In the West

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 48, 27 February 1915, Page 5

In the West

BOY-SOLDIER PRINCE.

BELGIAN HEIR FIGHTS FOR HIS THRONE. Times and Sydney Sun Service. (Received 8 a.m.) Paris, February 26. Prince Leopold, eldest son of the King of the Belgians, has joined the troops at the front. The Prince is only 14 years of age.

BRITISH SUCCESSES IN BELGIUM United Press Association. (Received 8.55 a.m.) Paris, February 26. A communique states: The British repulsed an attack in Belgium in addition, and gained one hundred metres on the La Bassee road. Progress continues north-west of Perthes and Mesnil les Hurlus.

GERMANY’S 1912 ARMY. United Press Association. London, February 26. Mr Tennant, Under-Secretary for War, says that the estimated strength of the German army in 1912, including trained and untrained men, was 9,989,000.

WOUNDED NEW ZEALANDER MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES.

London, February 26

Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Campbell, formerly of the New Zealand Defence Force, has been wounded a second time. He was twice mentioned in despatches.

REMARKABLE ARTILLERY FIRE.

Paris, February 26

Official: Our success at Les Eparges was clue to the remarkable artillery fire. An officer of the Eighth Bavarians, who was taken prisoner, stated that he was unable to prevent a panic, and that most of the men fled before the intensity of-the fire, those remaining being killed. Our gain represented 500 metres of trenches. As the result of violent bayonet work*, 200 enemy corpses were found in one trench. After seven attacks by the enemy they retired exhausted, losing half their effectives.

NO PRISONERS WANTED! WRITTEN IN GERMAN OFFICER'S DIARY. Times and Sydney Sun Seevxoe. (Received 8.0 a.m.) London, February 26. “Eye-witness” relates that a captured German officer’s diary contained an, order to the front line that when ■attacking they were not to take pri'sowers. The order is ambiguously phrased. It might mean that in the attacks they were not to stop and take prisoners, but it allowed no other interpretation, remembering the efforts to inflame the soldiers against the English. The same regiment was previously ordered that no English prisoners were wanted.

BRILLIANT FRENCH ARTILLERY Times and Sydney Sun Service. (Received 8 a.m.) . London, February 2G. Le Temps states that the French have much artillery which has been extraordinarily active in the Oise and Argonne districts, firing ninety thousand shells daily, and enabling the French to capture the German first line at numerous points.

FRENCH PROGRESS’ REPORT.

United Press Association. (Received 8.55 a.m.) London, February 26

A French communique states: Thick mist and rain culminated in a heavy snowstorm on the 24th, hindering operations; nevertheless, the aircraft carried out their duties, co-operating with the' artillery. The fighting at Ypres Canal was intermittent, and there was much gallantry, though the position was unchanged. A sergeant and one man held a communication trench unaided, and shot down the Germans as they were attacking. There were no infantry attacks elsewhere.

FRENCH FINANCIAL AID.

(Received 8.55 a.m.) Paris, February 26. It is proposed to vote £250,000,000. apart from the ordinary grants arising out of the war. The Government also asks for a supplementary vote of thir-ty-seveir million for the year ending next month, making the current year’s total £362,000,000.

MISCELLANEOUS. United Press Association. Amsterdam, February 20. German officers declare that a great effort is to he made against Calais in three weeks’ time. The Berliner Tageblatt states that Carpenter, the boxer, is a wounded prisoner of war. The publication of casualty lists in Schleswig is forbidden. Numerous contingents are leaving Liege for East Prussia and Bukovina. Paris, February 26. M. Vivani. in an interview published in the American Press, declares that the Germans’ torrent had been checked, and German beaten in the

field. It must be implied that the blockade was drawing tighter round her, and, despite her precautions to conceal the truth, her financial and economic rout was complete. NAVVIES FOR TRENCH-WORK.

(Received 9.40 a.m.) London, February 26. Mr John Ward (Labor member in the House of Commons) is organising a battalion of navvies for quick spadework. MONEY FOR BRITAIN’S FOOD SUPPLY. (Received 10.20 a.m.) London, February 26. The Government asks for a general vote of credit for 250 millions for tho year ending March, 1916, for assisting food supply, trade and commerce, facilitating the raising of funds by the Dominions, and other measures o national security. THE CLYDE STRIKE. (Received 9.40 a.m.) London, February 26. Sir George Askwith has written to the unions concerned in the Clyde strike stating that he was instructed by the Government that it is important that the munitions urgently required by the Army and Navy be supplied. He must call for the resumption of work on Monday morning.