BRILLIANT NAVAL VICTORY

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 263, 10 December 1914, Page 7

BRILLIANT NAVAL VICTORY

BATTLE OFF FALKLAND ISLANDS THREE GERMAN CRUISERS SENT TO THE BOTTOM V ' ' ___ ■ ' . TWO OTHERS PURSUED 1 BRITISH SQUADRON'S GLORIOUS ACHIEVEMENT • _ SLIGHT ' BRITISH CASUALTIES tCOLONIAL SECRETARY OF STATE ANNOUNCES ALL-ROUND SUCCESS OF ALLIES 1 A cable received shortly before mid-day announces the sinking of the German cruisers Scharnhorst, Gneisenau, and Leipsig, by the British squadron off the Falkland Islands. Two other German war vessels, the Dresden and Numbers, are being chased by the British squadron. ' • ' The British only sustained very few casualties. They rescued some survivors from the Leipsig and Gneisenau. An official message from the Secretary of State for the Colonies announces sill-round victories for the Allies, the enemy having been defeated in France, Belgium, Poland, and Servia. ' General Beyers, the South African rebel leader, is reported to have been killed. It is unofficially reported by the High Commissioner that the Kaiser, •who is in Berlin, is in a critical state of health.

By Cable. —Press Association. —Copyright.

WELLINGTON, December 10. His Excellency the Governor has received a cable from the Rt. Hon. ™ Lewis Harcourt that the German cruisers Scharnhorst, Gneisenau, and Leipsig have been sunk in action by the British squadron off the Falkland Islands. The Dresden and Nurnberg are being chased. X 3 • FIGHT ON TUESDAY MORNING. JfHE ADMIRALTY' S ANNOUNCEMENT. SOME SURVIVORS RESCUED. -The following is the text of the cable:— The Admiralty announces that on the morning of December 8 the Scharnhorst, Gneisenau, Nurnberg, Dresden, and Leipsig, were sighted hear the Falkland Islands by a British squadron under ViceAdmiral Sturdee. An action followed, and the Scharnhorst, (flying the flag of Vice-Admiral von Spee), Gneisenau, and Leipsig were all sunk. The Dresden and Nurnberg are being pursued. Two colliers were captured. Our casualties were very slight. Some ' survivors were rescued from the Gneisenau and Leipsig.

The Gneisenau, Scharnhorst, Leipsig, Nurnberg, and Dresden were cruisers belonging.to the German Pacific Squadron. The Gneisenau was an armoured cruiser of 11,420 tons displacement, carrying light Bin. guns, besides many of lesser calibre. The Scharnhorst was a sister ship, and both were completed in 1908. They each carried a complement of 764 officers and men. The Scharnhorst also had the distinction of being the crack ship of the German Navy for gunnery practice. The Leipsig was a third-class cruiser of 3200 tons displacement, built in 1905-6. Her heaviest armament was ten 4.lin. guns, and two submerged torpedo tubes. The Nurnberg is a similar ship, of 3306 tons displacement, having the same armament, with a complement of 322 officers and men. The Dresden, which was built in 1908, is a slightly larger vessel, carrying twelve 4.lin. guns, as well as the usual smaller guns and torpedo tubes. Her complement consists of 361 officers and men. The other vessel of the Pacific Squadron was the Em den. The Falkland Islands are a group in the South Atlantic, forming a British Crown Colony. There are about 200 islands in the group, which is situated about 250 miles north-east of Terra del Fuego, the extreme south of South America. Only two of the islands are of any considerable size—East Falkland, which is about 85 miles in length and about 53 miles in breadth, and West Falkland, which is 80 miles long by 40 miles broad. The rearing of cattle is the principal industry of the islands, which support a population of a little over 2000. Vice-Admiral Sir Frederick Charles Doverton Sturdee, K.C.8., C.M.G., C.Y.0., was promoted from Rear-Ad-miral to Vice-Admiral in December of last year. He is 55 years of age, and was commanding the Second Cruiser Squadron at the commencement of the

