BIG BATTLE RAGING

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 170, 24 August 1914, Page 5

BIG BATTLE RAGING

CONFLICT IN BELGIUM FRENCH SUFFER SEVERELY IN LORRAINE JAPAN DECLARES WAR. RUSSIANS POUR OVER THE FRONTIER FIERCE. FIGHTING IN EASTERN PRUSSIA A big battle is reported to be raging in the south western province of Hainant, in Belgium, and it is said that the Germans are evacuating northern Belgium. The Germans have occupied Ghent and arc said to be outside Ostend, while the investing of Namur, a strongly fortified town, is also reported. The French troops have suffered a reverse in Lorraine, but on the whole their operations are said to "be meeting with success. Japan has declared war on Germany, as rto reply to her ultimatum lias been received. Conflicting accounts are to hand of the fighting in Eastern Prussia, where the Russians are pouring over the frontier. It is said that the Austrians continue to suffer severe losses at the liands of the Servians, and that there is a likelihood of Italy joining the Triple Entente. • Trench battleships in the Adriatic have sunk one of the newest and largest of the Austrian battleships, and owing to the scattering of mines by the Germans, several merchant vessels have been blown up in other waters.

Ey Telegraph—l'ress Association —Copyright

NAMU.R INVESTED. THE GOVERNMENT MESSAGE. HIGH COMMISSIONER'S BUDGET. The High Commissioner reports as fol-, ,ows, dated London, 23rd inst., 5 p.m.: Reliable: The German advance guard 3s near Lille. Namur is invested. 'The French hold the upper portion of Alsace and the valleys of the Vosges. There has been a sharp check to the IFrencli advance in Lorraine. The Servian victory over the Austrians at the Drina and Save Rivers is confirmed. The German occupation of Brussels is orderly. THE BIG BATTLE. IN HAINANT PROVINCE. GERMANS EVACUATE THE NORTH. (Received August 24, 10.35 a.m.) OSTEIN; D, August 23 (evening). It is reported that a big battle is progressing in the Belgian province of Hainant (south-west Belgium), following on a sanguinary encounter lu'ar Lille (?).- AMSTERDAM, August 23. Tlie "Telegraph's" Antwerp correspondent states that the Germans have evacuated the whole of northern Belgium. ROME, August 23. The College of Cardinals has decided to exert pressure on the Emperor Franz Josef of Austria to suspend the war during the Cardinals' conclave. JAPAN DECLARES WAR. EARLY ACTIVITY. EXTENT OF WAR AREA. (Received August 24, 8.30 a.m.) LONDON, August 23. Japan has declared war on Germany. PEKING, August 23. The Japanese have decided that the War area is to extend in China eastward •of the Yellow River. The Germans have been under surveillance from noon on Sunday. The Japanese are ejecting the Germans from Moulcden, Chang Chun, and Dalny. " BRITAIN COMPELLED US." A JAPANESE ANNOUNCEMENT. RESISTANCE AT KIAO-CHAU EXPECTED. (Received August 24, 9 a.m.) / TOKIO, August 23. A rescript commands the army and navy to carry on hostilities with all strength, in order to obtain the national aim. It adds: We had hoped to preserve peace in the Far East, but Britain compelled us to declare war, and Germany was busy with warlike preparations in Kaio-Chau. Her warships were threatening Japanese and British commerce, and she did not reply to Japan's sincere advice. (Received August 24, 9..'10 a.m.) LONDON, August 23. The Japanese Embassy expects resistance, as Kiao-Chau will be well defended. There are several 'thousand

Germans in the garrison, and they have had time to make preparations for resistance. JAPAN'S ULTIMATUM. NO REPLY RECEIVED. ITALY AND THE ALLIES. LONDON, August 2?>. The Japanese Charge d 'Affaires in Berlin was instructed to leave at four this morning if Germany had not replied to the ultimatum. The "Daily Chronicle's''' Paris correspondent states that important conversations are proceeding between the British, French, Italian, and Dutch Governments. Holland renewed her positive assurance of her intention to defend her neutrality and independence. Signor Giolitti, ex-Premier of Italy, is coming to London to confer with SirEdward Grey. ROME, August 22. M. Delc-asse, representing France, and* Count de Witte, representing Russia, are visiting Italy. The Duke of the Abruzzi has been appointed Naval Commander-in-Chief. There are many indications that Italian sentiment is not unlikely to drive the Government into open conflict with Germany and Austria. JAPAN'S EXPLANATION. WHY ULTIMATUM WAS SENT. GERMAN AGGRESSIVENESS IN FAR EAST. WASHINGTON, August 21. Japan, in explaining why the ultimatum was sent to Germany, has informed the State Department that Germany, since the beginning of hostilities, has been strengthening the fortifications at Kiao-chau, even enforcing labour on Chinese coolies. The German squadron has been making incessant appearances in Japanese and Chinese waters, threatening interference with British shipping, and thereby threatening Britain's commercial interests with Japan, whose vessels in many instances" have been detained and the cargoes in some instances confiscated. The possession of a strong naval base such as Kiao-chau has enabled Germany to act thus. In order to restore peace in Far Eastern waters, it is necessary that Germany should be completely eliminated and Kiao-chau restored to China. STEAMERS STRIKE MINES. DANISH VESSEL FOUNDERS. SEARCHING SHIP ALSO SINKS. The Prime Minister has received the following message:— LONDON, August 23. Reliable: The steamer Maryland, belonging to Copenhagen, struck a mine on Friday night in the main trade route thirty miles from land, and foundered. The fate of the crew is uncertain. The steamer • Broberg, while searching for the crew next morning, also struck a mine and sank. Her crew were saved. ( SCATTERING OF MINES. THE ADMIRALTY'S WARNING. "THIS NEW FORM OF WABFARK." (Received August 24, 9 a.m.) LONDON, August 23. The Admiralty warns neutrals that the Germans continue to scatter mines indiscriminately, which does not conform to the conditions of The Hague Convention. They do not become harmless in a few hours, and arc not laid in connection with any definite naval scheme, but are scattered on the chance of catching a British warship or merchant vessels. Tn addition to the Maryland and Broberg, two Dutch steamers, clearing from Swedisli .ports, were blown up by German mines in the Gulf of Finland. The Admiralty warns neutrals to call at British ports before .entering the North Sea, in order to ascertain the routes the Admiralty is keeping swept. The Admiralty adds that though tin authorities reserve to themselves the

utmost liberty of retaliatory action ; against this new form of warfare, they have not laid any mine during the present war. A number of cases have occurred of Territorials guarding the railways, etc., having fatally shot members of the public for failing to stop. In several cases those shot did not hear the challenge. Many Ostein! refugees are arriving at Folkestone. ONE MORE BOND. HELP FOR GALLANT BELGIUM. FINANCE FROM ENGLAND AND FRANCE. (Received August 24, 9.00 a.m.) LONDON, August 23. Many large British subscriptions have been given direct to the Belgian Relief Fund. PARIS, August 23. "Le Temps" says that the English loan to Belgium is a noble response to the German's brutal levy, and one more bond thus unites the Allies. Britain and France have decided to advance 250,000,000 francs each to Belgium to meet the expenses incurred by the war. OCCUPATION OF GHENT. NAMUR PARTIALLY INVESTED. GERMANS OUTSIDE OSTEND. LONDON, August 22. The Germans have occupied Ghent. Namur is partially invested, and heavy artillery fire opened at midday. The Germans are outside Ostend. GREAT BATTLE BEGINS. BETWEEN NAMUR AND CHARLEROI. GERMANS MOVING TOWARDS FRANCE. PARIS, August 20. The Minister of the Interior states that a great battle in Belgium began on Saturday, and other accounts state that fighting is proceeding between Namur and Charleroi. The movement of Germans westward ; across the Meuse, beyond the range of the Namur forts, has continued.

