1914-12-12 — Page 8

THE BATTLE OF FLANDERS.

CARNAGE.

THE HONG KONG TELEGRAPH.

tho grimmest stories of the slaughter of the past week.

The fields and swelling seaside danes are littered with dead in great heaps; in the deep trenches SIXTEEN DAYS OF APPALLING death his come in wholesale fashion and filled the trenches up. The Yeer, a name to be remem- bered in history for ever, has, it can be said without exaggeration, run with blood; the canals at places can be bridged with dead bodies.

The Bloodlest Battle In History

The following graphic account of the first sixteen days of the battle of Flandere appeared in the Daily Chronicle of November 2, from its special correspondent in The Battle of Flanders has now been in progress for just sixteen days. Though at the moment at which I write the stupendone Btruggle cannot be said to bave reached its conclusion, I think it may be safely stated that the result is no longer in any doubt, and that the situation can be sum med up in concise form.

northern France:-

Allies Holding the Line.. The German raid on the three coast towns of this part of France -Dunkirk, Calais and Boulogne

has not only been frustrated; the would-be raiders have been panished in a manner which can hot fail to have a tremendous effect on the morale of the entire German army, and on the whole German plan of campaign.

Last night reports from the front spoke of a lall is the titanic struggle.

"

The Allies were said to be in impregnable positions, and fight ing with magnificent elan, and with that splendid spirit brod of

certainty of victory, and they were viotors everywhere.

The land which has been flood-

ed between Nieuport and Dix mude is an inferno which words really fail to describe. The water

EXTRA

HONGKONG, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1914,

darkness; the charging enemy To-night, as it wears midnight, rush forward, not seeing a yard the guns still roar in dreadful in front of them.

ing to many of the wounded harmony. I have just been talk Belgians brought down from the front, and it is good news that they bring.

Then the searchlight flashes and flares, revealing the on-com- ing foemen. A shower of lead and a rain of shrapnel bursts upon them in the livid light. They fall in heap after heap, then fade away, followed into their trenches by the searchlight's glare. The other side sende out its men.

By Moonlight. There is a strange silence, and they come upon deserted trenches.

We have held out all along the line against the most severe and determined attacks." That is the gist of the intelligence which they bring from the field of bastle:

It has been an awful day, twelve hours of unparalleled carnage. Yet the line holds firm- The betraying light shifta forly everywhere. From the poai- ward again to guide the osanone tions farther to the south the is thick with corpees and made fire, as they search the trenches same good news filters through. muddy with the splash of shells. and shelter to which the enemy It is the same story of fierce en- It was a terrible sight," an has retired. Again there is a deavoura by the Germans, attacks officer tells me, 13 to see the Ger-oharge, which dies away as those in massive force, everywhere mans oaught in their entrench-before it did; again trenches are driven back, with here and there ments when the flood name rushing abandoned: in upon them. Just at that time the fire from the fleet and from the batteries of the Allied forces was increased vary greatly in intensity. On the edge of the flooded aron the infantry were at work with bullet and bayonet.

"In a flood of fire and water, in a perfect tornado of terror, which no one who saw it can ever possibly wipe out of his memory, trench after trench was taken and deep wedge was driven into the German positions,"

This afternoon I talked with a gallant soldier of Scotland, a man of the Black Watch. He had come to where I am to bring up supplies; he had been all through the war, and he was fresh from the trenches,.

First Day off for Three Months.

31

1

a

Tpres and Roalers tell ras that the villages between those two blackened ruins, places are all simply heaps of

losses on the side of the Allied It is impossible to say what the forces are. The wounded of the three nations are taken to different bases, and as the attacks have mainly been made by the Ger mens on particularly strong de- fensive positions, our total of killed and wounded can only bes traction of the lossas sustained by the enemy. holds everywhere, and the army To sum up, the Allies' line that was to march in triumph to within sight of England has been struck with a paralysing, deadly blow.