"limes" and "Sydney Sun" Services. (Received December 10, 11.40 a.m.) LONDON, December 9. Official:—A British squadron engaged and sank the Scharnhorst, Gneisenau and Leipsig off the Falkland Islands. There were tferee British casualties. ANOTHER ACCOUNT. MORNING OF DECEMBER 5. TWO COLLIERS CAPTURED. (Received December 10, noon.) LONDON, December 9. Official: — Vice-Admiral Sturdee's squadron, off the Falkland Islands, at 7.30 o'clock on the morning of December 5, engaged and sank Vice-Admiral von Spec's flagship Scharnhorst, also the Gneisenaa and Leipsig, and pursued the Dresden and Nurnberg. Vice-Admiral Sturdee captured two colliers. Our casualties were few* Some survivors from the Gneisenau Leipsig were saved.

war. He entered the Navy in 1877, received his captaincy in 1899, and was promoted to the rank of RearAdmiral in 1908. He served in the Egyptian War of 1882, and from 1893 to 1897 he was Assistant-Director of Naval Ordnance. He was AssistantDirector of Naval Intelligence in 1900-2, Chief of Staff of the Mediterranean Fleet in 1905-7, and Chief of Staff of the Channel Fleet in 1907. In 1899 he commanded the British Force in Samoa, and in 1910 he was Rear-Ad-miral of the First Battle Squadron. ALLIES ALL-ROUND VICTORIES. IN BELGIUM, POLAND, AND SERVIA. RIGHT HON. LEWIS lIARCOURT'S REPORT. His Excellency the Governor has received the following cable from the Right Hon. Lewis Harcourt, Secretary of State for the Colonies: — LONDON, December 9. '' The French Government reports that activity by the enemy has somewhat increased. A vigorous German attack was repulsed south of Ypres. The struggle in Argonne continues to be very vigorous. Vermeilles was recently captured by the French. It has been the scene of a determined struggle for nearly two months.

'' The Russian Headquarters reports the grave defeat of the German right wing to the south of Cracow. Heavy guns and five field batteries were silenced, and several guns and many prisoners captured. The offensive is being pursued. '' Servian Headquarters announces a considerable success over the Austrians." GAINING GROUND. ALLIES OBTAINING MASTERY. GOVERNMENT BACK AT PARIS. (Received December 10, 9.10 a.m.) PARIS, December 9. A communique states: There have been artillery duels from the sea to the Lys, also to the Aisne, where we liad the advantage. We have made appreciable gains in Argonne, carrying several trenches. We are progressing along the entire front, except at one poiat, where the enemy mined and blew up a trench. Our artillery has completely mastered the enemy's on the heights of the Meuse, where we have progressed along the whole line, capturing several trenches. The Government has returned to Paris. CAVALRY /CONVERTED. MOBILE INFANTRY COMPANY. A NEW ZEALANDER 'S LETTER. "Times" and "Sydney Sun" Services. (Received December 10, 8 a.m.) .LONDON, December 9. A New Zealander at the front, in a letter, says that his company of cavalry has been converted into mobile infantry, armed with rifles and bayonets, and carrying picks and shovels. They have become very efficient in digging themselves in, and their dugouts are roofed with branches and covered with earth. The floor is lined with straw, and the men lie close together, acting as warming-pans in keeping one another from freezing during the night. Some bombs from German mortars have made holes 15ft deep and 20ft across, but,, he concludes, '' luckily they have not struck our trenches." TENDING THE WOUNDED. AUSTRALIAN AMBULANCES. ! BELGIAN STEAMER'S GREAT RECEPTION. (Received December 10, 8,45 a.m.) LONDON, December 9. It has been arranged that 18 Australian ambulances shall be used near the front. Six will work on the line from to Calais, six from Arras to Roulers, and six from Amiens. ROME, December 9. The Belgian steamer Roi Leopold met with a surprise reception at Savona (Italy). All work was stopped, and the population proceeded to the port waving their hats and handkerchiefs. The vessels in port welcomed her with their syrens. LIFE IN THE TRENCHES. | MONOTONOUS AS CITY OFFICE. HOURS FOR FIGHTING a AND EATING. "Times" and "Sydney Sun" Services. (Received December 10, 8 a.m.) LONDON, December 9. A correspondent who, at General Joffre's invitation, visited the French lines, states that sbme parts of the line have become as monotonous as a city cfffice. Fighting commences at 5.30 in the morning, and the men quit the trenches at 4.30 and walk openly along the line. Dinner is served at 11 a.m., when the troops on both sides openly distribute soup. The opposing-troops near Rheims have become I quite familiar, calling one another by I their Christian names. GERMANY'S INTENTIONS. VIOLENT ATTEMPT IN THE WEST. NORWEGIAN DESTROYERS SEIZED. "Times" and "Sydney Sun" Sirvices. (Received December 10, S a.m.) LONDON, December 9. Private messages from Berlin declare that the Germans are' preparing for a violent attempt to break through the Allies' western wing. Germany has seized two destroyers in course of construction for Norway. STARVING BELGIANS. FOOD VERY SCARCE. A HEARTRENDING PICTURE. (Received December 10, 8.45 a.m. LONDON, December 9. Sir Gilbert Parker, on behalf of the American Relief Commission, visited Holland, which has done all possible to help the Belgian municipalities. The only food for the next week or fortnight will be barely over one-third of a soldier's ration for each inhabitant daily. lie describes the necessarily cheerless and ill-ventilated quarters in sheds; the floors covered with straw, and only a few blankets. Men, women, and children are huddled together promiscuously in misery. The worst conditions prevail at Rotterdam, where they are sheltered in iron lighters without fires; unfit homes for cattle. Hei gives a heartrending picture of the refugee camps in various Dutch centres, and says that the normal requirements are 300,000 tons of food per month. The American Commission is appealing for 80,000 tons, less than onehalf, of a soldier's rations for each BelIgian.