Reuter's correspondent at Ghent reports that the Germans are marching to the French border, via Oudenarde. UHLANS HOTLY CHASED. BELGIANS' ARMOURED MOTOR CARS. PREPARATIONS AT ANTWERP. (Received August 24, 9 a.m.) ANTWERP, August 23. The Antwerp people are cutting down plantations and destroying villas and cottages in order not to afford the Germans cover. Earthworks have been thrown up and heavy field artillery placed on the new defence works in order to reinforce the forts. The sale of alcohol is forbidden, except by chemists. A body of Uhlans reached the outskirts of Malines, but were driven off. Belgian machine guns ' on armoured motor cars hotly pursued them. Trains from Antwerp are running to Ghent and the Dutch frontier. It is not expected that the Germans will occupy Ostend in any force. Seven thousand refugees are in Ostend, and there are pitiful scenes in the streets. The majority of them are destitute, and the barracks and public buildings have been converted into sleeping quarters. (Received August 24, 8.10 a.m.) LIEGE, August 23. The tribute demanded by the Germans comprises £2,000,000 from the province and the remainder from the city. CITIZENS OF LIEGE. AN INJUDICIOUS SHOT. REPRISALS BY THE GERMANS. (Received August 24, 10 a.m.) LONDON, August 23. The "Daily Chronicle's" Amsterdam correspondent says that the situation of the citizens of Liege is very unfavourable. A shot was fired from a house on Friday, and the Germans immediately opened fire with their machine guns, destroying twenty houses,

ami killing the inmates. They burnt ten other houses. All the money in the private batiks lias been confiscated.

TO DEFEND ANTWERP. BELGIANS TAKE UP POSITION. GERMANS BURN AND TILLAGE. GHENT, August 21. The Belgians have taken up a position round Antwerp. The Germans at Aerschot advanced in close formation, at Liege, and suffered heavily. LONDON, August 21. Ghent telegrams describe the piteous conditions of burnt an<l pillaged villages along the line of the German advance, aud the sad spectacle of thousands of Belgians streaming into Ghent. The outer works at Antwerp have recently been reconstructed. The "Standard's" Ghent correspondent says that German cavalry entered Brussels and hoisted the flag at the Hotel de 'Ville, amid the deep gloom of the population. The Belgian authorities warned citizens not to molest the Germans, so as to give 110 excuse for vengeance. East of Louvain the German advance overwhelmed the Belgians with weight of numbers. The Germans came on in close formation, and their losses were enormous, the Germans marching over heaps of their comrades' corpses. Near the River Dvle a battalion of German infantry was almost destroyed in crossing a mined field. HAVE THE FORTS FALLEN? GERMANY'S ADDITIONAL | DEMAND. j THEATRICAL, NOT PRACTICAL SUCCESSES. LONDON, August 22. Germany's demand for an additional £400,000 tribute from Lioge is regarded as proof that the forts must have fallen. Gesrmany's arrogant brutality, the stories of outrages, and the cruel ransom demanded of defenceless citizens, whose nation Germany was pledged to protect, is arousing intense indignation throughout England, and denunciations of the rapacity and barbarity of militarism. Many newspapers suggest that German's successes in Belgium are more theatrical than practical, and formed no part of the original plan. The more serious business of the campaign is still before the Germans. Germany's use of quick-firers on motor cars is a special feature of the campaign in Belgium. A large Belgian army is being reorganised in Antwerp. It is expected that part of,the British National Relief Fund will be handed to Belgium. "The Times" estimates that 35,000 to 40,000 Germans passed through Brussels, and they must have 150,000 behind them. GERMANS AT ANTWERP. HOLLAND DEFENDS THE FRONTIER. CRITICAL POSITION AT LIEGE. AMSTERDAM, August 22. German Lancers have appeared atEsschen, north of Antwerp. The 4t.h Army Corps, which was covering the German right wing, has been spread out along the Dutch frontier. The "Daily News" correspondent at Rotterdam reports that the state of affairs at Liege is critical. Shots were fired on the troops from a house o-n Thursday, whereupon the Germans bombarded twenty houses, killing many of the inhabitants. Similar shots fired in Tongres resulted in the destruction of the town. The Germans drove the inhabitants into Holland, and all were forced to keep their arms lifted up during the two hours' march. TAKING OF BRUSSELS. A TRIUMPHANT ENTRY. HOW THE GERMANS CAME IN. AMSTERDAM, August 22. After informing the Burgomaster that he would be made responsible for acts 011 the part of the populace, the Germans made a triumphant entry into Brussels. The force, which consisted of an army corps, was headed by the "Death's Head Hussars." Then followed Uhlans, infantry, artillery, engineers with a siege train complete, and finally a hundred motor cars, on which quick-firers were mounted. Every regiment was preceded by its band. The soldiers continuously singing "The Watch on the Rhine" and " Deutscliland Über Alles," marched into the great square, and thence into camps on the city heights. The procession occupied several hours. Some of the regiments presented a

fine appea ranee, and their fresh condiI tion points to their forming part of a | vast armv which lias been forming j during tlie last fortnight behind the ! fighting screen. Citizens viewed the spectacle in silence, although the sight of two Belgian officers manacled to the stirrupleathers of Uhlans evokpd a growl of resentment. Most of the shops were closed, ;md many thousands watched ■ the procession. Only some two or three thousand Germans remain in Brussels. They are quartered in the l>arracks. There are j over a thousand German prisoners at j Ghent. Bruges and Ostein! are crowded with refugees. The horses of the Germans are very exhausted, and cantered with difficulty. The troops took possession of the barracks and heights commanding the city. They behaved in an exemplary manner. The Treasurer of Brussels states that 110 possible coercive measures could give the Germans even a fraction of the £8,000,000 they demand. Dutch papers state that the Germans have demanded £2,000,000 tribute from Liege. BEFORE THE FALL. FIERCE BATTLE ENSUES. A THRILLING DESCRIPTION. AMSTERDAM, August 22. The battle preceding the occupation of Brussels started at daybreak on. Tuesday near Geet Betz. The Germans opened the attack with a large force of cavalry, infantry, artillery, and machine guns, and a fierce battle ensued over a ten kilometre front. In the north the Germans attacked Haelen, Loxbergen, and Cortenachen, and tried to break the Belgian lines near Gesthetz, but dismounted Belgian cavalarv for two hours maintained a hot fire from the entrenchments, annihilating the Germans' advance lines. Eventually the Belgians were outflanked and slowly retired. Two Belgian squadrons of 240 men for a long time withstood 2000 Germans, but finally were compelled to retire. The Germans stormed Diest, and many houses were destroyed, a tremendous battle developed along the line, and a German aeroplane audaciously reconnoitred the Belgian positions. The carnage was simply murderous at Aerschot. By noon the Germans had entered Louvain in motor cars mounted with machine guns. The Belgians fell back to Malines and Antwerp. When the Uhlans entered Brussels they seized all motor cars as conveyances for light guns. An army corps left Brussels, and, marching westward, occupied Ghent by noon without resistance trom Ghent. Advance posts were moved towards the" coast, presumably to Ostend. The German westward movement continues on both banks of the Meuse, beyond the radius of the Namur forts. The Burgomasters of the rural communes have disarmed the Civic Guards in order to prevent the enemy firing on peaceful citizens. HOW FRANCE IS FARING. A THREE DAYS' BATTLE. VERY HEAVY SLAUGHTER. AMSTERDAM, August 22. The French and Germans in Alsace fought unceasingly from Tuesday afternoon till early on Friday. The fortunes varied. At first all went well with the French, but the second day favoured the Germans, who had about a hundred guns on the hills, about eight miles from Basle. These wrought havoc among the French infantry, who made brilliant bayonet charges in' their efforts to carry the hills. French batteries at Altkireh vainly strove to silence the German guns. The slaughter was very heavy. LONDON, August 21. A Paris telegram states that there | was a conflict between French troops land German cavalry between Leopoldshope and Hunningen. The Germans fled, leaving five hundred dead or injured on the field. [Hunningen is the south-east corner of Alsace, right on the boundary of Baden, east of Altkireh, and Leopoldshope is just inside the boundary.] FIGHTING IN LORRAINE. GENERAL FRENCH MOVEMENT. DESPERATE "AND DASHING PARIS, August 22. It is officially stated that the French made a general advance along the whole front in Lorraine. Engagements with the Germans are reported at Dieuze, Delme, Morliange, and Teany. A German Army Corps was engaged along the front. It made a particularly vigorous attack on the French position, and was repelled with heavy losses. The French right is in a strong position near Bonon. The strength of the enemy, however, makes it apparent that any attempt to hold Lorraine at present would be imprudent and useless. AMSTERDAM, August 22. In Alsace the French fought desperately to frustrate a German attempt to cut their communication with Belfort. On the third day the French showed incomparable dash in a general assault. At the bayonet's point they i drove the Germans from advanced posi- ( tions, then a brigade of Lancers and several companies of Turcos dashed into Mulhausen. The French having ( entrenched in a strong position, brought up cannon from Belfort. German cavalry fought valiantly, charging right up to the trenches. The French artillery was plied with deadly accuracy, and decimated the Bavarians. Unless reinforcements quickly arrive, the Germans on the left bank of the Rhine, between Hunningen and Breisaeh, will be in a precarious position. GERMANS BOMBARD VILLAGE. 1 CAUGHT ROBBING THE DEAD. FRENCH CAPTURE WAR MATERIAL PARIS, August 22. It is reported that the French aviators, whose raid on the Lorraine frontier was described last week,- destroyed a Zeppelin and three Taube aeroplanes at Frascati, near Metz. The French have already captured 91 pieces of German artillery, 19 military motor waggons, four flags, and other war material. The Germans bombarded the open village of Mars-la-Tour for an* hour while the inhabitants were in church celebrating the anniversary of the famous battle. The people took refuge in cellars. Two were killed. Eighty-three Germans were arrested in Mulhausen for robbing the dead and J

