EUROPE'S CLASH OF ARMS

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 162, 14 August 1914, Page 7

EUROPE'S CLASH OF ARMS

ADMIRALTY ANNOUNCES BRITISH TRADE ROUTES OPEN BATTLES RAGE IN BELGIUM INVADERS ROUTED AND REPULSED • miOLESALE CAPTURE OF GERMAN MERCHANT SHIPS To-day's cables contain an important statement from the Admiralty assuring snippers that the Atlantic will he kept open by a superior force of British war vessels. AH trade routes are.open, except the North Sea, which has been indiscriminately mined by the Germans.. to the London ''Times,':' it is likely that Japan will attack.the German colony of Kiao-chau. The Germans admit heavy losses in Belgium, and it is also reported that they have suffered severely on the Russian frontier. Russia"is said to still hold command of the Gulf of Finland. Skirmishing continues' on the French frontier, and the retreat of the French from Mulhausen is said to have been admirably conducted. The invasion of Bosnia by the joint Servian and Montenegrin forces has commenced. Later cables contain accounts of the reported capture of many German merchant ships by Britain, France, Belgium, and Russia. . All the ruling chiefs of India have,offered their entire resources for the defence of Britain—_

By Telegraph— Press SEND OUT YOUR SHIPS* .CONTROLLING TRADE ROUTES. ADMIRALTY'S PRECAUTIONS AND ADVICE. . ~...] LONDON, August 13. The Admiralty announces that it is aespatehing. a number of .cruisers.- with •mobilised crewe to the South American trade routes, < nearly trebling the * superior ctfuiser. force™ already there. The Admiralty says that twenty-four British cruisers, besides . tke. Frepch eruisers in the Atlantic,,, are, seeking five German cruisers known to be in that ocean. These will be hunted con-: tniUaliy, aid fore they are caught, they will, be kept too busy to do mischief.. , The Admiralty's control of .the ..trade routes, especially in the. Atlantic,, is,becoming stronger daily,r and traders; are advised by the Admiralty" that they should confidently and boldly send ships to sea, except.in the North Sea, where the Germans have scattered mines indiscriminately. WESTERN ATLANTIC SAFE. HOSTILE CRUISERS WARNED AWAY. REAR-ADMIRAL'S ASSURANCE.

Association-—Copyright. FRANCE AND AUSTRIA. THE RIVAL NAVIES, AN EXPERT OPINION. (Received August 14, 8 a.m.) LONDON, August 13. "The Times" naval correspondent, while eulogising the courage of the personnel of the Austrian fleet, says that France has a greater number of ships, and would be sure of success if she attempted to destroy the Austrians or to lock them up in the Adriatic. TWO GERMANS SHOT. ■WHILE LIBERATING PIGEONS. PATRIOTIC STUDENTS AND ARTISTS. - (Received August 14, 8 a.m.) LONDON, August 13. Two Germans, who were caught liberating pigeons, carrying messages to Germany, were shot down. Cambridge University men are providing and manning a hospital transport ship to bring wounded men from the fleet ashore. The Government has authorised German banks to reopen in order to com- | plete transactions initiated before August 5. They will afterwards have to discontinue operations. Music-hall artists have announced that they are,, prepared to accept lower salaries in proportion to their ability to withstand retrenchment. GERMAN BRUTALITY. PRIEST AND CHILDREN SHOT. RUSSIAN LADIES INSULTED. Stories of German brutality are accumulating. Au Uhlan at Dormael cut down a priest while he was administering the Sacrament to wounded Germans. Others shot down two children, aged seven, who warned the gendarmes of their j arrival. Similar stories have reached St. Petersburg. It is reported that soldiers stripped Russian ladies naked in the presence of officers. The father of one of the lacries intervened, and was shot dead. There are a few English visitors in Germany, but it is believed they are being well treated. FIRST OPEN BATTLE. BELGIANS SHOW UP WELL. GERMAN ADVANCE ABANDONED. ' (Received August 14, 9.5 a.m.) BRUSSELS, August 13. Belgian cavalry pursued the German mitrailleuses and inflicted considerable losses, retiring in perfect steadiness when the Germans were reinforced. Ten thousand men were engaged in this skirmish, which was the first action by the Belgians in open country. Their conduct was a good augury for the future. There are indications that the German advance towards the Belgian centre has been abandoned. Two Uhlans who were killed at llasselt were being buried when the Red Cross was discovered. Ten thousand marks in gold were found upon one of them and five thousand on the other. ! It is supposed that they were attached I to the Commissariat,