UNITY OF EMPIRE A HINT TO BERLIN. BRITISH RULE AND GERMAN CULTURE. "Times" and "Sydney Sun" Services. (Received December 10, 8 a.m.) LONDON, December 9. "The Times" in a leader draws Berlin's attention to the declaration of loyalty from the Island of Nieue, tells them something of the nature of the Empire which they are so confidently hoping to supersede. This is only one offer out of many from simple peoples, who may know nothing about German culture, but do know something of British rule.

DOMINIONS AND THE WAR. A STATEMENT CONTROVERTED. WHAT WILL CONFRONT GERMANY. (Received December 10, 8.45 a.m.) OTTAWA, December 9. Sir R. L. Borden, speaking at the Canadian Club, Montreal, controverted Bemhardi's statement that the selfgoverning Dominions might be ignored, and said: "Before the war closes Germany will be confronted with a quarter of a million soldiers from the self-governing Dominions.'' IN BRITAIN. AN UNWELCOME REGULATION. WAR OFFICE CONTRACTS. (Received December 10, 8.15 a.m.) LONDON, December 9. There have been many protests against the War Office regulation requiring the police to keep registers of the soldiers and sailors' wives, with the right to enter their houses and ascertain if separation allowances are not being abused. The London police have greatly modified the regulation, avoiding home inquisition, while wives accused of drunkenness are subjected to persuasion instead of prosecution. There is still, however, a demand that the women should spend the money as they please, subject to the ordinary law. The Press Bureau denies the appointment of Lord Esher's committee to enquire into alleged scandals in connection with, army contracts.

TAKING OF TOGOLAND. GOLD COAST BEARS THE COST. HANDSOME OFFER TO BRITAIN. (Received December -10, 8.45 a.m.) LONDON, December 9. The Gold Coast bears the cost of the annexation of Togoland, which is estimated at £60,000. Togoland also offers £BO,OOO towards the British war expenses.

AN UNEXPECTED RETURN. KAISER IN BERLIN. CONDITION SAID TO BE SERIOUS. (Received December 10, 10.5 a.m.) COPENHAGEN, December 9. The Kaiser's unexpected return to Berlin from the eastern zone caused intense disappointment, as the people hoped when he returned that he would be at the head of a victorious army. It is asserted that the Kaiser's return was due to his uneasiness at tlie attentions of Russian aviators, who obtrusively followed his every movement. [A message from the High Commissioner states that the Kaiser's condition is unofficially reported to be serious.]

