PROGRESS OF THE WAR.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 14205, 6 February 1915, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR.

There is a variety of news from the seat of war in Europe to-day. The "battle of the- trenches" continues, and a Paris communique states that the Allies mined a trench westward of the Arras-Lille road, the occupants being either killed or' captured. The Allies have recovered a lost trench at Bagatelle, aud have progressed beyond it. From the details given of the fighting in the vicinity of the Sue/. Canal, it "would appear that the Turks made a resolute attempt to cross the canal, but the defence of the Imperial troops was too solid for them to make any headway. And when the British advanced the Turks gave a splendid exhibition of the "Turkey Trot," and hurried from the scene as quickly as possible. The New Zealanders received their baptism of lire in this engagement, and behaved splendidly. Two of the infantry were wounded, one slightly am! the other dangerously. Judging by the stamina of the New Zealand troops there is every reason to believe that they will worthily uphold the honour of the Dominion on the held of battle, and prove their worth, as their comrades did in the South African war. The latest cable news concerning the light states that there were 2400 casualties on the side of the Turks. 4.00 dead being left on thcTicld. The British took 600 prisoners. The German Admiralty is attempting to introduce a pocket edition of Napoleon's Continental system. The Admiralty has signified its intention of _ destroying all merchant ships in British waters, and has warned neutrals not; to entrust passengers, crews or goods to British vessels. Perhaps by this threat, the German Admiralty think they may be able to establish a boycott of British shipping, but it is no more likely to succeed than Napoleon's great scheme. It hasn't even the merit of a' master hand to recommend it. as the First Consul's scheme had. Napoleon aimed at, a master-stroke—supported, as it was, by a combination of European nations— which was likely to bring Britain's trade to ruin, and his plan very nearly succeeded. But for his own brother's treacherous act in breaking the chain by admitting goods into the country over which Napoleon had made him the ruler, it might have proved successful. But Napoleon's Continental plan, never for a moment introduced such barbaric methods as the modern Huns now seek to employ. To sink every hostile merchant ship in British seas and iv the English channel, regardless of the danger to their crews and passengers, is a breach of tho Hague Convention, and nothing more nor less than cold-blooded murder. Th e Germans are proving themselves to be no better than pirates, and the time is fast coming when the German dag will again be declared a pirate flag at sea, just as it was nearly 70 years ago by Britain, and which act brought about the abolition of tho German navy of that day.

An official Austrian message states that the Austrians have evacuated Tarnow, owing to the Russian bombardment. The message also states that a decisive battle is proceeding in the Dukla region, where the Austrians are feeling the strong Russian pressure in the direction of the neighbouring passes. The lights which, are . taking place in the vicinity of the Dukla Pass and the passes to the east have much to do with the siege of Przcmysl. Tho town is evidently in a bad way. The Russians have apparently adopted the policy of starving it out. Tho Russians could, no doubt, bring about the fall of Przemysl if they so desired, but the town is not greatly in their way, and by starvation they can reduce it without much loss to themselves. Tho raising of tho siege by the enemy would

no doubt put fresh heart into the} Austrians. The town was once relieved, •but tho Russians on that occasion had been weakened in order that the troops in western Galicia and central Poland could bo strengthonedj and retired before a large force of Austrians who had pushed through Hungary. The Russians later again closed round the townIt is reported from Rome that 30,000 Germans are hastening to relievo the Hungarian force at Korosmezo (a town on the Hungarian side of the Carpathians), which the Russians threaten to envelop. Of the Germans operating in central Poland, 200,000 have been ordered to Cracow to raise the siege of Przemysl.

Tho latest cominuniquo from Potrograd states that the Russians at Borjimoff, after a bayonet charge, captured two lines of Russian trenches. The liossians""arc progressing in the Carpathians. Near Uszcn tho Russians captured 2000 prisoners and a number of guns. Attempts made by the enemy to advanco in the Wyszkoff Pass wero repulsed with heavy losses. The Germans claim to have repulsed a strong Russian attack upon the German positions eastward of Borjimoff, and to have captured four guns'and over 0000 officers and men. Apparently the German lie factory has been putting in- a littlo more overtime.