BERLIN SILENT

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 97, 24 December 1914, Page 5

BERLIN SILENT

ALLIES’ RAPID ADVANCE

CAPTURES OP TERRITORY

everywhere

(Rec. 10 a.m.) PARIS, Dec. 23. A communique states: We progressed slightly between the sea at Nieuport along the Westende road, also in the districts of Btecnstraete and Bixchoote, where we captured a wood and a redoubt. We also captured the village of Jivi-uehy East Bethuno. We captured the remainder of the enemy’s trenches at Pertheslesshurlus, amounting to an average gain of half a mile. We progressed in the north-east of Bra use jour, also at Boislagrurie, A\heie -; we advanced 250 metres after mining \ up .two German lines. \

TRE RAID,

HARTLEPOOL’S DEATH ROLL

LONDON, Dec. 23. The death roll at Hartlepool is one

hundred

Hartlepool shipbuilding fi-ms have requested ti e Mar Office to provide adequate def.6ns.vo measures.

MAIN OP,IT. < TTO SOW MINES

LONDON, Dec. p 3

Teh Viennese newspaper Diezeit publishes a German sailor’s letter describing the raid on Yarmouth. It indicates that either the Seydlitz or the Moltke carried it cur. A start was made at six in the evening. The crew were at the guns ul night, but the coast was reached at eight in the morning without sighting the enemy *s ships. They were unable to get close owing to the mines. Iho main object of the raid was gained by enabling the smaller cruisers to strew English waters with mines.

“YOU

ENGLISH DOGS. ’ 7

WHAT A GERMAN SAID AND GOT

LONDON Dec. 23

In connection with the internment of forty Germans at Hartlepool, a dramatic episode preceded the arrests When the bombardment openedfi a German shouted exultiugly: “Now .you English dogs, we will let you have if! ’’ An English workman immediately Jaicr out three of the Germans.

TRADING WITH THE ENEMY

REPRESSIVE ACTION TAKEN

(Rec. 10 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 2.3

Tehre is a movement among underwriters to refrain from accepting insurance on goods sent from neutrals to neutrals neighbouring on Germany. A largo prportion of the trade with neutral countries is financed by Britain. Transactions are to be.based on bills being hacked for insurance policies!. The proposal is expected to check private individuals from acting us intermediaries with the enemy. PORTUGAL.’G PREPARATiON3. A, FOR AIDING BRITAIN. (Rcc. 30 a.m.) LISBON, Doc. 2‘?. The Chamber of Deputies passe resolution expressing confidence in \ • Gjß'ernment's action in continuing vie orously to pursue preparations to intervene in the war on Britain’s side. A SERIOUS BLUNDER. GERMANS FALL TJJEIR OWN AEROPLANE, PE'-pROGRAD.f Dec. 20. The Germans brought down their own aeroplane at Kutnn, mistaking it for a Russian. The two aviators were Hilled.

PEOPLE ANXIOUS MORE HARD' FIGHTING GERMANY BEATEN BACK LOSING GROUND EVERYWHERE HEAVY LOSSES IN POLAND ITALY SEIZES CONTRABAND CONSIGNORS HEAVILY FINED

ALLIES RE-CAPTURE BELGIAN TERRITORY

(.Received 5.45 a.m.)

SOUTH AFRICAN CASUALTIES

Press Association —Copyright. (Received 8.4,5 a.m.) PRETORIA, Dec. 23 The Union forces to date have lost nineteen killed, 32 wounded, and 268 prisoners.

In lighting the Germans, 105 killed, and 229 wounded. In fighting, the rebels lost at least 170 killed and over 300 wounded.

PORTUGUESE AFRICAN. TERRITORY

ANOTHER GERMAN ATTACK

LISBON, Dec. 23

The Germans renewed their attack cm Naulila, Angola. The Portuguese were outnumbered and withdrew awaiting reinforcements.

CONTRABAND SEIZED.

CONSIGNORS HEAVILY FINED

(Received 8.45 a.m.) ROME,’ Dec. 23. Tbs authorities have seized a large

quantity of zinc and copper, stored on the frontier for export to Austria. Also forty-two trucks of foodstuffs. The consigners were fined £I7OO sterling.

GERMAN GHASTLY TRICES

(Reed. 8.45 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 23

-Four Germans were arrested at New Orleans for preparing bombs timed to explode at sea, aboard British or French merchantmen. They all confessed.