! wounded. Some used the Red Cross 'badge to cover their misdeeds. Th'ev Iwill be court-martialled. j | DEFENCE OF MULHAUSEN. i GERMANS' NIGHT ATTACKS. SMART FRENCH MANOEUVRES. PARIS, August 2,"». It is officially stated that Mulhausen proved difficult, to defend against attacks from the east and north, while German night attacks from the forest of Hard and Neu Breisach threatened to cut off the retreat to Belfort. The French commander, instead of 1 ordering the reserves at Altkirch to make a counter-attack on the Germans threatening the French rear near Sentheim, ordered a retreat. General «)offre then entrusted the operations in the district to General Pau, and the forces were re-formed under the shelter of Belfort. The Germans meanwhile were suffering greatly from the French artillery, while the French were hampered by the German howitzers in defiling in the ravines, the guns being difficult to locate. General Pau, strongly reinforced, advanced to Thann, and simultaneously a French force advanced from the Vosges and threatened the German retreat. General Pau's attacks on Dammerkirch and Thann were rapid and decisive, the Germans burning the greater part of Dammerkirch before! they evacuated the town. General Pau then ordered the French left to advance on Colmar and Neu Breisacli, and the right on Altkirch,

threatening' the Germans on both wings. A hot fight followed, in which tlie French captured twenty-four guns, in Dornach, a suburb of Mulhausen. The Germans retreated across the Rhine and the French hold the Rhine bridges. FRENCH LOSE HEAVILY. GERMANS ALSO SUFFER. SOME COSTLY ENGAGEMENTS. (Received August 24, 9 a.m.) PARIS, August 23. Router says that the French losses in< the Yosges during the last three days have been very heavy, and the German losses indisputably as great. An official statement says that the French left a small neutral zone inside the frontier, where the Germans advanced to crests, requiring dislodgment. The French captured the Hobruck and Sclilucht Passes, but the difficulties were greater in the central section, where the Germans were entrenched. The French got round by Urbeis Saales Passes and shelled the German rear, which was costly, especially at the village of Saales, but paved the way to the occupation of the Hill of Donon and Saales, and opened up the Bruelie- Valley. GERMANS IN FRENCH TERRITORY ONLY A SMALL PORTION. A MINOR OCCUPATION. (Received August 24, 9 a.m.) LONDON, August 23. The "Daily Telegraph's" Paris correspondent says that the only point of French territory occupied is Audon-le-Rohan, twenty-five miles to the southwest of Metz. Some German prisoners, who were lost in the Ardennes, state that, they were ordered not to return without a French kepi as proof of their encounter with the French outposts. (Received August 24, S.jo a.m.) LONDON, August 23. Dreyfus's eldest son, who was in the fighting at Mulhausen, was promoted on the battlefield for gallant behaviour.: "THESE UNBRIDLED SAVAGES." A FRENCH PROCLAMATION. CHIVALRY NO LONG HE POSSIBLE. (Received August 24, 5.25 a.m.) PARIS, August 23. Ah official coniniunnjiu' which has i been issued says:— j Though the Allies have treated j the Germans prisoners with the utmost consideration, it has been proved that the Germans hive violated the international conventions and military honour. We are suffering the invasion of barbarians, and though we wish to remain civilised, despite the savagery of a nation pretending to be the arbiter of civilisation, it will he impossible to longer preserve that chivalry customary between soldiers. We owe these unbridled savages only the rules of humanity and the laws of war. M. Clemeuceau, in the "Libre Parole," vigorously demanded news, particularly concerning Alsace, adding:

31 —' l The people do . not always ex- ' pect victories, and are quite equal to bearing trying events." " RIDICULOUS EXAGGERATION." A ROUT OR A REVERSE. GERMAN STORIES OF SUCCESS. 1 (Received August 24, 9 a.m.) PARIS, August 23. ; It is officially stated that German official telegrams report that the re- , verse in Lorraine on Thursday was transformed into a rout on Friday, and ;■ in which the French lost ten thousand prisoners and fifty guns. This is said to be a ridiculous exaggeration, as the German success in Lorraine has been no greater than the French have achieved in Alsacei The guns captured were certainly fewer, and the total in killed, wounded, prisoners, and missing did not nearly amount to ten thousand. ' No French detachments have crossed the Meurthe, and all remain at the front in Nancy. (Received August 24, 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, August 23. French reports confirm the statement ( that the recent fighting secures the virtual occupation of the eastern face of the Yosges from Donon to Ballon. AUSTRIANS' SEVERE LOSS. v THIRTY-FIVE THOUSAND OUT OF ACTION. * THE BATTLE OF LOZNITZA. ' ROME, August 22. Reports from Nish state that the Loznitza battle lasted four days. Twenty-five thousand Austrians were killed or wounded, and ten thousand prisoners taken. Trains full of wounded are arriving at Vienna. Dispatches from Nish report that after a four days' battle the Servians defeated the Austrians, who crossed the Drina near Loznitza. Heavy; losses w r ere sustained by both sides. Many Austrians were captured. : > NISH, August 22. It is officially stated that the Servians captured Corasda and are advancing on Vessegrad. "The Austrians, in retreating across the Drina, abandoned rich booty, including forty guns, mostly howitzers, ammunition, and field hospitals and kitchens. AUSTRIAN CENTRE PIERCED. THEIR BACKS TO THE RIVER. MASSACRE BY SERVIAN „ ARTILLERY. i (Received August 24, 8.10 a.m.) ST. PETERSBURG, August 23. The Servians routed 110,000 Austrians, and pierced the Austrian centre, using Napoleon's favourite tactics. The Austrians fought in a bend of the Drina with their backs to the river, and suffered enormous losses. The Servians forced an entire division into a valley, and the artillery massacred the Austrians from the surrounding heights. ENORMOUS GERMAN LOSSES. THREE ARMY CORPS DEFEATED. COSSACKS PURSUE FUGITIVES. (Received August 24, 9 a.m.) LONDON, August 23. The French Embassy states that the Russians defeated three German Army Corps at Gumbinnen. ST. PETERSBURG, August 23. Official reports state that there have been enormous German losses during the last few days. , . An official message states that in the early stages of the fighting at Gumbinnen, the Germans attempted -an enveloping movement, and later asked for ar. armistice to bury their dead, which was refused. The Russians are now pursuing the Germans, who are withdrawing from the frontier at Willenburg. RUSSIAN DEFEAT REPORTED. GENERALS KILLED AND WOUNDED. THE OCCUPATION OF INSTERBERG (Received August 24, 9 a.m.) AMSTERDAM, August 23. Messages from Vienna state that the Austrians repulsed the Russian cavalry in North Lemberg. One Russian general was killed and another, who was wounded, was conveyed to the hospital at Lemberg. - Another telegram states that the Russians, after a battle, occupied Insterberg (East Prussia, a town of 27,000 inhabitants). OVER THE FRONTIER. RUSSIANS POURING IN. FIGHTING IN EASTERN PRUSSIA. ST. PETERSBURG, August 21. The Russians are advancing on Lotzen, in East Prussia. ■ . The army invading Prussia consists

