ATTACKS UTTERLY FAIL

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 255, 1 December 1914, Page 7

ATTACKS UTTERLY FAIL

GERMANS ON THE DEFENSIVE INSPIRING STORY OF BRITISH VALOUR GRAVE PERIL AVERTED *fc ~—- TURKISH TROOPS FLEE IN DISORDER RUSSIANS SMASH THE ENEMY AND CONTINUE THEIR ADVANCE To-day's cables announce that the Germans in Belgium are on the defensive, and that their cannonades are feeble and intermittent. •'' Dispatches from Sir J. D. French give further thrilling details of the great-work done by the British forces, in frffstrating the German advance on Calais, against terrific odds. '■* . The Russians are reported to have again defeated the enemy; separated the German and Austrian armies, and to be continuing their victorious march towards the German frontier. ' The. Turks, too, have been routed by the Russians. They have abandoned some positions, and are fleeing in disorder. German efforts to get Abyssinia to undertake an attack on the Soudan have failed, that country offering assistance to Britain. Italy has dispatched a small cruiser and three steamers to Asia Minor for the protection and convenience of her people there, The; rebels in South Africa have once again been defeated with much. The latest cable messages announce a complete change in the nature of the operations in Belgium, which have been resolved into a series of outpost affairs. '/ Indignation is being expressed in Sweden at the repeated seizure of her timber, by German warships.

By Cable. — Press Association. — Copyright,

AGAINST TERRIFIC ODDS.

for the incalculable services they rendered. The First .Corps was brilliantly supported by General Byng V cavalry. ''.' , The names of Major-General Balfin and Brigadier-General Kavanagh were particularly mentioned, also Brigadier Generals FitzClarence and Cowen.

ALLIES' SIGNIFICANT ROLE.

BOW THE BRITISH SAVED THE ..■■ ~■; "■' -'■ DAY.' ::., > —— ; (Received December 1, 8.15 a.m.) LONDON, November 30. Sir John French's despatches state that the bearing of the territorials, of Whieh there were six battalions and five cavalry regiments, belonging to > England, realised the highest expectations. Htf iagain pays a tribute to.the resource Jl»d initiative of the Indians in repulsing superior forces, while their • behaviour in' their, new Surroundings was highly satisfactory.''; -. '"'.-. ' ■. .

Referring further to the fighting at Gheluvelt,, Sir John French states that v bn October .31 Sir Douglas Haig considered the position, serious. The Germans wore suddenly by an army corps, and Sir Douglas Haig 'sNme corps was facing three army corps under General von;,tie Milignes, whose army order, foiihd On a prisoner, declared that the Kaiser considered that to break through at Ypres was of vital importance to the success of the war.

'Sir. John French adds: ' 'The value and significance of the Allies:' role in the West lies in the, fact that at this moment, when Germany's Eastern Provinces are ..in imminent. danger of. i.n"yasion, .nearly .the. whole, of her active army is tied, up in the 260 ,mile» Of trenches from Verdun to 'Nieuport;, Where she now. holds,.much reduced in numbers and moral by the success of our troops. '

•i All —day an attack was carried on against Sir Douglas; Haig, which was the most important and most decisive of the series of operations, except the Prussian Guards' attack on November 15. French supports failed to arrive", and the heavy attack broke the line of Sir Douglas Haig's first division. The Royal Scots, Fusiliers were cut off and surrounded, Germans; shelled the headquarters of the First and Second Divisions, killing six staff officers and wounding both commanders. ■ Sir Douglas Haig again ordered 'his army corps to resist.at all costs. The First Division rallied, but other divisions, and brigades were forced to yield time after time, until the First and Second Divisions on the flanks combined in a series of counter-attacks, which were completely successful. They retook Gheluvelt with a bayonet charge, in which the Second Battalion of the Worcesters shone out.

The newspapers point out that Sir J. D. French took an enormous risk in ordering , the . First, Army Corps to T-hourout, via Ypres, but undoubtedly this action saved Calais and the Channel ports. ' ,

- '--ey emphasise the fact that General -Haig's original instructions, to capture Bruges and, if possible, Ghent, showed that Germany's enormous-re-inforcements were imperfectly realised at that stage.- General Haig never reached ;:those cities, but nevertheless he held the line before Ypres, against terrific odds, until General Joffre was able to strongly reinforce him.

