STRUGGLE IN BELGIUM

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 96, 23 December 1914, Page 5

STRUGGLE IN BELGIUM

GERMANS DRIVEN BACK ALLIES FURTHER SUCCESSES IMPORTANT POSITIONS OCCUPIED GERMANS REINFORCING OMINOUS BALKAN ARRANGEMENTS PREPARATIONS FOR FUTURE ADVANCE ENORMOUS GERMAN DEMANDS FROM BELGIUM

EXCELLENT REPORTS. ALLIES TAKE IMPORTANT POSITIONS. GERMANS BRINGING UP REINFORCEMENTS. Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, Dee. 22, The Sluis correspondent of the newspaper Tyd states that the Allies, assisted by the fleet and British artillery, occupied unopposed Lombaertzyde, St, Georges and Westende, also Bixschoote, Langenmar Paschedaal and Morelede. The British are patrolling the village o£ Westrooebeekte, near Pasehendaal, but definite occupation of the village depends on the issue of fighting in the wood to the south-west.

THEY DIE GAME.

SQUADRON,

GERMANS REFUSE TO SURRENDER.

BINGING TO THEIR DOOM.

Press Association —Copyright

LONDON, Dec. 22

The Germans are now concentrating as many as possible to regain the territory lost north-east of Ypres. The Allies are steadily advancing towards the Roulers-Menin railway. German communications are seriously endangered owing.to the British occupation of Morslede.

FINANCE UP-TO-DATE

The Sluis correspondent of the Ham delsbad states that an English squad-

ron bombarded the coast at Zeebruggee and Huyst to-day. The Germans did not respond.

LONDON. Dec, 22,

SEASONS FOR THE MOVEMENT

MERELY A PRELUDE.

LONDON, Dee. 22

A correspondent in North France says the fighting at Nieuport has dimnished in intensity'. The Belgians art? not attempting more than to hold their own against German counter-attacks on Lombaertzyde and St. Georges. ■There is no foundation for the rumour that the Allies are within two miles of Ostend. The object of the Allies’ recent movements s to secure a looting on the further bank of the Yser, in order to make a kte- offensive easier. When to had no troops further advanced than Nieuport, a small German force with guns sufficed to guard the bridge-head. The Allies’ pushing forward will lengthen the front and make an attack easier, as there will be more room for manmuvres. The second important movement is occurring north of Ypres in the region of Bixchoote. Floods cover the remainder of the country, Thus the Allies’ offensive resembles two claws. Finer weather will be welcomed by all the troops.

GARIBALDI’S SPIRIT SPEAKS

LONDON, Dec, 22,

HIGH COMISSIONEE’S REPORT.

The High Commissioner reports:—LONDON, Dec. 21.

Paris reports that the British troops attacked this morning, taking the greater part of the trenches previously lost before Lih'ons. The enemy made four successive attacks, which were all repulsed.

GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT,

IMPORTANT ADVANCES MADE

CLAIM TO HAVE REPULSED

(Reed. 9.55 a.in.) PARIS, Dec. 22

FRENCH,

ANGLO-INDIAN TRENCH E 8

.STORMED

... BERLIN. Dec. 22. (Official). —French attacks at Nicuport were repulsed,. We stormed am: captured the Anglo-Indian trenches be-

tween Richebourg and La Bassec, dislodging the occupants with heavy loss and capturing 270. We recaptured lost trenches at Notre Dame and De Lorotte. The French fiercely attacked in the neighbourhood of Honian, and penetrated our trenches. The attacks broke down under fire, and 310 were captured. Pierce French attacks northeast of Verdun failed completely. Tire situation in Prussia is unchanged. Our attacks in Poland continue.

THE SINKING OF VON SPEE’B

Officers from Vice-Admiral Sturdee -s fleet have supplied further particulars cf the Falkland Islands engagement. They say that when the battle began the Germans fired at long range bin the British reserved their tire, permitmitting the crews to breakfast before answering. When the Gneisena.i sank, she had exhausted her ammunition but refused to surrender, the officers and crew standing on the deck singing patriotic songs when she took the plunge. Many of the crew died after being rescued. The Scharnh’orst was ablaze when she sank with all hands, including Von Spec and his two sons.

