France & Flanders

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 181, 9 January 1915, Page 5

France & Flanders

SITUATION BETTER THAN EVEfi. ALLIED FORCES INCREASING. ENEMY WHOLLY ON THE DEFENSIVE. BRILLIANT FRENCH ATTACK AT LILLE. ZEPPELIN RAIDS PREDICTED. London, January 7. The eye-witness at headquarters reports that an officer and twenty-five men o n the British right centre attacked a trench on the evening of the 3rd. They surprised the sentries and bayonetted twenty men. Our casualties were three. The situation at the New Year was favorable that at any time since the outset of the war. The British force lias swelled into a great and steadily increasing army, inured to war and able to look back on a record of hard righting, such as was seldom experienced in the past. The enemy's role has been essentially defensive and the Allies will steadily carry out the process of attrition, which will eventually bring the war to an end.

Paris, January 7. A communique mentions the brilliant rc-capture of trenches near Lille, the capture of a portion of tlie enemy's first line north-west of Flirey and Woevre, the occupation of a wood" westward of Altkirch, and artillery actions on the rest of tho front.

TREXGIIES FULL OK CORPSES. EXEMi'S hEAYY LOSSES AT ST. uEOKGES. Received S, 11.30 p.m. Paris, January S. A French eye-witness states:— "Three hundred corpses were found among the ruins of St. George's. We held the position, tlion-.. on the :10th the Germans fired 4000 shells, .-mashing u'l St. George's. "We blew up the forts occupied by 140 Germans in the Yprcs region, and seventy were uuried. The others lied, hut our artillery wiped them out. ■Our patrols found many of the Hooded trenches full of German corpses." FIGHTING IX AIIGOXXE. IX DEPTHS OF THE FOREST. Received 9, 1-2.30 a.m. Paris, January 8. Hie struggle in Argonm: wages over the control of the roadway connecting the German positions round Viemie le Chateau, on the western outskirts of Argonnc forest, with Varennes on the eastern fringe. The abandonment of this road was cne of the worst mistakes committed by the Crown Prince. Most of the fighting proceeds in the depth of the forest, where artillery is practically ineffective.

REDUCING CONSUMPTION* OF LIQUOR. ABSINTHE PROHIBITED. Received S, 1-1.30 p.m. Paris, January 8. M. Poineare. lias signed a decree, prohibiting the sale of absinthe and similar drinks. CARDINAL MERCI-ER'S ARREST. BERLIN RECOGNISES TpE MISTAKE. BUT DENIES THE OUTRAGE. POPE INSTITUTING INQUIRIES. Amsterdam, January 7. The majority of the Antwerp clergy have been arrested. Advices from Berlin now deny the arrest of Cardinal Mercier or of the clergy. Times and Sydney Sun Services. London, January 7. Cardinal Mercier is described as a distinguished member of the Sacred College, i'. churchman of the broadminded type, sagacious and moderate in his political opinions. The Times' Amsterdam correspondent says the Germans searched parishes throughout Belgium in an endeavour to destroy Cardinal Mercier's pastoral, and numbers of priests were arrested. Consignor De Wachter, auxiliary bishop to Cardinal Mercier, who is staying at Southwark, said that the arrest would cause deep indignation throughoit the world. The Germans assured the Oililinal that he would be allowed the fullest freedom in the administration of the affairs of the Church. He had tried to re-buihl on the ruins of Belgium, re-opened colleges and recalled priests, but the task was too great, and his work had been thrown away. Uis feelings on the terrible situation found vent in the pastoral which had caused his arrest.

The Times says the arrest will undoubtedly create a profound sensation in Hit; Roman Catholic Church throughout the civilised world. The arrest of a prince of the Church in the discharge of ecclesiastical functions in his own archdiocese can scarcely fail to give deep r {fence. Rome, January 7. The Vatican is without official information regarding Cardinal Merrier. It is believed that communications are eensored. The Pope has instituted inquiries. He remarked that the Oer- - , s

