SPLENDID PROGRESS

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 236, 9 November 1914, Page 7

SPLENDID PROGRESS

The latest cable messages contain the good news that thfr-Allies, in a great many places, have made notable advance, while in others the furious German attacks have become less violent. Details are given o the enormous losses which have been inflicted on the enemy. Official messages announce that the cruiser Good Hope exploded and sank after the naval engagement off the Chilian coast. It is now thought that the Monmouth may have run ashore and that the Glasgow escaped. ' . . . . . . The Emden is said to have been sighted by a British cruiser, but escaped. Two of her store ships were captured by the cruiser^ Tsing-tau has fallen. The garrison wsre In dire straits, and for the «last few days the town was subjected to a hail of shells. In abrush with the Government forces, the South African rebels were defeated, .but, at Harrismith, they looted the town, burhed a bridge, and destroyed the railway. Russia's recent win in Galicia is described as being, the most important since the commencement of campaign. . The retreating,dermans are said to be preparing to make a stand at fortified positions along the line of their retreat. Further interesting details are available of the operations of the British force, and the French,armies in immediate touch with them. In the campaign against Turkey, the Russians are displaying great activity, and hive achieved success on land, and sea^

JBy Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.

ALLIES' MARKED SUCCESS. LATEST OFFICIAL NEWS. • NOTABLE ADVANCE AT MANY POINTS. (Received November 9, 11.25 a.m.) PARIS, November 8. A eommuni<iu6 states:—"The action between the North Sea. and the ,Lys is violent. ! attacks iowards Dixmiide'and to tite north-east ' »f Tprcs, and jihe; offensive >•; Wong- nearly' all■ thisr .froiit.- 'We have iidvaiiced notably to the north of Mes- " Bines.'' _... - , ' ' The British have progressed slightly , around Armeiitieres, and the enemy's * attacks between La Bassee and Arras ' ; have been" repulsed. We have markedly advanced around Soissons, and consolidated the advances in the Yailly region north of Chavonne and Soupir. ' We are organising at many points which tvo recently captured near Verdun. ; A thick fog hung over the northern area, also in the Champagne district and Lorraine, and it is restricting the work of the artillery and the aviators."

FIGHT IN A FOREST. GERMANS SEEK TO SURRENDER. FORCE ROUTED AND CAPTURED, • "Times" and "Sydney Sun" Services. (Received November 9, 8 a.m.) LONDON, November B.* Ascertaining that a German force occupied the forest of Perroy, two French cavalry regiments, carrying mitrailleuses on horseback, fruitlessly searched for them for a whole night. Stiddenly, in the morning, they stumbled upon their outpost, who surrendered, saying that the Germans were tired with hardship and long marches, and would gladly surrender if it Avould save their faces. Later the main body of the French came into contact with the enemy. The Germans started firing in the air, and the French, failing to grasp the meaning of this ntauocuvre, charged with drawn sabres, in the face of a fierce fire. Pressing the charge Jiome, they -killed 400, while 350 surrendered, and the rest fled in confusion.

NEW GERMAN RUSE. DISGUISED AS WOMEN WORKERS. ' PROCLAMATION IN BRUSSELS. (Received November 9, 0 a.m.) PARIS, November 8. A now German; ruse is the soldiers ■working iu the fields in women's attire. The French have shelled a number of grenadiers disguised as potato pickers. An eye-witness of the Saint Mihiel fighting says:—The German losses were frightful. The Germans are liow closely lieinmed in on the fronts and on both flanks. General Von der Goltz lias issued a

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ALLIES' MARKED ADVANCE RUSSIANS ACHIEVE MOST IMPORTANT ' VICTORY DEFEATS FOR TURKEY SURRENDER OF TSING-TAU GARRISON REBELS IN SOUTH AFRICA LOOT AND DO DESTRUCTION

proclamation at Brussels, stating that hostages have v been taken at all the towns near the. railways, which, are liable to damage, and that they will be shot if any damage to the towns is attempted. SHELLING A HOSPITAL. GERMANS FIRE ON OWN ; WOUNDED OFFICERS FORGE MEN TO FIGHT.

By Association. —Copyright. (Received November 9, 8.40 a.m.) LONDON, November 8. During the recent fighting in the north, the Allies' Red Cross divisions picked up seven hundred Germans who were wounded and whom they removed to a field hospital, which the Germans shelled during the night, not knowing that there were Germans within. The damage was small. Evidence that the German officers are driving their men forward accumulates. ■ A dead officer has been found witli a dog-whip in one hand and a revolver in .thekother. Soldiers facing the British gladly use any opportunities to escape. TheTßritish have found many Germans hanged to trees.

