THE FIGHT NORTH OF SOISSONS.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2360, 16 January 1915, Page 7

THE FIGHT NORTH OF SOISSONS.

AISNE FLOODS BLOCK THE FRENCH REINFORCEMENTS A SLIGHT REVERSE RUSSIAN COLOSSUS IN POLAND REINFORCED BY A MILLION MEN. BOHEMIA THREATENS TO JOIN RUSSIA Considerable activity is indicated all along tho Western front in to-day's news. The French have accomplished a smart coup north of Royo, in tho Somme region. North-east of Soissons tho Germans, pressing heavily in a counter-attack to safeguard Hieir menaced railway communications, have been unexpectedly assisted by the Aisne floods, which destroyed several of tho military bridges and rendered , others unsafe, thereby impeding the advance of French reinforcements to stem tho heavy pressure of tho euomy. As a result tho French were compolled to give ground slightly, and establish positions 011 the south side of the river. This retirement does not affect the main operations, for on tho rest of the front the Allies are holding their own here, and gaining ground tlievo Tight along tho line. The Russian Colossus in Poland has been stiffened by reinforcements of a million. The Muscovite operations along tho Vistula have been successful, 'particularly 011 the ,-right bank of the river. There ia a hint of- coming aerial warfare in the news that certain towns in Belgium and Germany have been warned to prepare for air raids as soon as tho weather clears. ' The advent of Rumania into the war arena is the subject of an interesting reference to Bulgaria's probable attitudo towards that State—an important factor. Thero is a thrilling account of a gallant stand by the Governor of tho Persian province of Azerbijan and his small band of defenders against the invading Turks and Kurds. The occupation of Tabriz by the Turks is referred to as a sig- ' nificant commentary on the sincerity of the Holy War propagandists . in Turkey. ! t ENEMY PRESSING HEAVILY NEAR" ' SOISSONS TACTICAL IMPORTANCE OF ACTION AISNE FLOODS IMPEDE THE ALLIES By Teleeropi—Press Association—Copyright, Paris, January 14, The attack north-east of Soissons 'was of considerable magnitude. Apparently the recent French attacks menaced the railway junction at Anizy, on the line to Le Cateau. General von Kluck, who is commanding the neighbourhood of Soissons, successfully appealed for strong reinforcements, which enabled him to press the counter-attack vehemently. - GERMAN .VERSION OF THE FIGHTING. London, January 14. \ A German wireless message states: "Our troops nortli-east of Soissons attacked the heights of Vregny and cleared an elovated plain. Trench after trench was stormed until after dark, despite pouring rain and deeply sodden clay. The Kaiser witnessed the brilliant capture of fourteen French officers, 1300 men, four cannon, four machine-guns, and one searchlight." OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUEBATTLE-FRONT REVIEWED, Paris, January 14. A communique states: "A mist has hampered tho artillery in Belgium. There were violent cannonades around Nieuport and Ypres. Hie Belgians blew up an ammunition depot at Stuyvenskerke. The artillery effectively bombarded the enemy near Lens. Heavy fighting.has taken place north of Soissons. Wo progressed slightly north-west of Crony, and havo maintained our positions afc Crouy despite fierce attacks; but ware forced to give ground before Vregny" The floods in the Aisne carricd awav sovoral bridges, endangering our communications. We therefore established positions on the south of tho river, between Crouy and Missy. Wo blew up the German sapheads north of Beause--I<sUr' ■ (Eec. January 15, 10 p.m.) Paris, January 15. The enemy's attacks northward of Soissons has been checked. Damage to a bridge compelled us to disable and abandon some'guns. The Germans took some prisoners, notably wounded, whom, in the retreat it was impossible to remove. We captured a number of unwounded members of seven different German regiments. The enemy scored a partial success, which does not affect the general operations. GERMAN PLANS FOR BOMBARDING LONDON. (Rec. January 16, 0.30 a.m.) Petrograd, January 15. ■ The 'German Minister at Copenhagen {old a correspondent of the Jctrograd "Courier" that bad weather prevented the bombardment of London in tho first week of tho New Year. v SUCCESSFUL COUP BY THE FRENCH ' GERMANS' NEW TRENCHES DESTROYED. * (Rec. January 16, 0.30 a.m.) Paris, January 15. Official.—The French troops, by a 6Uclden coup, destroyed the recently constructed German trenches north-west of Fouquescourt, north-west of Roye. The Paris "Caulois" states that the Germans are prepared to defend Lille 'street by street. Cement trenchs have been constructed, and four naval guns havo been placed 111 commanding positions. GLIMPSE OF THE FIGHTING IN FLANDERS FIERCE AIR BATTLES EXPECTED. > (Itec. January 16, 0.15 a.111.) Rotterdam, Januiiry 10. The Germans' attempt to move now guns to the coasL has b&eii abandoned- The guns sunk to tho breechblocks in tins mud. All epidemic of fever is causing the Germans anxiety, and attenipts to isolate the patients interfere with the movement of troops. " Tin hftttte in Flsiidora is Milifinnd M the hrtill?ry and aircraft. The Mds. ars converted into lakes, and the trenches ivto dsep ditches, Tlie iufatttrj

