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Newspaper
Ashburton Guardian
Location
Ashburton, Canterbury, New Zealand
Date
Dec 10, 1915
Page
5
In Sydney on December 9 Aldermen Viegen and Richard Meagher tied for Lord Mayor. The meeting adjourned for a week to seek a legal opinion. Before the election the council reduced the Lord Mayor’s allowance from 1600 to 1000 pounds on Alderman Gunter’s motion.
In Melbourne's Legislative Assembly Mr Whaskie condemned the inadequate venereal disease provisions. The Health Department faced ill funded efforts amid public stigma. The minister admitted the budget was insignificantly small while officials reported patients and nurses faced avoidance and underreporting challenges. The health bill amendments were proposed to address the issue.
Brisbane, December 10. A proclamation extends the Sugar Acquisition Act operations and authorizes the acquisition of meat now or hereafter entering the State.
Sydney reports the annual Government Savings Bank statement showing total deposits of £3,353,657, up £15,400. After deducting interest and management costs, a 4 percent margin remains, yielding 4s 10d per pound.
The New Zealand message cites a rising number of marriages to a Commonwealth audience. Coinciding with this trend is an unusually lively marriage market and heightened recruitment activity.
The Legislative Council debated a bill to abolish the council but approved an amendment. The council rejected the bill's principles by a 26 to 3 vote and decided to forward the resolution to the King for consideration.
The Bread Monopoly Bill has been read a first time in the Legislative Assembly, signaling the start of formal debate and consideration.
Melbourne dispatch reports a December raid at 10 a.m. capturing men who allegedly wore improper uniforms. Police say the operation targeted unauthorized insignia and illegal dress code violations amid unrest in the city.
The Star of New Zealand ran aground near Ushant and was heavily holed. Bad weather prevents salvage work.
Turkish communique from Amsterdam reports continued pressure on Kat-el-Amara with enemy defenders and attempted escapes. Telegrams from Bucharest note significant Russian activity in Isarabia as Ongheni frontier state and Benihar nearfront open to fresh troop arrivals.
The French cruiser Coamo and the Caroling halted two American steamers off Porto Rico and seized four German sailors from the cargo. The United States is understood not to protest, according to reports from Washington dated December 9.
London reports the British steamers Yeria Belamuir and Goulau ris sunk. Washington notes the Duport powder factory at Richmond Virginia and the town of Hopewell nearly destroyed while the Allies’ munitions plant was not reached. Military authorities suppress further details.
A press summary notes Greece’s fraught stance toward the Entente, likened to a whipped dog wary of its master. It cites King Constantine’s risk of action, Skouloudis’s disarm threat, and Allied blockade warnings. Salonika tensions rose by November 21 prompting a naval alert and halted hostilities awaiting negotiations.
A fragment reports Serbian losses and Bulgarian counter moves as Bulgarians mull a major push against Franco British forces. It notes Bulgarian hesitation to offend Greek sensibilities allowed German forces to seize Monastir after a forced march.
December 9 dispatch notes limited Bulgarian pressure in the Vardar Valley with engagements in three or four georges. Cold, piercing winds hinder both sides as Anglo French patrols observe Bulgarians at 200 yards but fail to attack. Wolves howl near military camps at night.
The British and French War Offices have begun to resupply and reequip the Serbians through Albanian ports. The first supplies have arrived at Albania some days ago.
Paris reports Echo de Paris stating France will postpone exports from Pratce to Greece this week as precautionary measures.
A group of Albanian chiefs traveled to Novibazaar to confer with Prince William of Wied planning a campaign against Essad Pasha. The report arrives from Scutari dated December 9.
In London on December 9 Dr Dillon of the Daily Telegraph predicts Allied gains from Greece may be limited by intimidation. He cites Dr Streit as a strategic manipulator and notes widespread insubordination, espionage, and contraband activity within the Greek army and administration. Constantine’s influence is questioned as Greece risks passive resistance with fragile promises, amid a grave military situation.
