LATEST WAR NEWS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 182, 7 September 1914, Page 8

LATEST WAR NEWS.

STRIKING FRENCH SUCCESS. BRITISH SKILL PREVAILS. FRENCH ACHIEVE MARKED *■,, | SUCCESS. By Cable. —TVt.s-.v Association. — Copyright. (Received September 7, 12.20 p.m.) LONDON, September 6. The Press Bureau states that th-3 first German army is reported to be between La Ferte-sous-Jouarre and Essesevoffort, and the second is advancing east of Chateau. Thierry; the fourth is marching.-southwards between Sur»per and Ville-sur-Toube. The British have established personal ascendancy over the Germans, who are conscious that the result will not, be doubtful, if the numbers are even. The rifle fire devastated every column of the attack, and superior training and intelligence enable the British to cope with the vast numbers. General French in a report dwells on the marked superiority of every arm of the service. "Since the .fight at Cambrai, the seventh French army has been supporting our left, and in conjunction with the fifth army our Tight greatly relieved the strain and pressure. The fifth army on the 29th advanced from the line of Vise counter to the German advance, and a considerable battle took place to the south of Guise. The French gained a marked and- solid success, driving back three army corps with heavy loss and disorder. The Allies' retirement, however, continued. The "Germans were seeking persistently after the British and remained practically in continuous contact with our rearguards." GUARDS SUFFER HEAVILY. FIGHTING AT COMPIEGNE, REINFORCEMENTS FOR. BRITISH. (Received September 7, 12.40 p.m.) LONDON, September 6. The Press Bureau reports that on Thursday the Germans, made a very vigorous effort at Compiegne, where the First British Cavalry and Fourth Guards Brigades were principally engaged. The brunt fell on'the Guards, who lost (three hundred killed and wounded. The Germans were not brought to a standstill till much slaughter had been inflicted. Till Wednesday, marching an,d fighting were continuous, and the casualties are estimated at fifteen thousand, but many are missing and may rejoin the colours. The losses do not amount to a third of those inflicted, and the sacrifice was not out of proportion to the achievement.

ANNEXING SAMOA. INCIDENTS OF.THE WORK. Press Association. WELLINGTON, September 7. The Moeraki, No. 1 transport of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, arrived back in Wellington Harbour from Samoa at 6.30 this morning, in charge of Commanders Ward and Steward, with 21 invalided Territorials and fifteen of H.M.S. Sealark's company. Sergeant Blackmore, in the course of a statement to a representative of the Press Association, stated that, with the exception of two days, they had good wnather during the whole of their trip. First of all, they called at New Caledonia, and then went oh to Suva, and finally to Samoa. At New Caledonia the troops were landed, and a march inland, extending over some six miles, was made. • The French people were wildly enthusiastic, and sang the '' Marseillaise'' and "God Save the King." In the evening the French people held a patriotic concert on the wharf, which was attended by a very large crowd; The greatest enthusiasm prevailed. Sergeant Blackmore declared that never had he seen anything like it in his life. At the conclusion of the concert' the boatf were anchored in the stream, and they sailed for Suva the next morning. They reached Suva on Sunday morning, and brought aboard a number of Samoan residents, and the Sealark 's ship's company and the transports, left at eight o'clock on Tuesday-morning for Samoa, which was reached on August 29. The Psyche went into Apia, and the transports landed at twelve o'clock. The Sealark's company worked all night landing the baggage and equipment of the men from the Moeraki. In the morning, the Moeraki left for Wellington, convoyed by the Psyche, but the warship was dropped at six' o'clock next evening, and the Moeraki came on by herself. APIA ANNEXED. . The Psyche, under the white flag, entered Apia, and demanded the surrender. Captain Marshall could not find the Governor, but the representative in power would not surrender. Eventually he , found the Governor in the wireless station. He landed the troops and formally annexed the town, and Colonel Logan took command. > The Monowai took the Governor to Suva the s'.ame night. . : Not a shot was fired, and the natives seem decidedly favourable to the British. • The transports were convoyed by the Psyche, Philomel, and Byramus, and at Noumea were met by the Australia, the Melbourne, and the' French ship Montcalm. The men landed were all in good spirits, and appeared to have suffered no particular hardships except the difficulty during the early .days in getting proper meals. When the Moeraki left Samoa there were no signs of any attempt to recover possession, and nothing was seen of any German warships in the vicinity. .An American vessel was lying in Apia Harbour, and -.the Germans would not give a clearance, but as soon as the town was annexed the boat was allowed to proceed on her voyage. All the nursing sisters remained at Samoa. They were in good health. A new sister and a number of frontiersmen were picked up at Suva. Generally speaking, the men have no complaint to make whatever with regard to their treatment, but irregularity of meals caused a good deal of dissatisfaction until after leaving Suva, when it would appear the commissariat department became better organised. Concerts were held,at frequent intervals, and the men were quite a happy party. . '