THE KAISER TRAVELLING.

WARSAW TO BE BOMBARDED

(Reed. 10.55 a.m.) AMSTERDAM, Dec. 23. The Kaiser travelled through Cologne with three new forty-two centimetre howitzers, which are being sent to Thorn with a view to bombarding Warsaw. GERMAN REINFORCE M ENTS. MOSTLY YOUTHS. (Reed. 10 a.m.) ROTTERDAM, Dec. 23. Germans are daily reinforcing along the coast, there are now seventeen thousand at Heyst, mostly youths. Mere guns and quickfirers have been posted at Heyst, and masses of Germans have reached Aixchanelle from the Eastern front. AN AVIATOR’S MISHAP BLOWN TO PIECES. (Reed. 10 a.m). DUNKIRK, Dec. 23, • Descbsmpss, a leading Belgian avia- • tor, in returning from the fight,'landed | heavily and -exploded a bomb he was ! • Dsachamps war- blown to ;.■ -> p and a drr.en spectators were , z tided. i f • ' . :.ECKED BUILDINGS INSCRIBED. “THE YEAR OF GERMANY’S SHAME.” ! (Rood. 8.45 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 23. ‘ Russian and French Governments rre later placing historical buildings '"recked by Germans with the inscription, “Pestered in the year of Germany’s shame.” . *

FRENCH PARLIAMENT OPENS

many deputies come prom THE FRONT.

BE [TAIN’S GLORIO CS CIVIL] SING

MISSION EXTOLLED

A FIGHT TO THE DEATH

THE FRENCH AIM. Press Association —Copyright. (Reed. 8.45 a.m.) PARIS, Dec. 23. Parliament has opened. Many Deputies came straight from the trenches. M. Dischanel, in a speech, said; — England, at whose heart Germany aims, vies with Canada, Australasia and .India, and with us will pursue her glorious civilising - mission in the greatest drama history lias known. All will do their duty to realise the ideal that right is greater than might. (Cheers). M. Viviani (Premier) said France and the Allies would tight to the bitter end. France would only lay down hoi arms when the lost provinces had been regained, the Belgians’ independence restored and Prussian militarism broken. THE RUSSIAN CAMPAIGN. ! A STRATEGICAL RETIREMENT. LONDON, Dee. 23. The Times’ Petrograd correspondent maintains that the backward movement along the whole Russian front is due to strategical considerations, and has been deliberately undertaken by higher command. The German attack north of the Vistula plainly failed, 'the Austrian movement in the Carpathians was defeated. VATICAN DECISIONS. LONDON, Dee. 23. The Vatican proposes to place British dignitarties at the head of the Catholic Hierarchy in Egypt. The announcement of the Protectorate was warmly welcomed by the Pope, The Pope has decided that priests may help spiritually and materially war prisoners, and convey news to their families.

MAKING A GERMAN HOLIDAY.

BELGIANS PAY THE PIPER,

CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES IN

GHENT

AMSTERDAM, Dec. 23

The Germans are making extensive preparations for Christmas festivities at Ghent. They have requisitioned the inhabitants to provide a million cigars and a million cigarettes. Large food supplies have bene seized j and all vine cellars.

A CALL TO BRITONS OVERSEAS

PROPOSED GIFT OF WARSHIPS

LONDON, Dec. 23

Lord Selborne, in a letter, points out that Mr Churchill has approved of the proposal of Britons outside the Empire to mahe a gift of a warship to Britain. Mr. Churchill mentioned that a light cruiser costs upwards of £300,000 and a destroyer £150,000. Lord Selborne appeals to three million Britishers resident in foreign lands.

RUSSIAN OFFICIAL REPORT,

HARD FIGHTING ON MONDAY

NEARLY ALL GERMAN ATTACKS

REPULSED

PETROGRAD, Dee. 23

(Official).—A series of hand-to-hand encounters took place on Monday between the lower Vistula and the Pilica river, especially in the region of the left banK uf the Pilica. Nearly all the German attacks were repulsed ■' Ph great loss. Only in small districts did the Russians retreat somewhat in order to occupy mure convenient positions.

GERMANS AND AUSTRIANS DRIVEN BACK.

