The War News.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 23 October 1914, Page 5

The War News.

THE WEEK'S SUMMARY.

SATURDAY

News from France states that German offensive movement nas been definitely stopped. In view of a possible retreat into Germany, prisoners are being employed by the Germans in constructing a second line of trenches from Liege to Cobletz. An earlier report stated there were 50,000 Germans in Ghent, and that German troops with heavy guns were passing towards Bruges. Two German steamers, carrying cargoes of cereals from a Roumanian port, have been captured by Russian warships in the BlaofrSea. >^ German submarine has been suntc ofT'the east coast of Scotland by British destroyers. A German armed merchantman has been sunk, and a Greek steamer taken to port by a British warship. The Austro - German forces have been defeated with great loss near Warsaw. The Austrians have suffered another reverse south of Przemysl. Turkey has informed Germany* that owing to lack ot money she will be compelled to demobolise. The first Canadian coutingeut has reached England, after a voyage of 16 days. MONDAY Two incidents in the British blockade of the German coast are reported. Four British destroyers of the most modern type and a cruiser met four German destroyers and sank them. A German submarine came upon the British cruiser Hawke, an old ship, while -she was examining a suspected trawler and sank her. Of a crew of 540, 75 are know to be saved. It is officially reported from Berlin that the Germans have occupied Ostend. The allies' left wing has been vigorously engaged, and gained ground at some points. It now extends from the region of Ypres, in South-western Belgium, to the sea. The French have resumed the offensive in Alsace, and have re-occupied Altkirck. They now threaten the Thann and Mul- __ hausen headquarters. A gigantic battle on a front of 280 miles between Warsaw and the Dneister, in Galicia, has commenced. t> . TUESDAY There is a movement of German troops from the interior of Belgium towards France. During the past few days the allies have driven the Germans back 30 miles in the northern area and have re-taken Armentieres, near the Belgium border. The Germans, who recently threatened the north French coast, are short of ammunition and supplies. The allies now occupy a front near the Belgium frontier. The German forces opposed to them are unable to check their progress, and are being re-inforced. There is a movement of German troops from Bruges to the south. A force recently in the depots at Dresden is now in North-west France. Official advices from Petrograd m state that the outlook is hopeful xin the eastern theatre of war. The Germans attempted to cross the Vistula at 18 points, but were everywhere repulsed by the Russians. In East Prussia the Germans are being beseiged in their position. Fighting continues south of Przemysl, where 1000 Austrians are reported to have been captured. >%£ WEDNESDAY The Morning Post's correspondent reports that the allies have re-taken Ostend. An earlier report stated that the Germans were repulsed in an attack on the allied front at Nieuport, south of Qstend. The Belgians tqok a prominent pa,rt in the fighting, The Germans renewed the attack, but moved to Roulers, north-west of Courtrai, where the German forces have just suffered a severe defeat, *L '-- ■An Austrian submarine has been sunk by French warships in the Adriatic. While the warships were covering the transport of Montenegrin^ troops to Dalmatia they were attacked by two submarines and fired on them, sinking one. A description of the naval fight in which four German destroyers were ' sunk, says the Germans when compelled to fight faced the odds against them bravely and fought gamely to the last, but

their gunnery was poor. The fight lasted ninety minutes. The British, ships were almost unscathed. THURSDAY The Germans have made an unsuccessful attack on the whtfle of the allied front from La Bassee near Bethune, in the north of France, to the Meuse. The attack was particularly violent at La Bassee. It was everywhere repulsed. Therehas been further fighting in the *pres district in Belgium The Belgian army, despite violent attacks, maintains its position on the line of the River Yser, which runs between Ypres and the Belgium coast. A refugee from Liege says the Germans are heavily fortifying the city, which cost them so much in men and time at the beginning-of the war. Fierce fighting is reported from Poland, the Germans having been driven back by the Russian forces. Messages received in Naples state that warlike preparations are proceeding energetically in Greece. A British column has captured some of the rebels who have been acting with Colonel Maritz in South Africa. Others have surrendered voluntarily. The new army recruits in Great Britain now number 780,000. Eight thousand have already enrolled in the second Canadian contingent. The war risk rate for shipping in the Atlantic has been reduced to 7s 6d per cent. FRIDAY To-day's war news gives an impression of increasing confidence on the side of the allies and depression in the German ranks. The allies have ocupied •Courtrai, in Belgium. Severe fighting in this neighbourhood has been reported for several days. The Belgian army distinguished itself by a spirited defence of its position. The Germans have been driven from Bruges and Roulers, in Belgium. The German advance on the coastal towns of Belgium was effectively checked by British warships. The enemy, moving on Nieuport, was shelled from the sea, and detachments with machine guns were landed, compelling the Germans to retreat. Three monitors acquired for the British Navy at the outbreak of war rendered great assistance in this work, being, owing to their light draught, able to approach close to the coast.

Further losses are reported to have been inflicted on British shipping in Indian waters by the German cruiser Emden. The Emden was last heard of when she appeared off Madras and fired nine shells into' the town. Rumours have been current since then that she had been interned in a neutral port in Java, but they now appear to have been baseless.