MISCELLANEOUS CABLES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16259, 17 December 1914, Page 6

MISCELLANEOUS CABLES

(Syduey Sim Service.) FLIGHT AIIUAL CRACOW. i,I>NIXJN, Dutoniber 3. The Germans arc belicviid to be dwiiroua oi wintering in iui imuu-'UbC enlrtuched line OAloiKtiiig ironi the Kivei , Vistula to Uruoow. The lus«it> of Urn (j urinous who spenL live davs in the mouse-trap near Lodz are estimated at 103,000. The iunabilauts ol (Jracow are fleeing in great numbers. Many have gone to lierlin, where thtir presence is uiu&ing much discontent among the -working classes. Tho Petrograd Bourse Gazette predicts that Lhu Allies will shortly make a, concerted movement in the east and in the west for the jiurpoeo of stopping Germany from shifting troops between the frontiers. RAIL TO SUEZ CANAL. LONDON, December 3. Berlin messages state that the Turks, under the direction of German engineers, are constructing military railroads from a, village on tue Palestine coast to the Urn'./, Canal. The same source adds that the Senussi are only 15 days march from the canal. The military authorities have flooded the desert east of Port Said for several miles, and the town and forts are unapproachable. WINE FOR THE HUNS. STARVATION FOB, WIVES. LONDON, December 6. A correspondent of the Paris Figaro, describing the occupation of Lille, says that the cost of liviug there, has become very The German officers installed themselves in the best houses, and the wine cellars were emptied on the first day. As the city has uot settled the war tax of £200,000, the Germans have forbidden payments of relief money to the wives and relations of French soldiers fighting with the colours, and many of the poor people are penniless. THE WARFARE IN SERVIA. LONDON, December 6. The warfare in Servia has taken on the siege-like characteristics which distinguish the conflict in the other theatres in Europe, and the front is even extending, in consequence of the determined efforts of the Austrians to outflank their opponents' left wing. The Austrians' mountain corps are probably the better equipped, and their army finds little difficulty in manoeuvring over mountainous country, especially as Austria also possesses a marked superiority in weight of metal and in personnel. During the past few days terrific fighting has been proceeding, and the Servians have been, forced back in'places, and have had to retire generally, in order to keep their line intact. It is evident that changes hare been made in the higher direction of the Austrian army, as there has been no repetition of the earlier blunders. Despite the fact that the mountains are snow-clad, and the roads in an atrocious state, troops are being poured into the country. The Russian successes in Galicia have probably re-energised the Austrian staff, aEhd determined them to make a final effort to crush Servia. then to transfer the forces to the north and hold Servia in hand when the question of settlement comes.

OUTSIDE "VERDUN. MODERN SIEGE DESCRIBED. LONDON, December 7. The Paris correspondent of The Times describes the defence of a fortress at Verdun and the hillside trenches of the army which was holding the key of Eastern France. He says that Verdun summarises the development of the art of the siege with operations extending over many miles. Its "walled and battlemeated city with moat, drawbridges, and portcullis, is protected by an outer ring of forts. Every height and valley of the country for 20 miles around have their fields ploughed by trenches. Tho hillsides are so closely dotted with short poles, supporting barbed-wire, as to recall the vineyards of Champagne when the vines are cut in the autumn. Regiments are at work* making new roads and repairing old roads, which have been worn out by a constant stream of food and ammunition convoys. In the woods other regiments are felling trees and clearing a fire zone for some hidden battery. Others are weaving twigs into baskets, which' are filled with earth to strengthen the defences. Free rein having been given to the initiative and constructive abilities of the French artillery privates, the whole of the section front is dotted with charming artillery garden cities. Over the distant hills floats a captive balloon. Here and there the sun glints upon the wings of speeding aeroplanes. One sends by wireless the result of its reconnaissance. Suddenly a roar of guns breaks out; little specks "of light, such as splinter the darkness of night overhead on an electric tramway, show bright, even against the daylight sky. As the battery comes into action, all seem anxious to join in the conversation. Bass, alto, and tenor voices are heard in the trenches, while down the plain men in the trenches stop their game of dominoes ' and prepare to add an asthmatic soprano of musketry to the general chorus Day and night this apparently aimless artiUery duel fills the hills with the sound of the banging of big guns. THE OTAGO~PATRIOTIC FUND, j THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES LIST. Previously acknowledged ...£19,872 16 9 THE GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND RELIEF FUND. ] THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES LIST. Previously acknowledged £734 19 7 BELGIAN RELIEF FUND. THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES LIST. Previously acknowledged £3878 15 9 BRITISH AND BELGIAN CHRISTMAS BOX FUND. We have received the following additional subscription to the above fund:—Final donation of 3s from Arthur Street School p.ipils, making a total of £23 13s from the school. GOING TO THE FRONT. On the 4th inst. a pleasant function took place in the Hyde School, when the residents of the district tendered a farewell social to Messrs P. H. White and James Brulins, who have joined the third reinlorcemente. During tho evening Mr Ramsay, on bchali of the Hyde friends of the recipients, presented both young men with a pair of prismatic binoculars (inscribed), and tlw schoolboys presented Mr White (who has occupied tho position of master in tho local school for three "ears) with a fountain pen and maecot pendant. PORT CHALMERS WOMEN'S PATRIOTIC ASSOCIATION. A meeting of the Port Chalmers Women's Patriotic Association was held in the Mayor's room, on Tuesday evening, when it wae decided to close for the Christmas and New Year holidays, and to resume their activities on January 8. In tho meantime donors of cash or goods may leave them at tho town clerk's office or Miss Fairley's shop. The Treasurer (Mis Cunningham) stated that the total amount of cash which had paesed through the hands of the association for the relief fund totalled close upon £200 —an announcement that created a good dqal of surprise and pleasure amongst the ladies present. The substantial and spontaneous support given by the townspeople was gratefully acknowledged. Cash Donations.—Mrs Murray £1 (Cardigan Jacket Fund), Miss Murray £1 (British and Belgian Relief), Masonic Lodge £4 Is, Methodist Church £1 2e, Minnie and Florrio Charles 6d. Goods.—Mrs Parker, Mr W. Gibbes, Mrs Hay, Mrs Holland, Mrs Campbell, Mrs Lusk, Mrs John Davis (Gimmerbiirn), Mrs O'Hallaron, M:ss Shanke, Mrs White (Mihiwak'), Mite Menelaus. Port Chalmers High School (16 pairs of so."is).