NEW YORK, August 12. Rear-Admiral . Cradock announces that the Western Atlantic is safe for merchantmen, as all hostile cruisers fcave been warned away by the presence »f five British warships. * The information reacjied here through the captain of the steamer New York City, -who states that Admiral Cradock SKked him to notify the British ConsulGeneral that the shipping routes were safe. , The cruiser Suffolk is now cruising «ff the New -York coast. PEKING, August 12. Shipping has resumed its sailings to ' end from ports north of Hong Kong. JAPAN MAY ACT. TO ATTACK KEAO-CHAU. ON HER OWN INITIATIVE. "Times" and "Sydney Sun" Services. (Received August 14, 8 a.m.) LONDON, August 13. "The Times," in a leader, says:— It is understood, though not ofcially stated, that Japan may attack the German colony of KiaoChau. It would appear that Japan is acting in this matter on her own initiative, without consultation. BRIGADE EXTERMINATED. CAUGHT IN MARSHY LAND. COSSACKS ROUT AUSTRIANS. - By Cable. — -Press Association. — Copyright. (Received August 14, 8 a.m.) ROME, August 13. The Press states that an Austrian Cavalry Brigade on the frontier was attacked by Cossacks and artillery. They were unable to hold the position and tried to retire in heavy rain. They ■were caught in marshy land and exterminated.

CREMATING THEIR DEAD.

GERMANS ROUND LIEGE. AUSTRIA \S RUTHLESS REPRESSION (Received August 14, 9.35 a.m.) LONDON, August 13. The Germans round Liege are piling their dead in heaps, and after a short funeral service are cremating them. It is reported that the Austrians are i*uthlessly repressing Slav disaffection in various provinces. A number of Czechs and soldiers have been publicly shot in the square at Prague; also all the leading Slav representatives for Dalmatia in the Austrian Parliament have been summarily shot. GERMANS REPULSED. MACHINE GUNS CAPTURED. COMMITTEE COLLECTS EVIDENCE. (Received August 14, 9;45 a.m.) BRUSSELS, August 13. A committee, under a Supreme Court judge, is collecting evidence of German outrages, and violation of the Geneva Conference and The Hague Convention. • It is officially announced that the Germans were repulsed at Eghezee, near Noville, with heavy losses. A number of machine guns, mounted on motor cars, were captured. BELGIUM APPROACHED AGAIN. FOR PASSAGE OF TROOPS. ANOTHER FIRM REFUSAL., (Received August 14, 8.45 a.m.) LONDON, August 13. The "Daily Mail" says that Germany, on Monday, approached Belgium through Holland, and asked her to reconsider her attitude towards the German demand for the passage of troops, but that Belgium refused. COVERED WITH DEAD. THRILLING DETAILS OF FIGHT. I BELGIAN SAPPERS' ACTIVITY. (Received August 14, 9.45 a.m.) BRUSSELS, August 13. Details of yesterday's battle show that 5000 Germans were engaged with the Belgian lancers, carabineers, and artillery. -The fighting lasted throughout the day, the battle centre being liaelen. The Belgian sappers blew up two bridges at Demer, and by the evening the ground between Diest and Haelen had been cleared of "Germans," but was covered with dead and wounded. Two hundred dead Germans were found ig the space of fifty yards. AUSTRIANS DRIVEN OUT. PURSUED BY RUSSIANS. GERMAN GENERAL COMMANDING. (Received August 14, 9.40 a.m.) ST. PETERSBURG, August 13. It is semi-officially announced that the Russians drove the Austrians out of Sokal, and pursued them to the. River Bug, blowing up the bridges and a viaduct. A German General commands the Austrian troops on the Russian frontier. The Germans are fortifying themselves near Kalitz and Sieradz, and are destroying the fords at Worta. FOR RUSSIAN WOUNDED. MOSCOW MERCHANTS' LIBERALITY. i ' FRENCH GOVERNMENT INSURANCE. ST. PETERSBURG, August 13. The» merchants of Moscow raised £250,000 in a quarter of an hour for the wounded and their families. The Grand Duke Constantinovitch has offered his famous marble palace as a hospital. PARIS, August 13. The Government has decided to guarantee the insurance of ships where war risks are paid. LISBON, August 13. - An Anglo-Portuguese treaty of commerce has been signed. TURKEY'S POSITION. WHY SHE MOBILISED. GOEBEN PURCHASE DENIED. '(Received August 14, 9.45 a.m.) LONDON, August 13. Reuter states that the Ottoman Embassy is not aware of the purchase of the Gocben. Turkey intends to remain absolutely neutral. A partial mobilisation for the European border has been determined on, but she will not embark on any policy adventure. WHOLESALE CAPTURES. GERMAN MERCHANTMEN SEIZED. ENGLISH JOURNAL'S ANNOUNCEMENT. (Received August 14, 9.45 a.m.) LONDON, August 13. "Fairplay'' states that the British have captured 44 German steamers and 18 sailers, also three Austrian steamers. The French have captured four Ger- ! man and two Austrian steamers. The j Belgians have seized 34 German