©f twenty army corps, under the Grand Duke Nicholas. It is reported that large bodies of German reserves aud second reserves are fighting on the Polish frontier, indicating that the first line of troops has been withdrawn westward. The Russians continue to take the offensive in the Gumbinnen district in East .Prussia, and are now engaging at least fourteen German infantry regiments. 'Die Russians captured a battery and many prisoners at Bilderweitschen, near Gumbinnen. The Prime Minister received the following message on Saturday:—London, August 22 (12.35 a.m.). —Reliable: The Russians have.passed the Russian frontier and have occupied Lvck, aud are inarching on Lotzen. Twenty army corps, led bj* the Grand Duke Nicholas, are participating in the invasion. Austria lias issued a levy en masse, summoning her last reserves. ACUTE TENSION. ITALY AND AUSTRIA ANXIOUS. WILL ITALY JOIN THE ENTENTE? (Received August 24, 9 a.m.) PARIS, August 23. -Acute tension is reported in Italy and Austria. The latter reproaches Italy with affording facilities to the Allies in the Adriatic. Router states that the Mediterranean is free from hostile ships, and that Malta 'is resuming a normal aspect. There is strong reason for that Italy will shortly intervene in favour of- the Triple Entente. FIGHT IN THE ADRIATIC. AUSTRIAN BATTLESHIP SUNK. SI.IBLL EXPLODES-MAGAZINE. PARIS,. August 22. It is officially stated that during the recent light in the Adriatic the second shell lired by the French struck the Austrian battleship Zrinyi and penetrated her magazine. She sank inune»ii:iUdy. ,|The Zrinyi, the Austrian battleship ivhich is reported to have been sunk in the Adriatic by the French ileet, was launched at Trieste in 1910. She was a-vessel of 14,226 tons, with a length of 450 i, l ft, beam 801 ft, and draught 2(Hft, while her armament, consisted of four ] 2-inch, eight 9.4-inch, 20 .'>.9inch, six 12-pounders, and three torpedo tubes. She carried a complement, of 816 men. With, such a strong armament and a speed of 20.5 knots the Zrinyi was a vessel which the Austrian Navy could ill afford to lose, and her loss so early in the proceedings must have been a severe blow. Two vessels almost identical with the Zrinyi are the Erz, Franz Ferdinand, and the Rodetzky, now in commission.] FOREIGN VOLUNTEERS. BIG PARADE IN PARIS. 3ARIBALDI 'S OFFER FOR SERVICE PARTS, August 21. A thousand German prisoners from Belgium embarked at Dunkirk, and were taken to a western French port for internment-.' Eighteen thousand foreign volunteers who have enrolled in the French service paraded at the Hotel des Invalides under the /lags of their respective nationalities. The corps includes 4500 .Tews, £SOO Italians, 3000 Belgians, 2600 Russians, 2000 Swiss, 1000 Spaniards, 400 Britishers, and 125 Americans. The bulk of the railway rolling-stock is in use again for commercial traffic. Supplies of all provisions are plentiful and cheap, as the number of consumers in diminishing. The price of veal wholesale is 4£d to oil per pound, and beef a penny more. These are almost the lowest. prices recorded. The ' 4 Petit Parisien '' states that. General Joseph Garibaldi and two other of Garibaldi's grandsons have arrived from Mexico, and offer to form a volunteer legion. They declare they can raise 50,000 men. The Paps police are prosecuting two large wholesale meat speculators for attempting to corner supplies. THE CRUISER LEIPZIG. I COAL CARGO REFUSED. CENSORSHIP IN AMERICA. The time of the Japanese ultimatum has expired without an answer having been received from Germany through the State Department, which is the only medium by which it could be sent. The State Department has ordered the authorities at San Francisco to refuse the steamer Mazatlan a cargo of coal, which it is believed is intended for the German cruiser Leipzig, whose whereabouts is unknown. The United States Government has decided to relax the wireless censorship and to abandon the proposed cable censorship. This action was undertaken as a result of a

protest by the German Charge, <1 'Affaires. The British Government agreed to the relaxation, provided that wireless messages, although in code, were definitely neutral in character. AN ENORMOUS CAMPAIGN. MINOR ENCOUNTERS SO FAR. GOVERNMENT APPEAL TO PUBLIC. LONDON, August '2'). The Press Bureau's report says that almost all the information reaching Britain, whether official or unofficial, comes from Allied sources, and very littlo news is filtering through, but what has come is sufficient to show that the enemy claims successes in both western and eastern theatres of war. The campaign is proceeding on such an enormous scale that the encounters which have already occurred can only be class: ed as incidents of minor importance. The exaggeration of minor episodes into important triumphs is misleading. Hoavcver, it may be said that in the western theatre, where Britain is most interested there has been one really noteworthy success, which perhaps one ought to call a German failure rather than an Allied success —that at the end of three weeks the enemy has not attempted to deliver the attack which, if it had occurred and been even partially successful a week ago, might have interfered with the concentration of the French Army, and proved prejudicial to subsequent French operations. The situation at the moment is, in a military sense, satisfactory. The following telegram was received by the Prime Minister yesterday: — LONDON, August '22. Reliable: —The Government asks the public to remember that the present alleged victories are only of comparatively minor importance. No achievement on either side deserves the name of victory. The present situation in a military sense is satisfactory. THE RULES OF WARFARE. VIOLATION BY GERMANS. FRAN OK APPEALS TO THE POWERS. PARIS, August 21. The French Government, in an appeal to the Powers, states that the Gennans, without warning, bombarded Pont-Mousson, near the Lorraine frontier, which was undefended, and their fire was directed particularly on the hospital, which Avas flying the Red Cross.' Shells fell in the town, killing seven and wounding eight, all women and children. Thus many articles of The Hague Convention were violated. France has protested to the Powers against Germany using duin dum (expanding) bullets. PROGRESS OF CAMPAIGN. NEWS FROM VARIOUS SOURCES. PRIME MINISTER'S INFORMATION The following telegram was received by the Prime Minister on Saturday:— LONDON, August 22. Reliable: Germans occupied Alost and Wettern, midway between Brussels and Gher<£. Their arrival at Ghent is imminent. Crowds are proceeding to Ostend. Women and children were leaving Tsing-tau (Kiao-chau) in anticipation of a bombardment on Sunday, failing a . favourable reply by Germany to .Japan. The French, British, and Russian Ambassadors at Constantinople informed the Porte that their countries had no designs on the territorial integrity of Turkey. An unconfirmed report states thatBritish and French warships, in conjunction Avith Montenegrin batteries on Mount Loween, bombarded the fortifications of Cattaro, the fall of which is imminent. THE OVERSEA DOMINIONS. CANADA'S LOYAL RESPONSE. TROOPS POURING INTO CAMP. NH W YORK, August 2.'!. It is reported from Ottawa that troops from every province are pouring into the Concentration Camp. Twenty thousand will be sent to Great Britain in a feAV days. It is understood they will join the British regiments with Avhich they are affiliated, and fight alongside the British forces.

OTTAWA, August 22. The. Bank of Montreal is giving £20,000 to the Patriotic Fund. Subscriptions are pouring in to the fund. Canadian traders are making an energetic effort to capture the German South American trade. Parliament passed a vote of a million sterling for war preparations. The Government is considering the giving of a hospital to Belgium, as a mark of appreciation of* the Belgians' gallantry. A Bili enlarging the currency, and enabling banks to issue a larger number of notes against the gold reserve, was adopted.