INTERNING BRITISHERS ACTIVITY IN GERMANY. MOVEMENTS BACK TO THE FRONTIER. AMSTERDAM, November 8. The internment of British of military age in Germany is proceeding rapidly, including 2000, men in Hamburg, and 130 ■ in Frankfurt. * The local newspapers state that many trains of German infantry, eavalry, and guns are passing through Brussels and Louvain towards Germany.

A ROYAL LOOTER. PILLAGE IN BRUSSELS. GERMAN CONDUCT UNPRINTABLE. (Received November 9, 9 a.m.) LONDON, November 8. '.'The Times" states that Prince Charles of Hohenzollern, who is King Albert's brother-in-law, superintended the removal of the furniture from a looted house in Brussels. "The Times" adds.' "A v ßelgian noble who was allowed to search a Brussels depot, found Ju'o hundred packing cases full of plunder. The conduct of the Germans who occupied the houses is unprintable."

JOINING THE ARMY. THE RECRUITING BAROMETER. DISASTER THE BEST INCENTIVE. "Times" and. "Sydney Sun" Services. (Received November 9, 8 a.m.) LONDON, November 8. An interesting chart, prepared at Whitehall, illustrative of the recruiting, shows that the call to arms met the best response in times of dis-

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aster. The highest point was reached in the black first week of September, when the Allies were retreating and the Germans were nearly at the gates of Paris. The indicator rose high towards the end of September, when-the three cruisers were sunk, and shot up again after the fall of Antwerp. Thrilling experiences follow the fluctuations of the chart, and nothing could more finely show the spirit animating the people than that the immediate effect of sombre news from the front caused an impetus to recruiting.

VALUE OF WIRELESS.

A PRIEST'S DEMONSTRATION. OPERATIONS INT A ROOM. "Times" and "Sydney Sun" Services. (Received November. 9, 5 ,a.m.) ROME, November 8. A priest named Argentiere gave a wireless demonstration at the British Embassy. He placed his apparatus in a corner of the room, and received a message from London. Later, by means of an invention rendering a pole unnecessary, lie intercepted a German Headquarters' Staff message.

THE CRUISER GEIER.

A CHANCE TO ESCAPE, GOEBEN ESCAPES. RUSSIAN " WARSHIPS. , "Times" and "Sydney Sun" Services. (Received.November 9, 8 a.m.) WASHINGTON, November 8. In order to give the Cferman cruiser Geiei' a cham-e of avoiding the Japanese cruiser, the date on" which she has been ordered to leave has been kept secret for five days. CONSTANTINOPLE, November 8. The Goeben and her consorts have arrived, having escaped an encounter with Russian warships.

THE EMDEN.

' " ".. I ASSISTANCE FROM GERMANS. SIGNALLING FROM THE SHORES. COLOMBO, November 7, The British in Ceylon are greatly dissatisfied with the latitude allowed Germans. Only after strong criticisms were all the Germans interned, It is an open secret that the Emden's success was due to Germans vising wireless and other means of signalling. Certain Germans openly , boasted that they- had sent information to Germany.

BOLTS FROM A CRUISER. CAPTURE OF STORE SHIPS, i (Received November 9, 9.15 a.m.) PERTH, November 9. The steamer Paroo, from Singapore, reports that a British cruiser sighted the Emden near Penang, coaling from two store ships. The Emden bolted, but the cruiser sank one of the store ships and captured the other, a Greek collier. A German Naval Reserve lieutenant who was aboard, replying to a suggestion that the Emden's successful raids were due to some aboard being acquainted with the Eastern trade routes, declared: "I'm the.'man."

AS VIOLENT AS EVER. THE BATTLE IN THE NORTH. FIGHTING IN FRANCE AND BELGIUM. ; PARIS, November 7. The following official announcement is made: — "The battle in the north is as violent as ever. Our offensive east .and south of Ypres continues. We have repulsed attacks from Arras to the Oise, and have re-taken Soupea, near Vailly. "German attacks in the Argonne continue to be violent, but without result. We have carried trenches on the

heights of the Mouse, also to the east of Verdun." "The Germans made a counter-attack on the Belgians, who had advanced along the right bank of the Yser from Kieuport to Lombartzyde, but the Belgians were supported in time. 1 The situation 011. that side of the river has been completely restored. Marines repelled a counter-attack at Dixmude. "We have progressed around Bixsliote (between Ypres and Dixmude). The British again assumed the offensive south-east of Ypres, and defeated a particularly violent attack by a re-cently-arrived ai'iny corps. The British repulsed violent attacks at Neuve Chappelle. "We stopped several day and night counter-attacks between the La Bassee; Canal and Arras, and between Arras and the Oise. We have slightly propressed at Vermeilles and south of AixN'oulctto.

