DECISIVE VICTORY IN NORTH SEA

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2242, 31 August 1914, Page 5

DECISIVE VICTORY IN NORTH SEA

: ;—- .. I FOUR GERMAN VESSELS SUNK. DESPERATE FIGHTING IN, . STILL IN SUSPENSE, GERMAN ' LOSSES TOTAL 200,000 ' : RUSSIANS NEARM DANZIG. . \ / KAISER WITHDRAWS Droops from : ;france GREAT BATTLE IN AUSTRIA. - I • ' MORE, AUSTRALIAN _'J 'CONTINGENTS; :^ » There is Wg news to-day from the centres of war.' The first naval battle L of the war "has been fought, and though it .was. by no , ■ means a big being confined ohiefly to the smaller craft, there j '" was no doubt about the issue. Two German cruisers and two destroyers ,were sunk, and a number of destroyers damaged more or •■ Jess 6eriouß.'The British'"vosselfi came through with'minor injuries. H.M.S: New Zealand is stated to have participated in the fighting. In the military'operations in France there is liMa change in the position save for: o:.-i thing-7-that is a reported break in the Allies' line, somewhere' near Arras, which is followed by the news, received at an early hour this morning, that German Uhlais have been seen in the vicinity of Amiens,.Bs miles south-west of Cambrai, and bo much nearer to, Paris.' This'is not pleasant newa, but it may be that the force is 'only a reconnoitring party, and -'that the gap at ,• 'Arras 'has" been .closed.' It is plaij, however, that the situation in the north of France ■ is not wholly > satisfactory. The Belgians, have^reaumed" active 'hostilities, and with . some effect. They have driven the Germans out of Malines and Louvain, " end are marching in the direction of Brussels. . Their movements are ■ embarrassing the Germans. Russia continues her advance in Eastern Prussia, and has now reached and Invested thi? important town and fortress of'Konigsberg, and continuing.on thoir triumphant way, are, • marching on Danzig. One effect of.the Russian advance has been-. , that 160 train-loads of . Germans are said to have been dispatched from ' the western army engaged on the invasion of France to assist in stemming the Russian invasion of their own country. The Russians are also making good progress in. Austria,. Amongst .the items of general • interest to-day is the statement that the German losses to date total ' the enormous 'figure of 200,000. ! Servia continues to harass Austria, and Turkey is causing the Alließ ansiety by her behaviour. There are further stories of German atrocities. 1 : Amongst the latest news to ; ooMet to.hand'this morning is the intimation that Australia proposes ••. to send another contingent, and that volunteers are being' called for. J This is in- harmony, with Earl Kitchener's suggestion that no effort - should be fpared to make the position of the Empire as strong as posi • • Bible* . . , -