Finally the Sixth Cavalry Brigade cleared the woods with" great dash, killing large numbers, and the British line was restored .at 10 at night. . „

Sir John French concludes:—"We are now possibly in the last stages of the battle of Ypres'-Armentieres. I r&gret the heavy casualties that Ave have suffered, but at least thrice as many of the enemy are hors de combat."

A GLORIOUS ACHIEVEMENT.

BRITISH TROOPS' GREAT WORE.

SIB JOHN FRENCH'S DISPATCH.

Continuing his dispatch, Sir John French, 'having referred to the critical moment,when the First Division was retiring, from Hogue, said that the division, however, rallied, and recaptured Gheluvelt. This rally at such a time was fraught with momentous consequences, anil if one unit could be singled out for especial praise it was the Woreesters.

ON THE DEFENSIVE.

GERMANS IN BELGIUM. FEEBLE AND INTERMITTENT BOMBARDMENTS. (Received December 1, 9.55 a.m.) PARIS, November 30. A communique states: The enemy remains on the defensive in Belgium, and their cannonades are feeble. We have progressed at some points and strongly hold points around Fay. The Germans intermittently cannonade in the region of Soissons and the town, without result, and have bombarded the 1 forest of Apremont. There is thick fog ' on the heights of the Meuse.

'■':: Meanwhile the enemy in the centre was heavily pressing the Third and Cavalry Corps, and as the position of the cavalry at Saint Yves was endangered,' counter-attacks were planned .by. Generals Hunter, Weston, and Anley, who successfully beat the Germans with

great loss, The staunchness of the Royal Laneasters. and Lancashire Fusiliers -was commendable, and they were well handled ( by, Lieut.-Colonel Butler. ;

THE WINTER WAR. ENEMY BADLY PREPARED. "RUSSIA'S MOST FAITHFUL, i ALLY." "Times" and "Sydney Sun" Services. (Received December 1, 8 a.m.) LONDON, November 30. Hundreds of Germans, dead and completely stripped, piled in waggons, have 1 ' passed through Saint Quer.tin en route for Belgium. Winter will be the Russians' most ■

Sir John, French brings under special notices the excellent work of Major.General Pulteney, his staff, and the divisional and regimental leaders and men, in ; holding a front of very undue length with invariable success, courage, tenacity, and cheerfulness. Referring to the attack of the Prussian Guards, which came from Arras with great speed and secrecy, Sir John French says thai a document was f oiuui which proved that the Guards had received the Emperor's special command to break through where their comrades had failed. They were repulsed with enormous lossi ."Lieut.-General Haig, assisted by the divisional and brigade commanders, held the line with marvellous courage. Words fail to express our admiration

faithful ally, as the Germans are unprepared for a winter campaign, and lack suitable clothing. The Russians, on capturing -Turkish trenches at Erzeroum, found that many Turks who had been lying together for warmth had been frozen to death.

THE LATEST PHASE.

NEW KIND OP FIGHTING.

COMFORT IN THE TRENCHES,

(Received December 1, 11.10 a.m.)

LONDON, November 30.

An eye-witness states that the fighting lias now resolved itself into competition of sniping and outpost affairs all along the line, with rifles, hand .grenades, bombs, and mortars. Man's every effort is to mitigate the hardships in the trenches, which are being heated with braziers, and have ingenious shelters and dugouts to give facilities for cooking. The men have been provided with skin coats, and there is remarkably .little sickness, a fact which is due to the excellent food.

GERMAN PRECAUTIONS

DEFENCE OF THE COAST.

BELGIUM'S WAR LEVY £15,000,000.