"We continue to gain ground recently lost at Ynilly, and have repelled fresh attacks in the Argonne, where we have progressed at several points smd occupied Harbourt and The eiieiny made unsuccessful attacks oh the heights of the Meuse, south-east of Verdun', in -thfe' Apremont .Forest, and south-east of Saint Mihiel. " We carried a few trenches at Saint Bem3 r . The Germans suffered considerable losses in attacking the approaches ; to Grand Courronne, near Nancy. The German corip-de-main against the heights dominating Col du Saint Marie (in the Yosges) completely failed." The High Commissioner reports:—-: LONDON, November 7. Official: The enemy's attacks have increased in vigour. The process of press-, ing the enemy back is making slow but steady progress. Our advance has been most marked south of Dixmude and towards Gheleweldt> but misty weather has tended to hamper operations. MANY GERMAN PRISONERS. COMPLETE UNITS SURRENDER. ENEMY 'S TERBIBLE LOSSES.

PARIS, Nov. 8 (midnight). : The following ofiicial statement has 'been issued:— . ~ ... . , V< German attacks all. along the front were repulsed. We. captured at the bayonet 's point the village of Saint Remy, on the heights of the Meuse." It is ofiicial]y stated that many German prisoners have been taken along the whole front. In some co.ses complete units surrendered. Two detachments surrendered at Lens in a thick fog. Some of the officers and men declared that they were weary of hardships, and were* confident that they would be well treated, LONDON, November 8. The Rotterdam "Courant" says that the Germans suffered terrible lqsses south-east, of Roujers. The Allies' projectiles were deadly. One of the

wounded declared that the Germane were using their dead and wounded as shields. The shrieks of the wounded thus used were heartrending.

The Germans destroyed so many Belgian buildings on the line of their advance that not half enough remain to accommodate their wounded. Incessant trainloads of wounded are passing eastwards. The French buried three thousand dead after repelling the latest attack at Grand Courronne. A thousand German infantrymen and two squadrons of Ulilans crossed a bridge over the Oise, and drove a regi - ment of infantry, a squadron of Hussars, and a cyclists' section into a vil-

A GREAT EFFORT.

ANOTHER MILLION MEN. GERMANY'S RESOURCES. VISCOUNT CEICHTON CAPTURED. . THE HAGUE, November 8. Competent aud unprejudiced sources in Germany state that Germany is easily able to send another million .men to the front.

lage commanding the roads to Cliaulnes and Peronne. While the fight was in progress, a bomb dropped by a French airman destroyed the bridge, cutting off the Germans. The French, who liad been reinforced, annihilated the Germans, and, throwing a pontoon across the river, joined other forces from Aprcmont and captured Tracy-le-val. A German corps defeated south-east of Yprcs consisted of first line troops sent to reinforce the reserves. AMSTERDAM, November 7. Prince George of Saxony has left Flanders for Wiesbaden, to undergo treatment.

FRENCH RUSE AT ARRAS. A .CLEVER AMBUSCADE. PARIS, November 7. The Germans were induced to make a great effort at Arras on Monday by a French artifice. Air scouts revealed a German concentration between Lens, and Douai. The French evacuated all the villages north of Arras, pretending that they had abandoned the town, and a German aviator was allowed; to reconnoitre unhindered. Twelve thousand Germans entered Arras. The band which played them in had hardly begun to pass the scarp of the bridge when volleys were fired from the neighbouring houses. Ma-chine-guns siiimltaneously opened a deadly fire on tlie flanks and rear of the German columns. A battalion of Guards rushed forward, in the hope of getting beyond the ambuscade, but French Dragoons charged, and ; the Guards surrendered Dodily. The remainder of the enemy retreated, but a military train with a 17in howitzer and a crew of Krupp engineers was captured through bombs from an aeroplane destroying the line.

COMPLETELY SHATTERED. WHOLE DIVISIONS DECIMATED. THE PLIGHT OF PRISONERS. LONDON, November 7. Mr Martin : Doiiohoe says that' in the fighting at Armentieres and Arras, the enemy's attack was completely shattered. Whole divisions of Germans were decimated. Only forty men and a corpora survived out of a full regiment. The country round Armentieres was full of unburied German dead, while the wounded were left to the Allies*' 'mercy.

