THE WAR.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 8 January 1915, Page 3

THE WAR.

; —♦ — ; Latest Cables

I [bI/EOTUIC TEI/KOKArH— COPYBIGHT.] i [I'EK TRJiSS ASSOOIATION.] t (Keceived Tliis Day 8.50 a.m.) THE EXPORT OF TEA. London, Jan. 7. The Standard states that Government's proposed removal of the prohibition on tho export of tea amazes Mincing Lane critics, who etato that while Germany's normal consumption is nine million pounds, she obtained sixteen million pounds in August and' September through Holland, chiefly for the army. The British price has already been increased by the war tax, and will be further increased if export is permitted. it is stated that the Jloartl of Trade hopes to remove the emibargo on exports, relying solely on careful enquiries as to destination. TURKS HAD SO ALTERNATIVE. Paris, Jan. 7. Sherif Pasha, interviewed, said that the Turks did not wish to join Germany but they hud no alternative because they were at the mercy of TaJaat Bey and nine other Union of Progress Committee men, wlio, during the last year and a half, received several million marks from Germany. ■Sherif predicts a certain revolution when Turkey realises the significance of Sarykamish.THPI TV TWIT. AT /Yfi' fvtvi ivmjr^u

I innj uiitf-iiAX *Jl< THB T UK-Jib. 0 s Potrogrcwl, Jan. 7. 1 The Turks in the Caucasus fought _ bravely under German orders, but the r , Rusisan fcaders outmanoeuvred the 1 Germans who had planned the battle , on their favourite text book tactics and l fell into a trap resembling that at j Bresiny at the end of November. The German idea was to rest one . wing on the fortress and swing the , other flairk round for envelopment. t Erzeroum was the fortress, Unit the , direction of tho turning movement . was long a secret as the condition of . the atmosphere hampered aeroplane . reconnaissance, and the mountains impeded scouting. , The German generals reduced the . transport to a minimum and swiftly ad- . vanced in two main bodies; one niaich- , ing on Sarykaniish, while the other crossed the frontier at Artvina, near the sea and occupied Ardagan. with the mountains in tho rear. The Russians discovered the move onArdigan in time and posted a strong force between the enemy's left wing and also between the wing and the centre. The Turks were thus lured into a trap and dolivered a. frontal attack"on vSarykamish, apparently unaware that the turning movement had failed or else [.hey hoped by a bold stroke to retrieve their failure. The Turkish losses were appalling ami tho dead and wounded lay on the ground for miles around. The narrow valleys and the mountain roads are dotted with frozen corpses. The ground is too hard fov the burial of the dead and they are cremated in heaps. The Russian pursuit is terribly arduous and it is unreasonable to e:»pect too much even from seasoned troops. They are obliged to , sleep with the cattle for warmth. The prisoners include the Austrian Staff. CARDINAL MERCER'B ARREST. Rome, Jan. 7. The Vatican is without official information regarding Cardinal Mercer's arrest. It is believed that communications have been censored. Tho Pope instituted inquiries and remarked that the Germans cannot adduce the same pretext as they did in the case of the bombardment of Rheims Cathedral. The Vatican circles opine that the Pope cannot adhere to neutrality unless Cardinal Mercer is released. (Received This Day ( J. 20 a.m.)

THE GOEBEN'B LOSSES. iiondon, Jau. 7. A neutral from Constantinople reports that up to November, ten thousand* Germans arrived directly and indirectly at the Forte's service. Some of the Goeben'e boilers wore burned out ae the result of rapid steaming from the Black Sea to the Bosphorus. Large holes were made in her starboard mechanism and her after turiebs were severely damaged. Fifty Germans were killed during the action; forty-eight of them were buried secretly in the Embassy garden. Two hundred wounded were treated on board. During the recent 'bombardment of the Dardanelles five forts were put completely out of action. POSITION IN FRANCE. Paris, Jan. 7. -v communique mentions the brilliant recapture of tlie trenches near Lille, the capture of the enemy's first line north-west of Flirey in the AVoevre district and the 'occupation of the woods westward of Altkirch. There was artillery action along the rest of the front. (Received Thus Day 1.15 p.m.) TORPEDOED "BY T~SUBMAIUNE. London, Jan. 7. Lord Drew©, hi reply to Lord Selborno, said that the Admiralty's definite opinion was that the Formidable was struck by two torpedoes from a submarine. The captain signalled to another ship to keep off, been use lie believed there was a submarine in the vicinity. (Received This Day 9 a.m.) THE PRICE OF MEAT. Sydney, This Day. The master butchers discussed the dearness of meat and decided to ask the Commodities Commission to inquire into the iin"B sudden -J! :

rise in the price and the short supplies of stock. Speakers claimed that the position was largely due to the operation of exporters and that the cold storage were full of carcases. They hinted at a ring among growers and exporters. Others Hero opposed to the Government poking its nose into people's affairs. Suggestions in favour of an export tax and co-operative .marketing received little support. The retail prices of 'beef are now from (xl to Is, and mutton 4d to Bd. It is dearer in the suburbs. REPORTS AND DENIALS. Amsteixlam, Jan. 7. A majority of tho Antwerp clergy havo been arrested. Advices from Berlin now deny Cardinal Morcier's or the clergy's arrest*. COUNT BERNiSTO~I^ ,7 S ALLEGATIONS. Washington, Jan. 7. Mr W. J. Bryan, replying to Count Bernstoff's representations re du,n dnin bullets, said tho United Stales must refrain from officially investigating such charges, which are inco isistent with strict neutrality. Mr Bryan however deals with thp charges seriatim producing the signed statement of every American firm Count Bernstoff mentioned, denying the charges. The United States tliiref?j-e requires further evidence, as that submitted proves nothing.