WAR NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 1 September 1914, Page 2

WAR NEWS.

BRITISH OCCUPY STRONG POSITION IN FRANCE. (Received .Monday, 8.40 a.m.) LONDON, Sunday. Official messages declare that the British are occupying a strong line, and are supported by the French Army on both Hanks. NEW FRENCH ARMY FORMED. (Received Monday, 8.40 a.m ) PARIS, Sunday. •With a vitnv to meeting the enemy's attempt to drive a wedge heWeen the British and the toast, a new French Army has been formed to take tin*, offensive against the Germans. BATTLE AGAINST TREMENDOUS ODDS. (Received Monday, 10 a.m.) LONDON, Sunday. Jt is officially announced that the British were engaged in a desperate battle against tremendous odds o:i Wednesday, from which they extricated themselves in good order. 1 henlosses amounted to six thousand. They have since been reinforced. OFFICIAL ACCOUNT OF GREAT BATTLE.

(Received Monday, 11.15 a.m.) LONDON, Sunday (Evening). The Press Bureau states that the War Office gives a general outline of the. British share in the recent operations. In .effect it had boon a four davs' battle—from August 23 to the" 26th. During the whole period the British were conforming to frhe general movement. The Fro'iicTf Armies resisted the German advance, and withdrew to new lines of defence. The battle began at Moms on August 23rd. The German attack was stubbornly pressed and completely checked on the British front. The Germans on Monday made vigorous efforts with superior numbers to prevent the' British with. j drawing, and tried to drive them into Maubeuge. The steadiness and skill shown in the retirement frustrated I the Germans, who lost very heavily, 'far exceeding the British. Tlie retirement continued till the 25th, the fighting being less heavy. The British that night occupied a line at Cambrai, Leeateau and Landrecies, , intending to resume the retirement at daybreak on the 26th,. but the attack of five German Army Corps was so close and fierce that the operation was delayed. The battle was most severe and desperate. The British, by superb resistance against tremendous odds, extricated themselves in the afternoon, but suifered severely. The only guns captured by the Germans were horseless or shattered. Sir John French estimates the British losses in four days at between 5000 and 0000. The German losses are out of all proportion to the British. There was dreadful havoc at Landrecies on August 26th.. where the German infantry brigade advanced in a narrow street in the closest order. The machine guns mowed the head of the column, and the remainder panicked, leaving nine hundred dead and wounded. Elsewhere, the German guard and cavalry divisions lihargcd, but nhd ißriJ/ishi Twelfth Infantry Brigade repulsed them with great loss .and throw them into absolute disorder. Since August 26th the British have been unmolested,- except for cavalry engagements. They have rested and refitted after glorious achievements. Reinforcements equal to *doublo the losses have already joined them. Every lost gun has Deen replaced, and the army is ready for tho next encounter with uudaunted spirit. To-day's news is agatn favourable Sir John French says the armies have oomo to a standstill. General Chetwode's fifth cavalry division was in a brilliant action on August 28th. Tlie Twelfth Lancers and Scots Greys routed the German cavalry, spearing large numbers.

THE NAVAL BATTLE.

FURTHER PARTICULARS.

(Received Monday, 8.40 a.m.) LONDON, Sunday

Particulars received concerning the naval battle at the Heligoland Bight, state that when the British destroyers went to the rescue, they found the decks of the German ships lined with dead bodies. In many cases the wounded had but the bleeding stumps left of their arms. Another man's legs were hanging by a thread. One German, who was formerly a waiter in a London hotel, had the rjght slide of Ihis face practically blown away. Ho fiercely denounced the Kaiser's infamous war.

The victory is even of a more splendid character than the official report indicates. The survivors agree that the battle was characterised by a magnificent dash and by the boldest daring on the part of the British destroyers, which were fairly near the German ships before they were discovered and fired upon. The forts joined in the cannonade. The destroyers were soon hotly engaged, and gradually drew the- enemy towards the open sea. The German cruisers were- reinforced by smaller craft. One account states' that the enemy's gunnel's made better practice from the forts than the ships. The shells from land did most oi' the damage, although, fired too high. •When the German cruisers opened fire, they were, in a position of great advantage, ■inasmuch as the British battle cruisers and light cruisers had not yet appeared, though they were steaming up fast. The destroyers for some time boro the brunt, aided by two scout leaders. The damage done showed that the straggle was a" grim one. The destroyers attacked the enemy ' incessantly, until the heavy warships brought thein aid.