(Received/December' 1, 8.30 a.m.) AMSTERDAM, November 30. The "Telegraaf" says that the inhabitants of northern Flanders from eighteen to forty-five years'of age have been forced to sign a declaration that they will not fight against Germans. Immense preparations have been taken to safeguard Zeebrugge and the coast from naval attack; ' ; A telegram from, Brussels states that Belgium's war levy has now been fixed at £15,000,000. _ ENGLISH IN GERMANY. PERSECUTION CAMPAIGN. OUTSPOKEN NEWSPAPER SUPPRESSED. ■•■•■. i ' (Received December 1, 8.40 a.m.) BAYREUTH, November 30. The Socialist newspaper, "Volks Tribuenej'' has been suppressed for appealing to the Reichstag to end the persecution of the British in Germany. '. . LONDON, November 30. The "Daily Mail" says that four Englishmen, disguised as German officers, were shot in Flanders last week.

public must be unable to form a judgment of the action in the Pacific, the loss of cruisers on the Dutch coast, and the expedition to Antwerp. He paid a tribute to the newspapers for ; the way in which they had helped the course of the military operations and upheld the interests of the country, and he looked forward hopefully to the day when all parts of the naval administration could be weighed by the nation.

THE SILVER BULLET.

BRITAIN'S ENORMOUS POWER.

KEIR HARDIE AND ENLISTMENT.

"Times" and "Sydney Sun" Services. (Received December 1, 8 a.m.) LONDON, November 30. ■*.' The Times," in a leader, says that

the surpassing success of the enormous national loan is the first taste of what British financial power means when it is applied to war purposes. German .sources allege that a letter has been received from Mr. J. Keir Hardie,' M.P., declaring": '"' I have never said or written 1 anything to dissuade our young men from enlisting. I;knowtoo well all there is, at stake.''.;

TRUST IN THE NAVY;

INVASION OF ' ENGLAND \ IMPOSSIBLE.

SECRECY NECESSARY.

NAVAL AND MILITARY MOVEMENTS.

MR CHURCHILL'S PLEA FOR TIME

LORD CHARLES BERESFORB'S

APPEAL.

"Times" and "Sydrfey Sun" Services. (Received December 1, 8 a.m.)

"Times" and "Sydney Sun" Services.

r (Received December 1, 8 a.m.) LONDON, November 30.

The Rt. Hon. Winston Churchill said it was impossible at present to disclose the orders, without .which, the

LONDON, November 30.

In the House of Commons, Admiral Lord Charles Beresford referred to the loss of H.M.S. Bulwark as a tragedy unprecedented in the history of the Navy. ?He deprecated any conclusions as to the cause until, the enquiry was concluded, and claimed that it* was specially desirous, in view of- the present excitement regarding enemy aliens that the loss should not be attributed, to treachery. The public seemed to harbour doubts, as to'the Navy's capabilities for carrying out its duty, but the Nayy was in a better condition as regards ships and trained men than ever before. The people need not feel the least alarm about an invasion of England, which was impossible now that the Navy had been organised for war. He warned the people ; against under-rating the enemy. He believed that the German Navy would come out by night and in a fog and; in the melee none could say what might happen; but, whatever happened, luck or no luck, we would win in the end, and the trust of the people in the Navy would be fully repaid. ,;y. ; .

BATTLE OF MILLIONS.

' COLOSSAL DEFEAT.

MUST PROVE DECISIVE.

GERMANS AND AUSTRIANS

SEPARATED.

(Received December 1, 8.50 a.m.)

ROME, November 30.

previous reports of the investment of Cracow were premature. A Milan newspaper states that the last barrier to the city has-been broken by the Russians, and their heavy siege guns are bombarding it. One suburb is on fire. ,

The "Telegraph's" Petrograd correspondent says that the prolongation' of .the Lodz battle was due to the Germans' desperate efforts to bring up reserves.

The "Giornale d'ltalia" publishes a dispatch stating that the Germans' losses in Poland have been tremendous, and are estimated at one-fourth of her effective forces. Communication between the German and Austrian armies have beeif definitely broken off, while the victorious Russians are marching on Breslau, Posen, and Thorn with great rapidity.

Colonel Shumsky estimates that from 22 to '25 German corps are concentrated on the eastern frontier, and 30 to 34 west of the Rhine.

The dispatch adds:—"The Austro-Ger-man defeat is assuming colossal proportions, and will undoubtedly prove decisive;" .

VIENNA, November 30. A report states that a Russian detachment has occupied Ungarisch, in Hungary. •

FLYING IN DISORDER. , turks abandon positions. seizures in palestine .-.• ■■ reported. (Received December 1, 8.40 a.m.) PARIS, November 30: The "New York Herald's" Paris edition states that the Turks have seized the Allies' banks and other establishments in Palestine.

