Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-03-18

LONDON. March l7.-Sir Edward
Grcy's replies to the American notes
on the use OF neutral flags on British
merchant vessels. and the prohibition
imposed on foodatuns destined for
Germany. in which for the first time
Great Britain definitely announces her
intention To establish a blockade"
again have brought the diplomatic
question TO the front in England
The replies. published hero with the
American notes. contained no SURPRISES,
for their terms have been for the most
part known.
Assurances that neutral shipping
will be interfered with as little as
possible. and that neither ships nor
cargoes will be connscated. 1t is felt
here. should go 4 long way towards
meeting American objections How
ever. another protest is expected
Even these diplomatic questions. on
which SO much depends. only momen-
tarily distract attention from battles
In the east and the west the opera
tions against the Dardanelles. and the
activity of German submarines, which
took additional toll to-day
While Earl Kitchener, Secretary for
War. and other Cabinet ministers are
bending their energies towards in
crcnsinG the output of war material
and are encouraging recruiting com
plete optimism prevailed.
VICTORIES Of ENGLISH
BOUGHT At HEAVY COST
Victories OF last week entailed heavy
sacrifices. and that the casualty lists
must increase as the war progresses Is
hut
land believes that when the time comes
for the big push" there will be no
turning back
The armies OF Belgium. Great Brit
ain and France are lighting for the
points which Will be OF the greatest ad-
vantage to the army holding them
when the advance begins. According
Ito the French communications, the Bel
gians continue TO improve their posi-
tions in Flanders and the French to
the north of Arras and in Champagne
have added eminences to their gains.
which are of some Importance
The French and German official COM
munications, however, are so contra
dictory that it is difficult 10 decide
whether any change is being made gen
orally in the disposition OF the oppos-
ing armies.
The optimism which pervades the
western allies is shared by the Rus
slams.
Petrograd correspondents OF London
papers lead the public to believe that
big events are impending 1t is ap-
parent that the Russians again are on
the move. particularly at Smolnik, on
the River San. where it energies from
the Carpathians while In Bukowina.
according TO unofficial dispatches from
Bucharest, tho Austrians have been de-
fcnted along the entire front.
In Northern Poland isolated actions
are being fought from the Niemen
River to Przasnysz. The big battle ex-
pected there has not been given by
Field Marshal Won ITindcnburg. who is
thought to have attained his object
when he exrricated his forces from the
forest of Augustowo.
RUSSIAN ARMY WORKING
ALONG BLACK SEA COAST
The Russian Caucasian army is
working along the Black Sea coast.
and has taken the Turkish port of
Archava and repulsed the attacks OF
the Turks. who still are operating on
the fringe OF Russian territory
by publishing a casualty list to-
night the British admiralty confirmed
reports from Athens that the cruiser
Amethyst made n dash into the Dar-
danelles and was struck by a number
OF shells. It Is presumed here that
Vice admiral Garden sent the cruiser
on this risky mission to unmask any
concealed batteries along the straits
and which the allied feet had not de-
stroyed when they bombarded the forts.
Naval experts say the Amethyst's
success proves that heavily armored
CONTINUED on Third Pago)