It is reported that trade conditions throughout the Dominion are normal. CEYLON, August 21. 'The Tea Planters' Association has offered a million pounds of tea for British troops in the field. THRILLING DEMONSTRATION. MANY MUNIFICENT DONATIONS. OTTAWA, August 23. A thrilling demonstration of patriotic fervour by all parties marked the passing of the war vote. In the House of Commons it was announced that Ontario had given £IOO,OOO to Britain, and that Nova Scotia was providing 100,000 tons of coal for the Admiralty. Mr J. Eaton, of Toronto, is donating £20,000 to equip a battery of Yickers quick-firers, mounted on armoured tlucks for the Canadian contingent. . The Duke of Counaught, in proroguing the House, said he hoped that in the mercy of a Divine Providence there would be a favourable and honourable issue of the war. IN THE COMMONWEALTH. UNITY OF POLITICAL PARTIES. AN ASSURANCE FROM LABOUR. SYDNEY, August 23. The Million Club's demonstration, which included decorated motor-cars and many bands, to assist the Patriotic Fund, was a great success. All the funds are being augmented rapidly. Steps are being taken to establish a branch of the Imperial Insurance Committee, to cover war risks in Australia. A number of leading athletes are enlisting in the Expeditionary Force. MELBOURNE, August 2A. Mr Fisher, in his election manifesto, states that whatever is the result of the Federal elections, the Labour Party will assist the Liberals in war matters. If Labour wins it will.expect similar from the Liberals. IN NEW ZEALAND. THE TROOPSHIPS. WORK PROCEEDING STEADILY; (Sun Special.) ' WELLINGTON, August 24. Preparations for the dispatch of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force to ■Europe are proceeding, apace. A large fleet of transports is now lying at fhe ! Wellington wharves, and work is proI ceediug night and day. A great deal has yet to be done before the ships will be ready to take the 8000 men and nearly 4000 horses which will go to make up the force; so much, in fact, that the date of sailing is still a matter of uncertainty. Major-General Sir A. God ley, Commander of the New Zealand Forces, who is going in command of the contingent, states that the troops will sail oji August"2B, but it is very doubtful if all the ships will be ready for the voyage by that date. A great deal of work remains to be done on several of them, and, even with all the labour and material now available, the chances are against the fitting out being completed by this date. THE SUN repreI sentative had a chat this morning with one of the contractors for the work, and he went so far as to say that the ships could not possibly all be. ready until September 10. That may be a pessimistic view, but it is certain that a great deal yet remains to be done. All day yesterday large gangs of men were engaged in the erection of horse boxes and accommodation for the men in the various ships, while painting is being feverishly carried on on several of the. ships. Circular saws, driven by oil, engines, have been installed to cut timber for the horse boxes and bunks, and the high note of the saws can be heard a long way from the wharves. The 'work fs being very neatly carried out, and reflects great credit oji the designers. VOYAGE TOGETHER, The Orari, one of the Home trading vessels chartered as a transport, has not hitherto been fitted with wireless, but a gang is now on 'board setting up au up-to-date plant. It is impossible to ascertain from the authorities from which ports the various vessels will eventually sail, but from what could be gathered vester<tay it seems clear that the various ships will .meet in New Zealand waters and make the voyage together. It is also almost certain that the fleet will have a convoy of cruisers, but which of the war vessels now in the Pacific will accompany the .squadron is known only to a favoured few, and they are as silent as the grave. UP TO FULL STRENGTH.

The Force is now practically at its full strength, and the list of applications for enrolment in the Wellington district has been closed. The horse boxes on several, coastal steamers, notably the Pateena, which have been used for the conveying of troops from the smaller ports to the four centres have already been dismantled. A FURTHER FORCE.

It is freely rumoured that if tlie war continues for any length of time a further force will have to be sent from the Dominion, but the Defence authorities say' that they have no reason to contemplate that it will be necessary for them to organise this force at present. At the same time it can be taken for certain that- if the call is made all the necessary arrangements will be found to have been made; The huge drain 011 the Territorial force will, of course, leave considerable gaps in the ranks of our regular defenders, and should there be a further call the Defence Department will be in a position to cope vvitli itThere are thousands of men in the Dominion capable of rendering valuable services for home defence, and they are bound to be called upon. These men will not necessarily be all capable of bearing arms in the firing line, but they will be able to perform certain duties which will be of the utmost value to the State. The New Zealand Express Company has offered to freely contribute any storing or carting required by the Patriotic Committee. The local staff of the Dunlop Rubber Company has subscribed £5 towards the Patriotic Fund. Colonel Chaffey has received through Colonel Cossgrove the sum of £7 6/6, subscribed by the Maori ladies of Tuahiwi towards the Expeditionary Equipment Fund. Major Loach, second in command of the infantry section of the Canterbury Contingent, is placing his military library at the disposal of the ollir-ers on the troopship ojh lie* Home trip.

! SPREYDON'S DEMONSTRATION. A QUIET GATHERING. j There was a la rye crowd present at : tlio patriotic service held in the Sprevjiion school grounds yesterday after- ; noon, but no doubt the attendance j would have been larger if the fact of : the ('ami) at the show grounds being i open to the public had not attracted j.the majority of the people. ; The Mayor of Spreydon (Mr G. K. j Whiting), presided over the demonstration, and there were present besides j the Mayor of Christclmreh, Sir .'Joseph i Ward, together with Ward and I Mrs Wood, Mr H. G. Ell, M.P., and Mr j L. M. Tsitt, M.P. i Air Whiting, after apologising for ■the absence of Bishop Grimes, explained tlie object of the gathering, 'saying that the funds which the people of Spreydon were so enthusiastically [collecting were not intended for the | equipment of the Expeditionary Force, j which he considered it was the duty of 'the Government to provide for out of j the Consolidated Fund, but to relieve | any distress that might be caused to .the dependents of those* who were going jto the front. At the conclusion of his | remarks be called on Mr Ell to address jthe meeting. •

Mr Ell said that the members of the Expeditionary Force were going to the fro lit to fight, for the civil and religious liberty of the Empire of which New Zealand, though far removed from the horror and terror of war, was a part. None could know whether or no all who were going would return, but all hoped so, as they prayed for a speedy ending of the international calamity, and the sympathies of everyone must be with those whose husbands and brothers were lighting for the causa-of the Empire. Britain was forced into war in order to uphold her treaty obligations, but it was a delight to know that all parts of the 'Empire have come forward with assistance, and it was the duty of those remaining behind to do all possible for those who had sent their sons and brothers to the front. The Rev. Mr Kuight, the next speaker, after remarking that there were many who underrated the seriousness of the present crisis, made an appeal that all who were going to the front would conduct themselves to the credit of the Empire, restrain themselves and not let loose their primitive impulses. They should remember that in this war England had a just case, which could not always be said of the wars England's politicians had made. Now "'the 'men who were lighting were lighting for the supremacy of the nation and the welfare of the world.

Sir Joseph Ward opened his address by deploring the fact that in this civil: ised and advanced century it should seem necessary to some to have recourse to war over a matter which could surely be settled without the decimation of hundreds of thousands of human beings. It was sad to think that the lust for power of an autocratic, ruler could plunge the nations into Avar, but it was more terrible to think that with a decisive triumph of German arms the British Hag would cense to fly over these lands—but that would never be. England had come into the war because of her obligations, and there was probably no other nation in the world that attached such immense importance to a slip of paper to which she had put her name. It was because the German Chancellor had failed"to understand the sacredness with which England held her hand that had led to the first miscalculation that England was shirking her duty to her allies, and the war had shown that all the members of the British family were ready to gather together ,in defence of the Empire. Never since the days of Napoleon and Nelson had England had a great sea fight. We would have to wait' until the end before we gained any knowledge of what was really happening with the Navy, for the v< Silent Navy" policy was being rigidly acted upon. Personally lie did not believe the war would be a long one, for Germany was losing trade to the value of £3,000.000 each day, her outside trade was cut off, there were four nations fighting against her, and her food supplies from Russia, on which she so largely depended, were absolutely shkit off. If the German nation could stand that then there was something behind it which no other nation possessed. The result of the Avar would be retribution.