The unchivalro|us enemy fired on a Red Cross Brigade succouring them, .and Germans in 'tree-tops sniped at the stretcher-bearers. '"Ultimately machineguns were fir,sd into the treertops, and, brought down twenty- sharpshooters.: The British troops captured many isolated bands. They had. been subsisting on raw horseflesh, and eagerly surrendered.

The cold mists sweeping over Flanders greatly affect the Germans. Disease is making great inroads. AMSTERDAM, November 7. There'is heavy cannonading in the neighbourhood of Thourout and Ypres, also of Roulcrs and Hooglede. Wounded are streaming into Pruges. ' French airmen missed the oil-tanks at Bruges, and killed eight marines.

They destroyed a section of the BrugesZeebrugge tramway. The Germans are treating the Belgians with increased severity. Priests are being arrested.

THE NAVAL BATTLE.

T'he German steamer Santa Ursula left Valparaiso on Saturday, declaring her-destination to be Hamburg. It is believed that she is provisioning the German squadron. FALL OF TSING-TAU. TERRIFIC HAIL OF SHELLS. GARRISON IN DIRE STRAITS. TOKIO, November 6. Official:—lt is announced that Tsingtaii has surrendered. PEKING, November 7. * It is officially stated that the left

Advices from Cologne state that 150,000 men are concentrating at Muenster, and are going to Belgium. LONDON, November 7.

The Flushing correspondent of "The Times'' says that all the scraps of news obtainable indicate that things are going in favour of the Allies. There is increasing anxiety on the part of the Germans to prevent the circulation of news, which in itself is a hopeful sign. Life is getting more and more unpleasant for the German soldiers. They are growing rough and. overbearing, as if their temper was giving way. Prom every direction comes the same tale. A constant and terrible stream of wounded are pouring in in trainloads and in" convoys of motor vehicles, while there is a continuous stream of limping, bandaged men along: the roads. Viscount Crichton, a major in the Horse Guards, is a prisoner in Germany.

FATE OF THE GOOD HOPE. IS THE MONMOUTH ASHORE. LONDON, November 6. It is officially stated that the Good Hope exploded and foundered. The Monmouth is supposed to be ashore. The Glasgow escaped. WELLINGTON, November 8. The following cablegram has been received by the. Prime-Minister from the High Commissioner:— LONDON, November 6. The Admiralty has received trustworthy information of an action off the Chilian coa,st' on November 1. The Good Hope, Monmouth, and Glasgow came up with the Scliarnhorst, Gneisenau, Leipzig, and Dresden. Both squadrons were steaming south in a, strong wind and considerable sea. The German squadron declined action until sunset, when the light gave it an important advantage. The action lasted an hour. . - Early in the action the Good Hope and. Monmouth took fire, but fought on until it was nearly dark, When a serious explosion occurred on the Good Hope, which foundered. " The Monmouth hauled off at dark. She was taking in water freely, and appeared unable to steam away. , She was accompanied by tiie Glasgow, whiiitjit had, during the whole action'*. fdught the Leipzig and; the Dresden. ; J '' On the enemy again approaching the wounded "Monmouth, ' the * Glasgow} which was also under lire from oiie of; the armoured cruisers drew off. ; The: enemy then attacked ' the. Monmouth again, with what result is not defi-; nitely known. ;• ...... • ■ • v ■."

The Glasgow is ljot* extensively damaged, and has Very; few casualties. Neither> the Otyaxito .the , Canopus were engaged, .< -Reports received by: the -Foreign Office from Valii&rkiso'state that there is a belligerent warship ashore. on' the Chilian coast.' It is possible this may prove to be the Monmouth! Energetic measures have been taken on this assumption to rescue -any survivors., ' The action appears to the Admiralty; to have been inost gallantly but- iri the absence Of the the enemy's preponderance of force- 'was considerable. V' POSITION OF -

OUTSIDE TERRITORIAL WATERS. ASSISTANCE FOR STRANDED VESSELS. SANTIAGO, November 7. The Chilian Prime Minister, replying to a question in Parliament, said the alleged engagement had been .fought outside territorial water,s. A search in the vicinity had revealed no traces of a fight. The Government had just received a telegram from the Governor of Constitution stating that it had been reported that a warship was ashore at Purita Carranza. Assistance had been sent. LONDON, November 7. A Santiago message says that no British warships entered a Chilian port. No wreckage has been found on the coast, and there is no confirmation of the disaster.