, "Le Matin's" Petrograd correspour dent says that the Turks have abandoned their positions at Kaprukeui, flying in disorder towards Erzei'um, with the Russians pursuing them. [Koprukeni. is a small town in Arc menia, the north-eastern part of Turkey-in-Asia, about 25 miles from the important town. Si Erzeroum and about 30 - miles from Russia's south-western frontier on Asia Minor.]

(Received December 1, 8.20 a.m.)

LONDON, November 30.

... The •'' Morning Post's'' Petrograd correspondent says that German prisoners declare that the companies in-the VistulaWarta region have been reduced by 60 per cent., while frequent bayonet charges indicated that the, Germans are short of ammunition. -

GERMAN INTRIGUES REJECTED.

ABYSSINIA LOYAL TO BRITAIN.

MASSACRE URGED AT BEIRUT.

(Received December 1, 8.20 a.m.)

PARIS, November 30.

A message from Cracow states that the Negus of Abyssinia has rejected German' intrigues for an attack on the, Soudan, and has offered a contingent to Britain.

ATHENS, November 30.

Hojas from the minarets of Beirut exhorted', the populace to massacre* Christians and Europeans, whenever the Entente Powers' warships' appear. * [Beirut is the chief seaport of Syria.] [The' -present' Negus Negus ('/King of Kings") of Abyssinia is probably Lij Yasu, a son of• Menelik 's daughter. It; was- reported some, time- ago that Menelik 11. was dead, but no confirmation was received, so that it is possible that \ he: isi still reigning, though he' would now be 72 years ol age. Having no direct heir, Menelik. p\'oclaimed Lij Yasu his successor, and this youth (he would now be about 17 years of age) has ruled with the of the -principal chieftains, since the illness (not. specified) in 1909 of his grandfather.} ;- . ;,.-,.■■-■.

[There are two town? of the name of Ungarisch in Austria-Hungary, both of them in the province of Moravia —TJngar : isch-Brod and Ungarisch-Hradisch. The first is in the south-east corner of Mp-. ravia, not far* from the Hungarian border,' the second is situated on the River March,' about 42 miles E.S.E. of the town of Brunn. Each town has a population of about 3000.] .' ~..;•,

.ITALt TAKES ACTION.

protecting! her people.

PRUSSIAN LOSSES.

CRUISER AND STEAMERS DISPATCHED.

THE OFFICIAL ESTIMATE.

THE WHEREABOUTS OF VON MOLTKE. :

(Received December 1, 8.45 a.m.)

LONDON, November, 30

Exclusive of Saxons,, Wurtemburgers, and Bavarians, official lists give the Prussian losses as 627,073. The ' 4 Daily News's " Copenhagen correspondent says that General von Moltke's Danish wife writes, stating that her husband is a prisoner, by the Kaiser's orders, in the palace at Homburg,< for interfering with the Crown Prince's operations on the Western front, in the early stages of the retreat. LAST BARRIER BROKEN. RUSSIANS ROUND CRACOW^ ENEMY'S DESPERATE EFFORTS . AT LODZ. (Received December 1, 8.30 a.m.) LONDON, .November 30. The "Daily Chronicle" says that

(Received December 1, 9.55 a.m.) ; ; .. -c!/ .;-; ROME, November 30.

''.Owing to the threatening situation in Asia Minor and Palestine, following' on ; the declaration of a Holy War, the, Italian Government has dispatched four, steamers to embark Italians.

The .cruiser Calabria has been* ordered to Syria to protect Italians.

HOLY WAR PROCLAMATION.

IGNORED IN CONSTANTINOPLE

MOHAMMEDANS REMAIN , TRANQUIL.

(Received December 1/10.20 a.m.) ' LONDON, November 30. •

•News from Teheran shows that the festival of Moharram passed without the slightest hostility towards the Rus-' sians. : '■...-.

The Holy War proclamation in stanftnople ljas been ignored. '' The festival was also tranquil iu India. ' *'■ '' '

[Moharram is the first month of the Mohammedan-year, but the festival known by that name, and celebrated in that month, is a period of mourning set apart by the Shiite sect of Mohammedans for commemorating the martyrdom of Ali, a' son-in-law of Mohammed, and his two sonsv Their assassination caused the most considerable breach in the faith, for the Shiite sect regards the three' Califs who reigned between Mahommed arid Ali as usurpers, which the equally great Sunnite sect recognises no divine right of succession. The celebration of Moharram has often been the occasion for fierce conflict between the two sects.] '

AFGHANISTAN NEUTRALITY.

