THE WAR.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 19 January 1915, Page 2

THE WAR.

LELKcraio telbguaph—copyhiobx.] I.PJSK PKESB ASBOt^ATION.I THE BIfiTLE 01'" SOISSONS. THE GERMAN ACCOUNT. Amsterdam, Jan. 18. The German account of the battle of Suissons says General Von Lochnow was coinainnder. Prior to the battle the opposing trenches were near each other on top of wooded heights overlooking Crouy, and we were also entrenched in quarries forming the western spurs of Vregny plateau. The French artillery were well posted oil the edge of the plateau, and their officers sitting in trees behind armoured plates directed the French lire. The worst execution was on Christmas Day. Some German machine guns were buried by the bombardment of the trenches on 7th — January. The French then charged.* and occupied the trenches. There was heavy fighting, man against man, day and night until the 11th, the Turcos lighting bravely with the rifle, bayonet and knife. The Germans on the 12th, instead of attacking the wooded heights, stormed the observation posts and the French fire immediately slackened, and the trenches were, captured. The French then occupied fresh position lialt'-way down, and apparently expected further attacks from the German right. The French brought strong reinforcements by rail and motor cars. The Germans on. the 13th however attacked Vregny and completely surprised the enemy. The attack commenced at noon and the first line of trenches was taken in three minutes ,the next in ten minutes and later the whole plateau was captured e afternoon. The position of the French advancing against flie German right was now desperate and they surrendered on the 14th. Finally the French were driven back two to four kilometres upon a front of fifteen kilometres. The Kaiser on the battlefield decorated General Lochnow with the Order of .Merit. GEHMAN REPORT ON FRENCH LOSSES. Amsterdam. Jan. 18. A communique from Berlin states that in the four weeks since General' J off re published his general order to attack, the French lost 26,000 dead, 17,860 prisoners, and had 107,000 wounded, exclusive of sick, without any additional advantage being gained', and the Germans lost a quarter as many in the same period. THE KAISER'S BIRTHDAY. London, Jan. 18. The Kaiser, in requesting no festivities on his birthday, desires all to realise the gravity of the situation, and the direction in which fortune seems to have turned her face. He asks that the customary letters and telegrams be foregone, as they might interrupt the postal and telegraphic services, which are already overtaxed, and interfere with His Majesty's work at headquarters. He declares that such messages are not needed in these days of tribulation which have come to the Fatherland. He offers thanks in advance for each supplication made to the Throne of the Most High. THE PIUCE OF J! OOD. The newspapers are giving prominence to the rise in food. The Board of Trade estimate that prices in the big towns will be ID per cent above July. The Committee of the juabour Party recommend Government to take possession of wiieat, paying 3os to 40s per quarter and sell at the market price, and if there is a .surplus pay the owners a bounty of 5 per cent and use the ballaueo for assisting State revenue. SUCCESSFUL PliOGßiiiS CONTINUES. Petrograd, Jan. 18. A communique states successful progress continues on the lower Vistula. Six German regiments made violent assaults on the 16th near Gumine, suppoited by exceptionally heavy artillery lire. As the result of seven attacks and desperate bayonet lighting the Germans captured a single advanced' trench. The Germans at Konopnitza in the evening sapped within thirty paces of our entrenchments but were overwhelmed by hand grenades. The Russian volunteers taking advantage of their confusion used grenades on the communication trenches, lorciiig the enemy to retreat. Three attacks south of l'inczow were repulsed. The advance guards at Bukovina stormed Kirilibaba Pass in Uie Carpathians bordering Transylvania. A COMPLETE VICTORY. Petrograd, Jan. 18. Official.—The battle of Kauraurgan lasted three days in an endless snowstorm, and ended in a complete• sian victory. The Turkish rearguard ■ were annihilated, the remnants 'of the army harried on flanks and front, fleeing to Erzerouin. The pursuit being pressed the fugitives were unable to carry their guns and flung tliein from the heights.