FAILURE IN THE EAST.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 563, 29 November 1915, Page 8

FAILURE IN THE EAST.

GERMAN SOLDIERS DISPIRITED. DRAMATIC EXHORTATION FROM THE KAISER. (Received November 29, '8.5 a.m.) PETROGRAD, November 28. The Kaiser, hearing that the troops were dispirited by their failure to dislodge the Russians, and by the rigours of winter, appeared theatrically at the front and addressed the troops, exhorting them to have a little patience and to make one oi* two more efforts. He added: — ' 4 Like the horse who knows its stable is near, I am sure your end is near, and it will recompense you for all." GERMANY'S PLIGHT. HER ENORMOUS LOSSES. CRIPPLES AND INVALIDS BEING ACCEPTED FOR SERVICE.

(Received November 29, 9.5 a.m.) PARIS, November 27. Mr Warner Allen, representative of the British Press with the French Army, has estimated the German losses to the end of October, 1915, at 4,500,000 on all fronts, of which 3,000,000 are dead, prisoners, or permanently disabled. / r Their casualties now total 300,000 per month, of which onethird are able to return to the front. Germany will be compelled to raise the age limit for military service to above 45, and already a secret circular has been issued to the authorities to register men from 46 to 50. The army doctors are now passing, as fit for service, men with one eye, lame men, hunchbacks, and sufferers from tuberculosis and heart disease. , ■ -

ALLIED CO-OPERATION. THE OUTPUT OF MUNITIONS. MILITARY MISSION IN LONDON. (Received November 29, 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, November 28, Q After a week's conference-between the Ministers of Munitions, at which Prance, and Italy were represented, a complete understanding has been reached as to the respective needs and resources of the four Powerk The conference determined on systematic, co-operative action, instead of isolated effort. During the last six months the British output of guns, machine guns, and ammunition has been revolutionised, and the controlled establishments are now producing far more than all the old arsenals early in 1915. The representatives of the Aljies were delighted at Britain's colossal efforts. ' A Russian Military' Mission, under Vice-Admiral Roussine, has reached London,; and will remain there, in; order to increase the co-operation between the Allies.

FULL SPEED AHEAD. AEROPLANES THREATEN STEAMER. ATTACK FOR TWENTY-FIVE MINUTES WITHOUT RESULT. (Received November 29, 9.30 a.m.) AMSTERDAM, November 28. Three German aeroplanes, near the Noordhinder lightship, attacked the steamer Balgownie, bound from London to Rotterdam. Rifle and machine gun fire and bomb-throwing lasted 20 minutes, but without effect, as the steamer was at full speed, and she escaped undamaged. The aeroplanes, disappeared southward. SUFFRAGISTS ANGRY. SHARP INDICTMENT OF MRS PANKHURST. CALLOUS TREATMENT OF DEVOTED WOMEN. (Received November 29, 10.50 a.m.) LONDON, November 28. A meeting of members and recent ex-members of the Women's Social and Political Union has issued a manifesto emphasising the necessity for safeguarding the suffrage cause from political intrigues. ' It declares that Mrs Pankhurst, without asking the members' consent, used the union's name for political purposes outside its objects. An overwhelming majority, if they had been consulted, would have been in favour of keeping the union organisation alive for such national and patriotic purposes as protecting women's and children's interests, preventing the increase of infant mortality, and assisting and organising women's industrial resources for service to the country in time of peril; but Mrs Pankhurst's circular of August, 1914, advising members to take a rest and suspend their activities, virtually disbanded the Union as a "national organisation. Mrs Pankhurst retained complete control of the Union funds and the central machinery, and had the assistance of a salaried staff in pursuing various activities without the consent or approval of the Union's multitude of trained voluntary workers and speakers throughout the country. This explains the small scale of her operations, as compared with the magnitude of the Union 's pre-war work. She usurped authority to expel members, including almost all those possessed of influence, capacity, and independence, and has shown callous indifference to these devoted women, many of whom, but for individual help, would be eompletedly destitute. Miss Christabel Pankhurst should resign, or clearly explain her absence from the country at, a time when the services of all women with capacity and good-will are sorely needed.

FIGHTING ON THE TIGRIS. TURKS DEFEATED IN LIVELY BATTLE. A NOW IN FULL FLIGHT TO BAGHDAD, 9 *'Times" and "Sydney Sun" Services. (Received November 29, 8 ajn.) LONDON, November 28. Accounts of fighting on the Tigris state that the Turks were heavily entrenched, and protected by barbed wire. There were 30,000 of them, in addition to many Arabs. The Turks had also mined the river. We bridged the river iii the evening, and crossed next day. The battle was lively for a few hours. Gunboats up a creek made things too.warm for the enemy,, who retreated, leaving his guns. We captured 1600 men and 20 guns. On reaching Kut-el-Aihara the cavalry were first into the place. The Army arrived before the Navy. The Turks fought amazingly well up to a certain point, and then suddenly crumbled up. They are in full flight to Baghdad, and our cavalry and armoured cars are in pursuit.

CLOUDS OF GAS. ENEMY ATTACKS IN THE WEST. ALLIED AVIATORS DESTROY IMPORTANT BBXBGE,: By Cable. —Press Association. —Cowyright. (Received November 29, 8.5 a.m.) PARIS, November 28. A communique states: — "The enemy sent out three successive clouds of asphyxiating gas in the Bethincourt sector, followed by a violent bombardment. '' Our curtains of fire stopped his infantry at the moment the attack began." (Received November 29, 8.5 a.m.) AMSTERDAM, November 28. An Allied air raid on Thursday destroyed the railway bridge over the Scheldt, near Oudenaide, on the Courtrai-Brussel3 railWay. . . HOLDING UP MUNITIONS "PATRIOTISM" OF AUSTRALIAN WORKERS. STRIKES AT COCKATOO DOCK AND BROKEN HILL. V (Received November 29, 8.55 a.m.) SYDNEY, November 29. Six hundred engineers at the Cockatoo Dock have been thrown idle, owing to a dispute as to whether engineers'should do certain detail work. The men allege a lock-out of engineers. The blacksmiths at the Broken Hill Steel Works are also out, claiming time-and-a-quarter for night work. Severe criticisms have been passed on the "patriotism" of the strikers in holding up the manufacture of munitions.