FIGHTING DEVELOPS. RUSSIAN DASH OVER RIVER. i GERMAN LEFT CRUSHED. (Received December 10, 10 a.m.) PETROGRAD, December 9. Official: The fighting has developed at Prasnysz and Slachanowa, and between Warsaw and Mlava, but is unfinished. We have had partial successes in the Piotrkow region. The battle begun on December 5 to the south-east of Cracow between Wielicza and the Derjutz River is developing in our favour. Our reinforcements gal : lantly forced a passage of the river near Neusandee, and severely defeated

VICTORIOUS SERVIANS. HUGE CAPTURES FROM AUSTRIA. KING AT HEAD OF ARMY. NISH, December 9. An official report states that the Servian offensive has been victorious upon the entire front. The Servians captured on December 1 520 prisoners, on the 3rd 2500, and on the 4th 250 i); also complete batteries of artillery. The King of Servia has placed himself at the head of the army, and is commanding in the first line. It is stated that Servian casualties are already a hundred thousand. A FIERCE OFFENSIVE. SUCCESS ON ENTIRE FRONT. ENEMY IN FULL RETREAT. (Received December 10, 8.45 a.m.) NISH, December 9. A communique states that the fierce Servian offensive continues successfully along the entire front. The enemy is retreating everywhere, abandoning guns and,material. Many have been taken prisoner. BULGARIA RESTLESS. WHERE THE INTERESTS LIE. DURATION OF NEUTRALITY. (Received December 10, 8.45 a.m.) SOFIA, December 9. Though it is generally considered that

Bulgaria's interests lie on the side of the Entente, Bulgaria is not disposed at present to begin hostilities. The agricultural population especially is opposed to a winter campaign. The Government proposes to maintain friendly'neutrality as long as possible, and agrees not to attack Greece or Rumania, or to act independently of the Entente. M. Radoslavoff, the -Prime Minister, on being interviewed, stated: — "Bulgaria desires to remain neutral, but will occupy Macedonia if Austria advances thither." ■— M. Gueshofi: declares that public opinion is averse to the occupation of Macedonia without the Entente's consent. In Russian schools pupils are allowed to choose between learning French and German, and 70 per cent, choose German.

[ Copyright—Underwood and tinder wood J, the German right, which was trying to turn our left. The Germans suffered enormous losses. Our offensive is being continued. ■ ' The German cruiser Breslau appeared off Sebastopol, but our cruisers and an aeroplane attacked the Breslau, which disappeared. OBSTINATE ATTACKS. REPULSED BY RUSSIANS. WHY LODZ WAS EVACUATED. * (Received December 10, 9.10 a.m.) PARIS, December 9. A communique, after detailing , the Allies' operations in France and Belgium, adds: The Russians ha\ T 3 repulsed obstin ; ate attacks on the line between Alofi> Lowicz-Strykoff-Lodz, but have evacuated Lodz because the position formed . a : salient. WILL ITALY JOIN IN? APPREHENSION IN AUSTRIA. GREAT MILITARY ACTIVITY. (Received December 10, 9.30 a.m.) ROME, December 9. Reports state that the Pops is urgijig for a cessation of hostilities during Christmas, but it is ' not believed that his efforts will be successful. A Milan message says that advices received from the Austrian frontier show that the stat>-nent of Signor Salandra regarding Italy's attitude has been responsible for considerable military activity ip j Aiiptria. On Friday

night, the railways poured troops into different places along the Italian boi'der and' Pola. It is estimated that 20,000 troopd are stationed on the frontier and 100,000 at Pola. Anti-Italian manifestations have occurred at several -places. Hungarian soldiers spat on Italian workmen without rebuke from their officers, while other Italian workmen have been disabled. WHAT JAPAN HAS DONE. FEELING IN CHINA. BARON KATO'S ANNOUNCEMENT. (Received December 10, 10.5 a.m.) TOKIO, December 9. Baron Kato, addressing the Diet, said