WAR.

following conclusions have been due to the fact that so many men reached

were sent back as being useless 1-From the present time until to the British Army, parents and the end of the war, or as long as wives have prevented others from visable, Oanada will keep con- have mysteriously disappeared." the War Office shall deem it ad-going and "an endless number tinuously in training and under One German correspondent who arma, in addition to the 8,000 men has been spying in Canada says above mentioned, 30,000 men. Dear Fatherland, be not dis

equipment can be provided for a the Rhine." It is only to be 2.➡As soon as arms, guns, and turbed. They will never reach force of 10,000 men that force presumed that it was this kind of will be despatched to Great information which madeGermany Britain, as the first instalment of moke so many grosa miscaloula- a second expeditionary force. tions in entering upon the war. enlisted so as to keep the number Therenpon additional men will be under training continuously at 30,000. This process will continue from time to time; that is to say, as soon as each force of 10,000 is armed, equipped and despatched, another force of 10,000 will be

bring the number of men training ap to 30,000.

an unimportant loss of ground. losses in dead and woanded on HOW CANADA MEETS THE enlisted to take its place, and to

It is reported that the German the field in Flandere must now have reached the dres Iful total of 100,000, and still the attacks con- tinue. Those booming guns mean most bideoas slaughter.

Then, again, perhaps a line of. trenches will be recovered by tremendous effort, and upon it the British artillery will rain death and destruction. So it is that the battle goes on. Every yard of ground is won at tremendous effort and lost at appalling cost.

I hear that nearly 2,000 Ger "One night," a wounded Belman prisoners have been taken." gian officer told me yesterday. Many are wounded, and all are

we were hammering away in almost completely exhausted. the night at one another when the moon suddenly came out and illuminated the fields in front of us. We detected one of the enemy's batteries several of those powerful Austrian guns which have done much of the work attributed to the great Krupp howitzers-and in a few seconds a hail of shells was doing deadly work where those guns were placed.

"In a very short time the on tire set of guns was absolutely wiped out, and we could see them lying in disorder, in a heap of mangled wreckage."

It was his firat "day off" in three months of fighting for Eng- The Germans were struggling land. He sat down, and we lis- with the valour of desperation, tened to the booming of the guns. their spirit almost at its laat ebb. He told me how the gans of the Now and then with superb dash monitors raked the trenches. and with a high bravery which "Why,' must be acknowledged, they push-been more shells thrown, between he said, there have.

Belgian Heroes. "You can have no idea," said. ed forward here and there, only to the sea and Dixmude during the this officer's companion, "nor can be driven back. Again and again last week than were, fired during an adequate idea be conveyed in they returned to the charge. The the whole of the Boar War. words, of the hideous bones we long line swayed and reformed it-I was in one trench which was witnessed on the ground we oon- self; it twisted and straightened charged by the Germans: fifteen quered. The dead wore lying in again. But it held everywhere.

Thursday's sun sank, and two and without success. After that many of them mangled out of all times in two days and a night, heaps in all sorts of positions, wearied armies welcomed the dark it was simply impossible to charge recognition by sbolla falling nesa. Here and there, under its any more, as the ground was around them for hours. cover, the enemy abandoned lines

in many cases, obviously been "Heaped up dead bodies had, used as shelter, ranch as trenches are used, and sometimes the spacea blown out in the sand and cement-bag entrenchments were filled up with the material nearest to hand, which was dead bodies!"

During the last few days I have

of trenches. But this did not

mean retreat..

Before the

I am told, it was not a local at tack. It extended along the whole front in Belgium, and then spread itself away beyond Lille, to the south and south-west of which it raged with particular violence,

Savage Fighting.

strewn

three

Germans, who have been forced At Lille and Armentiores the to retira a considerable distance, are reported to have been occupy That position has been shelled, and ing a strong position near Bizet. in the end was won by the Allies at the point of the bayonet.

To the south of that spot the enemy is also said to have retired several miles, and to have left prisoners and wounded to the number of several hundred in the Allies' hands.

