The War News.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 16 October 1914, Page 4

The War News.

SATURDAY

It is reported that the bombardment of Antwerp is proceeding. The High Commissioner for New Zealand adds that the Antwerp garrison has been re-inforced, and is resisting the German attack. Fugitives from the citystate that the first shells set fire to the southern railway station. Bombs were dropped from a Zeppelin on oil tanks which immediately exploded. The Governor, in a proclamation, has recommended the inhabitants to make the cellars of their dwellings habitable. The crossing of the River Nethe, in approaching Antwerp, cost the Germans 20,000 men. The fighting in the north of France is developing favourably for the allies. The Germans have fallen back at certain points particularly north of Arras. Cavalry operations are now in progress along the North Sea coast. In the country north of the Aisne, where the allies have been conducting aggressive operations, the density of the German forces seems to have decreased. A graphic account is given of a fight for possession. of a plateau north of Soissons. Some French regiments have had 2000 wounded out of 3000. The German liner Cap Trafalgar has been sunk by the Cunard liner Carmania. The Cap Trafalgar sought to avoid the action, but was chased by the British liner, and, when unable to escape, opened her guns on the Carmania. A sharp fight resulted, and the Cap Trafalgar was sunk just as a German cruiser hove in sight. The Carmania, somewhat damaged, doubled on her course, and escaped in. the darkness from the German cruiser. The first contingent of 30,000 men from Canada has arrived in England. The Canadian Minister for .Defence states that half a million men can be sent from Canada if required. MONDAY Antwerp has surrendered to the Germans. The Belgian forces evacuated Antwerp and allowed the German "forces to occupy it unopposed. The bombardment was carried on with terrific energy, and it is stated that the authorities regarded surrender as the only sane policy to save the city. Huge guns were used to throw destructive shells, bombs were dropped from Zeppelins, and fires were started in all parts of the city. The destruction of the waterworks deprived the citizens of water, and prevented the fire brigade from extinguishing fires. The Antwerp garrison included a British naval force of 8000 marines and bluejackets. The majority of them safely retreated to Ostend with all guns, but 2000 men of the first brigade were cut off by the Germans and forced into Dutch territory, where they surrendered. The left wing of the allied forces has won a notable success in France. The steady northward movement of the British and French troops, which is apparently intended to encircle the German right wing, has been resisted by the Germans in a series of violent battles in the neighbourhood of Arras and The Germans have retreated to the north-east, evacuating Bethune and the districts around Lille. This indicates that "the allies are continuing the encircling movement. The Russians have again invaded East Prussia, occupying the town of Lyck, about nine j miles north .of the Russian j frontier. A Russian army of a million men, which was mobilised at Warsaw, is reported to have advanced to within -thirty miles of the German fortress of Thorn in West Prussia. TUESDAY To-day's cablegrams describe the horrors of the seige of Antwerp, and the sorrowful plight qf_ the many thousands °of refugees who were forced to flee ! from the city. . ! _ The Germans, on their entry I into the eiLy, imposed a fine of I £20,000,000, and intimated that they would seize the property of j reingees who failed to return in | two days. The bombardment of ; Antwerp, and its sequels, has j alienated the sympathy of the j Dutch people from "the Germans, i | At R-.->j-no the French made a i little progress at enormous co^r' : I The towns on the battle-line are i i said to present a scene of black I *'■'""•• 'i 9« been

A WEEK'S SUMMARY.

wrecked, Albert is no longer a _ , town, and Douai is half burned down. A report from Cettinje, the capital of Montenegro, states that the Montenegrins, on October 7, achieved their greatest success so far in the war. They defeated 20,000 Austrians who were advancing to surprise them, and inflicted 1500 losses on the the enemy. The Austrians lost another 500 men the following day in attempting a retiring --! movement. The possibility of Portugal joining in the war on the side of the allies is mentioned for the first time in a message received through Berlin, which states . that a declaration of war by . £ Portugal against Germany is expected. . "r\ -■ WEDNESDAY The latest cablegrams from France indicate that the allies are increasing their successful pressure on the German right wing in France with a view to further offensive action before the Germans can be reinforced from Antwerp. During the week the allies fought four battles, of which the most important was a six days' fight around Lille. The enemy • ■ were short of artillery, and despite the" fact that they were twice re-inforced, they were eventually thrown back twelve miles. ■ This fight and the battle at Lens made a great gap in the German lines and cleared a large stretch of country. The seizure of Antwerp is regarded by,many Dutch people as a prelude" to the annexation of Belgium, thus threatening Holland's integrity and independence. The Dutch fear an attack on Flushing. Meantime they are maintaining strict neutrality. THURSDAY '" "' The war cablegrams to-day indicate that the Germans are making a great effort to secure complete possession of Belgium and regain a footing in France. . They have occupied Ghent - and are threatening Ostend. The Belgium Government has removed from Ostend to Havre, in France. The re-occupation of Lille - ■%•_ one of the evidences of the re- "^ ~~ newed German activity. They . - met with less success in a fierce ■ battle fought on the Belgium border, near Dunkirk, where the ' allies fought a fierce battle and frustrated an attempt to cuf * their lines. Fugitives are returning to Antwerp on an assurance from the^ German commander that ■ ■' their private property will be respected. Through the treachery of Col Maritz, who was entrusted with :- the command of British South '-; ™can f°l>ces in the north-west o£ Cape Colony, the Union' Government has had to take steps to subdue a -minor rebellion. Col Mantz had signed an agreement with the Governor of German Sou^west Africa to cede ; Walfisch Bay and other places - ':■'.. to the Germans.

FRIDAY

The Germans planned a dash on Calais last week, hoping to strike a blow at British prestige ' by planting the German flag within sight of English shores Ihe attacking party was defeated " f 'Cassel, losing many hundreds killed and womided. The civilian populations' of. Antwerp and Brussels . are in sore straits for foods. The ■ Ine American Consul at Antwerp foeST ee<? lnR t0 London to obtai * food tor the people of that city tne Germans having seized all the stores, , Portugal is preparing for wa#^ A partial mobilisation has beerr ordered, and the Cortes has been summoned to pass a vote for complete mobilisatien. Martial law has been proclaimed in the Portuguese Congo. Rrt+iSf T ar report Says that the tinoilpf aSSador" to Constan" ■ of tZVT Te^uested the ladies or the Embassy to leave Tr i« - j-aidmg the Russian coast A ate r el)ol . t ti-om Roumania says ' i'6 l -,i'T^ CaS, nonadin ßhasbeen bZ-u hat, tlle Goebe° and ■ b.^lau are already fighting the , s co government ' ■■ tr J "^^.^^^e rebellion led Kcal teT antZ haS alread^ bee» '