he regretted there were no prospects of peace. The relations of the Allied Powers had been cemented more closely than ever. Adverting to the capture of Kaiocliau and the various questions that had arisen with China, he said it was satisfactory to note the conciliatory spirit of the Chinese. The maintenance of order was not only of the greatest importance to China, but was fraught with grave consequences to themselves. He hoped that nothing would arise to disturb the tranquility there. Japan had undertaken the administration of the railways from Kaio-chau to Tsinan, and t'le military occupation of the principal islands in the Marshall, Caroline, Marianne, and Pelew groups. DISASTER FOR REBELS. GENERAL BEYERS'S FATE. ' COMMANDOS SPLIT AND CAPTURED. i " "" • (Received December 10, 9.15 a,.m.) PRETORIA, December 9. Official:- ■ . ' ® Commandant Dutoit engaged Beyers's commando on the Sandspruit 15 miles sduth of Bothaville. Beyers split his commando, and he himself, and JO .men fled to the Vaal, near its junction with, the Sandspruit. There were sharp engagements on the bank of the Vaal, which Beyers and a few followers tried to swim their horses across. ' When his horse was shot, Beyers fell into the river, and he grasped the tail of the horsey which swam towiards the loyalists' side. When next seei*, Beyers was drifting. down stream calling for assistance. ' ; ' : ' He was not seen again, arid a search is being made for his "body. It is believed that he was wounded earlier in tjie fight. I Practically all his followers have been taken prisoner. Other drives resulted in the taking prisoner of nearly 200 rebels. 9, It is officially stated that it is Relieved that General Beyers .was drowned in crossing the Vaal River. THE EMDEN'S LOSSES. AN OFFICIAL REPORT. LANDING PARTY WHICH ESCAPED. (Received December 10, 10 aan.) SYDNEY, December 10. Commander Glossop, captain of H.M.A.S. Sydney, in an official report, estimates the Emden's losses at approximately seven officers and 108 men killed, and three officers and 53 men wounded, of whom an officer and three men died. He took' the survivors, numbering 211, aboard the Sydney, under a strict promise from tlie v Emden's tain that all of them would be amenable to the ship's discipline en route to Colombo. The Emden's party' of three officers and forty men who escaped in the schooner Ayeslia, had four maxims and two belts ea^li. (Received December 10, 9.15 a.m.) LONDON, December 9. The Ayesha, the ship ; in which the Emden's landing party escaped from Cocos Island, called at Padang on November 28, and obtained supplies. The crew, before leaving Cocos Island, robbed the cable staff of their per-, scnal effects and valuables, worth £162. IN THE COMMONWEALTH. THE WHEAT-SEIZURE BILL. ADJOURNMENT OF PARLIAMENT.' (Received December 10, 10 a.m.) SYDNEY;, December 10. : In, the , Council the amendment altering the fixed price for seized wheat from 5/-' to 6/- was negatived by. 23 votes to 10. The Bill was then amended, leaving open to sellers to appeal to the Commodities Commission, which body has I . been given power to increase the Government price, after hearing evidence'.' The Hon. Mr Flowers intimated that the Government did not want to seize all the wheat unless it became necessary to do so. Farmers could sell unseized wheat how and where they liked. The Council has passed the taxation Bills. The House accepted the Counm • cil's amendments. The session has ended, and Parliament adjourned until January 27. The Commodities Commission has recommended the Government to issue a proclamation against increases in the prices of beer and spirits, but no action has yet been taken. MELBOURNE, December 10. At the wool sales there was a slightly easier tendency. TJie Hon. G. F. Pearce emphatically defiica the rumour that the Australasians have engaged the enemy in Egypt. . BRITISH WIN IN BELGIUM. FORCE FIGHTING IN ARGONNE. GERMANY BETWEEN TWO STOOLS. PARIS, December 9. An official statement saj*s:—"We repulsed a violent attack on .Santelos. "A very fierce struggle : contimies in Argonne. ~ AMSTERDAM, December 9. The British have re-captured Passchcndaele, between Ypres and Roulers. LONDON, December 9. "The Times," in a leader, says: —■ " Germany strategy is falling between two stools. If the Germans seek success in the east they must send reinforcements from the west. They will not dp

this, because that might mean the withdrawal to the Rhine, and their people will then learn the truth." • A Dutch correspondent announces a new trick by German aviators. They pour our clouds of smoke, which shrouds the movements of aircraft, and increases the difficulty of hitting them. The King of Saxony has left for the -western theatre. The Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha has gone to the eastern front.