Mr L. M. Isitt expressed himself in a similar strain. The present position, he said, had been brought about by the crazy ambition of a man whose lust for power threatened the liberty and peace of the whole world. It Avould be one of the inost terrible and destructive wars in the world's history, but for the British forces there was ground for confidence in the reflection that England was not 1 responsible for the war, but had been drawn into it because of her national honour, and those lads who were leaving New Zealand to fight for their country were faking their lives in their hands with the knowledge that they were going to a righteous war. Their departure emphasised the inequality of the sacrifices we were called on to make —the most of us would no doubt suffer some financial loss, but that was trivial in comparison with the anxiety of those whose dearest, ones were going to the war. In conclusion lie urged his hearers to put away all feelings of racial animosity. Mr H. Holland said that Sir Joseph Ward had expressed his views with regard to the war, but he wished to make some comment on the Patriotic Fund being raised as a provident fund for disabled soldiers or their dependents. l T p to the present £7(500 had been raised, which was a good response for the short time the campaign had been in operation, but the committee required £20,000. Another matter which he asked the people to provide for was musical instruments for the entertainment of the troops whilst on the troopship. For this purpose he required £7O. He also wanted £2OO so that he could give the commander of each of the two companies which were going from Canterbury £IOO to assist any member of the contingent who might have to be left in a strange town because of sickness, and he expected to get it. During the demonstration Miss Lucy Cowan recited "The Absent-miuded Beggar," and hymns were accompanied by the Woolston and Salvation Army Silver Band. The Christchurcli Highland Pipe Band, and the Cadets' Drum and Fife Band also assisted. Mr A. K. Baker, a member of the Managing Committee of the Canterbury Rugby Union, who has joined the Expeditionary Force, has been presented by his fellow-members of the C.R.U. Committee with a wrist watch. On Saturday afternoon members of the Albion Rugby Football Club gathered to make a present to Major B. Jordan, of the Expeditionary Force, who is weii known as an Albion Club and Canterbury representative forward.

| ADDINGTON CAMP. THE WEEK END. General leave was granted to the troops at the Addiiigton (lamp till 11 'o'clock, on Saturday evening. The behaviour of the men was very good, and almost without exception they returned to camp promptly 011 time. yesterday morning was spent in arranging the details of the squadrons and companies, the promotion of non-com-missioned oHicers, and compiling the military record of each man in the force. The arms were inspected and thoroughly cleaned. Yesterday afternon the cam]) was open to the public, and divine service was conducted by the Rev. F. Punnage (Anglican Church), who has been associated with volunteering in Canterbury for many years, and who has attended many camps, lie was assisted by the Rev. W. Sinclair (Methodist) and the preacher was the Rev. J. Mackenzie (Presbyterian). There was a Large attendance of the public, about 15,000 being present. At Juncii yesterday the men were provided with fruit, the thoughtful gift of the teachers and children of the klmwood School, St. Albans. In the afternoon the men were provided with cakes and scones out of the subscription raised by members of the Canterbury Club, per Mr S. Vincent. Cakes were also received from the Springston ladies. In going through the kit each man may take it has been found that there is still a shortage of Balaclava caps. These caps are a great asset to the troops in cold weather, and each man should be provided with one. There is a considerable shortage, and it is pointed out that if 400 or 500 Christchurch ladies to-day knitted a cap each the troops could be fully provided by to-night. Another useful present that could easily be made to the men is handkerchiefs. A couple of handkerchiefs for each man would be very acceptable. The Government are providing each mau with one pair of boots. The Equipment Committee are now arranging for another pair to be made and delivered to each man, so that the troops wayleave the camp, each Avith tAvo pairs of boots suitable for the work in view. General leave was granted to the troops till 9 o'clock last evening. This morning the infantry paraded in full inarching order, and left camp for a route lnari'h round the district, finishing up at HalsAvell Quarries about midday.. Here the men had the noA-el experience of each cooking his own dinner, which comprised meat, potatoes, and onions. The mounted men were exercised in mounted work in the South Park,

The Mounted Ambulance are to leave camp at 6 p.m. to-day, for Lyttelton, where they will embark for Wellington. BOOTS FOR THl<] TROOPS. The Export Tannery Company and Skelton, Frostiek and Co. and their employees have offered to make up to 2000 pairs of boots for the troops on the following basis: —The Tannery Company's special discount of 15 per cent., Skelton, Frostiek and Co; to charge only the actual bare cost with no overhead charges, the employees to give 15 per cent, of their wages to one of the special funds. The boots will be of picked stuff, and of the best workmanship, and the cost will be from 11/6 to 12/- per pair. The offer was made to Colonel Smith (Camp Commandant), and has been accepted. Roughly the offer means a contribution of at least £l5O by the Tannery Company, about £2OO by Skelton, Frostiek and Company, and about £.'lo by the employees. A thousand pairs of the boots have already been made and delivered. Arrangements are being made for . the Equipment Committee to provide the cost of the second thousand.

PATRIOTIC CONCERT. On Saturday night a concert in connection with Canterbury's Patriotic Fund was held in the King Edward Barracks. The entertainment was organised by Madame Alice Gower-Burns, who must be epnimended for the patriotic spirit which prompted her to devote her time and energy to such a worthv cause, with such excellent results. The concert was under the patronage of the Mayor and Mayoress, Mr and Mrs 11. Holland, Colonel Chaff ey, V.D., 0.C.D., and members of the Defence Department. Prior to the opening, the Woolston Baud played inspiriting selections in front of the Barracks, and thereby helped to draw the crowd, while insistent small boys circled about the outskirts, selling tickets whenever they could lind purchasers. A rough platform in the centre of the Barracks accommodated the performers, and the audience stood and sat round in a semi-circle. The concert opened with the Anthem by the soloists, chorus and audience, followed by the new patriotic song, "Sons of New Zealand," by Mr A. L. Cropp. Mrs Ernest Firth, a lady whom one can al-, ways listen to with a considerable amount of pleasure, sang "There's a Land" (Allitsen), with much success. The Woolston Band played a selection of popular patriotic airs with verve and spirit, aiid the good old "Soldiers of the King" was resurrected by Mr A. Miliar, the chorus being taken up by the audience in good rousing style. Another song which we were very familiar with during the time of the Boer War —"Sons of the Sea'' —was entrusted to Mr A. D. Vincent,-and this also "got the audience going" just as it used to a dozen or more years ago. Madame Gower-Burns gave '' When the Empire Calls," and, by special request, "Rule Britannia." In both these songs was the clear sweetness of her soprano voice, heard to great advantage, despite the difficulties of singing in the Barracks, the acoustic properties of which are practically nil. Mr W. Densem was programmed to recite Kipling's "Ab-sent-Minded Beggar," but owing to indisposition, was unable to appear. His place was ably taken by Mr McDonald, whose powers as an elocutionist are well known, and at the conclusion of the recitation the hat was passed round, and the audience obeyed the appeal to "Pay, pay, pay," generously. The Woolston Band contributed another selection, "Annie Laurie," and. a trombone solo, "Lend Me Your Aid," both items being excellently interpreted. The remaining vocal item was Mr A. Hall's song, "The.Old Superb.'' Leaflets containing the chorus oi each song were distributed amongst the audience, who joined in with heartiness each time. During an interval the Mayor briefly addressed the gathering, paying, in the course of his remarks, a high tribute to Mrs Gower-Burns, for her valuable work in organising the concert, the proceeds of which were to be devoted to the Lady Liverpool Equipment Fund. Addressing such of the soldiers as were present, he wished them God-speed and a. safe return, remarking at the same time that this was only a preliminary farewell, as many of the citizens of < 'hristchuvch would be on the. wharf at Lyttelton to bid them good-bye when

