In the West

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 39, 17 February 1915, Page 5

In the West

PRISONERS’ BAD LUCK.

Times and Sydney Sun Service, London, February JO

Second-Lieutenant Gore-Browne, of the Field Artillery, and Lieutenant Gillespie, of the Gordon Highlanders, who were prisoners, jumped off the wall of a fortress fifty feet. Browne’s leg was broken, but Gillespie was unhurt and regained his friend. Both wore recaptured.

LIFE IN A DUG-OUT.

THE PECULIAR COMRADESHIP 0< THE TRENCHES.

Times and Sydney Sun Service, London, February 16

The Press Bureau eye-witness says the activity of the enemy’s snipeis has diminished, owing to the markmanship of our sharp-shooters. , A Britisher recently accounted for six snipers single-handed. At one or two points the Germans displayed unwonted friendliness, throwing cigarettes into our trenches. Our men smoked them, while continuing to shoot at their loopholes. A party of officers had a sensational escape. They veie just sitting down to dinner in a dugout when a bomb landed in their midst. When the smoke and dust had cleared the dinner had completely disappeared, but none of the partj was hurt. He adds: “The endeavour to get the better of the enemy in all sorts of little ways makes up the daily life of the soldier.” SUNDAY MORNING JOB. BRITISH HACKING THEIR WAY THROUGH THE TRENCHES.

United Press Association. Paris, February 16

The Germans on Sunday morning threw a column against the British position before Guinchy. The massed attackers did not reach our trenches, and a counter-attack was launched while the remnants were retiring in confusion. A few minutes later the British were in one of the longest German trenches, hacking and hewing, and wielding their clubbed rifles. Six thousand British were engaged in the fight. Our casualties were considerable, but the Germans’ were much heavier.

THE ECONOMIC ASPECT.

“OUR MARKETS CLOSED TO CER-

MANY FOR EVER."

United Press Association. (Received 9 a.m.)

London, February 16

Discussing the economic aspects of the war, the Russian Minister of Finance, in an interview in Paris with the newspaper “Le Matin,” said: “We must not be obliged—-some day after the war is ended—to pay a sort of indemnity to the Germans by leaving open to them the means of recouping themselves at our expense of our markets. Germany, having demolished the factories in Belgium, Poland, and in the north of France, perhaps thinks she will force us to buy her goods which we cannot manufacture oui selves. Let her be Quite sure that our markets are closed to her for ever.”