WIRELESS IN SOUTH AMERICA ASSISTANCE FOR GERMANS. BRITISH MAKE INVESTIGATIONS. WASHINGTON, November 7. • The British Embassy is investigating the reported existence of secret German wireless stations along the South American coasts. The Embassy believes that the concentration of the German forces there was due entirely to wireless messages, which were evidently sent by Chilian stations. The State Department explains that the closing of the Tuckerton wireless station is due to congestion of messages. It will re-open shortly. LONDON, November 7.

wing of the Allies occupied the batteries on Shaolon Hill and at Tahungcliing. The central force captured two heavy guns in the vicinity of the main forts, and then occupied the Von Moltke, litis, and Bismarck forts in succession, upon which the white flag was hoisted* Over 800 of the garrison were captured. TOKIO, November 7. The first line, of forts and dangerous defence works were captured at the point of the bayonet. The Germans made desperate efforts to repair the damage to the batteries, but Japanese shells killed the men at work, and finally demolished' the batteries. During the last two days, warships showered a terrific hail of shells on the fortress and city, doing tremendous damage. The Taisehen fort was blown up. Thirty-six Japanese were killed and 182 .wounded in the final action. , The garrison was reduced to dire straits. Bread cost a shilliiig ia loaf.; It is believed that the ptffevention of the smuggling of provisions frdm Linchau hastened the capitulation. * LONDON, November 7. It is officially stated that Jajpan -will administer Tsing-tau tillfthe conclusion of the war, when she will negotiate with China in the matter. ; RUSSIA'S BRILLIANT VICTORIES. THE WIN IN GALICIA.,

* THE MOST IMPORTANT YET. PETROGRAD, November 7. The following official announcement is October *2B and. November 2 we overcame the enemy's resistance in the region of Vewalexandrla; and Sandomerz,- and the principal Austrian, forces in Galicia • were forced to retreat on the sth. During eighteen days our successes along a five hundred-verst front broke down the : enemy's resistance, and he is now generally xetreating," ' It is also officially stated that,during the fighting between October 23 and November 4, in the Thorn-Cracow line, the Russians captured 274 18,500 ■ men, three howitzers, forty cannon, thirty-eight mitrailleuses, . many shells, and a. quantity of arms and ami/.CiTbeßsisßianß 'Aire- successfullyadvanc- ' ling 11 '' oil ' Rbminte and Lyck.- The Ger- , was driven out of Ulava pp withheavy losses. , Germans continue to fall back' on fchejjother side of the Vistula. A Germatt column, passed/ through -CreAStodhowa, goingwestwards. The 'Austrians leftinanycholerar v victims at , Jaroslav, Przevorskj and villages on tha s&n. ' fLONDON, November 7, The Copenhagen correspondent of M,The Time§ A? states thajfc tliree million Germans . are >6^enirat^;i)^ ! th% line from Thorn to Cracow. " •>. • "■ , , Vj PARIS, November 7. The Tsar, in a message to. General Jbffre, anjiojuncing . the Russian victory in Galiciajsays it is the -most important in the eastern theatre since the beginning of the war. . . M ON THE DEFENSIVE.

ENEMY PREPARES FOR A STAND. i : • • • * ■ ' . ' Ti|6uSANDS OF UNBXJRIED DEAD. PETROGRAD, November 7. The Russians in East Prussia occupy a line from Schirvindt to Lycki ! Thousands of German dead remain unburied in many districts, because the ground is frozen. The Germans have everywhere abandoned' the wounded/'' and the resources of the Russian Medical Corps are' heavily taxed" in dealing with them. The practice of hot permitting an armistice'for the rembval-of wounded causes many deaths from exposure by night time. The Germans in Poland are steadily > withdrawing to strongly-fortified posi-. tions on the Czentochown-Kalisch line. There, with Breslau as a base, the Germans have accumulated stores,- j>roposing to remain on the defensive during the winter. ' All the towns which the Germans have traversed have been wrecked, and the railway bridges blown up. ' The Germans, on leaving Radom, shot all their prisoners, including a Cossack officer, who was compelled to dig his own grave. The Pauline Monastery was held as a hostage for the inhabitants' good behaviour,- The threat to burn the buildings, which are famous for the-pilgrimages made to them, Btrikes at the religious sentiments of the whole of Poland. The monks, who were expelled, have arrived, in the Russian lines. They report that the monastery was prepared as a residence for the Kaiser. Furniture was brought from Germany, and rooms prepared for a staff of sixty. ROME, November 8. Upwards of a hundred thousand