RUSSIANS AGAIN DOING WELD IN GALICIA. PETROGRAD, Dee. 23. The Gormans who crossed the Bzura in the region of Gahrzeff were driven hack towards the river. Many were killed and nine machine-guns were captured. Teh Austrians who crossed the Nidn in the region of Skowronno were driven hack to the-river with the bayonet, and 15 officers and a thousand men surrendered. Russian activity in Galicia in proceeding satisfactorily, inflicting hw vy lobses and taking prisoners of many at Mandt, Ryglice and elsewhere. The garrison of Przemysl again sortied in different directions, but were everywhere repulsed with heavy loss. i AUSTRIAN TROOP TRAINS COLLIDE. ! . ONE THOUSAND CASUALTIES. PETROGRAD, Dec. 23. Two trains . of. -Austrian troops--col-lided near Kalicz owing to the false setting of points. carriages were smashed to matchwood and a thousand i killed^ 31 *and wound**. j; -i t feUti-.'- N /.■# M teh.. Mi t

GERMANS AND TURKS.

POSSIBLE TURKISH REVOLT,

Press Association —Copyright. (Reed. 8.45- a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 28. Sir Edwin Pears, interviewed in London, said he was convinced that in the event of a serious Russian victory in Asia Minor the Turkish army would revolt against the Germans. Turkish soldiers and sailors resent German officers’ rough, dictatorial manner.

XMAS AT THE FRONT

PLENTY OF EVERYTHING

(Received 8.45 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 28

The Mail says (hat at the front there is abundance of necessities and clothing. There are enormous streams of Xmas luxuries and splendid postal arrangements.

GERMAN TWADDLE DENIED

(Reed. 8.45 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Dec. 28

Mr Spring-Rice has published a denial of the German Embassy justification for shelling Scarborough and Whitby on the ground that they were fortified places within the meaning of the Hague Convention,

NO NEWS IS NOT GOOD NEWS

ANXIETY IN BERLIN

COPENHAGEN, Dec. 23

A private despatch from Berlin says the censorship is stricter than at any time since the commencement of the war. No details are given in regard ?o Poland.

The only message on Tuesday night was that the Germans were 15 miles from Warsaw, and that reinforcements were 'being sent. Crowds are vainly seeking nows at the newspaper offices.

GERMAN ATTACKS REPULSED

PARIS, Dec. 23

(Official'). The enemy’s violent counter-attacks south of Noyou - were repulsed. We gained a footing and made progress at Burnem 1 es. south of Vayennes. NORWEGIAN STEAMER MINED. LONDON, Dec. 23. The Norwegian steamer Boston, tim-ber-laden, bound for London, was mined off Fily. The crew landed. A GOOD PROPOSAL. LONDON, Doc. St?. The Cardiff Chamber of Commerce appointed a committee to consider the xpic;.-n of putting the enemy s sh pno-' lying useless in countries out.’ de Britain to commercial use as Government transports to help to relieve the high freights.

ANOTHER LIE EXPOSED,

FRANCE, AND BELGIUM’S

NEUTRALITY,

NEW YORK, Dec. 23

The Belgian Minister in the United States, in a statement, explained that Geramny’s claim that proofs existed that Belgian n.mtraD : was violated v>y France previous to the war was utterly unfounded. The Belgian attache, fearing German aggression, consultant France as to what military measures could bo taken to prevent a German attack, but no agreement was reached between the two Governments, the military attaches merely discussing the question.

BRITAIN’S GREAT RESOURCES,

PARIS, Dec. 23

Mr. -Lloyd George, in an interview with L ’ Humanite stated that the British war expenditure was forty-five millions per month. Britain now had over two million soldiers and sailors under arms. Before spring half a million fresh British troops would join those already in France and Belgium.

THE BOTTLED-UP FLEET,

WILL IT COME OUT?

GERMAN ADMIRAL SAYS “NO.

AMSTERDAM, Dec. 23

A semi-official agency circulates an interview with Admiral von Tirpitz, in which lie stated that the duration of the war depended on England. Questioned as to whether the German fleet would come out and attack the English, he replied: ‘Can you expect our fleet, which is only a third the size of the English, to go out; to allow trie English to deliver their blow?’ Admiral von Tirpitz believed the use ot‘ the Mibmarine against British merchantmen was more effective than any leppelin raid. . £ '»

FERDINAND’S ASSASSINS

AMSTEDAM, Dec. 23

The Archduke Ferdinand’s assassins have been removed from Sarajevo I) a prison in Bohemia.