Calais, Nor. 1,

Loyal German Canadians and

Others.

provide proper and adequate pro- tection for its territory has been That the Dominion was wise to

proved by a few incidents. A lannoh was captured off the coast of British Columbia last week containing several Germans, pro visions and petrol for several weeks, and a complete apparatus for intercepting wireless mess 8.-It is anticipated that the on this coast, if not more than ages. There is a wireless station, first fores of 10,000 men will be one, and it is believed that this. despatched in December, and bost caught the messages. Then thereafter at regular intervals similar forces will be continuous- some time, and no doubt had a German cruiser hang about for correspondent:

From the N. China Daily Newsly despatched as rapidly as they some idea of interfering with can be armed and equipped, these stations if she could, but

shall thus have under arms or in been made to burn down armour- garrison and outpost duty we have been shot at, attempts have 4.-Inolading the forces on she did not try. Several sentries

training about 40,000 men in ies and elevators. Suspicious Canada, and until the end of the characters have been caught near war, or until the War Office ad railway bridges and canal looks forces are not needed, a steady been blown up in Montreal, in vises that further expeditionary and several tenement houses have stream of reinforcements will go which Russians were iving, and forward from our shores to the this is thought to have been the fiendish work of Garmang or

·8

you the Onadian contingent may

Kingston, Ont., Oct, 26. By the time this letter reaches be, or rather is most likely to be, at the front. On arriving in England it was sent, se you are further training. The men are aware, to Salisbury to receive all volunteers, though many of them have received training in the militia, and some of them have seat of war. asan active service, but there is one particular point in which they tions from the War Office should to rescue soms German and 5. If the expected communica- Austrians. An attempt was made will have to be made more pro- make any modification in the Austrian reë r.ists confined at a ficient. Not sufficient attention above arrangements that modi- certain place which need not be and drill. The men are taught later date. is paid here to bayonet exercise fication, will be announced at a mentioned.

Canada is feeling in another

if

All yesterday, I learn shie mora- ing, the battle in Flanders con a certain amount, but it is a little.The Government is inform-direction the tricks which Gar tinued with almost unabated fury doubtful whether they have beened by its military advisers that it mans have adopted to endeavour "But the latest news is excellent. two days the Germans have sus-arm. However, from all reporte, larger scale then laid down in theas feeling and regretting the loss of Time and again during the past combat with this most important arms, gans, and equipment on a things apparently Germany is sufficiently trained for individual would be impossible to supply to gain their ends. Above all ceeded in throwing forces Rorose only a short time should be the Year Canal, but on every oc- required to make them far more casion those forces have been than the equale of the Germans. War Office as to the composition or would do so if she could. Thus,

proposals.

her trade, and is adopting frandu-

this part of the field has been and general efficiency of the to the number of 18,000 or 20,000 they would ressive goods made hurled back. The carnage at So far as the shooting, marching of the second contingent, infantry merchants here have been naked 7-Pending advices from the lont measures to regain some of it,

frightful, and all the officers and Canadians are concerned, it is will be immediately enlisted, and in Germany but marked mede in men with whom I have had an generally admitted there is not the organisation and training of the United States or Switserland. bodies. Seven of the charges were

that the striking force of the so thickly with dead

opportunity of speaking deolare much left for improvement. made during the night, and dur-

Germans has, for the moment, al was conducted with great secrecy, from Halifax to Victoria.

The despatch of the contingent with throughout the Dominion size that Sir George Foster, the infantry units will be proceeded The matter has grown to such a morning lighting the last six or seven days

most ceased to exist. illuminated the field of most aw-most of the heaviest fighting has