Wounded have arrived in Vienna in the eourae of a few days. The public has gradually become aware of a grave Austrian defeat on tlie San. TRICKED INTO WAR. GERMANY DECEIVES TURKEY. RUSSIAN FLEET DOES GOOD WORK. "Times" and "Sydney Sun" Services. LONDON, November 7. It appears that the Germans tricked fFurkey into war. The Goeben wirelessed to Constantinople, asserting that the Russians had treacherously attacked Turkish ships. The Turkish Ministers held a council, and approved the action of the Goeben. The following day they discovered the fraud. RUSSIAN FLEET ACTIVE. TURKISH TRANSPORTS SUNK. v ROME, November 7. • A 'message from Constantinople says that the Russian Black Sea fleet bombarded Zunguldiak and Kuzlu, in Asia Mind*, sinking several vessels in the harbours. . PETROGRAD, November 7. It is officially stated that the Russian: fleet sank three Turkish transports laden with stores and munitions of war, and another with troops aboard at Zunguldiak. • BRITISH STEAMER SEIZED. A TURKISH CLAIM. MOSLEM LOYALTY IN INDIA. AMSTERDAM, November 7. A Turkish official statement says:— ' * Our troops are in touch with the enemy on the whole of the eastern front; Three large: British steamers and several small British and French vessels have been seized at Smyrna." "Time®" and "Sydney Sun" Services. LONDON, November 7. The Bombay correspondent of "The Times'' says that all the evidences point to the solidarity of the Moslems in India with Great Britain.

The Madras Moslem League telegraphed to the Viceroy a?. "Oar loyalty is deep-rooted and unabated." Rangoon Moslems, at a meeting, expressed unflinching loyalty. QUETTA, November 7. At a public meeting, a resolution was. passed protesting against Turkey being decoyed into a; breach of neutrality. SOFIA, November 7. Military law -in- Constantinople is - being vigorously enforced. The Grand Vizier thrice tried to 1 resign, but was threatened with trial by court-martial, and fgreed to remain in office. ' RUSSIANS WIN ON LAND. A DESPEKATE BATTLE. f BULTAN'S PROMISE TO ITALY. ' PETROGRAD, November 8. After a desperate battle the Russians captured the stronghold of" Koprikoi, commanding the road to Erzeroum. CAIRO, NoVembdri 7.. The Sultan promised Italy to disBuade the Senussi from further hoatiliUes against Italians in Cyrenica, but instead directed them to attack the British. It. is reported that the Senussi are marching towards Egypt. HAVRE, November 7. Belgium has declared war against Turkey. FIGHTING IN SOUTH AFRICA. REBELS DO DESTRUCTION. THE PROSPECTS OF PEACE. CAPE TOWN, November 7. A force of police, under Colonel Hertz, had a sharp fight with Tebels under General Muller at Bronkhorstspruit. Four rebels were killed and fifty-eight captured, together with all transport and spare ammunition. The Unionists lost one killed and three wounded. De. la Rey and Swarts engaged a rebel commando on Thursday near ' Bloemhof and captured five. Rebels looted Harrismith, and others blew up the bridge over the Sand River at Verginia. De Wet destroyed the railway in the neighbourhood of Lindley. It is reported the the deported Labour leaders have returned unconditionally, but have promised not to embarrass the Government during the War. Reviewing a motor transport corps at Johannesburg, General Smuts emphasised the danger of having a neighbour such as the German Empire. All loyal South Africans would certainly do their best to see that its proximity did not continue for long. The rebels asked them to exchange a free constitution, which De Wet and others had helped to Irame, for a Republic under the Prussian heel, in accordance with Maritz's treaty, but the vast majority . cf the people were satisfied with present conditions, and were prepared to give their lives to safeguard their liberties for themselves and their children.

The High Commissioner reports: — LONDON, November 7.

Official:—The Governor-General of Bouth Africa reports:—"For the last few clays things have been quiet in the Orange Free State. This is attributed to conversations passing betwees De Wet and other prominent Orange Free state leaders. *' The Govermufijit desire to avoid un-

necessary bloodshed, and have refrained from any provocative attitude while the conversations are in progress." HELP FROM OVERSEAS. CANADA'S SECOND CONTINGENT. RED INDIANS WANT TO JOIN. OTTAWA, November 7. Canada ia sending a second oversea contingent of 15,000 men shortly. A cavalry brigade is being organised for service in Egypt and Syria. Red Indians are asking to be allowed to serve against the Empire's enemies, and are also subscribing largely to the war funds. The Crees, Blackfeet, and Blood Indians have adopted an address to the King, craving the right to fight at the front. LONDON, November 7. The War Office is inviting tenders, returnable on November 16, for 5,000,000 twelve-ounce tins of preserved beef, and mutton for delivery in London in January, February, and March. It will accept cabled tenders. UNITED STATES'S ATTITUDE. A PERTINENT QUERY. GERMANS STILL LAYING MINES.