1 Tlie Admidalty announces that the British losses at Heligoland were two officers and 27 men killed, 19 men severely wounded, and one- officer and 18 men slightly wounded. TFIE BRITISH CASUALTIES. (Received Monday, 10.15 a.m.) LONDON, Sunday. Tho British casualties were confined to the Arethusa, Liberty, and Laurel. Tlie officers killed were LieutenantCommander Nigel Barttelot and Lieutenant Erie Wostmncott. Commander Rose was seriously injured. MAGNIFICENT PLUCK. f FURTHER DETAILS OF THE ) NAVAL FIGHT. (Received Monday, 10.35 a.m.) LONDON, Sumiay. In the. Heligoland engagement, two of our destroyers, showing magnificent pluck, ran between two German cruisers and greatly harrassed them. The Germans were afraid to fire, or fired hesitatingly, fearing to hit each other. Four destroyers batter a German cruiser so much that she was sinking when a battleship approached ami finished her. One cruiser which was stiffly engaging the German cruisers, was hit nineteen times, and some of the holes we're just on the water line. They have since beeu plugged with wood. Otherwise she .was not seriously damaged. A shell caught her aft, pierced her armour, and passed through the ship. The Mainz began to sink stern first. . Hum the bow roso high out of the water and she suddenly vanished.

GERMANS RETIRING

(Received Monday, 9.20 a.m.) ANTWERP, Sunday

It is officially stated that numerous trains conveyed German troops from the Courtrai region in an easterly direction. The enemy has abandoned the region northward of the Malines-Aerschot line, and as the pro. vince of Antwerp and part of Li nihil rg have been cleared, the situation warrants more confidence,.

THE BRITISH RETREAT.

A GRAPHIC STORY,

(Received Monday, 9 a.m.) LONDON, Sunday

"The TimesV correspondent ;it Amiens says that the British action at Mons on August 23rd Avas terrible

A whole division was Hung into the fight after a loi>g march without time to entrench.

.French supports were expected on the {immediate but did no arrive.

J "Further ■eastwards, in an angle ' between the Samhro and the Meuse, I tlio"French retired," states the correspondent. "After a day-long right ■ Namur fell, and General Joffre was ' compelled to withdraw his whole line, i Tiieljermans did not give the retreating army a moment's rest. The pursuit was relentless and unresting. Assisted by aeroplanes, Zeppelins, and armed motors, the cavalry looked like arrows from a boAV, and harrassed the retiring columns. The ! British retired through Bavay on a Una from Valenciennes to Maubeuge; then through Le Quesnoy, where a desperate fight occurred. Failing back southwards continually, the army fought desperately, with many stands, but were forced ever back by 1 the massed numbers. Tho enemy was prepared to lose three or four men for every British life. In scattered units, with the enemy ever on their heels, the Fourth that was left of twenty thousand troops — streamed southwards. Our losses wero very heavy." Continuing, tho correspondent writes:—"l have seen broken bits of many regiments, but tliero is no failure of discipline; no panic and no throwing up of the sponge. Xo commissariat is able to cope with such a case. The men are battered by marching, but are steady and cheerful. Every division has been in ac" tion, and some have lost nearly all their officers. Regiments navo been broken into bits, but tho fragments kept together, though they no longer knew what had become of the other parts.

! GERMAN BARBARITIES. ] MORE EXCUSES. (Received Monday, 8.40 a.m.) NEW YORK, Sunday. Count Bernestoff (the" German Ambassador in tho United States) lias issued another statement wherein he describes as absolutely shamefnl the allegations that the German soldiers aro guilty of cruelty. The traditions of tho German Army placed it above ; this. If, however, the civilian population joined in fighting, as was tho case in Belgium, it was impossible t& avoid killing; women and children. I German soldiers had been shot in the back, German wounded mutilated, and doctors and nurses shot at. Retaliation was therefore unavoidable.