A CORDIAfc. ASSURANCE. >

KEMAKKABLE LOYALTY IN INDIA.

(Received December 1, 8.20 a.m.)

DELHI, November 30,

The •Ameer, in a letter to the Viceroy, has clearly confirmed Afghanistan's determination to remain neutral. The letter ; which is most cordial and friendly, regrets that Turkey embarked on a war with England, and points out that it is certain to have the effect of further strengthening the general Moslem opinion regarding the folly of Turkey in joining Germany. Leading Tirwana chiefs in the Sherpur

district of the Punjab have offered to raise and maintain 300 men whenever they are required. The Government of India, following on Parliament's example, will omit, so far as possible, all Bills of a contentious nature from the legislative programme.,

DERVISHES DEFEATED.

FIGHTING IN SOMALILAND.

STRONG POSITIONS CAPTURED.

(Received December 1, H.lO a.m.)

LONDON, November 30.

The Press Bureau states that Colonel Cubitt, commanding the reinforced. Camel Constabulary in Somaliland, attacked the Dervishes on November 23 in strong He captured forts,, which he demolished, and the Dervishes, overcome by the moral effects of shell, fire, fled. ■■■'■'...

ORDER FOR SUBMARINES.

REPORT IN UNITED STATES.'

WILL NEUTRALITY BE INVOLVED ?

(Received December 1, 8.20 a.m.) WASHINGTON, November 30.

A report is current that an unknown purchaser has ordered 20 submarinesMuch comment has been caused by the report, and it is argued that no breach of ' neutrality is involved in the building of the vessels, and that in the delivery of them to Jfctelligerent European nations,, they could only be regarded as contraband. It is asserted that eight ,have been, built at the Union Works in San Francisco, and others at Massachusetts. "

• THE WAR IN AFRICA. REBELS PUT TO FLIGHT. MORE PRISONERS TAKEN. ! (Received December 1, 8.40 a.m.) PRETORIA, November 30. General Vanderventer engaged four . hundred rebels on Sunday near Edcnvalle. The rebels fled and fifty weretaken prisoner. INDIGNATION IN SWEDEN. GERMANS SEIZING TIMBER. RELEASE OF ENGLISH TRAINERS.. (Received December 1, 8.30 a.m.) LONDON, November 30. / The Swedish public are ' incensed owing to German warships continuing, to seize Swedish timber. . ( . (Received December 1, 10' a.m.) AMSTERDAM, November 30. . Berlin x newspapers explain several English racehorse trainers have ben released .in order to attend to valuable " horses belonging to German nobles.*-

AUSTRALIANS #HEAT PROBLEM .

A GRAVE OXJTLOp?. ,

SERIOUS position i]Nr*yicTOßiA

AND THE WEST

; (Received December 1, 10 a.m.) ; SYDNEY, December 1. The clauses in the Wheat Seizure Bill regarding the abolition of existingcontracts, are causing controversy, and Cabinet is considering the problem. The Government has decided tothrow open 40,800 acres of the Pilliga..' scrub lands, near Baradine, for wheat growing. ,

PERTH, December 1

Th 6 Government Statistician estimates that the crop on 391,000 acres — :one-fourth of the wheat area sown will be a total failure.

ADELAIDE, December 1. ; The Government has seized a further* hundred thousand bags of Jwh'eat.

MELBOURNE, December 1.

■' The Water Commission' refcorts that i •: r i .; •■■■l ■the flow of the river .has'...ceased at ! Nyah, and that drought threatens: The [position is worse than'it-was in 1902.

SYDNEY, December 1.

The dockyard shipwrights -; have resumed work, conditional on their receiving dcfuble pay for overtime l work.

AN IMPREGNABLE LINE.^

ALLIES HOLDING FIRM.

PLANS REPEALED.