"Times" and "Sydney Sun" Services. LONDON, November 7. A Washington message says that Mr Robert Bacon, a former American Ambassador at Paris, has denounced the lack of spirit characterising the United States's attitud'e of Strict, neutrality. He points out that -the German violation of Belgium constitutes an open breach of The Hague Convention, and asks: "Are we going to suffer a nation to break a treaty with us without entering a protest?" COPENHAGEN, November 7. Fishermen report that German mines in the Baltic practically render navigation impossible. Explosions occur daily. Two German steamers and two German trawlers were recently sunk by German mines in Kiel Bay. IN THE COMMONWEALTH. -RAID ON OFFICES. THE DISPOSAL OF METALS. : (Received November 9, 9.15 a.m.) MELBOURNE, November 9. The military authorities have raided the offices of a number of metal companies, and seized books and documents. It is understood that the object is to ascertain the disposal of metals since the war broke out. TROOPS IN SAMOA. GENERAL HEALTH GOOD. SICK PROGRESSING FAVOURABLY. Press Association. WELLINGTON, November 9. The following message, dated November 8, has been received by the Governor from the Administrator of Samoa:— "The health of the troops is good. The following, who have been sick, are doing well: — Artillery: Privates Hatch and Jones (dysentry); Railway Engineers, Bagnall, Cameron, McDonald, Thomas, Burns (fever). Auckland Regiment: Corporal Hewitt (fever), Boyne (bronchitis), Hay (dysentry), Owen (rheumatism). Wellington Regiment: Lawrence (septic poisoning to knee), Rogers (fever), Boddington (dysentry). SIDE BY SIDE. THE ALLIES' OPERATIONS. OFFICIAL REPORT FROM HEADQUARTERS. Press Association. WELLINGTON, November 7. The Prime Minister has received from the High Commissioner the following official account, communicated by an eye-witness with General Headquarters, which continues the narrative of the movements of the British force and the French armies in immediate touch with it:— In spite of the great losses suffered in their attacks last week, the Germans continued the offensive towards the west almost continuously during the five days from October 26 to the 30th. Opposite us it has gradually grown in intensity, extent, and applications. As men and guns have been brought up and pushed into the fight, the contest has developed into the most bitterlycontested battle that has been fought in. the western theatre.

The Germans' artillery has been increased by guns transferred from Antwerp. As regards infantry, it is possible that some additional troops have been rendered available by the relaxation of pressure against the Allies north of Ypres caused by the desperate and successful resistance made against the latter, by the harassing nature of the artillery fire brought to bear by our ships against the strip of country along the coast and by flooding in the area of the Yser. Forces have been massed also from the south, whilst another new army corps definitely made its debut. Though attempts to hack a way through have been made in other directions, they have been seriously concentrated upon the neighbourhood of Ypres. ATTACK AND COUNTER ATTACK.

On the 26th, south of the Lys, on our right, the enemy attacked Neuve Chapelle, which was held by us. In the evening, advancing under cover of a wood, they managed to gain possession of a portion of the ground north of the Lys. In the centre, bombardment alone kept us the ground we had made. A detached post which was attacked by a force during the night drove back its assailants, who left 56 dead behind. Near our left the Germans developed a very strong attack on the region to the east of Ypres. Though supported by great masses of artillery, this was checked. It had two results. One was that our position was readjusted. The

other was that our extreme left alone advanced, in conjunction with some of our allies. On Tuesday the Germans rather focussed their principal attention on our right and centre. On the right most desperate fighting took place for the possession of Neuve Chappelle. In spite of repeated counter-attacks by thb British, the enemy managed to hold the northern part of the village, which they had gained the day before. Towards evening we regained the greater part, step by step, when fresh hostile reinforcements were brought up, and the entire village was captured by the enemy. They made several assaults against the whole front south of the Lys, but, with the exception of their success at Neuve Chappelle, they won no advantage. A MURDEROUS COMBAT.

The combat for the place was of a most murderous description. It is believed that the. enemy's losses in this quarter of the field were very great. An artillery officer who observed their advance, reports that the effects of our rifle and gun fire were stupendous. The Germans had to throw the corpses of thoir own men out of the trenches to obtain cover. Four successive attacks were made, each by different regiments. In this way the whole of one division was engaged piecemeal in about the same locality. The last of these regiments was practically disposed of. According to prisoners, their condition was deplorable. North of the river *our centre was subjected to heavy shell fire. Our guns were by no means idle. One .of our patrols found eleven German dead ? and one rendered unconscious by the fumes, in a place in which one of our lyddite shells detonated. INDIANS DO GOOD WORK.