FIERCE NIGHT ATTACK. ALLIES BOMBARD BELGIAN COAST YERMELLES AN IMPORTANT CAPTURE. LONDON, December 9. There was a fierce night attack at Dixmude on the 6th. Owing to the sudden massing of the Germans, the Allies replied with hand grenades. " Later they made a counter-attack with the bayonet, and rushed the German trenches, the Germans losing heavily, leaving many dead on the field. The allied fleet on Tuesday resumed the bombardment of the Belgian coast. The capture of Verinelles is important, as it gives the French a strong - position commanding a considerable stretch of country, including Lens and ' Pont-a-Vendin, where a number of railways and .roads converge, whereby the Germans were provisioning. A French "seventy-five" brought down a German aeroplane at Chau- . Mont on Monday. Three German aviators, in two aeroplanes, were engaged in the Hazebrouck affair. Seventeen bombs were dropped, ' and twenty-four people killed. TURKS ROUTED AGAIN. BLACK SEA BATTLE. RUSSIAN LANDING PARTY WINS THROUGH. PETROGRAD, December 9. It is officially stated that Turks from Trebizond attempted to prevent the landing of Russian forces at Batum (on the Black Sea). The transport's guns, supported by infantry and frontier guards, routed the enemy with heavy loss; and the debarkation was carried out. TURKEY COMPLAINS. GERMANY'S LACK OF ASSISTANCE SENUSSI LOYAL" TO BRITAIN. LONDON, December 9. prisoners are complaining that Germany is not sufficiently assisting Turkey. The Kaiser, before the war, promised illimitable supplies, but since the war broke out, he has given neither ammunition nor guns. It is believed that the war factories in Germany are unable to produce sufficient ' quantities. Material has been from Bulgaria, but "Bulgaria is not taking risks, and the material has not been delivered. Admed-el-Sheriff, Chief of the Senussi, is meeting his adherents in Egypt for the purpose of "affirming loyalty to Britain. OUTRAGE AT DINANT. MURDER OF CIVILIANS. SHOT DOWN IN COLD BLOOD. AMSTERDAM, December 9. The "Telegraaf" publishes an account by eye-witnesses of the Dinant outrage. The French, in evacuating the city, fired on the incoming Germans, and the latter accused the townsfolk of firing and placed 153 men on one side of . the square «,nd women and children on the other side, with a firing party between. A scene of heartrending agony followed, the woman and children kneeling and supplicating the German officers. The Germans fired and the men fell in a writhing welter of blood. Two men unhurt, an'l four slightly wounded, pretended to be dead. An officer cried: "Those able to rise must stand,"" and six men rose. Another volley was fired, and the men fell. The officer ordered machine-gunners to fire for some time upon the bodies. CAMPAIGN IN THE EAST. DISASTER FOR GERMANY. ARMY CORPS WIPED OUT. LONDON, December 9. The '' Daily Ghronicle's'' Petrograd correspondent, writing on Friday, gives details of the disaster to two of General von Mackensen's army corps. When the Twenty-fifth Corps and the Third Guards Corps were cnt off south of Lod/>, General von Mackensen's other troops were bombarding Lodz from the west. These two army corps were unable to retire, and attempted to cut a, way out via the Brziny Road, which lies in ?. hollow, in wooded country. Rard pressed in the rear, the two army corps fought desperately for four days, though short of ammunition. On the fifth day they made a final attempt at Brziny, where the troops which had held Ivangorod _in October were stationed. The Russian commander shelled Brziuy for nine hours, until only half the town was left standing, and then ordered a general assault. By nightfall : *©nly scattered remnants of eighty thousand men remained. Twenty thousand surrendered, and 80 per cent, of