It was very generally understood

Minister of Trade and Commerce, ful carnage, t

the guns were at it been done after dark,

It is reported, however, that re that the ships left on a certain structions arrive from the War a circular to Canadian business" inforcements are being pushed up, day, and went straight on their Office, arrangements will be made men warning them of these -As soon as the expected in has deemed it necessary to issne again with redoubled vigour, 14. Bat those Germans are brave

and that strong defensive post- voyage; but they did not; they for enlisting such cavalry, en- fraudulent attempte, and point- shaking the windows of the houses one must say that. They come

tions are being prepared between first of all gathered after leaving gineers, and administrative units within a range of twenty miles, on again and again, and in auch and waking people from their numbers! But when they see the

the present line and Brassels. in a certain suitable bay on the as the War Office may advising

out that their purpose aleep. The artillery duel opened glint of British bayonets they seen a great deal of the brave Bai-is the work of making entrench-

Round the capital particularly coast of Quebec, then, when all

is a clear violation of the pro another terrible day. Hardly was simply tara and ran. From what gians who are playing such anments being feverishly pushed Atlaatio under the charge of the quite and the forces contemplated teen an enemy country and

were ready, they went across the

9.-The organisation of these clamation prohibiting trade be it light, than great masses of the prisoners have told me we seem heroic part in this Battle of forward. enemy were attacking once more. to have hammered respect for the Flanders. Throughout

gray British cruisers, starting on by these proposals will be under Canada. Undoubtedly extremely strong British Army into the Germans. months of warfare of a description may be considered as frustrated, generally believed. The import-tris and will be carried out by went first of all to the United States So, though the dash on Calais a different day to that which was the direction of officers command. We bave had a visit from the rainforcemente had arrived. And, The ordinary soldiers are not bit which could hardly have been and the cost towns as safe, ant and interesting thing now

ing divisions and military dis- Belgian High Commission which ter against us, and some of them conceived until it buret in and den aovere fighting will certainly yet is the question of have told me that they now know fury upon the devoted heroes of take place. The very desperation contingent. The question was land in consultation with the War

them. second B

to lay Belgium's case before the that the British are gen lemen that little nation, they have of the Germans ehows clearly how taken at once into serions con- Office. Some alterations may be deepest and most heartfelt Colonel Hughes is now in Eng. American people. It was received, and good soldiers. That's some fought with a bravery beyond all important to them is success in aideration by the Premier, the

it goes without saying, with the thing gained at any rate. pralce. They have lived up to this region. And I think it may Minister of Militia, the Sab-made, but these are the plane, the sympathy. Large sums are being They are terribly hard up for their glorious traditions, and still, now he declared that success has Committee of the Privy Council, facts, and the intentions of the subacribed for the Belgian Relief food, and some of the prisoners after the awful times which they by the magnificent valour of the Colonel Gwatkin, Chief of the Dominion; and it is to be hoped Fund all over the country, and we took had had nothing to eat have been through, one finds them Allies been denied them. for five days, Amongst them were cheerful and as determined as

General Staff and Colonel that they will reach the eyes of gifts in kind are innam some boys of 15 and 16, and some ever, prouder than ever, I am

Denison, the Adjutant General, the Kaiser and his military ad- Carloads of clothing and anything old men who could hardly walk, sure, of their country and of the ent means of gathering correct stating the decisions arrived at and impudently they miscal gervice are being sent. There is An informant, who has excell- and the most satisfactory way of visers, and show them how gross and everything which could be br let alone carry and fire a rifle. " colours that they wear..... in the La Bassce Canal region in battle have been the night on that magnificent lest of arms 125,000 killed and wounded.

The severest fights in the long

French Recognition.

information, tells me this morning will be to give the official state.culated the loyalty of Canada to also a movement on foot to pro- Franco has officially recognised losses, at a low figure, must be

that he thinks that the German ment as follows:

the British Empire. The move- vide homes here for some of the countere and ·** which I have referred in previous artillery fire both from sen and which, at a critical part of the Considerable progress has been of our own territory, including other French-Canadian leaders, they could learn Canadian farm-

charges. The

The first concern of the Cana ment in being heartily taken up homeless Belgians, to find plucta dian Government is the defence by Sir Wilfred Laurier, and for some of them on farma where mesenges) of reaching the coast land has exceeded in intensity battle, was instrumental in hold-made on the cast in the Nieuport our ports and harbours. For this sort of a red the cordial up for themaolegs. first at the unfortified town of everything in the war so far. ing the line of battle in Flanders region, especially around, Rams-purpose about 8,000 men are now port of the Government.

ing, and afterwards take op farme Boulogne.

