In the West.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 291, 7 December 1914, Page 5

In the West.

KINC GEORGE'S VISIT. REWARDS FOR BRAVERY. [Unttfd Press Association.] ' London, December 5. The King, assisted by the Prince of Wales, decorated many officers and men at the front with distinguished ■ conduct me'dals, and also the French medal" tor valour. Later the Royalties visited King Albert, and inspected the French and Belgian units. I The King continues to review the troops. French towns are be-flagged jand their streets thronged with cheering people. THE END OF THE VISIT. (Received 8.40 a.m.) London, December G. The King has returned to London. IN THE TRENCHES. THE KING'S INTREPIDY. The Central News Paris correspondent says that at a certain point of the tour the Staff suggested that it was unsafe to visit the trenches, which had recently heen the object of artillery fire. The King replied: "That is all the more reason why I should go. There is no reason why I should not take risks—the soldiers take them." The King then went to the trenches and chatted with the troops. "SUN" ITEMS. Timed and Sydney Sun Sebviom. (Received 8 a.m.) London, December 6. A hundred British barristers are fighting in Flanders. The Dutch press states that whenever it is rainy or stormy some of the German trenches are like brooks. The soldiers remain for two days and then have a day's rest.

The burgomaster of Max' writes that he is confined in prison and subjected to the treatment prescribed for murderers.

It is reported that the morale of the Germans is seriously affected by tlio hardships of the battle of the Yser. The number of suicides is increasing, especially among the men with families,, who feel that even if unhurt in the war their health will be permanently impaired. ON THE AISNE. ARTILLERY'S GOOD WORK. Times and Sydney Sun Services. (Received 8 a.m.) London, December 6. The Times' correspondent says that the French artillery at the Aisne in the past month is demonstrating its superiority. It was not realised at first that shellfire was so important and it was necessary to use ammunition sparingly. Ample supplies are now available, and the French gunners maintain the excellence of their practice, notably in the destruction of entanglements. A SCENE OF DESOLATION. A JOURNALIST'S REPORT. COUNTRY LIKE A CEMETERY.

United Press Association. (Received 9.15 a.m.) London, December 6

Mr Waters, representative of the American Christian World, has returned from a tour of Belgium. He saw over a thousand poorly-clad women at Antwerp, many snuggling babies to their breasts, waiting in the snow and slush for doles of food under the shadow of a big hotel where German soldiers were making merry. Between Antwerp and Brussels the road is full of refugees tramping homewards to their ruined villages. It was like journeying through a huge cemetery. There were graves everywhere. Always between the ruined houses there were graves marked with bayonets, caps and helmets, and on one was a child's shoe. There was desolation all round. Trees were felled, crops were in ruin, and seed was rotting. Women were grubbing in the ruins of their former homes. There is only two weeks' food in Brussels.

SUPPRESSING THE TRUTH. PHOTOGRAPHERS PUNISHED. (Received 9.15 a.m.) Antwerp, December 6. The Germans severely punish the photographing of the ruin caused by the war.

FRENCH OFFICIAL REPORT. (Received 9.15 a.m.) Paris, December 6. A communique states: Near the house at Poesele we destroyed a small German fort. We were sucecssful in the duel of heavy artillery in Champagne. The sapping war continues in the Argonne, where wo are slowly advancing. We advanced slightly southeast of Varennes, where we silenced the German artillery. GERMAN RETIREMENT. IN ACCORDANCE WITH PLAN. (Received 10.50 a.m.) Amsterdam, December B. An official message from Berlin states: We evacuated Vermolles in accordance witli our concerted plan. Further retention would have en. (ailed needless sacrifices. Before retiring we blew up the building*) which remained standing.

j INHUMAN TACTICS. WOMAN USED AS A SHIELD. I (Received 8.20 a.m.) | London, December G. | Corpora] Minns, of the First Queen's wounded at Ypres, reports -that a ! section was instructed to capture a house. They were handicapped by a woman standing at the door before the Germans' bayonets. A child was held at a window from which a Maxim was firing. They captured the house and lost thirteen men. They 'found the child pinned by a sword to the window frame. Twenty-three Germans were found in the cellar. 1"I left my men, who took no prisoners," concluded the corporal. ANOTHER V.C. HERO. (Received 8.40 a.m.) London, December 6. The Victoria Cross has been awarded [to Private George Wilson, of the Highland Light Infantry. Ho attacked a hostile machine gun near iVerliieul on September 14th, shot an 'officer and six men and captured the 'gun. BOMBARDMENT OF YPRES. "WANTON AND VINDICTIVE." (Received 10.50 a.m.) London, December 6. An eye-witness with the British i headquarters confirms the wantonJness and vindictiveness of the bomIbardment of the Cloth Hall and Cathedral at Ypres, which began after the failure of the final effort to capture the city, and ceased immediately the buildings were destroyed. It served no military purpose whatever. TROOPS TRANSFERRED. CERMANS FIGHTING DESPERATELY DAY AND NIGHT. (Received 9.25 a.m.) Petrograd, December 6. Private messages state that the Germans have withdrawn nine army corps from France, replacing them with second-line troops. The Russians, nevertheless, hold the Germans, keeping them fighting day and night. The Germans are seeking to sieze Petrokow, where the fighting is extremely violent. The Germans at Czenstochowa are preparing for a long siege and the town has been turned into a fortress.