their ship put out to sea. Hearty cheers for King and country, ami for Mrs Gower-Burns, concluded his remarks. The accompaniments for the singers were ably played by Mrs Monteath and Dr Crooke. BE LOYAL. BISHOP GRIMES TJ ADVICE. A farewell message to the troops who are going to the front "was given by Bishop Grimes at the 9.30 a.m. mass in the Roman Catholic Cathedral yesterday. There was a large congregation, including many members of the Expeditionary Force. On the eve before he entered battle, said Bishop Grimes, the Royal prophet David used to send up fervent prayers to the Throne of God. Time after time lie felt the effect of his prayers —"Adjutorium nostrum in nomine Domini"— : "Our help is in the name of the Lord." Bishop Grimes recommended his congregation to ask Almighty God to bestow upon them the help required, and, addressing the men in uniform, who w T ere seated immediately below the pulpit, he continued: —"You are about to take part in what I suppose is one ofthe most just wars we have ever entered upon. You are doing it from a sense of duty, love of discipline, and love of loyalty to your Sovereign. But you must be loyal to God; loyal to the Church. Remember the promises made in baptism, and renewed by you afterwards at confirmation. We shall folloAv you with loving.anxiety, and accompany you by our fervent prayers, good wishes, and earnest hopes. Ask-the God of Battles to guide and direct you, and to lead you, as we hope,-to victory, and you will follow/that flag which will be for you an emblem and symbol of victory. You will sec upon it, in spirit at all events, what the great Catholic Emperor saw in reality—'in this sign thou shalt conquer.' We hope earnestly, that being accompanied by the :«).>rit of God, during the long voyage, and in your strenuous efforts in the Old Country, you will come back and we shall welcome you with joy ami delight. God bless you all." THE WHEAT AREA. SOUTH CANTERBURY MOVING. Press Association. TIM ABU, August 22. At a meeting of farmers at Fairlie promises were made to put an additional area under wheat, the total area being 220 acres. A canvass of the district is to be made. Mr B. Wright offered to provide seed at 4/- per bushel. It was proposed that an appeal for wheat-growing should be made through the churches, and the Anglican minister, who was present, accepted the.suggestion. At a meeting of the Farmers' Union held at Timaru wheat-growing was urge i for patriotic reasons, and also on The ground that it was bound to pay. The season was said to be very suitable, atrl the land at present is in good condition.

This fund is established with the following objects:—(a) To provide lor those dependent. On our volunteers should it be found necessary; (b) to assist volunteers returning physically unfit until such time as they are again restored to health; (c) generally to apply the fumis in such manner as the executive may deem necessary to alleviate suffering and distress caused by the present crisis. Donations may be forwarded to liis Worship the Mayor of Christchurcli, the Town Clerk, or the secretary (Mr I?. T. Tosswill, Royal Exchange Buildings), and will be acknowledged through these -columns. RANGIORA. The following are the Rangiora subscriptions received or promised to date: —Rangiora Borough Council £SO, J. Johnston and Son £2O, M. M. Kelly £l, J. M. Kelly £l, North Canterbury Gun Club £5, Messrs Truscott and Tullet £5, E. Stead £1 17/6, Rangiora Carpenters' Union £1 1/-, Mrs M. Macfarlane £2 ' 17/-, Mrs M. McNeeley 30/-. F. B. Lane £1 1/-, W. T. Wilson 10/'-, S. Avers 10/-, Mrs Baird 5/-, W. Rowse £1 1/-, Rev F. P. Fendull £l, H. M. Hawkins 10/-, N.C. Rugbv Union £'2o; total, £122 U/G. EMPIRE p.EFENCE FUND. RANGIORA. The following are the Rangiora subscriptions received or promised up to yesterday: — Rangiora County Council £SO, .T. •Johnston and Son £3O, M. Scott £-50, H. C. D. van Asch £3O, B. Edwards £lO, Dr T. A. Will £lO, Wadev and Efford £lO, A. J. Tutton £lO, T. Sliankland £5 ■5/-, Golding Bros. £5 5/-, Father Hyland :£5 -5/-, C. I. .lenniugs £5 5/-, F. B. Glasgow £5, J. B. Compton £o S. Sanders £5, Dr Burnett £3 3/-, C. £3 .'!/-, Rev. F. P. Fendall £B, R. W. •Sinclair £l, Anonymous £l, Miss Buchaxian £l, S. L. Paterson £l, W. Smith £l, M.A.S. £l, F. B. Wright £1 1/-, G. Bridget £1 1/-, C. W. Bell £l, F. Sharp £l, Mrs S. Sanders 10/-, G. F. 4/6, E. J. B. Hickmott 2/6, M. Croker 10/-, H. Neugeschwender 2/6, M. Watkins 1/-, C. Fox 10/-, C. Keir 2/-, E. . Bates 2/6, G. Brown 2/-, Anonymous (small sums) 12/-, W. Parker 2/6, E. Nehns 1/9, Jessie Hughey 2/6, Sinclair Clark £2 2/-, W. E. Barton £3, G. Harlow 10/6, F. R. Jones 10/6, G. Neuble tc, 5/-, V. Pulley £2 2/-, Mrs Matthews £l, H. Crowe £ll/-, J. Kennedy (Oamaru) ,£1 1/-,' H. Jones £2 10/-, Brockleliurst Hospital £5, S. A. Clark £1 1/-, W. Henry 10/-, H. D. Bettger £2 2/-, A. Hadecke £1 1/-, W. Wright £1 1/-, J. Marshall £3 .'>/-, F. Jackson £l, T. Miller £1 1/-, C. E. Bell £1 J/-, C. Hargreaves £l, W. Turner 10/-, G. F. Sutherland £1 3/-, 0. W. Tyler £l, F. Madam 10/-, Mrs Rogers 10/-, Miss G. 1 Rogers 10/-, W. Keir o/-, L. W. Wilson 5/.8. Graham 2/6, J. Buckley 10/-, R. Hamilton 5/-, S. Ayers 10/-, J. H. Watson 10/-, collected at meeting £1 6/-, street collection £1 13/8, Rangiora High School concert £ls, W. McGruer £lO 10/-; total, £321 3/11. POOR OF GREAT BRITAIN. The following additional contributions have been received for the Poor of Great Britain and Ireland Relief Fund: — Previously acknowledged . . £6lOl 7 0 Gas Co.'s Employees (first weekly contribution) .. 3 0 6 Anonymous 0 2 6

Ilanmer Springs Advancement League (first instalment) 22 18 0 E H. Lane 10 0 Mrs Downing .... . . 010 6 Mr ami Mrs Beauchamp Lane • • 20 0 0 Mr L. C, Gardiner, sen. (120 fat sheep) .. .. 120 0 0 Total .. £62 6S 18 6 The, total amount promised to date 'by the Hanmer Springs Advancement League to the above fund is over £4O. Messrs Nicholls Bros., of Ashburton, have promised to purchase, collect, paddock, and put on trucks, or deliver to local freezing work's, any fat stock, on account of the above fund, free of all charges, and they have further promised a generous gift of fat stock also for the above cause. LIVERPOOL COMMITTEE. / : A meeting of the executive in connection with the above was held in the Council Chambers- this morning, Mrs Holland, the Mayoress, presiding. The Mayor was also present. The various committees handed in reports of work accomplished since the inception of the committee, details of which have already been published. It was announced that the money banked to date totalled £1777 12/;">, the expenditure for material being approximately £(>!'»0 Mi/1Other expenditure in connection with the work totalled the modest, sum of £4 It)/10. The Mayor expressed hearty thanks to the ladies who had rendered such loyal assistance to Mrs Holland in the work of providing the equipment required by the soldiers. A hearty vote of thanks was also accorded Mr and Mrs Walter Hill, who have both been of great assistance to the committee in mativ wavs.

