In the West.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 6, 8 January 1915, Page 5

In the West.

WOUNDED GERMAN'S. OPINION. Unitid Phiii Aibooiawon. London, January 7. An invalided British officer states: "During, an attack'on the British trenches, a German soldier, who. was slightly wounded, was dragged into our trenches, and said, "Give me a rifle. I lived for twenty-seven years out of thirty in England. It is time some of those swine over there were wounded." He fired at the Germans all day, and nearly till evening, as a prisoner." CARDINAL MERCIER'S ARREST. >' Rome,' January 7 Cardinal Mereier's arrest created a profound impression at the Vatican Papal circles are unable to credit it.

A BROAD-MINDED CHURCHMAN. DEEP INDIGNATION THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. , Timii and Sydney Sun Bibtioii. (Received 8 a.m.) • '■ ' Loudon, January 7. Cardinal Mercier is described as. a distinguished member of the Sacred College, a churchman of the broadminded type, sagacious, and moderate in his political opinions. The Times' Amsterdam correspondent says the Germans searched the parishes throughout Belgium in an endeavour to destroy Cardinal Mercier'a pastoral. Numbers of priests have been arrested. Monsigeor Newachter, auxiliary bishop to Cardinal Mercier, who is staying at Southwark (London) said the arrest had caused deep" Indignation throughout the world. The Germans assured the Cardinal he would be allowed the fullest freedom in the administration of the affairs of the Church, which he had tried to re-build on the ruins of Belgium. He re-opened the colleges and recalled the priests, but the task* was too great, and he was thrown by the way. The feeling of the terrible situation found vent in the pastoral which caused his arrest.

The Times says the position will undoubtedly create a profound sensation in the Roman Catholic Church throughout the civilised world. The arrest of a prince of the Church during the discharge of his ecclesiastical functions in his own archdiocese will scarcely fail to give deep offence.

THE VATICAN UNOFFICIALLY INFORMED. i QUESTION OF NEUTRALITY. (Received 8.50 a.m.) Rome, January 7. The Vatican is without official information regarding Cardinal Mercier's arrest. It is believed the communications were censored. The Pope instituted inquiries, and remarked: "The Germans cannot adduce the same pretext as in the case of the bombardment of Rlieims Cathedral" ' Vatican circles are of the opinion that the Pope cannot adhere to his neutrality unless Cardinal Merrier is released. A FRENCH COMMUNIQUE. (Received 8.50 a.m.) 1 . - Paris, January 7. A communique mentions the brilliant re-capture of some trenches near Lille, and the capture of portion of the enemies' first line north-west of

Flirey and Woovre, and the occupation of a wood westward of 'Altkirch. There were artillery actions on the rest of the front. THE POLICY OF ATTRITION. "EYE-WITNESS" WRITES ENCOURAGINGLY OF THE PROSPECTS. (Received 11.0 a.m.) London, January 7. "Eye-witness" at headquarters reports that an officer and twenty-five men on the British right centre, in attacking a trench in the evening of the third and surprising the sentries, bayonetted twenty, while our casualties were three. The situation in the New Year is more favourable than any since the outset. The British force is being , sjvelle.d into < a great and steady-in-creasing army, which is inured to war and able to look back on a record of hard fighting slch as has seldom been experienced in the past. The enemy's role is essentially ai defensive one. The Allies steadily carry out their process of attrition, which will eventually bring the war to an end. ZEPPELINS ON THE WING. London, January 7. Three Zeppelins were reported between Calais and GraveMnes on Wednesday morning, and six German aeroplanes flew over Dunkirk, apparently acting as their scouts. Samson and a French aviator chased off the intnfders. GERMAN PROMISE OF AERIAL RAID. Timm and Sydniy Sun Sirviom. (Received 8 a.m.) London, January 7. The Times' correspondent on the Belgian frontier states that a German aviator dropped a note promising Dunkirk a Zeppelin raid on Sunday, but the appalling weather prevonted it. It is generally expected the Germans will soon make a show of their much-vaunted airships, if only with the object to impress newspaper readers at Home. The first demonstration is likely to be in the north of France.

A leading citizen of Brussels, in a letter printed in The Times, gives some interesting examples of "Uylenspiegel"—defined to be the Belgian general spirit of raillery and good humour. "Uylenspiegel,," we are told, is to be met with daily in the streets. The sereet boys stick a short carrot through the top of their bowler hats and practice the goose-step in front of the mitrailleuses laid in certain streets. Or they gravely set up large targets twenty yards from the mouths of the cannon, so that a miss would be well-night impossible; or, favourite pastime of all, they form up in line, and at the word of command, "March! To Paris!" the whole line marchos backward. "The sentries look on puzzled; if there is •one thing a German does not understand it is irony!"