steamers and two sailers; also two Austrian steamers, while the Russians have captured one German steamer. A STATE OF WAR. ENGLAND, FRANCE, AND AUSTRIA OFFERS OF ASSISTANCE. (Received August 14, 8.45 a.m.) LONDON, August 13. The Gaekwar of Baroda has placed his "troops"., and .his resources at the King's disposal. The Government has informed the Austrian Ambassador that in consequence of the Austrian troops menacing France, England was obliged to announce a state of war with Austria.

The Government's financial arrangements have afforded welcome relief to commerce generally. They will enable the payment of dividends which, some companies had been holding after war was declared. (Received August 14, 9.45 a.m.) PARIS. August 12. A state of war exists with Austria since midnight. (Received August 14, 9.45 a.m.) CAPE TOWN, August 13. Five thousand coloured men have offered to serve in South Afriea or abroad. BUYING ITALY'S HELP. GERMANY'S ATTRACTIVE BRIBE. :■..*■' THE • TIMES'' ON DOMINION FORCES. (Received August 14, 9.30 aJm.) " LONDON, AUgust 13. Germany is said to be attempting to buy Italy's help by offering her Savoy, Nice, Corsica, and Tunis as the price of active hostility against France. Rumania denies joining the Triple Alliance. "The Times" in a leader says:— '' By common consent the* Dominion peoples have risen with splendid unanimity to the needs of the moment, when Britain requires all the help they can give her. Their forces will go with eager alacrity*wherever they are sent." AMERICA AND SHIPPING. CANADA'S ARMY CORPS. DENMARK EXPORTING FOOD. (Received August 14, 9.5 a.m.) WASHINGTON, August 13. The House and the Senate, after a conference, have agreed to the provisions of a Bill opening the coastwise trade to foreign-built ships. (Received August 14, 9.5 a.m.) OTTAWA, August 13. The Government has been assured that there is little likelihood of any grain ships being molested by the Germans. H VANCOUVER, August 13. It is unofficially stated that 100,000 men. have volunteered for service with Canada's Army, but the corps has been fixed at 20,000. (Received August 14, 8.4.5 a.m.) COPENHAGEN, August 13. Large quantities of goods are being exported to both combatants. -