LONDON, November 30

The latest telegrams indicate that the allied line is now believed to be im-

pregnable. The "Daily Chronicle's" Calais -correspondent says that although the-week has been comparatively uneventful, hundreds have been killed in-skirmishes and minor operations, which p'nicial reports ignore. ,

Amongst these was the; British raz.ing of the largest forest hear Ypres,. which afforded excellent cover for the Germans attacking our trenches. The task demanded unflinching valour, but the volunteers for it exceeded requirements. After hard fightingy which wascleverly confined to the forest itself, the

Germans were expelled from carefullyconstructed entrenchments, losing a thousand killed daily throughout the week. The Germans' guns largely assisted in the demolishing of the forest. A colonel captured in Belgium declared that, if the Germans fail to break through to. the coast before December 29, they would retreat to the second Jino of defence in Belgium.

RECAPTURING TRENCHES.

BRITISH-INDIAN NIGHT ATTACK.

VICTORY AT GREAT COST.

LONDON, November 30.

The Press Bureau supplies the narra;ive 'of an observer with the Indian troops. He describes the recapture of trenches, the possession of which was involved in the general scheme of defence. Two attacks by day-time on the 2.'» rd were foiled. When an army corps in reserve arrived, the British and Indian regiments, at l'O.oO at night, began the final assault, and recovered" the trenches at six in the morning, after a bloody struggle lastir g nearly twentyfour hours. We captured three officers and ninety-sc* r en men, but our losses

were distressing.

FROM BELGIUM TO POLAND.

MOVEMENT OF GERMANS. THE KAISER AND HIS SON. AMSTERDAM, November 30. , An official Berlin message states that lie Kaiser is now on the eastern; front. • LONDON, November. 30. r Renter 'a Paris correspondent says it is estimated that the Germans have withdrawn four army corps from Belgium and sent them to Poland, and replaced them with old and .young volunteers and Landsturm troops. ; French newspapers that the accident to 'the Kaiser's son, Prince August, was due to a French shell shattering his car in the vicinity of Craonne. The Germans, eager for vengeance, opened a geueral attack on the French line, with the result that several German trenches were lost". '

'(Received December 1, 10 a.m.) PARIS, November 30. "Le Temps" sayS that the Kaiser visited Antwerp on November 2?>._'

DOMINATING THE AIR.

THE ALLIES IN BELGIUM. SUCCESSFUL ATTACK ON GHENT. AMSTERDAM, November 30. Five of the Allies' aeroplanes bombarded the military stores at Ghent, and did much damage. Observers declare that latterly the " Allies' airmen ha-ve dominated the air in Belgium. ' LONDON, November 30. Captain lan MacDougall, "of the Grenadier Guards, who was v second aide-de-camp to Lord Islington from April 7, 19J1, to January 17, 1913, has been 'killed in action.

(Received December 1, 9 a.m.) LONDON, November 30. Captain Stewart Richardson has died as the result of wounds received.

[The officer referred to in this message is probably Captain R. M. Stewart-Rich-ardson, of the 11th (Prince Albert's Own) Hussars —the regiment usually known as the *' cherry-pickers,' > from the fact that they wear crimson overalls. His brother, Sir Edward Austin Stewart-Rich-ardson, Bt., also holds a captain 's commission in the 3rd (special reserve) battalion of the Black Watch, and he may possibly be meant. Sir Edward is the husbaud of Lady Constance Stewart-Richardson, the .famous* classical dancer.]

IN BRITAIN.

FOOTBALLERS AT THE FRONT.

MORE ABOUT THE DOUGLAS RIOT.

' LONDON, November 29. The Football Association claims that a hundred thousand footballers have enlisted, a figure which exceeds the aggregate of recruits of all other sports. At the inquiry into the Douglas riot, evidence was given that, the signal for the insurrection was a bloody hand cut

out of paper and posted on a window

There were 3300 prisoners in camp, c mid the guards were unable to use their bayonets, owing to the press of the crowd of rioters. With regard to the complaints about the prisoners' food, the Coroner .read out the menu, which was the same as that at the guards-' meals. He remarked that the

diet was very generous. During the debate on Mr Lloyd George's financial statement, Mr Bonar Law declared that though he was not one of Mr George's most ardent admirers, he had felt when war broke out that conditions were' so abnormal that they required treatment free from red tape. He preferred a man at the Treasury with courage, even if he combiued rashness with it, rather than one who was afraid to do anything. riper Findlater, V.C., hero of the Dargai Heights, has rejoined the Gordon Highlanders for service at the front, after seventeen years' farming.

