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Newspaper
Ashburton Guardian
Location
Ashburton, Canterbury, New Zealand
Date
Dec 13, 1915
Page
5
Berlin riots erupt as police clash with demonstrators amid Balkan tensions. London notes report a record recruiting surge in Britain with exhausted officials, massive attestations, and widespread public support led by King and Lord Derby's drive.
ROME December 12 Serbia’s King Peter and government plus two army divisions reach Scutari after retreating 200000 troops encamp in Albanian mountains facing the Adriatic. Serbian fording of field guns at Ljuma and deadly retreat stories follow, as civilians suffer amid hunger and brutal mountain marches.
Bulgarian communique reports Franco British forces evacuating under heavy pressure along the Vardar. Allied troops withdraw south of Miroves and Kostuaine toward Ludova, burning rail lines. They claim captures of equipment and rifles with minimal own losses, while the enemy retreat pulls out the population.
Ambiguous OCR fragment reports events in the Western Theatre with references to Amsterdam and a December date. Mentions a Chee Ah disrupt or interrupt act and a long line near Ypres. No clear names, places, or outcomes beyond scattered terms.
Crowds cheered as new recruits were welcomed for their roles as breadwinners, with hearty reactions and ongoing encouragement noted after Saturday night events.
The piece notes heavy clerical participation in recruitment in Scotland with many Presbyterian ministers joining. It reports limits on attesting all volunteers and announces a policy to allow men to offer for the Army Reserve. Telegraphic instructions spread nationwide urging attestations to boost wartime manpower.
Paris reports that British residents enrolling under Lord Derby's scheme have far surpassed expectations creating an excellent impression on Parisians. The message notes arrival on December 12 and a 12.10 p.m. receipt.
Lord Rosbery recalls troops at the Dardanelles and mentions a Mr Ford from the perambulator trade who is expected to arrive to calm waters. He warns Ford to avoid mischief during the troubled period.
William Broad once rejected in New Zealand for being short stowed away on a steamer to return home. He enlisted in the Bantam Battalion at Leicester, his old home, after arriving back.
Lord Derby postpones announcing recruiting totals to compile extra day figures. Despite a snowstorm and Sunday layoff most eligible men volunteered, with suburban London districts delivering a strong eleventh hour response. Officials caution against optimism but expect a large overall turnout to boost national morale against the enemy.
The Times notes growing anxiety in Parliament over the government’s conduct of the war. Members of the House and peers urge more vigor, avoiding criticism to protect Derby’s recruiting plan, but decisive action by Parliament now seems certain.
About 50 000 people gathered in Berlin for a riotous outbreak on Thursday. Police charged and many were wounded or killed. The Crown Prince arrived in Berlin and was subjected to insults in the tense scene at the capital.
Lord Rosebery spoke in Edinburgh at a colonial soldiers club urging unity of the British Empire. He warned of German deceptions and spies, noting colonies’ loyalty and the impulse to aid Britain as war began.
Amsterdam authorities ban the pan German Conservative Post for opposing any peace terms Germany might accept. The ban targets articles declaring opposition to peace and maintaining occupation.
Today at Ashburton Defence Offices recruitment accepted for enlistment in Infantry Patrick J Brown from Rakaia a farm labourer and Jeffrey W Street from Rakaia a carpenter. Mounted men include William J Barber from Rakaia a railway porter Derby Bennie of Ashburton a horse trainer and John Rankin of Ashburton a stableman.
Athens expects statement by M. Venizelos condemning non intervention and defending Greece’s binding Greco Serbian treaty. He accuses the king of overstepping, notes mobilised Venizelist deputies, and warns of political shifts around elections and army loyalties.
Reports indicate Greece remains steadfast on sovereignty and neutrality amid Allied demand for swift mobilization. Allies urge immediate troops deployment while awaiting political settlement on Salonica, as Bulgarian and Austro German forces mass for a pivotal battle near Strumnitz.
December 11 report from Paris says M Briand Sir Edward Grey Lord Kitchener and General Galtieri agreed to abandon Salonica if needed and press Greece for immediate settlement. In London ministers and Greek officials held talks after a fresh Quadruple Entente conference. Skouloudis reportedly accepted major Allied demands and Greek shipowners began discharging cargoes to resume voyages.
Fragmentary OCR notes describe heavy punishment and French occupation along a contested front, mentioning positions near the Bojinit coast and a line along the coastline. Further specifics are unclear due to damaged text.