GERMANY’S BANDIT METHODS,

Reuter’s Amsterdam correspondent states that under German pressure nin>. provincial representatives met in Brussels and hold a so-called Landtag session. Asserting that the Diet had agreed, they issued Treasury bonds. A group of bankers undertook to advance nineteen millions sterling, payable in twelve monthly instalments. The German Governor promised that all goods should be paid for in cash if these instalments were promptly forthcoming. VON BULOW GREATLY SATISFIED. WHAT DID ITALY’S KING SAY? LONDON, Dee. 22. A Rome message via America says the King of Italy received Yon Bulow, who presented his credentials and remained an hour in conversation with the King. Upon leaving, Yon Bulow declared he was greatly satisfied with the result of the audience. The Kingsent a carriage to Von Bulow’s residence to bring him to the jialace, at the entrance whereof a bugler played a German air.

A TIME FOR’ ACTS, NOT WORDS

Another message from the same source declares that in connection with the anti-Austrian demonstration a son of Garibaldi, leaning on crutches, declared: "A voice is ringing from Caprera where ray father’ body lies. His spirit asks the men of Italy to day fo. •Us not wards,” )

ALLIES REPORT PROGRESS.

A communique states that artillery duels are proceeding from the sea to Lys. With fierce bayonet, com hats at Senair • carried trenches extending fc 1' 1 metres to near Perfcheslcs-

1: -fir.-a We traversed through entail' glen - ' s and at North Malinccurt, cap, turl:. ■ conches, and made further pro

Bclsdelagrvrie and Tracyle--1 also at Blangy. We repulsed attacks at Lalipiis.

THE CONFERENCE OF KINGS

KAISER AS WHIPPER-IN

(Reed, 0.15 a.m.) ROTTERDAM, Dec. 22,

GERMANS IN BELGIUM.

CALL PROVINCIAL ASSEMBLY

THREATS OF PUNISHMENT

(Red. 9.15 a.m.) PARIS., Dec. 22

francs

ALBANIAN NEUTRALITY

(Reed. 8.55 a.m.)

ROME, Dec. 22

ITALY’S NAVAL SECRET

(Reed. 8.55 a.m.) ROME. Dec. 22

THE CAUSE OF WAR.

(Reed. 8.55 a.m.) PARIS, Dec. 22

CRUISER SUPPLY SHIPS

(Reed. 8.55 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 22

THE NAVAL RAID. SOME SCATHING SARCASM. Press Association —Copyright. (Received 9.15 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 22 The damage done at Hartlepool is estimated at £150,000. The Mayor of Scarborough, in acknowledging Mr Churchill's sympathy, remarked that as the German naval commanders get older (hey will find the Iron Cross pined to their breast by King Herod will not shield them from the shafts of shame and dishonour.

Mr. Bonar Law, at Beetle, said it was difficult to realise that a large German fleet could approach England and go back untouched. He hoped that next time it would find something to welcome them. We are not fighting the superman, but the wild beast and murders of women and children. The east coast raiding was a part of a long planned scheme.

GERMAN OFFER TO SWEDEN.

(Received 9.15 a.nr.) LONDON, Dec. 22 The Daily Telegraph’s Copenhagen correspondent says that Germany proposed to cede certain Baltic Islands to Sweden, and also to help Sweden to establish a protectorate over Finland and the White Sea, if she would aid Germany. The offer was refused, whereupon Germany began a policy of interference in the export of timber. This was the cause of the conference of the Kings of Norway, Sweden and Denmark.

It, was reported as a result of the conference that none of the countries concerned would act separately during the war.

3ROKEN-DOWN GERMAN OFFICER.

The Berlin correspondelat iqf the “Nieuwe Rotterdam Sohe Courant” says there are three thousand German officers in Berlin with wrecked nerves and unable to return to the 'rent. The Kaiser recently addressed i thousand of them and urged them to pull themselves together as they were urgently required.

A Brussels telegram received via Berlin slates that the German • mili‘■ary and civil authorities are convoking a provincial assembly in the whole f conquered Belgium. Nine provinces under threat cf severe punishment have been ordered to send representatives to Brussels on Saturday. The assembly is to be asked to raise a war contribution of 2180 million

Essad Pasha states that Austrian inability to defeat the Servians would be highly dangerous to Albanian violation of neutrality.