mans cannot adduce the same pretext as in the case of the bombardment of Rheims Cathedral. Vatican circles opine that the Pope cannot adhere to his neutrality unless Cardinal " Mercier is released. THE ARREST DENIED. A POSSIBLE EXPLANATION. Received 0, 1-2.3(1 a.m. Rotterdam, January 8. The Xieve Courant emphatically denies that Cardinal Mercier and other priests were arrested or watched at Antwerp, and states that the story arose through a messenger, who brought the information that Cardinal Mercier would not officiate at .Antwerp, adding that two sentries were posted at the Archepiscopal Palace. THE PASTORAL STILL READ, Received 8, 5.30 p.m. Amsterdam, January S. Cardinal Mercicr's pastoral is still read in the pulpits at Alalincs, although prohibited elsewhere. Ten thousand copies were circulated in the diocese. THE POPE PROTESTS. Times and Sydney Sun Services. Received 8, 5.35 p.m. London, January 8. The Pope has protested to the Kaiser, to the Emperor of Austria, and also to the German and Austrian Cardinals against the arrest of Cardinal Mercier.

A STRONG CONDEMNATION GERMAN TACTICS DEPLORED. WAR OF UNPRECEDENTED FERCOCITY. OUTRAGES ON WOMEN AND CHILDREN. CONFIRMED BY FRENCH COMMISSION. Received S, !)..'l.") p.m. Paris, January 8. The French Commissioner's report on the German violation of international law states: "Never has a war among civilised people borne such savage ferocity of character as that waged by Germany ''Pillage, robbery, inciivliarism, and murder are the enemy's current practiiec, denoting astonishing retrogression in the German nationality since 1870. "Outrages on women and girls are unprecedented. "Soldiers and olliccrs finish oif the wounded mercilessly, and kill inoffensive inhabitants, irrespective of age or sex." A TERRIBLE MASSACRE. VYOMEX AND CIULDRKX SHOT LIKE RATS. Received 9, 1.30 a.m. Paris, January 8. The Commission reports that (he most terrible massacre in France was tjiat at GerbeviUcrs, in the Vosges, on August 24th. Tlie Bavarians burst into houses, shooting and stabbing, regardless of age or sex". Over 4oU houses were defifty people massacred in their homes, and many nameless offences ocmin ted.

.Another horrible butchery was at Xomcny, in the Department of Meurthe and Moselle. The Germans fired a building where many were hidden in the cellars, and shot them like rats as they emerged. Whole families were exterminated.

VIOLENT ATTACKS REPULSED. ON THE SOUTHERN FRONT. Received 8, 8.30 p.m. Paris, January 8. Official.—Violent German attacks are reported in the region of Lassigny, in Argonnc, and at the junction of, the road from Four de Paris to Varennes and thy road from Labante to Chevauboc; in the region of Verdun, and on the ridge commanding Steinbach. All the attacks were repulsed. THE POPE'S INTERVENTION. EXCHANGE OF WOUNDED AND CIVILIANS. Times and Sydney Sun Services. Received 8, 5.35 p.m. London, January 8. As a result of the Pope's intervention, it is expected that 150,000 civilians and invalids will be exchanged. "ON THE BRINK." FEARFUL PLIGHT OF BRUSSELS. Times and Sydney Sun .Services. Received 8, 5.35 p.m. London, January 8. An Englishman writes: "Brussels is on the brink of starvation. The worst tales you hear do not approach the reality." YOU SnOULD BEAR IN MIND, That by using the commercial eucalyptus oil, which is now bought at Gd per lb. weight and bottled, and on account of the large profit pushed, you are exposing yourself to all the dangers to which the use of turpentine will expose you—irritation of the kidneys, intestinal tracts and mucous membrane. By insisting on the GENUINE SANDER'S EUCALYPTI EXTRACT, you not only avoid these pitfalls, but you have a stimulating, safe and effective medicament, the result of a special and careful manufacture. A trial will at once convince. Quality in a small doso distinguishes it from the bulky and dangerous products. Remember: SANDER'S EXTRACT embodies the result of 00 years' experience and of special study and it does as promised; It heals and cures without injuring the constitution, as the oils on the market frequently do. Therefore, protect yourself by rejecting other brands. SANDER'S EXTRACT posseses curative properties peculiarly Hs own, and can be used with perfect bi computed in pounds and shillings. "afety internally r-1 ***«n»lly.