The Battle of Flanders will un extraordinarily effective work.

The English artillery has done intact.

The French Government has The Germans, t, are said to serving on garrison or outpost

It is rather amusing to see how should be made of the loyal Car under arme in Canada, and are doubtedly go down in history as Captured German officera expresa bestowed upon the officer in com- have been driven so far beyond † duty from the Atlantio to the the Germans. I referred in my for instance, 6 great colony It is only fair that mention mnoh Canada's action is upsetting the most sanguinary in the three their surprise at the volume of mand of the Belgian troops in Ypres that they can no longer Pacific. At important points on

man citizens of Canada. There months of war; before the strag: fire from the English positions, that position the Commandership throw their shells into that town both coasts the defences have been which it has had in Germany, and of them in a city called Berlin, in

last letter to the reported effects gle for the road to Calais is ended and the amazing accuracy of the of the Legion of Honour. He is The Allies are in possession of strengthened and guns have been the threats of the annihilation of the Ontario. There is now & move-

and ended I am sure it will be fire. at an early moment--the battle will almost certainly be marked have given me vivid accounts of army.

Belgian and French officers mands Brigade B of the Belgian gle is still in progress in that dis bour defences, the nature of which directly they got into the firing Borlin. Not only are the citizens Major-General Meiser, who com- Passchendaele, and a stóra strug mounted. Other coast and hax Canadian troops by the Germans ment on foot to call this British down in history with the hideous the night attacks. They were fame of the bloodiest battle in the very severe teats for the men in of Belgium's many fine fightere, siruggle has been one of varying military advisers of the Govern- War Lord, the fiction factories they are giving largely to a fund The General, one of the finest In the La Basses region the have also been prepared. Expert Canada to oppose the Supreme cities to the Patriotic Fand, but it is not desirable to make publio failed to check the daring of per head than any in the other line. These awit threats having of this place contributing more whole world's story.

the trenches, but not on a single was one of the chief defenders in fortunes, but the alternate losses ment advise that this foroo could The slaughter on the Marne occasion bas success crowned on the glorious defence of Liege, and and gains in territory have been be very rapidly ingrossed from of the Germans in the United for the volunteers who go from and the Aisne pales before that on effort of that kind, he has done most excellent work light, and there is no prospect of the active militia as a few hours States have started in to belittle among them to the front. Ameas the undulating countryside of Flanders. It is, indeed, doubtful streaked darkness were eerie in.

The scenes in the searchlight throughout the entire campaign, the Allies lins being broken. notice, and they consider that the Canadian contingents. Ridic age was also sent by them to Lord if the number of those who have the extreme. Shells, shrapnel, adored by his men. The General of the whole position from Arras against successful attack has been fans having book pont the real to see their natire country releas Every inch a soldier, he is The same may be raid, indeed, every reasonable safeguarded that instead of 30,000 Cans doing, and how anxious they were ulous statements are being isan Kitchener stating what they were perished will ever be exactly and bullets tour and whistle has also been the recipient of a to the sed, en reckoned or known. Those who through the night. In the telegram of thanks and congrat Some refugees who have recent-

provided. have been in the battle tell me trenches the men fire into the alations from his heroic Sovereignly come from the district between patch of farther contingents the feduced number, his stated, is despotight to which Lord Kit To the organisation and desumber was only 13,000. This led from the bendige of military

I think it may be said that, for the time being the Battle of Flan ders, renewed in this manner, partook of the nature of a diver- sion while a desperate effort was being made to penetrate the line

parsaance of the German plan (to

ייד :.

125,000 Killed and Wounded,

'capelle.

riot.

innumerable.

chener went a cordial reply.