WAR NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 30 December 1914, Page 2

WAR NEWS.

* A BELCIAN VICTORY. -,_ GERMANS SUR- - I^JJEXDER. (Received Tuesdav, 9.10 a.m.) ' '• PAttrK* Monday. The Belgian offensive culminated near Lombaertzyde, where the loft wing outflanked the Germans. The remainder kept the enemy busy. A I final charge by the whole body of three thousand men surprised the German*, two thousand surrendering. The Belgians lost a few killed and twenty wounded. • I ALLIES CONTINUE TO ADVANCE. TRENCHE SCAPTURED. (Received Tuesday, 9.20 a.in.. PARIS, Tuesday. A communique states: We continue to advance west of Lombaertzyde, U and have now readied from the 1 dunes to where the enemy has cstabH li'uhed a line of res'stance. We lost I a section of trenches near HolleI beke. We captured 800 metre* of i! the iirst line of trenches near CarH ency, in the region of Lens. The'' H has been an intermittent cannonade U in the Aisne Valley and Champagne |j d'striets, and particularly intense m cannonades in the region of Rheims |j and Perthes. We have slightly pron gressed along the whole front ii 1 Mouse. • i We repulsed a counter-attack nortli |j east of Steinbach. I* DISTRESS AND FAMINE IXI CREASING. I NOVEL METHOD OF ALLAYING I DISCONTENT. I (Received Tuesday, 9.10 a.m.) i ROME, Monday. S Distress and famine is 'increasing H in Austria-Hungary, especally in the | country districts. The authorities, ■ in order to allay d'seontcnt, have I declared that peace will be concluded | in January through Amer'ea's mediation. IN THE BALKANS. f OCCUPATION OE VALQNA BY ITALIANS. AGREED TO BY ENTENTE. f (Received Tuesday, 8.30 a.m.) ATHENS, Monday. The Entente Powers had previously consented to the Italian occupation of Yalona. (Yalona, or Avlona, is the best seaport in Albania, . standing on an eminence near an islet of the Adiilatic, protected by the island of Sasseno. Valona wa,« occupied by the Italians some weeks ago.) MERELY TO PREVENT ANARCHY (Received Tuesdav, 9.30 a.m.) i LONDON, Mondnv. | Rome messages state that the Ital- ! ian occupation of Yalona has been declared semi-officially»to imply no purpose. The occupancy of the iii-. terior lias been done merely to provent anarchy, as a rebellion agaimtt the authority "of Essad Pasha was threatened. It is understood that the Government intends to safeguard the political, commercial and ■other interests without arrogance, without weakness, and without distraction j from ihe. graver is>:iies arising ouT of the European conflict. THE LOSS OF THE YORCK. CAPTAIN AND COMMANDER SENTENCED. (Received Tuesdav, 9.30 a.m.) COPENHAGEN, Monday. . German newspapers state that the captain of the Yorck lias been .sentenced to two years' imprisonment in a fortress, and the commander . a year's imprisonment, for negligence ' and manslaugher. I (A cablegram on November sth stated that a British submarine tor- j pedoed the German cruiser Yorck, which was returning from an East Coast raid.) HOW BRITAIN CAN GET AT THE GERMAN FLEET. • (Received Tuesdav, 12.-15 p.m.) I NEW YORK, Monday. A naval expert, who refuses to allow his name to be used, g'ves the opinion in the uNew York press 'that ( Britain will only he able to atta;■•'•: the German Fleet by means of land armies opera t'ng in Schleswig-Hol-f.»iein. Once a British, force gained a footing the fleet would be able to render it great assistance. Kiel Canal once captured, the destruction * of the German fleet could easily b accomplished. Thereafter there would be nothing to prevent R-uss'a sending troops through the Baltic to assist in the fighting on the western front. THE WAR WTH TURKFI^. DISCONTENT INCREASING. TURKEY'S COLOSSAL MISTAKE. (Rece'ved Tuesdav, at 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, Monday. IReuter'f' Sofia correspondent states that messages "from Constantinople confirm the increasing, discontent due to th 0 serious damage in the Caucasus and agaiiHt Egypt. All sensible

