RUSSIANS GIVE GROUND IN POLAND.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16737, 18 December 1914, Page 7

RUSSIANS GIVE GROUND IN POLAND.

ENGLISH PORTS BOMBARDED. LONDON, Docember 18.—Cerman cruisers bombarded several towns on tho coast of Yorkshire and Durham early this morning. Scarborough and West Hartlepool were the principal sufferers, but Whitby was also attacked. A number of civilians were killed and extensive damage was done to buildings. The bombardment lasted about half an hour and the cruisers then escaped In a mist. THE CASUALTIES. LONDON, December 17.—The War Office states that at Hartlepool the casualties of the troops were seven killed and fifteen wounded. Townspeople crowded the streets, and approximately twenty-two were killed and fifty wounded. Some damage was done to tho town and the gasworks were set on firo. At Scarborough considerable damage was done and there were thirteen casualties. At Whitby buildings were damaged and two persons were killed and two wounded. ENEMY’S CRUISERS ENCACED. LONDON, December 17.—When British destroyers appeared tho enemy’s bigger ships desisted from tho bombardment and retired. Some minor engagements were unproductive of decisive results to either sldo. Men, women and children were among the victims of the bombardment. Indignation has been universally aroused by the attack on undefended towns, which Is a gross violation of The Hague Convention. AN UNOFFICIAL STORY. ‘LONDON, December 16.—An unofficial report from Blyth states that the German raiding vessels were sunk. THE FICHTINC IN FLANDERS. PARIS, December 16.—1 tis officially reported that British monitors shelled the Cerman position at Westende, north of Nleuport. The Belgians have progressed on the Yser and the Allies have advanced south-east of Ypres. An advance has been made In tho vloinlty of La Bassee, south of Lillo. THE STRUCGLE IN POLAND. PETROCRAD, December 17.—An official report states that tho Cermans continue obstinate attacks on the left bank of tho Vistula. The Russians were obliged to resist attacks near Sochatshev under conditions of local disadvantage and retreated slightly. Russian oounter-attacks elsewhere along the front held the enemy to his positions. The progress of the Austrians In the Carpathians has been checked., AUSTRO-CERMAN QUARRELS.' LONDON, December 16.—There are persistent reports of friction between the Austrians and Cermans, the former complaining that they have been compelled to conduct their operations solely to proteot the Cerman frontiers. THE SERVIAN SUCCESS. LONDON, December 16.—1 tls reported that the Austrians have completely withdrawn from Servla. The Servian King entered Belgrade at the head of the troops. DURATION OF THE WAR. OTTAWA, December 17.—The Canadian Minister of Defence, In the course of a speech, said that the Allies were by no means ready to assumo the offensive on a large scale In France. The extent of the German preparations had not been realised even by experts. He was of opinion that the war would be a long one and It was necessary for all parts of the Empire to make greater efforts.