THE DEFENCE OF ANTWERP.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 715, 24 October 1914, Page 7

THE DEFENCE OF ANTWERP.

BRITISH FORCE RETURNS. FIRST LORD'S-MESSAGE. v Wellington, Monday. The Prime Minister has received the following cable from the High Commissioner in London, dated October 18th:—The First Lord of the Admiralty has addressed the following message to the Royal Naval Division, on its return from Antwerp : "The First Lord welomes the Royal Naval Division home from active service- Officers and men of all ranks and ratings have acquitted themselves admirably, and thoroughly justified the confidence reposed in them.;. The loss of a portion of .the first brigade through a mistake in no way reflects upon the quality and character of the division This brigade of the Royal Marines throughout the operations sustained fully, by their firmness, discipline, and courage, the traditions of the corps. It is not necessary to j The Naval Brigades bore themselves admirably under the artillery fire of the enemy, and it is to be regretted that no opportunities for closer contact with "the enemy's infantry were afforded. The despatch of the Naval Brigades to Antwerp interrupted for a time the progress of their Instruction as;d training; They were chosen because the need .was urgent and bitter, because mobile troops could not ba spared for fortress duties, because they were nearest and could embark quickly, and because thsir raining although incomplete was as fas advanced as that of a large portion not only of the forces defending Antwerp, but of the enemy forces attacking the city. The naval division was sent to Antwerp not as an isolated incident, but as part of a large operation for the relief.of the city. Other more powerful considerations prevented this from being carried through.

ENEMY IN BRITAIN. ANOTHER FACTORY RAIDED." London, Sunday. The Observer states that the military raided a large German factory in Edinburgh. The place was built a decade ago, £30,000 being spent on magnificent concrete foundations, the proprietor explaining that enormously heavy machinery was required. The factory was capable of accommodating 500 people, but never more than six Germans were seen in it. The machinery'never arrived, nor has the factory started. The situation of the factory dominated Edinburgh, and big guns mounted there could hit the Rosyth naval base and the Forth bridge. SERVICE IN THE TROPICS. NEW AUSTRALIAN FORCE. Melbourne, Monday, The military authorities propose to establish a new force for service in the tropes. Applications for enrolment are invited from men under 50 years of age. No previous military experience ia necessary. The men will, be expected to serve until the end of the war. AUSTRIAN FORCE DEFEATED. Nish, Sunday. It is officially stated that a force of Serbo-Montenegrins on Wednesday defeated a division of Aiistriana reinforced by otber units, at Giasinao' a town which dominates the fortiftcationS of Serajevo, the capital of Bosnia.