EASTERN FRONT

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9174, 14 October 1915, Page 5

EASTERN FRONT

ENEMY LINES PIERCED ON THE STRYPA RIVER. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright NEW' YORK, October 12. A Reuter message from" Pctrograd says that the Russians have pierced the Teutonic lines at Strypa river and taken over 2000 prisoners. GERMAN FORCESJN THE NORTH RUSSIAN ARTILLERY SUPERIOR. “Times" and Sydney "Sun" Scrrlcee. PETROGRAD, October 12. The “Russky Invalid" points out that 350,000 of enemy bayonets and sabres are concentrated on the Riga-Dyinsk-Vilna front, comprising twelve divisions under General von Buelow on the left bank of tho Dvina between Riga and Dvinsk; fifteen divisions, under General von Eichhorn, in the region of Vilna-Sventsiany; and fifteen divisions in the region of Dvinsk. Deducting five divisions from von Buelow to cover the section on the Dvina between, Riga and Jaoobstadt, and allowing for von Eichhorn being unable to divert above one-third of his forces for operations against the Dvinsk fortified positions, leaves a total of thirty-two divisions. Artillery battles are the chronic feature on this front, in which the Russians are evidently superior. SUCCESSES ATSEVERAL POINTS By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received October 13, 11.55 p.m.) PETROGRAD, October 13. , An official communique records desperate fighting at Dvinsk. “The Germans occupied a portion of the trenches north-westward of and toward Illulcsi. Our artillery near Lautzohhia is dispersing the Germans, and has forced the abandonment of their trenches and the village of Jorjok, southward of Lake Dommen. “Wo at dawn, under cover of fog and without firing a shot, captured three lines of trenches at the southern end of Lake Demmet. We crossed the River Prorua and captured three villages. Germans southward of Pinsk were dislodged with the. bayonet, a force at Komora fleeing in iisorder. Our machine-guns inflicted heavy losses. _ • “Our troops at Hai'vornke, westward of Trembovla, forced the enemy’s last lino and occupied two more trenches. They stormed a stronghold on a height eastward of Haivornko, comprising a system of covered trenches: loopholed and protected by steelplates. A( strong counter-attack was repulsed. ' “We forced the enemy’s lino at Mount Mova, in: the vicinity of Halvornke, capturing tho whole of an Austrian battalion. The enemy was completely defeated, retiring in ! disorder beyond the Strypa river, and we pursued his forces closely till checked by a burning bridge. Laer, however, our cavalry crossed tlio_ Strypa, sabring many men and capturing a. convoy of four field guns and ten machineguns.”

IN THE MEDITERRANEAN FIVE STEAMERS SUNK. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received October 14, 1 a-m.) SYDNEY, October 13. A London cable message from the Underwriters’ Association reports that submarines sank five steamers in tho Mediterranean. Details are not available. The nows caused an increase in rates. WAR COUNCIL LABOUR REPRESENTATIVE. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received October 13, 10.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, October 13. After declining to appoint a representative on tho War Council,- the Labour caucus has ; now elected Mr McGirr to act. RELIEF OFJBELGIUM LORD MAYOR’S APPEAL. liy Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON, October 12. Tho Lord Mayor, on behalf of the National Committee for the Relief of Belgium, desires to express his deep admiration of the splendid , response which the people of Australia and New Zealand have made, and continue to make, to Belgium’s pathetic cry for aid. He is thankful to say that the- Empire fund has reached a million sterling. Of this Australia has provided £504,719 and New Zealand £221,314, which was generously contributed in five and a half months. He earnestly hopes that, in view of the increasing destitution, the benevolence of Australia and New Zealand may continue to be a mainstay of those seven million Belgians who arc condemned, in the coming winter, to spend dark days and long nights in their unhappy land. (Received October-13, 9.35 p.m.) LONDON, October 13.

At the meeting at the Mansion House for the purpose of an appeal for sympathy amt help for the Belgians, Lord Curzon said he had seen the devastation of Belgium, which was one of the greatest crimes in history. “If wo win the war, I hope that every penny of the indemnity will be given to Belgium.” 'Mr-Will Crooks declared that soon after the war eight hundred Belgian women were taken to the German base, and had not been since heard of. GOODS ENEMY VON SPEE HAD AUSTRALIAN COAL. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright SYDNEY, October 13. The Hon. W. M. Hughes, AttorneyGeneral, at a meeting held in connection with the metal exchange, said he deplored the extent to which, Australian productions got into tho enemy’s hands. Ho was sorry to say it was a fact that, in spite of tho whole-souled patriotism of Australia, ‘Australian coal was supplied to the German fleet which sank the Good Hope and the Monmouth.