IN FRANCE AND BELGIUM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16293, 28 January 1915, Page 5

IN FRANCE AND BELGIUM

GERMAN ASSAULTS ON LA BASSEE

REPULSED WITH SEVERE LOSS. LONDON, January 26. The Press Bureau states that the enemy made several violent attacks against the first division in the neighbourhood of La Bassee on Monday, but were repulsed with severe loss. Three hundred of the enemy were killed and 55 taken prisoners at one place alone. CORN IN GERMANY. SEIZED BY THE GOVERNMENT. AMSTERDAM, January 26. An official Berlin message states that the Government has seized all stocks of corn, and is distributing it to various communities on a population basis until the next harvest. GERMAN REINFORCEMENTS. MARKED INFERIORITY NOTED. LIFE IN BELGIAN TOWNS. (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) LONDON, January 26. A neutral from Brussels reports that the new German troops cannot be compared with those who goose-stepped through Brussels in August. They are badly equipped, many being in civilian dress except for their caps. The officers have lost their arrogance, and now avoid contact with the population. Life in Brussels is almost normal, and the boulevards are crowded on Sundays. The theatres are closed, but a couple of kinemas show German films. Liege has been converted into a firstclass fortress, and the Namur forts have been strengthened. The garrisons comprise the largest number of the Germans in Belgium. THE GERMAN OFFENSIVE. SLIGHT SUCCESS NEAR CRAONNE. FIGHTING STILL PROCEEDING. PARIS. January 26. A communique states : The Germans were repulsed east of Ypres, with 300 killed. The enemy made five attacks on the British lines at Givenchy. They made slight progress at first, but were then repulsed, leaving many dead and 60 prisoners. The Germans penetrated our trenches west of Craonne, but with a counterattack we recaptured all except one, where the struggle still continues. GERMAN PREPARATIONS IN ALSACS. OFFENSIVE IN THE VOSGES EXPECTED. LONDON, January 26. Berne reports that the Germans are making great preparations in Alsace. It is believed they are about to begin a violent offensive in the Vosges. The railroads of Southern Germany have been reserved for the transportation of troops to the frontier.

KAISER'S LATEST ORDER.

THANN MUST BE RECAPTURED,

(Times and Sydney Sun Services.) LONDON, January 26. (Received Jan. 27, at 5.30 p.m.) The Kaiser has issued an order to recapture Thann at any cost.

FIGHTING IN FRANCE

LOST GROUND RECOVERED,

PARIS, January 27,

(Received Jan. 27, at 9.25 p.m.)

Official: The British have reoccapied lost positions at Givenchy. There has been hot fighting on the Bethune-La Bassee road. The Germans penetrating trenches westward of Craonne were thrown into complete confusion by aerial bombs. We then counter-attacked, recovering a portion of the ground. We recovered trenches near St. Hubert and Fontaine Madame.