DAMAGE AT DOVER. A WORKMAN ARRESTED. "'AGENTS-GENERAL RECRUITING. (Received August 14, 9.5 a.m.) LONDON, August 13. The Agents-General are using their offices for the recruiting' of Australian soldiers and nurses. The directors of,the Baltic Exchange will not allow Germans to enter. Owing to damage to the defence booms at Dover, a workman. was arrested. He was carrying plans and a small camera. A SPLENDID' offer. INDIA'S RULING CHIEFS. , ALL THEIR MEN AND MONEY. DELHI, August 13. Practically every ruling chief in India has offered his entire military and financial resources. Some are discussing the equipment of. a hospital ship. BOMBARDMENT OF BELGRADE. QUIET* TOR TWO DAYS. SOUTH AMERICAN BANKS .REOPEN, NISH, August 13. Tlie bombardment of Belgrade and Semendria for the last few days has been insignificant. BUENOS AYRES, August 13. The banks have reopened. PRINCE OF WALES FUND. THE CORPORATION'S DONATIONS. BULGARIA'S STRICT NEUTRALITY (Received August 14, 11.15 a.m.) LONDON, August 13. The Prince of Wales Fund has reached £863,000. The Prince personally bears the cost of organising it. The City of-London Corporation has contributed £IO,OOO, and also £IOOO to the Belgian fund.

SOFIA, August 13. The Govermnent has reassured the Russian Legation that it will observe the strictest neutrality. A FIERCE ENCOUNTER. GERMANS COMPLETELY ROUTED. BOMBARDMENT OF.LIEGE FORTS. BRUSSELS, August 13. There was a fierce encounter between the Belgian left wing and massed German cavalry, infantry, and artillery. The Belgians showed wonderful control under fierce fire. After a prolonged engagement, they completely routed the Germans.

The victory caused the liveliest enthusiasm along the AlHes' - line. Indignation is felt at the action of the Kaiser in" decorating General von Emmieh for capturing Liege forts.

The bombardment of the forts has been resumed. Germans are crossing the Meuse. . A bridge was established at Lixhe, and other convoys are dossing south of the Liqge forts, which cover the ordinary German routes. regiment of German Dragoons attempted to surprise the Belgians at Aineffe, thirteen miles west of Liege, but were repulsed after a three hours' -fight, losing 153 killed. . and 102 prisoners. THE DEEPEST MYSTERY. POSITION OF THE ALLIES. GERMAN.' SHIPPING AT '■■ STANDSTILL. LONDON, August 12. The deepest mystery envelops the | position of the Allies' forces. Even 1 the Belgian Legation is kept entirely in the dark. * No news has been received from Brussels since Tuesday morning. . :- The oversea trade of Germany is at an absolute standstill. '" Importance attaches to a statement by the Admiralty that permission has now been given for coal shipments from Great Britain to Norway and Italy. • MISLEADING THE WORLD. GERMAN METHODS. A COMPLETE EXPOSURE. LONDON) August 12. "The Times" publishes a disclosure regarding German 'Press manoeuvres. A prominent personage in close personal I relationship with, the Kaiser sent a communication to '.'The Times," intended for publication on the 3rd inst., the day of Sir Edward Grey's speech, pointing out that the Kaiser did not want war, and placing the responsibility on Russia. "The Times" published the message because it was a flagrant contradiction of faets. The same night it received a misdirected telegram from the Wolff News Bureau, Berlin, commanding its London correspondent to telegraph this statement in "The Times" verbatim, which was a transparent attempt >to use the influence of "The Times" for the purpose of misleading the British and German public. Germany has established a Press Bureau at Amsterdam to circulate war I intelligence favourable to Germany. GERMANY'S FOOD SUPPLY. NEUTRALITY OF HOLLAND. A TIME OF ANXIETY. " LONDON, August 13. Germany is securing food supplies through Holland, hence her anxiety not to violate Dutch territory. If the French reach Cologne, this avenue will be closed, and the only possible route ! will be via Italy, Austria, and Rumania. GERMANY ADMITS LOSSES. TWENTY THOUSAND a AT LIEGE. "FORTS WILL'SOON .BE TAKEN." BERLIN, August" 13. An official message declares that the Germans lost 20,000 men at Liege, but does not give the -exact numbers. It adds that the forts were left intact, as the Kaiser did. not wish to sacrifice life unnecessarily, but the forts will be taken without the loss of a single man when the siege guns arrive. The statement concludes by saying that the Belgians were numerically superior. AMSTERDAM, August 12. It is reported that two German airmen were caught at Namur. BEFORE SHE WAS READY. THE ATTACK ON LIEGE. PROBLEM OF FEEDING. LONDON, August 33. It is now evident that the German enterprise at Liege, was undertaken before the main army was ready, by a