the remainder wore killed or wounded. The rest were fugitives in the woods. The horrors were accentuated by the confined area "of tho carnage. The dead lay in great heaps at Brziny, while occasional heaps of dead were dotted over the countryside for miles. December 1, 2 and 3 saw the climax of the German attempt to capture Lodz, where the Russian defenders were almost surrounded. The Germans reached Bolder, within four miles of the south end of the seven-mile street which makes up Lodz;. Heavy guns meanwhile were shelling the north of the city from Zgrierz, and killed several hundred civilians. The Russians artillery was unable to locate it until an aeroplane on December 3 reported the approximate position. A colonel of artillery and a few assistants dragged a field telephone by night within half a mile of the guns, and, despite searchlights, the colonel lay on the ground and directed the Russian fire, until the battery was silenced. He returned uninjured. During the night of the 3rd there were seven hundred guns in action at Lodz, and the sound was faintly heard in Warsaw, sixty miles away. A German assault followed, Masses of men dashed into the glare of the searchlights regardless of the inferno of bullets. The Siberians allowed the Germans to come within fifty feet before they fired with rifles and machineguns. The assault was an utter failure. The Russians had relatively light casualties. The Germans have lost over a hundred thousand men killed in the Lodz district. It is impossible to estimate the number of wounded, but scores of trains carrying them continue to pass through Kalisch. There are many German spies in the district.

On December 1 a council of war decided to evacuate Lodz, but cancelled the order the following day, while the convoys were commencing to move. The Germans, knowing of the order to evacuate, and being ignorant of the cancellation, thought that only a rearguard was protecting Lodz, and swooped down on the city. They were promptly driven back, with a loss of four thousand men. A DEATH TRAP. WALL OF RUSSIAN BAYONETS. GERMANS RELENTLESSLY EXTERMINATED. LONDON, December 9. The "Novoe Vremya" says that when the corps were surrounded they marched in every direction, seeking an outlet, but always came upon a wall of Russian bayonets. They then buried their guns and ammunition, abandoned their transports, and left the high roads and marched into the fields to avoid the Russian fire. Finally they took refuge in houses at Brziny, which proved a death-trap. There they were relentlessly exterminated with the bayonet.

CAPTURE OF LODZ. REJOICINGS IN BERLIN. OFFICIAL NEWS OF <' VICTORY.'' BERLIN, December 9. The capture of Lodz was celebrated by a universal display of flags and demonstrations in the streets. Herr Basserman, • Leader of the National Liberals, addressing the Reichstag, said: "We shall hold fast for all time to the country fertilised by German blood. 'By bloody war to splendid victory,' that, is our motto in this great time." AMSTERDAM, December 9. An official Berlin statement says that the Germans east and south-east of Lodz are pursuing the rapidly-retreating Russians. The latter have lost 5000 prisoners, 16 guns, and ammunition waggons. PETROGRAD, December 9. The first stage of the battle ended in the Germans being thrown back from Lowicz and Lask. They are now threatening Lodz and Piotrkow, hoping thereby to save East Prussia and hamper the Russian operations against Cracow by pouring in reinforcements, which may oblige the Grand Duke Nicholas to concentrate the greater part of his forces between the Vistula and the Warta. The latest news states that the German attack from Kalicz has spent itself, and thus far the Grand Duke Nicholas has not been obliged to relax his attack on Cracow. It is thought that the new AustroGerman counter-attack is developing southwards of Cracow. ROME, December 9. The Austrians have withdrawn all the Polish regiments from Cracow, and expelled the Polish inhabitants owing to the discovery of a plot to surrender the city to the Russians. ■ TERRIBLE COLLISION. AMMUNITION TRAINS DESTROYED AUSTRIANS DISPLEASED WITH GERMANY. PETROGRAD, December 9. A terrible collision occurred between two German trains loaded with pyroxilin and shells, at Kielee. Both Avere utterly destroyed, and none of the men on board surA'ived. The explosion was heard thirty miles away. LONDON, December 9. The Austrians are displeased at the preponderating role of the Germans, They jealously resent Hungary taking a I leading part in affairs of State.