The Salonika despatches dated November 26 claim Greek officials hid hostility and imposed druglike prices while the Allies funded housing and transport. They allege Greece strengthened defences, hid mines, and trained artillery as officers with pro Allied leanings were moved from frontline positions.
A Bulgarian communiqué dated December 7 states pursuit of the French on both sides of the Vardar continues. Demirkapu railway station is occupied and the Bulgarian force sits 12 kilometres east. Grabica village encircled on three sides after a hot battle till midnight. One column attacked the French near Petros, annihilating a battalion with bayonet and capturing an encampment. They claim taking 114 British prisoners and two guns on the Kaosturing front. Ochnda and Dama Kosta are noted with eight guns and 100 caissons taken.
A British Headquarters report from Macedonia dated December 7 notes the French left wing withdrawing north of the Demirkapy Gorge after a costly effort with the Sorbs at Baduna Pass. The retreat was gradual and orderly, with material saved, as French forces shortened fronts and moved to more easily supplied winter quarters. Bulgarian shelling failed to press a decisive attack while British and French lines held tighter together.
The High Commissioner reports from London that in the Champagne district overnight French artillery bombarded German positions destroying a munitions depot south of St Souplet. French counterattacks recaptured earth near Butte de Bouain. in the Argonne two mines were exploded near Kirk and Chovaucehee as French operations press forward.
London newspapers react to Wilson's message, noting a potential end to the Monro Doctrine’s isolationist stance. The Times and Daily News doubt U.S. can remain detached as German aggression and Belgium invasion prompt demands for stronger action. The Daily Graphic criticizes Wilson for not condemning Germany's breaches of international law.
News from Amsterdam notes a crowded Reichstag as a peace debate unfolds. von Bethmann Hollweg cites Entente pressure on Bulgaria and Serbia’s territorial concessions while Russia shields Serbia, and Bulgaria’s pledges and losses shape shifting alignments in the Balkan war context.
In Britain the Our Day Red Cross collection raised £797 000 with Canada £220 000 Leypt £115 000 New Zealand £15 650 and Australia £10 000. Lord Lansdowne noted Dominions contributed over £256 000 to the Red Cross.
In the House of Lords Lord Newton said reducing the meat ration for troops in the field has achieved a daily saving of £8500. This note records the assertion as part of wartime economy discussions.
The Judicial Committee Bill has been read a second time. It enables the committee to sit in two divisions simultaneously to prevent arrears in prize court appeals. Mr Buckingater notes the bill does not alter the committee's constitution and the Imperial court may sit anywhere in the Empire.
In the House of Commons Sir John Simon announced a daily communiqué would be issued in future to provide more ideas from the West. The government proposes to extend the maximum life of Parliament to six years from five.
Defense Minister G E F Peares states no further Ford cars will be purchased for defense purposes due to Mr Ford's peace mission. The notice was received December 10 at 9 45 a.m. and reflects government policy changes in Australia.
Sofia sends word to Amsterdam that Turko Greek relations are at a new level of importance. Skou loudis and the Grand Vizier exchanged telegrams as negotiations continue between Constantinople and Athens. Hope rises for a full political understanding.
The London report cites M. Venezelo's election manifesto criticizing King Constantine and Greece's treaty compliance. It argues successive dissolutions hollowed the constitution and denounces the government for mobilization as a prelude to war, while liberals vow to defend constitutional liberties after the crisis ends.
An Amsterdam bulletin reports Bulgarian forces vigorously pressed the French on both banks of the Vardar. A Bulgarian communique says a column has reached 14 kilometres north of Ohrid as fighting intensifies in Serbia.
Paris December 9 General Pereot writing in Belair argues for re embarkation of Allied troops at Salonika warning France will soon need all eastern forces. He says Britain wrongly chose not to abandon Gallipoli and Colonel Roussa in Liberte notes that abandoning Salonika would hand the Aegean to Germany. The Allies must decide now between reinforce ment and re embarkation.
A proclamation further restricts the importation of enemy goods, including those moved by neutral countries. The measure is stricter than British law and will apply to goods imported from Britain under license.