force whose mobilisation had been specially effected before the declaration of war. The problem of moving and feeding the masses marching to the Rhine country is proving difficult. German prisoners admit suffering from lack of food. The reports that a pitched battle will be fought in Belgium immediately are doubtful. ENGAGEMENT IN PROGRESS. BATTLE IN BELGIUM. AN OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT, * LONDON, August 12. The Official Press Bureau states that an engagement is in progress northwest of Hasselt, 25 miles north-west of Liege, between a Belgian cavalry division, supported by a brigade of infantry, and what is presumed to be the German Second Cavalry Division, 2500 strong, supported by a battalion of infantry and twelve guns. The Germans are entrenching at Vise and in the town at Liege, and are constructing .batteries north of Liege preparatory to the arrival of heavy siege guns. The Germans are constructing a railway between Vise and Homburg, parallel to the frontier of Dutch Limburg. Other accounts, including the reports of Belgian aviators, indicate that the Germans are collecting large food supplies at Liege. They are barricading the.streets against an attempt by the .Belgians to recapture the city. There have been cavalry skirmishes since Sunday all along the Hne, the combatants including a strong German detachment which crossed the river at Vise and reached Tongres, and detach- ; ments at Tirlemont-supplied w-ith quickfirers mounted on horses. I RETREAT FROM MULHAUSEN. FRENCH FRONTIER CAMPAIGN. GERMANS BOMBARD A TOWN, PARIS, August 13. ' The French retreat from Mulhausen was well carried out. The advance on Mulhausen was merely for the purpose of breaking up the German observation station. The proportion of forces engaged were four Germans to one Frenchman. The German field artillery is far inferior to the French, the bursting power of the shrapnel being indifferent. It is believed that a strong German army is concentrating to seize the crest line of the Vosges. Whoever holds it dominates southern Alsace.

An official report published in Paris says that the . Germans bombarded Pont-a-mousson, 16 ..miles south-west of Metz, with heavy artillery, from a considerable distance. Shells fell in the streets and killed or wounded many of the inhabitants, and wrecked many houses. REGIMENTS- ANNIHILATED. WHAT SWISS REPORTS STATE. (Received August 14, 8 a.m.) LONDON, August 13. Swiss reports state that during the battle of Mulhausen two German line regiments were annihilated. A PLAN THAT FAILED. GERMAN STRATEGY AMISS. FRENCH CANNON SUPERIOR, . PARIS, August 13. French concentration, under the shelter of covering troops, is proceeding with the regularity of clockwork. It is known that German strategy intended to pierce the covering troops and seize Nancy,- thereby disarranging the French mobilisation, but the scheme failed, owing to the failure of the German right wing at Liege. Reports to hand state that the German heavy ordnance- is defective. Shells burst long before they touched the ground, and fell harmlessly. On the contrary, the seventy-five millimetre cannon the French are using show great precision.

Madame .Poincare, who is a trained nurse, is leading the French women's enthusiastic efforts for the alleviation of suffering. LONDON, August 13. The Official Press Bureau states that the German Fourth Cavalry Division is reported to be moving towards Jamoigne, near the French frontier, in Belgian Luxemburg. No German infantry is known to be on the left bank of the Meuse, except a battalion northwest of Hasselt.

ON THE RUSSIAN FRONTIER. GERMANY'S HEAVY LOSSES. RUSSIANS STILL HAVE GULF OF FINLAND. COPENHAGEN, August 13. Berlin telegrams state .that the German Staff has informed the Press that Germany has sustained heavy losses on the Russian frontier. ST. PETERSBURG, August VA. The Germans attempted to reoccupy Eydtkushnon, on the Prussian frontier, but were repulsed with loss. The men engaged belonged to the Ist and 20th Army Corps. STOCKHOLM, August 13. The Russians are still masters of the Gulf of Finland. ' Fearing a_ German attack, they smashed the lenses of a lighthouse,

which were worth sixty thousand kronen apiece. The commander of the t harbour at Hangp, at. the entrance to the Gulf, was ordered to mine it, and to blow up the pier only in case of imminent danger. The commander, in a fit of nervousness, blew up valuable harbour works. Seeing his mis* take he committed suicide.