SAMOAN TRADE. WILL AUSTRALIA LOSE IT. SHIPMENTS GOING TO AMERICA. SYDNEY, December 9. A business man who has returned from Samoa, states that the capture by Australia of Samoan trade previously held by the Germans, is barred by the fact that since the territory was occupied by the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, no draft remittances or coin could be sent out, consequently merchants anxious to purchase Australian goods could only pay in produce, but while the market price has remained at a low figure, producers have refused to barter. In the meantime shipments are going to America. lie is afraid America will capture the trade which legitimately belongs to Australia, and suggests that the authorities be asked to issue drafts or establish a bank at Apia. LONDON, December 9. Earl Grey, in opening a rille range, said if Germany defeated Britain the Monroe Doctrine would not be worth thirty cents. Any American trader sending Germany supplies helped to prolong the war, and offended the highest interests. of both America and Britain. WAR RISKS. GOVERNMENT SCHEME. Press Association. WELLINGTON, December 10. The State Insurance Department is circularising the Chambers of Commerce drawing attention to the fact that the arrangements made by the Government for Avar risk insurances are not being tak,en advantage of by a number of people, who are thereby imposing upon themselves unnecessary expense. Briefly the scheme is for the Government to cable particulars to the High Commissioner, who will pay the premiums to the Imperial war insurance office. BRITAIN AND BELGIUM FUND. The North Canterbury Executive of the Farmers' Union is making an effort to swell the fund for the relief of the poor of Great Britain and Ireland and Belgium. The idea is that farmers and woolgrowers shall give a bale of wool to the fund, to be sold at the next wool sale —the largest and most important sale in Christcliureh. Already a number of farmei*s and woolgrowers have intimated to Mr C. 11. Ensor, president of the Fanners' Union, their intention of giving a bale of wool, and'further offers will be received by Mr Ensor or by Mr A. J. Bell, the organiser for the union.

THE LIVERPOOL FUND. The Mayoress (Mrs Holland) has forwarded, on behalf of tho local Liverpool Fund, fof the reinforcements in Wellington, two gramophones and records, also £2O worth of cakes for use on the voyage. Mrs Holland also acknowledges with thanks the following gifts for the troops: —Mrs C. Clark, 2 boxes cake; Mrs F. J. Seed, 1 box cake; from a Friend, 2 boxes cake; Mrs F. N. Collins, 1 box cake (for the men at Samoa); Mrs 11. B. Dalziel (Horrelville), 4 pairs socks; A. W., 3 pairs socks; Miss A. E. Colthart, 1 pair socks; no name (Linwood), 1 pair socks; Miss Tripp, 3 pairs socks, 3 caps; Still Another Little Help, 2 pairs socks; a Friend, 2 pairs socks, 2 caps; Miss Shadracli, 1 parcel (miscellaneous); M. and E. (Waik&ri Dron), 3 caps; Ethel Rutherford, 1 cap; no name, 2 caps; Miss Richmond, 2 belts; a Friend, 3 Testaments, 1 housewife; Mr -J. D. Stewart (Russell's Flat), £2 for blankets. QUEEN MARY FUND. Mrs Holland has received the following additional gifts:—B. L. R., 2/6 for socks; Miss Hodgson (Papanui), 3 pairs socks; Mrs H. M. Tipping, 6 pairs socks; Sumner, 2 pairs socks; Mrs J. Armstrong (Waikari), 2 pairs socks. BELGIUM RELIEF FUND. The Little River Committee acknowledge the following additional donations to the Belgium Fund: —Misses Iris and Hilda Montgomery, £2 2/4; Reuben Jones, 1 sack of fleeces. FOR THE TROOPS. A Loburn lady collected the sum of £1 15/- and handed it to the Mayor of Rangiora to be forwarded to Major Potter for the purchase of comforts for the second reinforcements. The contributors were as follow: —New Zealand 3/6, Homeland 2/6, Fernside 1/10, Mrs R. Kinley 2/-, M. J. Lynslcey 2/6, J. B. 2/-, Friends 5/6, J. J. Dulea 1/-, L. Hill 1/-, W. M. 1/-, W. S. 1/-, E. M. B. 1/-, G. K. 1/-, E. B. P. B. 1/-, J. R. M. 1/-, M. K. 1/-, J. C. 2/2.