GERMAN LOSSES ENORMOUS.

STUBBORN FIGHTING IN POLAND. AUSTRIANS ROUTED TOWARDS CRACOW. PETROGRAD, November 30. An o&acial statement says: "Between the Vistula and the Warta the Germans continue to maintain a fortified position on tlie Strykow-Zgicr/.-Scha-dek Zdunskkwohi line. Fighting is very

stubborn in the Strykow-Zgierz district, where we have captured cannon,, machine-guns, and several hundred prisoners. * 'We engaged the enemy on the j Glowno-Bieliawy-Sobota front. The | Germans are counter-attacking on the j left bank of the Vistula. | "Prisoners describe the Genua u j losses as enormous. ..Many battalions lost all their officers.

"The Austrian* eastward of Cracow were defeated and pursued. We captured twelve hundred men in the Carpathians.

"The Russians in several districts in the vicinity of the Mazurian lakes, and Agerap river (East Prussia), drove back the Germans to fortified positions. ''

ENEMY'S FUTILE EFFORTS.

THE RUSSIAN TRAP. .ONB HUNDRED THOUSAND MEN KILLED. PETROGRAD, November 30. The "Novoe Vremya "-says "that the enemy, pressed on all sides, is striving to force a way to Strykow through a steadily narrowing corridor. The Russian occupation of Brzeziny prevents escape via Koluszki and Strykow. The wall of the corridor has been moved westward and Sflong it, between Brzeziny and Glowno, the Cossacks are attacking the. German flanks. Despite the enemy's high valour and tactical skill, his efforts in this region are destined to be futile. Entire battalions of half-frozen,.starving Germans have been separated from their units in the Lodz district, and have willingly surrendered.

It is estimated that the Austriaus captured since the 9th on the Raba and in the Cracow districts number 58,000.

LONDON; November 30

The ''Daily Mail's" Petrograd correspondent reports that the surrounded Germans, except a captured division, broke through one side of the Russian •trap, but are still imperilled. \ The "Daily News" Petrograd correspondent says that tire number of Germans killed in the ten days* battle between the river Bzura and. Lodz is estimated at a hundred thousand.

MEf* AND MONEY.

AN OFFER FROM FIJI. TRANSFORMATION OF HELIGOLAND. ' , SlTtfA, November 30. The natives of ' the ?Sa province of Fiji have promised £SOO to the War Fund, and. offer a contingent of 1000 men. Those in the~'Ra province offer £l6O and 500 men. -'.:'. The local fund exceeds £7OOO. LONDON, November 29.

A correspondent of "The Times" describes a visit to Heligoland, which he was able to make through a gentleman he. entertained years ago. The island has been completely changed since the war began. The beautiful little bathing place has been converted into a huge fortress, tremendously fortified.. Civilians have been compelled to leave, and only naval men are seen in the streets. All are busy continuously improving the fortifications. Many houses and trees hsrve been removed to give an uninterrupted view of the sea. Doubled sentries are watch- , t ing unceasingly to prevent a surprise. The only women on the island are five nurses.

INHUMAN GERMANS.

LOSS OF THE GObD HOPE,

FRENCH CAPTAIN'S ALLEGATIONS

LONDON, November 30

The captain of the French barque Valentiue stated at Santiago that while he was a prisoner oh a German warship he heard sailors say that they saw many British sailors swimming after the Good Hope foundered, and that these could easily have been saved.

WAR AND COMMERCE.

THE EFFECT QN WAGES. A RULING IN NEW SOUTH WALES. SYDNEY, November .'{o. , In the Industrial Arbitration Court, Mr Justice Heydon delivered judgment iu connection with an application of a number of trade groups regarding the powers of the Wages Boards during war time, arising out of the contention of the chairmen of several boards that they should for a time cease to deal with applications to regulate wages. Mr* Justice Heydon said there was no direct provision in the Act empowering the coui-t to give boards such directions, but he thought; the appellate jurisdiction of the court justified this. After traversing the detrimental effects of the war on commerce and employment, and referring to omens pointing to a protracted war, he held that Government employees must not at present look for higher wages, and, as regards other worker.s, the presumption was against any claims for increases. The ruling applies to all cases before the court. Mr Justice Heydon said things might develop favourably in a short time, therefore he suggested that existing awards be renewed for a short term, with the right to apply for increases within that time if circumstances justified such a step.