CONFISCATION OP GERMAN SHIPS. Press Association —Copyright. PERTH, Dee. 23. . Justice Burnside, in giving his reserved dec.sum respecting the German steamers Neumunster and Thurlngcn, seized at Rottenest Island, said the owners contended that the vessels werexempt from confiscation under the Hague Convention because they were seized on entering the port of Fremantle. The judge held that the Rottenest coast was not Fremantle port and ho condemned the ships, but granted leave to appeal to the Privy Council.

GERMANS’ DIRTY TRICK FAILS.

NEW YORK, Dec. 2»,

The police at Now Orleans arrested Jive Germans accused of a plot to destroy the French liner Roehambean. It

is alleged that the men constructed a bomb with clockworks attachment, and

consigned it to France, parcel post per the Roehanbeau. Numbers of French reservists from New York were expected to travel at the same time. BATTLE OF NIEUPORT. (Reed.lt.3d a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 23. Details of the battle of Nieuport show that. French troops took up a position at a most dangerous point, where they had to cross five bridges commanded by the enemy, who were surprised. The Germans took some time to reply t ca furious artillery fire. They then opened a.maxim discharge, and all their guns. After an hour the German fire slackened,, the Allies pouring shrapnel into the enemy’s trenches with tremendous precision. Groups of Germans were blown bodily over the sand dunes. French and Belgian infantry from five points attacked the trenches. The Germans' never knew from whence the attack was coming. Five separate lines of trenches were taken. The forward movement worked like clockwork. Three French aeroplanes reported the enemy’s movmeuts on land and gave warning of submarines’ movements at sea, enalvmg destroyers to ward off attacks.

Simultaneously with Nieuport, the Allies cleared the Germans from the region of Bethune, the Britishers distinguishing themselves. They drove the enemy from a position (which had been stubbornly contested for four weeks) inch by inch to a distance of ten miles from Bethune.

German aeroplanes, before their troops (were, driven back,, bombed Bethune and killed a number of civilians.

t:;e fight for vermelles,

LASTED FIFTY-TWO DAYS

THE WHOLE TOWN DESTROYED

HOW THE FRENCH IVON THEIR WAY TO SUCCESS. Reed. 5.5 p.m.)

LONDON, Dec. 23

Mr Martin Donohoe, writes that the fight for Venn dies lasted 52 days. The whole town was destroyed by explosives and heavy artillery. Towards the middle or October the Germans snugly entrenched themselves at Vermelles and indicted heavy losses on the attackers. The fight went on tenaciously from house to house and farmyard to farmyard. On a dark night i£ was the German custom to set fire to a house to serve as a torch ot facilitate fighting. The French used light mountain guns with deadly effect. House after house was bombarded and captured. Directly the French gained possession of a house adjacent to one hc-ld by Germans the French sappers cut a hole in the wall and the muvxle of r. mountain gun was shoved through and harried the enemy. The Chateau Vermelles with extensive grounds, was captured on December Ist. The Germans constructed trenches, six feet deep lined with cement. The French found it impossible to drive them out by bombardment, and a direct infantry attack would have involved an immense sacrifice of life. Therefore they mined their way up to the main wall, and blew it up burying half the garrison. Through the breach a French storming party entered, and sanguinary hand to hand fighting ensued. Room after room was captured. The Germans fought to the last with clubbed rifles and bayonets. At the end of half an hour only one German was alive in the Chateau as a base, the French artillery soon demolished the enemy’s entrenchments, and ten hours later the French occupied the town. ANXIOUS GERMANS. ■ - - ft • f ‘ t PARIS PREPARED FOR THE NEXT VISIT. LONDON, Dec. 23. Private messages from Berlin, state that the people are anxiously awaiting details of General von Hindenberg’s victory-in Poland.-Feeling certain regarding ' the facts. '’ If- the'Germans should again’ threaten’ Paris they will meet' with elusive ■ arid ; for-' midable defences. General aGllieni has constructed deep trenches" and'’’hurried up heavy ' artillery; which is buriningly disposed? Nothing-ds.V’sfbVe* Qf thi s entrencljptP crimp,' stretc : hing..‘fb!r, miles outside'' i y \i ■ H'* U

'l'he Germans 10‘as a day ‘bf prayer.-antl repentance in jthe army. r:f t • " C\ / C> - ;v

' RUSSIANS BOMBARD TURKISH

COAST.