Turks are realising the colossal mistake Turkey made' in joining with Germany in the war. Tho Germans arc uneasy, and fear a Nationalist coup to destroy the German plans. A MOST THRILLING INCIDENT. DARING AND EFFECTIVE REPLY TO GERMANY. (Received Tuesdav, 8.20 a.m.) LONDON, Monday. The newspapers describe, the air and sea fight at Cuxhaven as one of tho most thrilling incidents of the war, and comment on the success of tho British arms in such close proximity to the Kiel Canal. Thoy contrast the three hours' challenge with the Ger-' man cut and run raids on English I watering places. They, consider it tho , most daring and most effective reply to tho abortive attacks on Dover and Sheerness. GREAT EXCITEMENT IN GERMANY. n DAMAGE BELIEVED TO BE GREAT. BRITAIN'S NEW POLICY OF AERIAL ATTACKS. . (Received Tuesdav, 9.10 a.m.) AMSTERDAM., Monday. Advices received from Berlin state that tho Cuxhaven raid is causing the greatest excitement in Germany, ' The damage is believed to be great, though officially it is minimised; | Tlie general opinion is that Brtain is beginning a. policy of aerial attack, with a view to a, decisive naval engagement. There is much criticism on the failure of the German minefields to keep out the British cruisers from Heligoland Bight. COMMENT BY "THE TIMES." (Received Tuesdav, 9.10 a.m.) LONDON, .Monday. ' "The Times," in a leader, says:— "The German raid was the most thrilling incident of the war. The attack was unique. Th'at some damage was done is more than probable, but tho moral effect is of larger importance. Instead of Zeppelin raids upon our fleet the. tables have been turned. The German squadrons v, "II no longer think themselves secure in their harbours behind their fortifications. The visit of the naval biplane to the airshed at Brussels is another brilliant performance. Our young air service is rapidly adding new glory to our arms." BELGIAN REFUGEES. ■ , f ESTIMATED AT ONE MILLION. (Received Tuesday, 9.10 a.m.) LONDON, Monday. A British official est'mate states that .1,000,000 Belgians have quitted Belgium. One half have gone to Holland, one hundred thousand to England, and the remainder to France. Arrangements are 'being made to reduce the pressure in Holland. Over one hundred thousand have been offered private hospitality in the United Kingdom. | GERMAN ARRESTED. ! ATTEMPT TO ENTER GIBRALTAR, (Received Tuesdav. '8.30 a.ni ) MADRID. 'Monday. A German, who wr,s the bearer of compromising documents, was arrested at Algec'ras for attempting to enter Gibraltar, wearing a Moorish cos- , tume and speaking Arabic. 1 BRITISH. HARVEST. (Received Tuesday, 8.30 a.m.) LONDON. Monday. ' It is estimated that there is a 10 per cent, increase in the area under \ winter wheat, and that there will be an increaso of three-quarters of a million bushels in the yield for 1915 in the British harvest. This is the response to an appeal for a greater output, j ENGLAND'S EMBARGO ON EX- | * PORT OF WOOL. (Received Tuesdav, 9.10 a.m.) J WASHINGTON. M.»wk<,v. I ! It is reported that southern wool- , "growers are strenuously opposing tho I Government's negotiations for the re- ' moval of England's embargo on the export of wool, which is greatly increasing and benefiting production in the United States. I TRADING WITH THE ENEMY. (Received Tuesdav, 10.20 a.m.) MELBOURNE, Tuesday. I Apia advises that a proclamation has been issued, permitting German firms to trade with British .linns. ENEMY RETREATING IN CALTCIA. t 13,000 PRISONERS TAKEN BY RUSSIANS. { [High Commissioner's Cable ] LONDON, Monday. Petrograd reports that the Austrians have been driven across the Nida, In both Galicia and. the Carpathians Ithe enemy is retreating. Thirteen thousand prisoners and eighteen guns have been taken. 4 . . J