INVASION OF BOSNIA. SERVIA AND MONTENEGRO JOIN. \ PRINCE, GEORGE WOUNDED. x NISH, August 12. The united Spyian and Montenegrin armies have begun invasion of Bosnia, in three columns, General Jankovic being in command. BELGRADE, August 12. Prince George, while watching the. Austrian bombardment from the walls of a fortress, was wounded in the head by a fragment of a shell. He is un- f conscious, but: it is - believed that his - condition is not dangerous. • CETTINJE, August 12. The German Minister-to Montenegro has received his passports. - BULGARIA'S NEUTRALITY. CONFLICTING STATEMENTS. WHAT WILL RUMANIA DOt NISII, August 13. A competent military observer from Sofia opines that the Bulgarians are systematically preparing, and will move in the event of an Austro-German sucs ■-.':■'■ '<■■_ ■-y v '■■■ % It is officially stated in Sofia that ; Bulgaria's ' decision to maintain her neutrality is unshaken, despite suggestions from various quarters that in the future she should seek redress. . y:<j, The newspapers state that the Russian Ministers on Tuesday \ had 'an • audience with the King, and presented ja letter from the Tsar proposing that Bulgaria should henceforth conform to ! the policy Russia suggests. !■■■■•. BERLIN; August 12. ' The '' Cologne Gazette, '.'. in an inspired article, declares that Rumania iis joining the Triple Alliance. CORNERED AT LAST. ! THE GOEBEN AND BRESLAU. ! officers and crews being |v;| . removed:' xs& I • ■ ■•■■■* •■■■••-■■■ t<>& ' - r - ■■:■- • : £<% LONDON, August 12. y;-gP Reports have been received that thj*-!% i r ~ . ■ ~ y*? «** Goeben; and (Breslau are searching^ foreign steamers in the .Dardanelles. *f~ss* It is reported the Germap^ steamer Bayern (Hamburg-Amerika||^ Line) lias taken refuge at Pdzzuli, ijt'-rfi the Bay of Naples. j'" •- CONSTANTINOPLE, August 13. .. Negotiations are proceeding for thp... removal of the German officers anji", crews from the cruisers Goeben an|ijg|| ißreslau... ; ■" jM

"THE TEST HAS COME,"

' HELP FBOM OVEBSEA. g^| A SPONTANEOUS ADVANCE, pvp - . ■, \-vs{-\ " , LONDON, August 13.||g A committee has been appointed organise the Imperial Light Horse. S&;rA;| hundred were recruited in forty-sue --fi hours, the majority being West clubmen and retired officers. are offering to provide their own horsfes and equipment. •'' ' "The Times," in a leader, says:-r----"The Imperial force numbers 75,000, including Australia's 20,000, and New Zealand's 8000. New Zealand's warship is already one with our own in defence of the Home seas. Australia's battleship and cruisers have been freely ■ offered. The test has-come, and the result has been a spontaneous advance towards Imperial consolidation."

IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

BUSH OF VOLUNTEEBS. CONFERENCE OF POLITICIANS. SYDNEY, August 13. . The »reat rush of volunteers is enabling the authorities to pick an excellent class of men for the Expeditionary Force; MELBOURNE, August 13. A conference between Mr J. Cook, Mr A. Fisher, and the State Premiers, discussed matters arising out of the war, including a proposed loan. It is understood that certain decisions were arrived at. The Victoria Racing Club has given. £IOOO to the Patriotic Fund.

PROPOSALS FOR PEACE.

APPEAL FROM GERMANS. UNITED STAGES SENATE i CONSIDERING. WASHINGTON, August 12. A mass meeting of Germans appealed to the United States Press to adopt a fairer attitude towards Germany. The Senate is considering proposals for a peace treaty.