I can only repeat tliat the Government I knew nothing about the appointment in question.'' After this interview THE SUN representative telephoned to General Godley, who said:—-'Although anxious to give all possible information, the Defence authorities have absolutely nothing to give."- g ' '-I am in the same boat fas yourself,'' said General Godley, "and I can only refer you to the Prime Minister. , Subsequently, Mr Massey, who had held a conversation with the Minister of Defence,-was informed by THE SUN representative as to General Godley's statement. . The Premier replied that thfe reporter who had accompanied the force was preparing an /official report to the Government and Cabinet would have to consider it and decide wljat could be published.^ ALDINGTON CAMP. SHIFTING DAY. ANOTHER SCARLATINA CASE. Addington Camp /was a busy place this morning, "for the troops were engaged in the task of shifting to th,e Canterbury Park Trotting Club's course at Sockburn. The cleaning up preliminaries constituted a big business, and all the morning the men were kept busy on general fatigue. The tents were struck early in the day and the effects of the men packed. • By 11 aun. the clearing up process was in full Swing, and to the uninitiated perfect chaos seemed to reign where, in fact, the greatest order and calculated method prevailed. Large piles of kitbags and genera|, impedimenta were piled near the lines, and heaps of straw, burning briskly, were being constantly replenished as the clearing up process proceeded. Small boys with mercenary proclivities . seized upon the empty bottles that were heaped up in plenty and made off with sacks full and visions of impending wealth. A final raid on the canteen greatly reduced the stock that that institution had to transfer to the new quarters, and the scene in the canteen tent for a time was very lively. Large vans arrived to supplement the string of small vans that had already been loaded, and kit-bags went hand, to hand along lengthy lines to finally disappear within them. Meanwhile telegraph linesmen and others were busy dismantling the telephones and removing the wires. By midday there was practically no sign of the camp, save where pale, round patches shaped like' fairy rings told where the tents h.ad" been. Everything had been taken: down, everf the hospital tenta, and the patients lay basking in the sun and seemed quite happy. The troops will probably move out early this afternoon and should be snug in their tents at their new quarters by 4 p.m. • Another case of scarlatina occurred in the camp yesterday afternoon, Lieut. F. W. Parker, of Nelson* (who is in charge of the Infantry Machine Gun section) being the victim. He was removed to the Bottle Lake hospital and' one contact was isolated. This recrudescence of the disease confirmed "the decision, already arrived at, to shift the camp to Sockburn. Yesterday morning was spent by all the troops in camp in kit inspection, company and squadron drill, and preparing to- strike camp. In the afternoon voluntary church parade was held for the mounted men in the A. and P. Association's big grandstand, and for the infantry in the Metropolitan Trotting Club's stand. The camp was opeu to the public from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., and was visited by thousands. It is now; announced that British Army Reservists (who, it was formerly stated, would join their own regiments

tions from the Addington Camp, but the military authorities are not taking action. They go on the line that one volunteer is worth a dozen pressed men, and would sooner lose the deserters now than take them with the expedition. THE ESCORT QUESTION. The provision of our escort rests with the Imperial authorities, but apparently no definite arrangement has been communicated to the New Zealand Government. It was rumoured in the city way that Japanese warships would be undertaking this duty, but that appears to be mere speculation. * CANTERBURY PATRIOTIC FUND. This fund is established with the following objects:—(a) To .provide for tharse 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 funds in such manner as the executive may deem necessary to. alleviate suffering and distress caused by the present crisis. - Donations may be forwarded to his Worship the Mayor of Christcimrch, the Town Clerk, or the secretary (Mr.R. T. Tosswill, Royal Exchange N Buildings), and will be acknowledged through the&e columns. ADDITIONAL DONATIONS v The following' additional donations towards the Patriotic Fund have been Received by the Mayor:— . "-; £ S. d.

Anonymous (from Liverpool Fund) f: .. ..... Employees, Skelton, Prostick t and Co. (second eoritribu10 0 37 5 1- 0 o 9 0 N. MeCallum . • • • .2 0 0 Meadowbank Staff- — s, . Miss Glen .. ' • . . * . • ' 0 6 6 Miss Sealine . • . . 0 5 0 Mr Sealine .. '. . . ' • . 0 2 6 * Mr Bowna ■ • • v • • 0 10 0 Mr Durnet . .'* . . 0 2 6 Mr French .,. "*' • • ' • • 0 5 0 Mr J. Robertson • • . . 0 2 6 Mr Cameron .. . • . . 0 2 6 Mrs H; Patterson • • • . 2 2 0 Mrs Nieol .. ..-.'■ . . 1 0 0 Miss Nieol ' .. . • ■ "' . . 0 5 0 Mrs Ross .. .. . . . . 50 0 C. A. Pritchard L -.'.■'■■"■..''.■ 1 1 0 Anonvmous .-.'. }; ■-■'■, . '... 5 0 0 F. 0. "Gibson .... ..•-':'••' 50 0 Total C. .-,' ..£11,030 13 4