I • . INNOCENT ENGLISH SHOT AS I SPIES. i (Received -Monday, 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, Sunday. The ''Daily Telegraph's" Rotter-

dam correspondent says that Americans report that the English who failed to reach Baden within the allowed time had been lodged in cells and Meagrely fed, and are forced to sleep on straw. The Americans believe that many innocent English have been slfb't as spies. CIVIL GOVERNOR OF BELGIUM. (Received Monday, 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, Sunday. Doctor Von Sanclt has been appointed civil governor of Belgium; wfl-Ti headquarters at Liege. THE FALL OF NAMUR, (Received Monday, 9.50 a.m.) LONDON, Sunday. The Press Bureau publishes as reliable an. account given by a Belgian lieutenant named de Pane, who has arrived in London. When do Pane left Namar on Sunday, the Germans' 3il- (n-cli howitzers had knocked to pieces three of tho north-eastern forts. Tlie Germans advanced at intervals and bombarded the town, which was defended by the Fourth Belgian Division. Nam;:,- was completely evacuated on Sunday, as the defenders were unable to withstand tho heavy -artillery fire. Tho Germans attacked in the three-rank format-ion, viz., the front lying down, the second kneeling*,, and the third standing. This afforded a splendid target for machine guns. Thirty I howitzers were simultaneously concentrated on each fort in order to smother them. SUPERIORITY OF GERMAN ORGANISATION. ELEMENTS OF PRESENT SUCCESS. (Hcceived Monday, 8.20 a.m.) LONDON, Sunday. "Ihj Times'' states that the superiority of the Germans in men and guns, especially in machine guns, organised scouting by aeroplanes and Zeppelins, and motors carrying machine guns, and their extreme mobility, are the elements of their present success. "We must face the fact that the ■British force which bore the weight of this blow suffered terribly, ami reoaires immediately reinforcement," states "The Times." "The investment of Paris cannot be considered impossible."

EIGHT GERMANS TO ONE BRITISHER. (Received Monday, 10.21 a.m.) LONDON, Sunday. A wounded- gunnel' at 'South-amp-, ton, who was in the action for 73 hours, describes the bayonet charge at Afons, where the British killed 250. Throughout the battle is seemed as if there were eight Germans to every Britisher. The British captured a German gun at Donnieourt. eight thousand Germans found dead. (Received August 31 8.4.0 a.m.) LONDON, August 30. Official despatches received at the French Embassy states that the French troops found eight thousand Germans dead around Nancy and Vitrimont. PRUSSIAN REFUGEES THOUSANDS FLOCKING TO BERLIN. (Received August 31 8.40 a.m.) LONDON, August 30. Thousand of East Prussian refugees are flocking to Berlin. This has caused dismay in the city. GENERAL BATTLE IN PROGRESS. (Received August 31 8.40 a.m.) LONDON, August 30. A general battle is in progress in the southern districts of Lublin (in Poland, 915 miles south-east of Warsaw) and Kholm (in Russian Poland). A magnificent Russian bayonet charge practically annihilated the Eleventh Louvoe Regiment. ADVANCE CONTINUES. (Received August 31, 9.30 a.m.) ST. PETERSBURG, Aug. 30. The Russian advance in West .Prussia continues. Fighting has occurred between the Russians and the garrisons at Thorn and Graudenz (an old town on the Vistula, 37 m ; les north of the Thorn.)

ZULU RELIEF FUND. (Received August 31, 9.30 a.m.) CAPETOWN, August SO. The- Natal Zulus have organise:! a relief fund to help Great Britain.

ALBANIA

TRANSPORTATION OF REFUGEES (Received August 31 8.40 turn.)" ROME. August 30. The Government has arranged for the transportation of ten thousand fugitives who are desirous of leaving if Prince Wied departs. The Government is also placing a yacht at Prince

Wied's disposal, as ho may have to abandon Ids throne at any moment. ITALY. IMPORTATION OF CARDIFF COAL. (Received August 31, 10 a.m.) MILAN, August 30. Great satisfaction is expressed anions the industrial classes in Italy at being permitted to continue the importation of Cardiff coal. ON THE SEA. GERMAN VESSELS CAPTUBED. (Received August 31, 9.30 a.m.) SHANGHAI, August 30. The cruiser Hampshire captured some German vessels. A TRAWLER BLOWN UP. j (Received August 31, 9.30 a.m.) I COPENHAGEN, August 30. The trawler Gerda, of Hamburg, was blown up by a mine which was floating in the sea off Lan&eland Island (Denmark). The crew was saved. Many mines are drifting near Denmark, ' MTNES LAID BY GERMAN TRAWLERS. (Received August 31, 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, August 30. The Press Bureau states that much of the mine-laying in the North Sea has been done by German trawlers. GERMANY'S COLOSSAL LOSSES. (Received August 31 8.-10 a.m.) LONDON, August 30. The "Times' " correspondent says that certain things make clear the colossal 'character of the German losses. The French General Staff knew that the defence of the eastern frontier • so perfected >»s to compel the Germans to use flank movement Thei also kne» that not for nothing lift I Germany antagon'sed England «"d outrage! international opinion by violating Belgium's neutrality. Franco under-estinated the force of • the German blow through 13o!gium. There is probably far fewer troops behind the screen in 41sac3-Linaine than is supposed, or <lso Mulhavsen would not twice have been re-ciken.

