In the West

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 300, 17 December 1914, Page 6

In the West

United Press ' Association

Amsterdam, December 16

A report published in the Handelsblad states that Ostend has been without bread since Monday' week, and potatoes are the only food of the people. Dairymen must pay ten francs a day for permission to sell milk. London, December 16.

A German . officer informed the Daily News correspondent that the Germans consider Zeebrugge to be the key of their attack on Britain. He added that not until the Kaiser’s troops evacuated Zeebrugge would the invasion of England be abandoned. One' of the chief functions of the place in the plan of campaign was as a submarine base for the destruction of transports which will be* crossing the Channel next spring with British reinforcements. Admiral Von Tirpitz believed that suitable craft would be able to proceed .frpm Wilhelmshaven to Zeebrugge undisturbed by the British navy, as the plan advised was one of keeping them under water for days. He stated , that only one submarine was badly damaged during the British naval bombardment of Zeebrugge. ■,

London!, December 16,

The Daily Chronicle Dunkirk correspondent reports' that a three days’ battle at Ypres began with the bombardment .of Sainteloi. The Allies replied with heavy artillery, under cover of which the infantry advanced on Moorslede, where they met a determined resistance from Germans concealed in armoured trucks on railway sidings* whence .they directed heavy machinegjim and rifle fire, forcing the Allies to retire and reform. Simultaneously the Germans advanced in wooded country near Zonnebeke, but were checked by the Allies posted on the heights at Cheluvelt. Thereupon a general Allies’ advance regained Moorslede. The artillery, locating the armored trucks, blew up the ammunition, and the enemy, retreated, leaving the road to Holders open. Meantime there were other German attacks at Polecapelle, Passchendaele, Langemarek, and Six-schoote, . the enemy striving by weight of numbers to break the line, but no where succeeded.

It is estimated that there were 24,000 casualties on a line a few kilometres in length north and south of Ypres.

Red Cross, officers declare that jthe onslaught was the fiercest ever seen in this region. Though Iloulers - was not taken, a solid wedge was driven into the Germaif lines.

Times and Sydney Sun Services. London, December 15. The French are, fighting at an altitude of eight-thousand feet in the Vosges/clearing, the way towards the Jlliine - . Alpine troops cover thirty or forty miles daily on skis.

Paris, December 16.

The Press maintains that the calling up of the Landstrum is ft sure proof that Germany’s immense reserve of men is slowly hot surely diminishing

Loudon, December 15. The French are steadily advancing towards the Rhine. Residents of Colmar are preparing to evacuate the town.

It is asserted that the French can invest Guebeviller, and even Strashurg, whenever they choose. (Colmar is a town ef nearly 40,000 people, the capital of Upper Alsace, 42 miles S.B.W. of Strasburg.)