Towards our left the readjustment of the line which had commenced on Monday was completed, and the re-distribu-tion of strength effected. Ground was gained at Neuve Chappelle against desperate fighting, our Indian troops greatly distinguishing themselves by a well-conducted counter-attack. They drove the Germans out of the greater part of the place with the bayonet. Emerging from the village, however, they were exposed to the concentrated fire of the machine-guns, and had to remain contented with what they had gained. Further to the left the enemy made attacks under cover of the usual heavy bombardment, each effort being repulsed with great slaughter. One of our trenches was carried, and then recovered, after a loss of 200 dead had been inflicted on the enemy. On the extreme left our advance was not pressed. The enemy remained in possession of Beeel-air. A night attack by them was repulsed. The next centres of pressure were our two flanks, south of the Lys. Against our right the Germans delivered an assault which failed. In front of one battalion it is estimated they left between 600 and 700 dead, whilst in a trench to which they had penetrated, and which was re-captured by us, there were seventy killed, and fourteen were taken prisoners. A few Germans surrendered voluntarily. A MIDNIGHT ATTACK.

In this quarter we experienced for the first time in the northern theatre the action of a trench mortar. It has a range of some 500 yards, and throws a bomb loaded with high, explosive, weighing 2001b, being fired at an extreme elevation from a bomb pit in a trench. At midnight our line was attacked in two places.. One attack did not mature, as the ground was well swept by our guns. In the other case the assault was carried' out against one of our brigades by a force of some twelve battalions. With great selfrestraint our men held their fire for forty minutes, until the attackers got quite close to them, and then drove them back with a loss of 200 killed. The enemy penetrated portions of one of our trenches, but were driven out again, losing 800 men killed and captured. The really important feature of this day's operations north of the Lys consisted of an onslaught of a great force in the morning in the direction of Ypres. After a heavy cannonade the assault was driven home, and a portion of our front line was forced back. By the evening the last ground was recovered, and in places more than recovered, the exception being a part to which the enemy clung. Our losses were heavy, but *not so severe as the enemy's, who at one spot suffered tremendously from the concentrated fire of our masked machine-guns. SHELLS CUT TELEPHONE WIRES. The 30th.witnessed the renewal of efforts against our right, but without success to the enemy. In the centre the bombardment was heavy. So many shells fell round our position that the telephone wires were frequently cut. The attack in the direction of Ypres was generally renewed, and south-east of that town it was pressed in great force. In places our lines were again forced back a short distance, but on our left the oncoming Germans were stopped by our entanglements, under close rifle fire, and after two efforts to advance, gave way. On the 31st a most determined attack was made on our left centre, the pressure being specially severe against the latter portion of our position. Part of our line was driven back temporarily by sheer weight of metal and numbers, but was almost all recovered again before night. Against our centre the enemy did not advance, whilst against our right they were not nearly so active as farther north. DASH OF THE FRENCH.

So far, with the assistance of the French, who have been co-operating most effectually, we have succeeded in maintaining our line and in retaining possession of Ypres, upon the capture of which by the end of October the Germans had set their hearts. The fighting for the past five days has been of the most desperate nature, and was evidently a soldiers' battle. Without exaggeration or undue self-congratula-tion, our men behaved splendidly in the face' of heavy odds. Against repeated onslaughts of great masses, whi&h were continually replaced by fresh men, and backed by an almost continuous fire from an immense concentration of guns, they have by dogged resistance well upheld the reputation of our Army. Heavy as have been our losses, we have taken a far heavier toll from the enemy. Our French allies are fighting with all the dash for which they are famous. At Dixmude and along the Yser they have made a name for themselves which will never die. The Belgians, likewise, have resisted- furious onslaughts with the utmost gallantry. GERMANS WIN RESPECT.

The German troops have won our respect for the way in which they have advanced. Whether it be due to patriotism or fear induced by iron discipline, the fact remains they have steadily pressed on to what in many cases must obviously have been certain death. A

wounded German soldier states:—"My section received orders to go forward to the attack. The officers warned us that if we gave way fire would be opened upon us from behind. This was carried into effect when the losses we suffered, compelled us to retire. A German bullet wounded mo." Our airmen harass the advancing hostile columns by bomb-dropping and machine-gun fire. The tactical transfer of troops behind the German front line is now carcied out to a great extent by motor omnibuses.