BEDOUIN POLICE AND JEWS

Press Association— Copyright. PETROGRAD ) Dec.

(Official).— A Russian torpcdoer bombarded villages along tlie coast, occupied by Turkish troops, in the region of Eopa, and sank four loaded barges. When the Russian warships had departed, a few day later the Bedouin police shipped Jews, their money and belongings and carried off the ch Huron and sent them with their parents to Alexandria by steamer. HAPPY FIGHTERS. IMPROMPTU MUSIC HALL. BRITISH AND FRENCH CHORUSES. (Reed. 8.30 r.- v) • CAIRO, Dec. 23, LONDON, Dec. 23. At Dixmude the Allies transformed a barn, half a mile behind the French firing line,, Intd g saplC hall* Caßfil©| vere stuck on bayonets to take the Race of calcium light. Ammunition boxes made a good stage. The performance begins soon after the relief guard is gone to the trenches ,and concludes with popular choruses in. French and English.. The performances are often interrupted by regimental bugle C/alls and performers disperse' .precipitately to Join their detachments and dash for ths trenches.

A SOUTH AFRICAN ARREST

PRO-GERMAN TENDENOTES

(Reed. 8.30 a.m.)

LONDON, Dec. 23

Bloemfontein message's state that do Weasels’ arrest followed a meeting of loyal Dutch, which passed a resolution urging his arrest on the ground of d : e Wessels’ pre-German tendencies. i RUSSIANS AND TUBES. THE TUBES DEFEATED. WELLINGTON, This Day. The Prime Minister has received the following:— LONDON, Dec. 23 7.20 a.m. Petrograd reports that in the Cancacus, ;in the direction of Van, on Sunday,: the Turks were defeated with heavy losses. The Russians, pursuing, captured a mountain gun and ammunition. A few unimportant engagements have taken place in the direction of Surykamyseh. THE TEUTONIC ALLIANCE. THREATENED DISSOLUTION. (Reccl. 5.30 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 23. '

It is reported through American channels that there are grave symptoms | of demoralisation and distraction in German councils, and that dissolution is threatened of the Teutonic Alliance.

COMMERCIAL.

HIDE AND SKIN REPORT.

HIDE AND SKIN REPORT,

Dalgety and Co., Ltd., report: —

At our usual monthly sale on the 21st inst., we offered a large catalogue of all classes to a good attendance of buyers. Best classes of sheepskins showed an advance on previous sales, while all inferior cud short wool skins were somewhat lower and oifflci.lt of sale. Hides of all descriptions showed an advance on last sales’ rates, cow hides realising - as high as 9ld per lb. Wool.—-The offering - ‘consisted mostly of oddments and wool scourers’ lines of pieces and locks, and prices rules easier. Crossbred bright and clean Bi|d to Old; inferior and seedy 7d to Sd; dead wool, best lines Sid to Sd; inferior and rough 7d to 7fd; lambs Sid to Old: crutchings Old to 7d; bellies and pieces Gid to 71d: locks and pieces 5d to ojd: locks 4d to 4Jd. Sheepskins.—Crossbred, full woo* coarse 9d to medium and fine. 9d to inferior crosbred 7sd to 7-Jd; uuarter to half wool 41 d to GUI; pelts 41 d,‘ dead skins Old to 7d; broken and damaged 41 d to sd; seedy and inferior 4d to 4Jd; pelts and short wools, inferior 2d to 31d; seedy and inferior Id; butchers’ part dry salted pelts at each 1/, 3/3. 3/4 to 1/7; lambs’ 3/1 o 3/0.

Hides. —Ox, medium and heavy light fld to 9td; good 9d to 9£d; inferior 7jjcl to S£d; cut and slippy 7§d to S.sd; yearlings 9-Jd to 10d; ditto damaged and inferior 7d to 8|; horse 6/rr to 9/; cut 4/ to 5/. Calfskins—Best lines ll|d to I2fd, Bough and inferior, 8d to lo|d. Cut and slippy, Sd to 10'd. Dry, 3d to 2/oaeh. Sundries—Tallow’ in tins, 17/6 Eougr fat, 12/- • Horsehair,' 1/6. ‘ Bones, 3/fc CWt, - ■;