CAUSE OF PRESENT W IR. THE OLD STRUGGLE AGATNST NAPOLEON". (Recoivea August 31, 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, Aug. 30, (Morning.) Mr Winston Churchill informed an American interviewer that the war was started and was beinc maintitinf.l :.y the Prussian military an'.'xt:-. r* yin pursuit of its ambition <f world-wide predominance. It is the old struggle- against Napoleon. Although the grouping of tie fen es is different, the r-'?>it is Ih -. same A'love all. happily, t!.e mai. i.- different. ' ■ ' l'< wc sueccel m the ir," said Mf Churchill, "we may look forward at Home to a relaxation ind'oa<oinct. t fi armaments. Germany's Iriiinphs m the past were nothiig to what sho sought in the future. It < hs wt• i tLat i!io democratic nation's of the \vi»-|d s'j lc' realise what wa,<3 ai stake The French English, and A'raiirvft'i systerns of government and rivilisatn.ll we now brought into direct conflict will.' the highly efficient Pi"«ifm b leuucracy and mil'tar.- orgM-isa-i/r» . 11 England went Uode." mi the ;-!«'j.rii struggle, America would bo -tv ir the line, as tha Mn.'nG dootrine would conflict with G?rmau South American aspirations." FOREIGN SERVICE SOLDIEPS RECALLED. (Received August 31, 9.30 a.m.)' PARIS, August 30. All German soldiers in service in foreign states have been recalled. HUNGARIANS SURRENDER. (Received August 31, 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, August 30. The Russians have taken three .thousand Austrians in East Lemberg as prisoners, and .also one thousand north of Tomashew. The Fifteenth Hungarian Division was surrounded at East Tomashaw, the entire regiments surrendering. CANADIAN VETERANS. OFF TO THE FRONT. OTTAWA, August 29. The Princess Patricia's Light Infantry Regiment, composed exclusively of Canadian veterans of the South African War, and raised by the generosity of a Montreal millionaire

named Hamilton Gauff, marched through Ottawa and Montreal and were greeted with enormous enthusiasm. The Duko of Connaught and Princess Patricia visited the camp before the departure of the regiment, the Princess presenting colours embroidered by herself. A SERVIAN PROTEST. ''Times & Sydney Sun Services." LONDON, August 29. Servia, through the Spanish Minister at Belgrade, has protested against the Austrian atrocities against women and the bombardment of unfortified Belgrade. FAKED TELEGRAMS. i PREJUDICING THE CHINESE i MIND. I "Times & Sydney Su7i Services." PEKLN, August 27. / The German Agency is distributing faked telegrams free to the Chinese papers alleging that six French and two British army corps have been wiped out. The assertions are prejudicing the Chinese mind. GERMAN SOCIALISTS. JOINING THE ARMY. "Times cfc Sydney Sun Seivices." LONDON, August 27. It is reported from Copenhagen that German Socialist papers are publishing extremely patriotic articles and that many Socialist leaders have joined the army. All French, Russian, and British names and descriptions of foods and drinks on sale have been altered or are unprocurable in German restaurants. CONFIDENT JAPANESE. 'Times ds Sydney Sun Services." TOKIO, August 27. Since the declaration of war there have been the usual evidences of i Chauvinism, but the Government and leading publicists are urging the desirability of avoiding over-confi-dence, and tho tendency to treat the war and a powerful enemy lightly is condemned. ' THE KAIPARA. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Last Night The Head Office of the New Zealand Shipping Company received a cable message from London this morning, stating that the captain, officers, and crew~of tho Kaipara have arrived at Las Palmas, and are leaving for London in the steamer Inanda. The Kaipara left Lyttelton for West of England ports and London on July 12th last, and loaded at Lyttelton, Timaru, Bluff, Waitara, Wellington, and Port Chalmers. Half the cargo was loaded under the auspices of the F. and S. Line, and the remaining half—destined for London—under tho auspices of tho New Zealand Shipping Company. Her cargo this trip was probably valued at a quarter of a million sterling, and the value of the ship herself was between £75,000 and*£loo,ooo,