Capetown reports the Ruahine contingent’s arrival with 160 wounded New Zealanders honored by prominent locals. They toured Table Mountain, attended luncheon at the Automobile Club, and were celebrated in a theatre tribute by Sir Percy Witapatrick. General Botham sent regrets but praised the New Zealanders as an inspiration.
A Bulgarian communique reports a Bulgarian view of a major Serbian defeat at Kulaluma near Prizrend. It states Serbia lost artillery and automobiles, the royal carriage, and 320 omnibuses. Albanian revolts and mounted attacks affect Serbian bands in the mountains.
Reports from London describe Serbians driven from homes as Bulgarian and German forces advance. Correspondents note ferocious behavior by Bulgarians, with Hungarian patrols in Nish to prevent outrages on women amid street fighting and several deaths.
A Montenegrin communique says troops counter-attacked at Januka and Antaroge and drove back the enemy. Outpost reports fighting continuing in all directions.
Dispatch from Berlin notes overcrowded wards and lack of separation for communicable diseases at a sanatorium. Embassy officers doubt any remedy will be pursued and accuse the proprietor of prioritizing profit over humanitarian care.
December reports show the government calling up the 1918 classes and mobilising naturalised and other foreigners of military age, along with priests. The move reflects the broad effort to reinforce national defense amid ongoing conflict.
A terse Madrid dispatch dated December 2 reports cabinet actions and shifts in policy with brief notes on domestic and economic items. December 10 timing referenced for a subsequent publication.
In Bucharest on December 8 28 000 university students strike demanding interventionist M Take Jonesen’s brother be appointed rector. They protest the nomination of a neutralist rector and call for change in university leadership.
A London publication pays writers from £2000 to £12,000 for pro German pieces. A politician’s wife is alleged to have been given a £13,000 necklace to influence her husband’s vote. The court speaks French. The Queen favors the Allies while German withdrawal claims spark debate.
From Athens on December 9 reports say mistrust between Turks and Bulgarians grows due to persistent rumors that Bulgarians plot to seize Enos-Midia. It notes a quarrel among leaders Jing, Talaat Bey and Enver Pasha with Talaat opposing Austro-German entry into Constantinople.
In the Commons Mr Austen Chamberlain spoke on India policy noting 642 killed and 9900 wounded in the Ctesiphan retreat and townshend's withdrawal. About 900 reinforcements were pledged before the advance, with praise for troop bravery and their withdrawal.
Geneva report cites a Constantinople communiqué describing six hours of vigorous attack on Moz day that allowed a British force to approach the enemy’s main position and prevent fortifications at Rui-el-Amara from being established.
A Turkish communique from Geneva describes artillery duels at Seddul Bahir Ari Burnu and vac farta with trenches reported destroyed and ongoing fighting.
Report from November 26 describes a Turkish attack on the Anzac position near the main ridge after retreating from the peninsula. Captain C B W Bean notes bombs used and states none of the enemy reached our trenches. Enemy losses are estimated around six from the writer’s account.
The report states von Mackensen arrived in Constantinople incognito on December 8 to influence internal affairs and seek reconciliation between Talaat Bey and Enver Pasha. He reportedly visited the Gallipoli front and four thousand secret agents were aiding him in Germany.
In the Champagne sector the continued fighting progressed as Allied forces pressed to recapture positions occupied by the enemy. The day saw the German attack disorganized, with French and Allied troops holding ground despite heavy pressure.
Fragmented report notes Belgian Queen and palace bombings with fatalities and casualties. Text mentions December dates, soldiers, and a casualty count around three to one hundred, though details are unclear.
French forces report a decisive breakthrough inflicting heavy losses on the enemy. Advances across multiple sectors press the opposing lines, with reconnaissance and armored units supporting the breakthrough surge. Casualty figures are not yet confirmed.
Germans report success at the Drench position near Souain claiming gains and renewed advances. Allied lines and countermeasures are noted as forces clash with heavy artillery and patrol skirmishes throughout the sector.
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