BRITAIN AND THE WAR.

j ADDRESS AT LYTTELTON. In St. Saviour's Anglican Church, ' Lyttelton, on Sunday evening, Rev. E. Eliot Chambers preached on "England's Justification for Declaration of Present War.'' Mr Chambers took as his text the words of an unknown poet, written 500 years ago: "Keep thou the sea; that is the Avail of England, and then is England kept by God's hand." It seemed only right said the preacher, that at this time of supreme national trial we should help one another to regard a situation that was without parallel in the history of the world. That we Britishers have been justified in engaging in this rwar went without saying; we could never have held up our heads again had we allowed Belgium to stand alone —as she was for a. while —and break faith with her, and, like another Power, submit to the "scrap of paper" being torn up. Britishers were not made ou those lines, and to-day,' however serious the outlook might be, we were to a certain extent happy that matters had turned out as they had. One of our admirals had said that the war was a blessing in disguise, because it had saved us from

civil war; it had given rise to a military spirit in our country; it had cemented the bonds that united our glorious Empire.; it had delivered Europe from Prussian arrogance and Germaji tyranny. .Knowing, therefore, that we were in ■ the right, we should continue to keep | calm, leaving everything of importance iin the hands of those able to judge i what was best; it was not for us at this j distance from the seat of- war to be able I to form' a right judgment in all things; I abovei all, let us have perfect faith iii | the silent i part of a policeman in the North Sea. j We might not have met with much sue- ! cess at present, but we eou'ld be. sure |of one thing; namely—wheii we did (•light the German North Sea fleet, the j God of Battles would, as in times past, I grant us the. victory, and, to use the I-words of Nelson: "May no misconduct ! in anyone tarnish it, and may humanity I after victory be the. predominant-feat-. ure in the British Fleet."

FOOD FOR BRITAIN AND BELGIUM FUND.

, THE ART UNION.

Additional gifts which have been made to the art union are-as follow: — Mrs Hugh Buchanan, one large picture; Mr Strong, two Chamberlain Worcester coffee mugs; Miss Partridge, one large oil painting; Mrs Secretan, set, in ease, of handsome afternoon tea plates. The drawing will take place before Christmas Da v.

GLEE AND MADRIGAL SOCIETY. j OPEN-AIR CONCERT. On Saturday afternoon next the Christchurch Glee and Madrigal Society will give an open-air concert from the Square Band Rotunda, in aid of the Britain and Belgium Fund. An attractive programme has been arranged.

CONCERT AT HALSWELL. The Halswell Public Hall was crowded on Saturday night, when .a. concert, in aid of the Belgium Fund, was given by a party from Christchurch. The first part'of the entertainment consisted of a minstrel show, the following members of the troup contributing items: Messrs E. Shier, S. East, C. Dickie, A. H. Guiney, L. Seeker, J. Gillespie, A. D. Aitken, J. Phillips; F. Bonham, L. Guiney, and J. Smith. In the second part, items' were given as follow: Musical selections, Mrs Mercer (piano), Mr Jos. Mercer (violin), and Mr -jL Oakes (cornet), Maypole dance, HalsT well school children: lightning sketches, Mr Will Hope; vioin solo, Mr Jas. Mercer; cornet solo, Mr L. Oakes; -ventriloquist, Mr G. Dickie; and songs, Messrs C. Dickie, F. Bonham, and. J. Gillespie; Mi's Mercer, Mr F. Vincent, and Mr C. Jones were the accompanists. During the evening a rug, given by Miss Thornton, was raffled, and the sum of £5 5/- was thus added to the fund. The successful ticket holder was Mr J. Murray. A useful sum was also realised by the sale of sweets and flowers amongst the audience. THE TOBACCO FUND. . The Addington Workshops staff and other sympathisers subscribed the sum of £7 10/- for the fund to supply British soldiers and sailors a,t the front with gifts of tobacco, etc., and the money was forwarded to London yesterday by the treasurer, Mr M. Smith. The money was collected by Messrs F. Temple and W. Mooney.