THE WESTERN THEATRE.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15490, 18 January 1916, Page 8

THE WESTERN THEATRE.

ARTILLERY ACTIVITY. ENEMY'S TRENCHES DAMAGED. HEAVY EXPLOSIONS CAUSED. .(By" Cable.—Prces Association.—Copyright.) (Received January 17th, 10.20 p.m.) PARIS, January 17. An official communique says:— "Operating with the British artillery, we seriously damaged the enemy s trenches at Hetsas. causing two heavy explosions. We blew up an ammunition depot north-east of Neuville St. Vaast." The High Commissioner reports:— LONDON, January-17 (12.30 a.m.). ' British and Belgian artillery damaged enemy trenches, causing heavy explosions. The French artillery exploded a munitions depot at Hill 121), north-east of Neuville St. Vaast.

THE GERMAN REPORT. LILLE BOMBARDED. (Received January 17th, 10.20 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, January 17. A German communique says:— "The British shelled Lille, causing a fire an J some small damage."

WASTAGE OF WAR. GENEVA RED CROSS ESTIMATE. APPALLING FIGURES. (Received January 17th, 8.35 p.m.) LONDON, January 17. The Geneva Red Cross estimates the losses of belligerents to June 1915 as follows:— . BRITISH. Dead ... . ... 180,000 "Wounded ... ... 200,000 . Prisoners ... ... 90,000 Total ... 470,000 GERMANS. Dead ... ... 1,630,000 Wounded ... ... 1,850,000 Prisoners ... ...~ 820,000 Total ... 4,300,000 AUSTRIAN'S. Dead ... ... 1,610,000 Wounded ... ... 1,865,000 Prisoners ... ... 910,000 Total ... .. 4,385,000 TURKS. Dead — ... 110,000 Wounded ... ... 140,000 Prisoners ... ... 95.000 Total ... 345,000 The figures covering the losses of the other belligerents have not been completed. * LIBERATION OF BELGIUM. NEUTRAL STATES' DEMANDS, AN INTERESTING REPORT. ("Times" and "Sydney Sun" Services.) (Received Januarv 17th. 5.5 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, January 16. The "Telegraaf" asserts that the neutral States are negotiating with a view to demanding tho liberation of Belgium under a threat of breaking off diplomatic relations .with Germany.

ATROCITIES IN BELGIUM. COMMISSION OF ENQUIRY REFUSED. ' LONDON, January 16. The German and Austrian Episcopates have refused the request of the Belgian Bishops for a mixed commission to investigate the German atrocities in Belgium. CHIVALRY OF THE HUN, TRIBUTE TO FRENCH AVIATORS. PARIS, January 16. "While flying over the German lines in a biplane, Captain Sallier and Lieut. Legall were surprised by a Fokker machine, from which an explosive Bullet struck the petrol tank, causing an explosion which enveloped the biplane m flames. The occupants tore up their journals and dropped the pieces into the French lines, telling of their fate. Next, day a German airman flew over the French trenches and dropped a letter, paying a tribute to the bravery of Captain Sallier and Lieut. Legall. and saying that they had been buried with military honours. DISILLUSIONED. FORD'S "CRUSADERS" HOMEWARD-BOUND. AMSTERDAM, January 16. Mr Ford's "peace" party has left for America. STEEL HELMETS. ADOPTED FOR BRITISH TROOPB. (Received January 17th, 8.5 p.m.) LONDON, January 16. Reports from the Western front state that the new British steel helmet, which is being widely used, has proved a protection against shrapnel and bomb splinters. The French helmet is picturesque ; the British is strong and light, but unsymmetrical.

WAR OF EXHAUSTION. MR H. G. WELLS'S OPINION. MORAL OF FRENCH WARFARE. LONDON, January 16. Mr H. G. Wells, the well-known author, writing in the "Daily Chronicle," pays a striking tribute to German thoroughness and adaptability. According to his article, a Russian named Bloch, prior to the South African War, declared that war was "played out," because, when the combatants were fairly equal, the increasing defensive efficiency of entrenched infantry would nullify the most brilliant strategy and attacks by superior numbers, resulting in a deadlock. Mr Wells points out that the Germans studied Bloch, whose book was not translated into English. The Germans correctly reckoned that their' 1914 Army had to oppose an enemy retaining 1900 methods. When the Germans built their strategic railways, France should have prepared, the most complete trench works. The Germans should never have passed Liege and the Ardennes. One of the "marvellous maxims of the Dark Ages," which seem to be the chief reading of our military experts, states that "an army which entrenches is defeated." Until the-Battle of the the war was conducted on the loose, mobile 1900 pattern, the Germans being confident in their overwhelming numbers. Tl\en they abruptly changed their game, adopting the 1914 rules, and entrenched themselves, offending British "sporting instincts." The Germans did not expect the Allies to modernise their methods so soon. They reckoned to achieve victory, with the Allies still fifteen years behind the times. "We must not," says Mr Wells,, "expect a triumphal entry into London, Paris, Berlin, or Moscow. Bloch's prophecies have been justified on the Eastern and the Western fronts, and on, Gailipoli" Peninsula. Unless a sudden peace occurs, the deadlock, of which the Balkans campaign is only a dramatic, tragic, spectacular, and inconclusive sequel, can end only by the succumbing of the most exhausted and immobilised of the shattered aotagonists."