Signor Salandra has directed the prosecution of all persons divulging naval military information excepting what is official.

M, iViviam'fe j declaration, to both Chambers emphasised that the fight should he to a finish. Germany’s clumsy futile attempts to throw upon the Allies the, responsibility for the war showed that she was conscious that she must reckon with public opinion throughout the world.

GERMAN LINERS CAPTURED

British warships, near the Falkland Islands, captured the new HamburgAmerican liners, Baden and Stant Isabella, the acting supply ships to the German cruisers.

FIGHTING IN THE EAST

ZEPPELIN SHED BOMBARDED,

(Reed, 8.45 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 22,

GREAT SERVIAN VICTORY

ENEMY DRIVEN BACK.

DETAILS OF FIGHTING

(Reed. 9.10 a.m.) BOULOGNE. Dec. 22

AVIATORS BUSY

Some interned Germans on the Isle of Man, are toymaking for isle nd toy shops and contributing the results to the Belgian Relief Fund.

THE CAPE REBELLION.

ANOTHER ARREST

THE BALKANS AND GESEOJE. A COMMON UNDERSTANDING. Press Association—Copyright. (Reed. 3 p.m.) LONDON,, D ec- 22. A Renter's message states that following upon Bulgaria's assurances regarding the maintenance of neutrality the Entente Powers have given :\ guarantee to Athens and Bucharest that Bulgaria will net attack Greece if it assists Servia, nor attack Roumania if the latter intervenes in the war.

RIDGES OF QUIVERING DEAD.

(Reed. 8.45 a.m.) PETROGRAD, Dec. 22

There are 600,000 Germans in West Galicia attempting to relievo Cracow and Przemysl. The garrison at Przemyci suffered heavy losses in a futile attempt to break through. The Germans in Poland are now trying to outflank the Russian Opochno force, thus giving an opening to Sochazew.

The fighting at Krasniz was finally ended by the Germans retreating. The enemy repeatedly assailed Russian positions, but were swept back with fearful losses. Machine guns are piled up with ridges of human bodies. The Germans rushed forward singing then fell into heaps with screams and groans. Eighteen attacks were made on December Gth, costing the Germans 4000 in killed.

AIRMEN’S SPLENDID WORK

The Daily Mail’s Dunkerk correspondent reported that the Allies’ airmen bombarded and fired a Zeppelin shed at Brussels during a night raid. They also made a flight over the German coastal position, twelve bombs being dropped, doing considerable damage. All safely returned.

RE-OAPTURE OF BELGRADE

(Reed. 5.45 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 22. Belgrade- ,was recaptured b'y the

larvians after a desperate struggle. Until they became demoralised the Austrians put up a good fight. The Servian onrush caused the Austrian General to retire his army composed cf multfarions races who had fought among themelves as to which should go first. The Austrians took the bridge which had been thrown across the Save, enabling a large portion of the army to cross, although wildly disorganised. Eventually the Servians des. troyed the bridge, causing 150 officers, 10,000 men, 1000 horses, and much material to fall into Servian hands.

(Reed. 9.10 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 22. The “Daily Chronicle’’ states that the Allies are gradually driving back the enemy from Lille through morasses of mud. Hundreds of prisoners were captured on the Allies’ extreme left during the last few days.

The French stormed a farm held by German marines. Many were killed and the rest captured. One hundred and eighty British held ten thousand Germans in check for two days, until reinforced. One of the best shots hidden in clump of trees with two rifles and a boy as loader picked off 120 Germans in fortyeight hours.

GERMAN COMMANDER’S ADMISSION.

WHY GERMANS WERE STARVING

Complaints were made that Lille was foodless, the German commandant in replying to the population’s demand for food, saying that England’s naval efforts to starve out Germany did not permit the latter to do much to relieve the inhabitants. He ordered all the flour to be exported to Germany, where the need was much greater than at Lille.

MIDDLEKERKE EVACUATED

(Reed. 5.45 a.m.) AMSTERDAM, Dee. 22. The “Tyd” says that the Germans have evacuated Middlekerke. Allies aeroplanes are busy examining the region between the Yser and the Dutch frontier.