IN AUSTRIA. AUSTRIANS FALL BACK BEFORE RUSSIANS. (Received Tue.sd.iy, 9.10 a.m.) LONDON, Monday. An Austrian official statement says: —Tlio Russian offensive between Rymnow and 'fuehow forced ns to fall back somewhat. The Russian attacks in the lower Duiijco and lower Nida failed. CROATIANS AND SLAVS REVOLT. (Received Tuesday,' 9.10 a.m.) | ROME, Monday. The Croatian and Slav artillerymen at Monto Briono and St. Nicolas forts, near Riva, revolted. Reinforcements'woi'o called in to quell the disturbance. THE SERVIAN VICTORY. GREAT MANIFESTATIONS AMONG AUSTRIAN SLAVS. UNREST SPREADING. (Received Tuesday. 9.10 a.m.) BERNE, Monday. Tlio Servian victory at Belgrade lias caused gjreat manifestations among Austrian Slavs. Tho ■unrest is spreading, despite the severe repressive measures adopted. Two Mayors and professors have been shot. Hundreds of men and women have been arrested. It is stated that since the beginning of the Avar fifteen thousand Slavs have been punished. SHORT-LIVED VICTORY. (Received Tuesday, 12.45 p.m.) LONDON, Monday. An eye-witness, describing tho fight on December 21st. states that the Briisli gallant and stubborn defence under a severe fire from three sides. Finally they were ordered to r6tire, as tho position was precarious. Tho enemy's success was short-lived, for French reinforcements stormed tho trenches, which were retaken. The fight lasted all the afternoon and all the night, in a perfect hurricane of rain and sleet. The * enemy's searchlight flares lit up tho darkness. Friends and foes "were in such close quarters that it was difficult to distinguish their respective position. Tho enemy's attack was spent by tlio 23rd. They lost heavily on the previous three days. On the 24th both sides were contented with mortar and hand grenade work. "FRENCH SUBMARINE'S EXCITING EXPERIENCE. ,Received Tuesday, 9.35 a.m.) PARIS, Monday. A sailor of a French submarine relates that tho submarine lie was on entered an enemy port (unnamed) on Sunday. ,Sho was alwut to torpedo a battleship, when tho rudder caught in the .steel cables and the submarine was drawn up nearly to the surface. "Torpedoes and shells wero rained on us, and it is <i miracle that we were not struck," said the sailor. "Suddenly the cable yielded and we dived sixteen metres and escaped, after being submerged for twelve hours." TUTORED BY HIS MOTHER. ,Receivcd Tuesday, 8.20 a.m.) LONi>ON, Monday. Flight-Commander Hewlett is a son of Maurice Hewlett, the novelist. The latter's wife is a well-known airwoman, who obtained a certificate for aviation in J9lO. She tutored her son in flying. FAILURE OF GERMAN RAIDS. EFFECTIVENESS OF BRITAIN'S AIR DEFENCES. (Received Tuesday, 8.30 a.m.) LONDON, Monday. In connection with the German airship raids, Mirprise is felt, not that the raids are talcing place, but at their absolute ineffectiveness. Both Thursday and Friday wero ideal days for such ventures as far as weather conditions were concerned. The. fact that so little was accomplished is the best proof that the effectiveness of tho country's air defences are ample. The authorities regard further raids, with possible attempts at landing troops, as not improbable. -The control exercised 'by the. military authorities on tho East Coast is, therefore, daily becoming more strict.

FRUIT FOR NORTH SEA FLEET. I (Received Tuesday, 9.35 a.m.) SYDNEY, Tuesday. ' Tho Premier lias received an appeal from tlio London Products Committee for fresh or preserved fruit for distribution among tlio North Soa Fleet. CENSORSHIP OF NEWS. (Received Tuesday, 9.35 a.m.) MELBOURNE, Tuesday. '• ] A statement showing, the principle •under which the military censors conduct their work has been submitted to Mr Pearcc (Minister of Defence). It points out that tho object is not to withhold information from the public, but to prevent it reaching the enemy. ■ i The "Telegraph," criticis'ng tin's statement, says that there is great ' cause for legitimate complaint. News is kept in order not to excite or alarm the public, which is sheer folly, and the sooner it is stopped tho better. i —. ATTEMPT TO BRIBE CUSTOMS OFFICIALS. (Received Tuesday, 12.45 p.m.) ROME, Monday. I Castrignano, ex-Customs officer, and Dr. Fiori, have been arrested for at--1 tempting to bribe the Customs official '< to issue a permit for the export of j corn to belligerent countries. Cas- \ ! trignano was arrested whilo handing 150,000 lire to a detective disguised as a Customs officer. 1 NEUTRALS' RIGHT IN AVAR TIME. (Received Tuesday, 12.45 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Monday. "The Times's" Washington corresr pondent states that Venezuela has suggested a conference of all neutral nations at Washington to consider the revision of the rules regarding neu- ' trals' rights in war time. PREPARING FOR A SIEGE AT > ANTWERP. 200,000-GERMANS BUSY. 1 ) (Received Tuesday, 9.10 a.m.) AMSTERDAM, Monday. I I The "Handelsblad's" Antwerp cor- > respondent /says thai 209,000 Gcr- > mans at Antwerp are preparing to ■ resist a siege. Three thousand men * are day and night strengthening the ■ fortifications. » lODINE TREATMENT. i .Received Tuesday, 9.15 a.m.) I LONDON, Monday. Tho iodine treatment of wounded in the field totals 793,781 cases. AMERICAN CONSULS IN BELGIUM. KAISER DESIRES WITHDRAWAL. 1 j (Received Tuesday, 1.10 p.m.) 1 WASHINGTON, Monday. 1 ' Germany has formally notified tho 1 State Department that the Kaiser } wishes the withdrawal of American • Consuls from Belgium, except in cer--1 tain specified cases of which the KaiJ ser approves. 1 HEAVY GERMAN LOSSES. (Received Tuesday, 9.10 a.m.) AMSTERDAM, Monday Casualty lists Nos. 101 to 108 show that there were 35,883 Prussian casualties. The losses so far are as follows: —' i 3 Amono- Prussians and Bavarians Killed 250,000 l " Wounded ~. 850,000 1 Missing 400,000 All casualties among Saxons, Wurtemburgers, and Navals 500,000 Total 2,000,000