild hatred against England and of attempts to create opinions in favour of Germany making peace with Russia. The paper disapproves of the foregoing arguments and cryptically states “if the enemies of the outcry against England wish to succeed they must draw necessary deductions from the fact that in the long run Anglo- German and Russo-German wars sprang from the same source and are organically inter connected”.