THE EXPEDITIONARY MOUNTS. A DISAPPOINTING STANDARD. A DECADENT INDUSTRY. "No, they are not in the same street," was the answer of a member of the mounted section of the Expeditionary Force, who was through the South African campaign, when asked if the mounts that are to carry them in the land as yet unknown by them were up to the South African standard. "The horses supplied to us i to go to South Africa were a splendid lot. We were quite as well mounted as any other of the colonial men," this young veteran, who . knew his subject, added. As the present war will to a large extent be carried out upqii laud there can be no two opinions as to the important part the horse will play in the titanic struggle that Kitchener is seemingly preparing for. When the Hon. J as. Allen suggested a few short m6nths ago the holding in readiness of a voluntary Expeditionary Force, he was severely criticised in many quarters. The Minister himself never thought that the men would be required so soon. A walk along the horse lines Sit the Addington camp only confirms the opinion expressed by the veteran who stands on the threshold of liis second campaign. It emphasises the sound sense of the Minister 's scheme to have a force ready. Gathered haphazard, as they have been, the mounts at Addington do not represent the cream of Canterbury's light horses, but they serve to forcefully bring home to one that horse breeding has been neglected by us in the last decade. Racing has been looked upon by the State with a more than tolerant eye, because the devotees of the sport claimed that it encouraged horse breeding. No doubt the contention is 4;o some extent true, but it cannot be gainsaid that the bulk of the clubs in the Dominion largely either ignore or lose sight of the responsibility resting upon them. The craze for the sprint race has had a deleterious effect upon the New Zealand thoroughbred. Examine the card of the average race meeting and see how very many races more are under a mile and a-quarter than over it.

One lias only to glance over the list of contestants in the cross-country events at the recent National meeting to realise how the stamina of our thoroughbreds has gone back. Speediness, too, often means weediness in horse breeding. The racing authorities should set themselves to stem the tide of decadence in horse breeding by encouraging a better type of thoroughbred. The ideal army mount should be more of a thoroughbred than anything else. Germany, Austria, and France have all recognised that the English thoroughbred could not be improved upon to sire their cavalry horses, which are now a feature of their armies.

Diversity of type is the most striking feature of the horses at Addirigton. They are of varying sorts and sizes. Many of the men who belong to hunt club's are exceptionally well mounted, but they are few and far between. The hunt clubs have to some extent counteracted the effect of the short distance racer upon the light horses of .the Dominion. The average hunter that can do a five or six mile gallop across country with a fair weight up, usually is of the ideal troop horse type. The breeding of such horses has received scant encouragement except in a mild wav from the Agricultural and Past or a I Associations. If the Dominions were able to supply the Imperial authorities with shiploads of suitable army horses they would probably be quite as well received as men from oversea. According to authorities, Britain has to a great extent neglected this important branch of army equipment. The lesson of the Boer war in this respect, when the half million horses and mules required by the War Oflice were gathered from the four quarters of the globe at stupendous expense, lias not been taken heed. of.

made. Every passing show excited its tribute of applause or laughter, and as the shows passed by it became obvious that Ihe procession."was going to be a record in length, interest and novelty. Tit? Woolston Band, under Conductor Esta!!, had the honour to lead off, playing "The Valiant," an appropriate march. Then came the Christchurch Drum and Fife Band, a lively ami jolly turn out. Various\local bodies, quite a number being represented, ami members of Parliament, followed. "The "Boys of the Old Brigade," those greybeards who in their young and hearty days had fought for the Empire, came'next. They made an interesting group, and some of the veterans looked as though they would still be good for a fight for the Empire if called on. The 'old "men were comfortably accommodated in.motor cars. Behind them, on foot, came a younger generation of veterans, hale and hearty —men in the prime of their lives. The Ladies' Veterans' Rillo Club produced" an effective tableaux, showing Brittania with her shield, supported by a Lad in Navy Blue. "Britain says we have a Duty to Perform," ami "United in the interests of Peace," were the red, white and blue mottoes on the lorry. At the corner or Barbadoes . Street vehicles of all sorts came crowding in near 1 o'clock, and formed up under the direction of the marshals. Motor cars decorated with bunting were plentiful, and motor cycles also, but there were many other, more interesting features than these. The Sumner Lifeboat Brigade's float, 011 which the lifeboat, with a full crew, was loaded, attracted much attention, which the crew took advantage of by fishing with nets for stray coins. The post office letter-cur-riers formed a squad behind a welldecorated mail van, bearing all the appurtenances of mail delivery, and bearing in front a letter-book with the device, "Christchurch to Berlin." The Maori troupe from Raupaki and Woodend numbered about twenty strong, and turned up with a few decorative adjuncts, such as flax mats. And the Lyttelton Fire Brigade came next with an ingenious model Dreadnought, which belched smoke from its forward guns as well as from its funnels. The Lion, as it was although built, of canvas above a motor body, waa fitted with

who pedalled along o» a tiny cycle scarcely 18 inches in heightAfter a couple oil decorated motor cycles came the Commercial Travellers' Association's car—a plain oue —carrying three or four weirdly-garbed individuals who. used all sorts of blandishments in their efforts to lighten the j)Ockets of the spectators. Other fantastic creatures threaded their ways among the crowd. The Rechabites' Friendly Society was represented. The Christciiureh Fire Brigade was represented by a motor engine, and two horsedrawn engines, whoso highly polished brass gleamed brightly in the sun. Thev were fullv manned. The display made by Strange and Co. was one of delicate artistry and infiinite appeal. "Heralds of Justice" was the title of the tableaux, and it was most charmingly arranged. A little girl arrayed in a golden frock was seated in the (•(•litre of and overlooking a number of other little gir'ls all prettily dressed in white. The decorations of the motor lovrv (which one hardly saw at all) showed the same apt taste and delicate drapings that characterised the whole display. It was a clever and really pleasing piece of work, being neither grotesque or pantomimic, but just merely fy artistic, and carrying .ir.i the indefinite appeal of the beautiful. This displav was preceded by a gaudy military pageant 011 a small scale. Uniforms of the most brilliant hues were exhibited, while tedd.v bears and tigers mounted on restless" horses heightened the humorous aspect. The Technical College display was good. Scholars had arrayed themselves in fantastic and bloodthirsty garbs, and demanded cash at the point of the sword.

The Addiugton Workshops had one of the most striking displays in the procession in a remarkably good representation of H.M.S. Victory. The work had been neatly and cleverly carried out, ami the result was wholly creditable. There were three battle cruisers in close attendance oil the Victory, and in each case the workmanship was good and the effect excellent. The Hibernian Society made a good display, and were assisted by the Marist Bros'. Cadets. The members of Messrs Turubull aad

by the Mayor, who said that the splendid turn-out and crowds which lined the streets showed how patriotically. Christchurch had responded to the call to assist .the Patriotic. Fund. He? explained that £20,000 was the minimum aimed at, and that it was to be used to help ~np dependents of the men going to the front, and the meu themselves if thev required it. He intended to appoint a- large committee of ladies to visit the homes of those dependents who might want help, and they would be kept in touch with the Fund.' He hoped that everybody would help. The battle was going to be hard work, but it would be won. (Applause.) (Proceeding.)

TO-NIGHT'S DISPLAY. PROCESSION AND CONCERTS. A torchlight, proee'ssion by the Christchurch Fire Brigades will leave the Cioolc Tower at / p.m. Attractive programmes have been drawn up for the two patriotic concerts in the-evening. In the Theatre Royal items will be given by Misses Owen Morrett, Woodhouse and Jennings, Mm (iowor-Burns, and Messrs G. March, F. J. M 'Donald, T?.. D. Vincent, A. L. Cropp, I>. Sinclair, W. Densem, A. I>. Aitken and L. Fleming. The orchestra and chorus of the New Zealand Fanners' Co-opera-tive Association, the Christchurch Liodertafel, and the Liedertai'el quartet, the Julius Knight Amateur Dramatic Company, and pupils of St. Mary's Convent will also assist. Mrs F. P. Osmond Smith will play the accompaniments, and Mr irl. Sweoucy will be stage manager. The programme at the King's Theatre will be contributed by Misses Jennings, M. Stringer, M'Cailum, Messrs J. M 'Lean, A. D. Aitken, C. Joll, W. H. Benson, F. M. Collins, F. J. M'Donald, Mitchell, A. W. MacGillivray, A. Millar, and A. L. Cropp. The New Zealand Fanners' Co-operative orchestra and chorus ami Christchurch Liedertafel will also contribute irumbers. l>r T. L. Crooke will be the accompanist, and Mr W. H. Benson will the stage manager. _______