RUMOURED SEA FIGHT

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2356, 12 January 1915, Page 5

RUMOURED SEA FIGHT

VON DER TANN BELIEVED x TO BE SUNK The war newsto-'day conveys nothing of a sensational character '' from the Eastern or Western theatres. Steady progress by the Allies i« reported from Inlanders and Noi th Prance, and all attempts of the enemy to regain the positions which were lost during the past few days have been successfully resisted. In Alsace the fighting in and near Burnhaupt has resulted in a serious blow to the Germans. The French, determined to inflict the maximum punishment upon the . enemy, advanced into Burnhaupt and smote the Germans' with terrible effect, retiring later to a, commanding position. The Russians are also successfully holding their positions in Poland; news from that theatre of the war is very meagre. In the Black Sea the Russian fleet has administered definite punishment on two Turkish cruisers, and in addition has effectively shelled several ports. There is a.financial orisis at the Porte, and a raid on the Ottoman Bank's funds is considered probables Turkish preparations for an advance on Egypt are reported, and elaborate equipment for desert campaigning is being procured for the invading army. The New Zealanders in Egypt have been reviewed a£ Cairo, and addressed by the Hon. T. Mackenzie, who promised them that they would bo sent to the front as soon as they were fit. A German aeroplane raid 'on Dunkirk has provided a 6maH sensation but no results, A late oable message brings a sensational report—given on the authority of the-Buenos Ayres newspaper "La Prenza"—that the German battleship-cj-uiser Von der Tann, which - some, time ago was reported to havo escaped into, the Atlantic, has been engaged and sunk by a British cruiser, with a loss of COO men. The main points of Sir Edward Grey's Interim reply to i'lvs American Note on the subject of contraband and the right of search are detailed in a lengthy message to-day. '