are unable to keep their firing positions. Despite rain and storms# 'the 'airmen on both sides are daily raiding. The Germans have issued an official warning to expect air raid's in Ais-la-Chapelle, Cologne, Brussels, anil Antwerp. I'ireco battles in..(the air are expected when the weather is favourable. ** f ■ RUSSIANS' REINFORCED BY A MILLION FIGHTING ALONG THE VISTULA * ADVENT OF ITALY AND RUMANIA Londonj, January 14. The "Times" states that a million Russians have recently reinforced the troops at tie front. Leading citizens of Bohemia are demanding energetic measures for protection against the threatened Russian invasion. In the -Brent of a refusal, they have informed the Emperor Franz Josef, they will go over to the enemy, in order to secure the safety of the country.—("Times" anpl Sydney "Sun" Services.) The High Commissioner's report to the Prime Minister, dated london, January 15, 5.30 a.m., states:— "Petrograd reports a development of Russian progress oil the right bank of the Lower Vistula, the enemy's cavalry being driven oft, abandoning Sierpe. A local German attack on the left bank was easily repellod. "The Austrian artillery, which bombarded the Russian positions in Galicia, has been silenced." INNER DIPLOMACY OF RUMANIA# ACTION NEGOTIATIONS PENDING WITH BULGARIA. ' , . London, January 14. A correspondent at Sofia writes: "Although Rumunia has finally decided to take action in Transylvania, and it is expected that "her campaign will commence in tho middle of February, it iB anticipated that the Rumanian Minister to Bulgaria will shortly made definite proposals tci Bulgaria which it is hoped will facilitate an understanding; between the tr.vo countries. Rumania will probably offer Bulgaria restitution of Dobritcli and Baltchik, and the surrounding districts. There is reason, to believo that, should this arrangement prove unattainable, Rumania will not allow the unique opportunity for the realising of national aspirations to pass. Another cause.; for Rumania's temporary hesitation was uncertainty regarding Italy's policy; but the bonds of friendship have now been drawn closer.—("Times" and Sjydney "Sun" Services.) SIGNS OF ITALY'S PREPARATIONS. •' London, January 14. Italy has prohibited the departure from- the country of men under thirtynine years of age.—("Times" and Sydney "Sun"''' Services.) PERILOUS PLIGHT OF THE AUSTRIAN CAUSE. (Rec. January 15, 10 p.m.) London, January 15. The "Daily News," commenting on Count Berchtold's resignation of the Austrian Foreign Secretariat, states that Austro-Hungary is in so perilous a plight that tho question is whether sho can Tro saved by. anything but an early peace before more enemies fall on her. (Rec. January 16, G. 50 a.m.) - Copenhagen,' January 15. The Berlin "Tageblatt" says that the resignation of Count Berchtold, who was opposed to reconciliation with Italy, is likely to decrease the existing difficulties. . - The "Lokal Anzeiger" is not sure whether Baron Burian de Raiecz, his successor, favours the continuation of the aJlianco. RUSSIAN COUNTER-MOVE IN EAST PRUSSIA GERMAN FORTRESS REPORTED TO BE TURNED. (R«c. January 16, 0.40 a.m.) Petrograd, January 15. A communique states: "We have made considerable progress during the last twenty-four hours along the right bank of the Vistula, and have occupied Serpiece. .. Events elsewhere have been unimportant." (Rec. January 16, 1 a.m.) Petrograd, January 15. The Germans have begun the bombardment of the whole Russian front with 11-inch and other guns, Maxims, and rifles. Russian communiques imply that the Germans have been considerably reinforced northward of the Vistula. The Russians are now carrying out a counter-moved in East Prussia, capturing a series of villages eastward from Rosen. There are indications that the German fortress of. Boyen, guarding the Mazurian Lakes, has been turned. (Rec. January 16, 0.50 a.m.) Rotterdam, January 15. 'A Vienna communique states that the enemy's attacks along the front oni the River Nida, in Southern Poland, have failed. Matters are quiet elsewhere. ■ j GALLANT STAND BY PERSIAN HEROES i DEFENCE OF A BRIDGE STORIES OF TURKISH MASSACRES Petrograd, January 14. Sondja ed Doules, formerly Governor of 'Azerbeijan, has arrived at Tiflis. He, with four hundred men, fought the Turks for ten hours. They defended a bridge and enabled refugees to escape. All but. four of his followers were annihilated. The staffs of the Consulates and banks at Tabriz escaped. . The Turks and Kurds massacred Christian and refugees at Maindoab. TURKISH GUNNERS AMBUSHED BY COSSACKS. Cossacks ambushed two companies of Turks and 120 gunners on the Caucasus frontier, and killed or took prisoner all of them. The Cossacks also captured nine field guns. TURKISH REARGUARDS CUT OFF. • (Rec. January 16, 0.50 a.m.) Petrograd, January 15. The Russians ill the Caucasus have been reinforced by Armenian volunteers and Siberian Cossacks. The Turkish rearguards have been driven beyond the Oltvnov, and arc cut off from the nearest road back to Erzenim. Eight thousand destitute Armenians have entered the Caucasus. TURKISH SEIZURE OF TABRIZ. (Rec. January 15, 6 p.m.) London, January 14. Tlie "Times," in a leading article doaling with the Turkish seizure of Tabriz, says that "this .curious and unexpected development does not appear to have been a formal military operation, but was evidently the work of Turkish irregulars. The organised invasion of Persia destroys the last shreds of Turkey's pretence of waging a Holy War."—("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.)