(Reed. 5.45 a.m.) CAPETOWN ’ .Dec. 22

The Minister for Justice, speaking at Johannesburg, said there were ever four thousaha 'rebels imprisoned,

PRESENTS FOR BELGIANS

PILLAGED CHAMPAGNE.

CHEAP IN BERLIN,

ASSISTED BY WARSHIPS

(Rec. 1.45 a.m.)

ON . GERMAN PORTIONS

(Ree. 1.45 a.m.)

twelve hundred were released on parole. ’De Wessels,' member for Berhlehem, Jias s arrested, it under'v > -.4. . . 'V. a ‘ : . . v

FRENCH ARMY ORDER. FOUND ON" CAPTURED OFFICER. Press Association—Copyright. (Wee. 10.35 a.m.) LONDON, Dee. 22. A Berlin wireless states that an Army Order, signed bv General JofTrc was found on a French officer. which declared that the enemy during the past three months had made numerous attacks evevrywhere, all of which had been victoriously repulsed. The moment has now arrived to make use of the weakness ho had shown. Having reinforced ourselves, the hour to attack has arrived! now oar lr...sl.'u\«? is definitely clear. We must •jweep ou: fatherland clear of the invaders. It concludes, that soldiers now, more than ever, must realise the necessity for courage, energy, and a desire to conquer at any cost.

(Reed. 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 22

Mr Mcßride, the V'ictoj inn agentgeneral, has expended A 6,000, which was subscribed by the Victorian Public Services, upon socks, stockings, and boots for Belgian refugees, Christmas presents for Belgian refugees and soldiers in Loudon. With the gifts were included +he gifts of Victorian meat.

Princess Mary has written to Mr MoBride, stating that she was deeply touched by the Victorian Government's kindly thought. She donated a hundred guineas from her own fund.

(Reed. 1.30 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, Dec. 22,

Advices from Berlin state that as the result of pillage at Rheims, the best brands of Champagne are selling in Berlin shops at live shillings a bottle.

ALLIES ONWARD MARCH;

(Reed. 8.45 a.m.) DUNKERK, Dec. 22

In the advance from Nienport the Allies cleared away a strong network of fortifications and many rows of trenches. The houses to Lombaertz were converted into miniature forts and machine guns were commanding a wide sweep. The British fleet, In aiding the infantry attack, did colossal execution. Four successive shells decimated' (the -approaching German column. Others levelled many houses, exposing the 'German A small number of Frenchmen-crossed the Passcheudaile Canal at night, us!ng a barge as a bridge. They crawled up the bank and bayonetted the surprised Germans out of the first trench. The rest cf, the Frenchmen crossed in a barge and captured seven other trenches.

A FRIGHTFUL EXECUTION.

INDIANS’ ACTION EXPLAINED

LONDON. Dec. 22

Regarding the official reference to' the Indians at Richebourg, the Germans’ sudden effort broke through that point, but found themselves confronted with a swollen stream and in the centre of a vertiable inferno. Then the Indians on both flanks assailed the enemy, none of whom escaped. Then, with a mad rush, expelling them from their advance trenches, the Indians swept their bayonets aside and with naked hands completed the frightful execution with knives.

ALLIES RELENTLESS PRESSURE

LONDON Dec. 22

The Chronicle’s Dunkirk correspondent states that patient organisation got General Joffre’s machine into thcsmoothest working order. The Allies are exerting relentless pressure throughout the immense semi-circle into which the Germans have been forced. VICTORIA CROSS AWARD, (Reed. 1.45 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 22. The Victoria Cross has been awarded to Commander Holbrook, as cabled on the fourteenth, for most conspicuous bravery in recapturing a trench. A PIOUS WISH.

LONDON, Dec. 22.

A subaltern ,describing life in the

trenches, says positively authentic information has been received for the twentieth time that the Kaiser is sick “tin to death. •'‘ When his majesty eventually gets to Hades," says the subaltern, "I hope Pluto will put him on fatigue duty to carry one hundred pounds of bully beef nightly through ten miles of commuicatio x trenches two feet deep in mud only to find on arriving at the other end that there is no tin-opener, knife or bayonet,

HUNGER RIOTS IN BRUSSELS,

LONDON, Dee. flfl.