LATEST WAR NEWS

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

LATEST WAR NEWS

BY MAIL. MISSED THE LEIPZIG. A VESSEL’S ESCAPE. The steamer Franklyn, which left Newcastle on August 27th last, had n narrow escape from being captured by the German cruiser Leipzig just before she reached her destination. According to a letter received by a Newcastle resident from one of the officers of the vessel, the Leipzig had been waiting off Guayaquil tor three cr fourweeks before the Franklyn’s arrival there on October 4th. The Franklyn was ready to feav’e Newcastle on August 4th. The Franklyn was ready to leave Newcastle on August 13, but as the Admiralty could not guarantee

a safe passage across, sue was detained a fortnight, and departed cn August 27. Had she not been detained, it is almost certain that she would have fallen into the cruiser's hands. When the Franklyn arrived at Guayaquil, surprise was expressed at her appearance, as it was generally thought that she had been captured b ythe Leipzig. It appeared to be gen-

erally known that the cruiser was after the Franklyn’s coal. The captain and officers of the ship were surprised to hear that the Leipzig had sunk the British steamer Elsinore on September 11th to the north of Guayaquil, and also the steamer Birkfield on September 28th to the south of the. port. The writer concluded his letter by saying: “Your Admiralty knew what was going on, and did the proper thing in detaining us.”

THE FIGHT FOR ROULERS

UNHAPPY PATE OF A FLEMISH TOWN. BOMBARDED BY FRIEND AND FOE. (From the London “Times’ ” Specie l Correspondent). In view of the capture of Routers by the Allies last week the following, written on October 25th, is very interesting: ‘ ; AMSTERDAM, Oct. 25. The Amterdam “Telegranf” iihas received from a, Flemish corresiponJent a graphic description of the taking and retaking of Renders, the stnail industrial town in the heart of Yfest r * lanciers which has been :in ■ c much cf the recent fighting Reuters became' He centre of what known as the Fl'r.Uh movement, ‘he revival rf f V- Flemish language •nd literature, hi mired by the famous ■met Guido The town had i few unoccupied inhabitants. Its population, largely textile workers, was exceedingly industrious. Now this ptosaerous little Belgian town is ruined by the German invasion, its popirlaMon gone, their business destroyed, their houses burned down. On October 17 the German troops marched off in the direction of Bfixmude, towards the coast, to strengthen the German forces between Os'«nd and Nieuport. A hundred men remained in occupation of Roulers. Early next morning, Sunday, the cry was heard along the road to Dix.m‘,ud-i, “The French are here.” Sevente’en' Frenchmen appeared from the direction of Ypres and two hours later two dragoons followed them They concealed themselves in a wood. The hundred Germans in the town got to knew cf their whereabouts, perhaps through spies. A skirmish ensued in the wood, and at 3 o’clock in the afternoon only forty survivors of the German troops went back to the town. The same evening many Frenchmen marched, into the (town, and meye arrived during the night. They built in the market place and streets barncades of mattresses, sacks, and barrels. Mitrailleuses’ were stationed behind pillar-boxes and in the porches of corner houses. Guns were placed bn ncsition at one of the approaches to the town. ARRIVAL OF GERMAN TROOPS. The next morning, Monday, many German troops appeared from the direction of Bruges and Ghent. They placed their guns in three villages, — Hooglede, Ardaye and Iseghem. At Hooglede, they had a specially good position on the side of a hill, which runs straight through West Flanders. The Flemish people say that the threshold of the church at Hooglede lies as high as the top of the tower of Roulers, which is about 245 ft. high. The Germans placed their guns in front of the church of Hooglede from whence they saw Roulers lying below them. The French artillery began the action, but the Germans for a time did not answer. The clock at Roulers had struck 12 before they opened fire, and it rained shells on the town. The population escaped into the cellars, anxiously awaiting the fate of their beloved toAvn. The bombardment Avent on. Roofs fell in; Avails reeled. The toAver of the Church of Notre Dame leaned over. A shell fell through the roof of St. Michael’s Church and did much damage. Flames Avent up on sqa*= eral sides

In the meantime the German infantry tried to approach the town. Their advanced troops fortified .themselves in railway carriages at the shunting station on the line Beveren-Roulers, but the French artillery on the Dixftinde road shelled and destroyed the carriages More troops were brought up

retire. They fell back in good order

with all their guns, and took up new positions at -East Nieukerkej about three miles to the south-west.

Night came, and from afar one could, see the fierce glow of burning Roulers’. That night, however, the British advanced from Ypre s and camped near Moorslede, with the French lying near the old battlefield of Roozebeke. The fight was resumed cn Tuesday morning, and again in and around Renders there was a renewal of the scenes of death and destruction, the rain of shells and the booming of guns. Victory rested with the Allies and they occupied the town, the fate of which the flames proclaimed far and wide. Poor, violated and devastated Holders!