A Bulgarian communique from Amsterdam reports expelling the French from Gradetz after hand to hand fighting. It says many prisoners were captured and ten British guns near Pirove. Anglo French casualties south of the Rabrovo Valandovo line were extremely heavy.
London dispatches report Allied forces retreating in good order with substantial artillery losses in Greek territory. Wounded arriving at Ghergeli frontier as French rearguard fights hard against German cavalry and heavy German concentrations reported at Uskub and Philippopolis. Paris notes Mackensen’s force split near Monastir and Ishtib activity, while Greek staff prepares installations with General Sarreil.
An official communiqué from London notes Bulgarian forces attacked the entire French front on Friday, especially on the left. German claims of success are disputed and debate over Salonika operations continues. Reuter’s Athens dispatch suggests 60,000 troops could hold Salonica to seal the Aegean outlet.
Allied decision to stay at Salonica and send reinforcements to resume the offensive amid Bulgarian and German pressure. Reports estimate 160,000 Allied troops facing 250,000 Bulgarians and 150,000 Germans with 260,000 needed to fortify the area. Greek troops near Salonica are reportedly hindering defense plans.
Rome reports Italian forces have been steadily unloading troops at Valona for three days. Valona is a port on the Albanian coast about 58 miles south of Durazzo.
Crowds mobbed recruiting offices for days as Derby's campaign neared its close. Long queues formed in heavy rain from dawn Saturday through Sunday when Derby's report was issued and the medical exam was skipped to speed enrollment. Attendees ranged from city clerks to Thameside workers.
In Athens diplomatic circles it was reported yesterday morning that Greece remained hedging on key moves though attentions focused on regional tensions. The note suggested cautious diplomatic steps amid ongoing conversations with allies and neighboring states.
An official dispatch reports heavy British losses in Mesopotamia and states we inflicted great losses on the enemy at Kut el Amara. A division on the right bank of the Tigris forced to retreat to Kut el Amara in December.
Reports say Turkish artillery bombarded the first line at Gallipoli with great violence. The attack focused near the mouth of the Kereves as Allied forces respond to ongoing bombardment.
A comMingue reports three Russian destroyers sank two Turkish gunboats near the Bosphorus with no Russian losses. New Zealanders engaged and claimed success at Kerithia as reported by the Athens correspondent of the Daily News.
Athens reports Marshal von Mackensen arrived at Constantinople with two Tavarian infantry regiments and several batteries of artillery. German troops and poles are en route to assist in suppressing anti German demonstrations. Artillery pieces including howitzers have seen action in prior sieges at Liège and Antwerp.
War dispatches describe a French retreat with a front line held against a methodical assault. Paris is cited in early December with limited losses for the attackers and some resistance during the engagement.
Turin dispatch notes a strong German force massing on the Gallipoli Peninsula as a possible offensive develops. The Salonica correspondent of La Stampa cites the move as a probable threat in the region.
Berlin newspaper Berliner Tageblatt notes that the Ottoman Danelles campaign is hopeless and England's attempt to conquer Mesopotamia has likewise failed, suggesting the effort would have been abandoned earlier if escape were easy.
London December 16 reports that Marshal von Mackensen's forces receive the title Army for Egypt to promote it. A large map named Military Road to Egypt circulates, showing a path from southern Germany through Vienna to Budapest Belgrade and Constantinople.
December 12 1919 London dispatch states artillery fire on the Western front is continuous, aiding advances especially in Bouchet Wood where the enemy’s first line and support trenches have been destroyed.
Paris reports a government bulletin states General Castelneau is appointed by General Joffre to command a group of armies. The decision reflects high command reshuffles amid ongoing military operations.
The Times reports Catholic unease over the Pope's line on peace and Rome's role. Tribuna argues peace cannot favor any side while Giornale d Italia cites Cardinal Tedeschi saying the Pope will judge specific points if parties submit for verdict. The paper notes calls to ask whether the Belgium invasion was legitimate.
On the high seas near New York a French cruiser stopped the American steamer San Juan and removed two German passengers from the vessel.
The British steamer Tyningham has returned to port after a fire erupted in the sugar cargo. Chemicals involved caused an explosion, with the incident noted near port on December 12.
The Baralong affair remains unresolved as officials report the chancellor’s charge is repudiated. The August events involve German submarine activity and the Baralong crew with communications between America. The matter centers on naval actions and official lists from 1914.
An English summary notes a German journalist visiting the fleet. The observer calls the North Sea and Baltic patrols anxious and claims U-boat protection armor covers a key weak point. He warns without aid, land powers might press Denmark and act against Germany to force peace.
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