A FORTRESS WAR.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 198, 25 September 1914, Page 10

A FORTRESS WAR.

BATTLE OF THE AISNE. ALLIES' SLOW BUT SURE ADVANCE. EXCEPTIONAL STRENGTH OP ARTILLERY. A SERIES OF ENTRENCHMENTS. By Calif. — Press Association. — Copyright. (Received September 25, Noon.) PARIS, September 24. A communique explains that the ' battle of the Aisne assumes, on a large Tiortiou of its front, the characteristics of a fortress war, iinalogous to the operations in Mancliuria. The exceptional power of the-artillery on both sides imparts special value to the tem- . , porary fortifications, and it is, therefore, ■ n matter of carrying successive entrenchments, which are all guarded with . necessary defences, notably barbed wire entanglements. Therefore, our advance is only from 500 metres to one kilometre (five-eighths of a mile) daily. THE KAISER'S APPEAL. CHERMANY'B MORAL MOMENTUM. ALLIES' "CAMPAIGN OF LIES." NEW YORK, September 24. The Ivaiser's appeal to America, through the Chancellor, Herr von Beth-mann-Holhveg, declares: — "We have complete confidence in . the justice of the Am'erican people, wbo ~-v_ will not permit themselves to be hood- . " winked by the Campaign of lies which our foes are waging. We shall win the war because our just cause has given a great moral momentum to our armies." BRITAIN AND ITALY. . CONFIDENT OF NEUTRALITY. "WE-ARE GOING TO WIN THE WAR." (Received September 25, noon.) > ROME, September 24. ' * .The Right Hon. Winston Churchill, in an interview, published 'in the -"Giornale d'ltalia," said:—"We have always thought it impossible that Italy would fight by Aus- ■■ * tria's side against England, and, for this reason, every .order given at the Admiralty was issued in the certainty •of Italy's neutrality. IfJtaly were pur .ally, her interests would be England's interests and her views in regard to the Mediterranean would be free. We have complete confidence in victory, .find we have resolved to win if it j ■costs us our last penny and our last i

Jman,' anil the day will come when Italy •«ati be given her natural frontier in its entirety." THE WAR IN AFRICA. GERMANS PENETRATE DAMARALAND. ' '■■ -'.■■ ' ■ ) ■ A RAIDING MARCH. "Times" and "Sydney Sun" Services. . (Received September 25, 8 a.m.) LONDON, September 24. The. Germans have .penetrated DamaraThe Germans have penerated Damara- ' ing the stock, and commandeering provisions. They have also, ordered the farmers to take up arms. [Damaraland is the north part of Cerman South-West Africa, and is very 'scantily populated.] CANTERBURY PATRIOTIC FUND. This fund is established with the following objects:—(a) To provide for 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 funds in such manner as the executive may deem necessary to alle: viate suffering and distress caused by the present crisis. Donations may l.e forwarded to his Worship the Mayor of Christchurch, the Town Clerk, or the secretary (Mr R. T. Tosswill, Royal Exchange Buildings), and will be acknowledged through these ■columns. TO-DAY'S DONATIONS. The following additional donations to- , -wards the Patriotic Fund have been received: — £ s. d. A.H. ......:... 110 H.E. (per Mrs Hamilton) .. 10 0 Total to date .. ..£13,940 30 0 Colonel Richardson begs to acknow- . / ledge, .with thanks, receipt of the fol-

lowing donations to the Band Fund:— Cashmere Estate £3O, Henry Cotterill £2 2/-, Mrs Holiday £lO, Women's Executive £2O, the Mayor £2O, total £B2 2/-, together with proceeds of concert and sale of the March organised by Mrs 11. H. Loughnan, to whom he is greatly indebted. Acknowledgment of the receipt of the following is also made:—Per Major Gordon, 5 cases of eggs, Parrott, Holcroft and Co., Rangiora; 12 sweaters, H. Dix; 6 sweaters, A. Sharpe; Balaclava caps, Mrs W. D. Johnston and Messrs J. Sanson; housewives, Miss Walker; complete outfits for every man, from Rangiora Patriotic Committee; 2 pairs field glasses, C. Hastings Bridge; 1 pair field glasses, Miss Wilson, Bealey Avenue; Balaclava cap, Mrs Beesley, Lyndhurst. RANFURLY RED CROSS FUND. The following donations have been received by the St. John Ambulance Association and Brigade to date: — Amount previously acknowledged .. .... ..'£364 4 0 J. K. Buekland .. .... 10 0 Aylesbury School children 0 6 0 G! D. Greenwood .. :. .. 100 0 0 Miss K. Gerard .... .. * 25 0 0 Mrs B. Heaton Rhodes .. 5 0 0 Rakaia, P.O. order .. .. 0 2 6 Total '.. .. .. £495 12 6 The following contributions in kind have been received, in addition to gifts previously acknowledged:—Burwood district, clothing; Mrs Turner, 6 pairs bed socks and old linen; Strange and Co., flannel; Miss Wilson and Mrs Anderson, nightingale jackets; Miss Poby, bed socks. Contributions may be sent to the chairman, Mr A. E. G. Rhodes, to the hon. treasurer, Lieutenant-Colonel W. Thomas, or to the secretary, C. J. Treleaven, 119 Worcester Street. WAR PARAGRAPHS. The Coast Defence Commander (Col. C. J. Cooper) wishes to acknowledge a parcel of Balaclava caps for the men on night duty on the harbour defences from Mrs P. W. Anderson. t ■ '