In this combination between infantry and artillery the Royal Flying
Corps played a highly important part. The admirable work of this corps
has been a very satisfactory feature of the battle. Under the conditions
of modern war the duties of the Air Service are many and varied. They
include the regulation and control of artillery fire by indicating
targets and observing and reporting the results of rounds; the taking of
photographs of enemy trenches, strong points, battery positions, and of
the effect of bombardments; and the observation of the movements of the
enemy behind his lines.
The greatest skill and daring has been shown in the performance of all
these duties, as well as in bombing expeditions. Our Air Service has
also coooperated with our infantry in their assaults, signaling the
position of our attacking troops and turning machine-guns upon the enemy
infantry and even upon his batteries in action.
SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S _Official Report on
the Somme Battle, December, 1916._
[Illustration]
_"DO NOT MISS HIM THIS TIME, TINO"_
* * * * *
It is assumed here that the agreement on the part of the Greek
Government to surrender six batteries terminates the Allied control of
the Greek railways and the postal and telegraphic censorship.
_Telegram from Athens, December 3, 1916._
[Illustration]
_SCENE IN THE GREAT PEACE PANTOMIME. THE ROBBER'S CAVE, GERMANIA
GUARDING THE DOOR._
_Robber Chief to his Gang: "Boys, it's time for us to get away with the
swag."_
* * * * *
In a deep moral and religious sense of duty toward his nation and,
beyond it, toward humanity, the emperor now considers that the moment
has come for official action toward peace. His majesty, therefore, in
complete harmony and in common with our allies, decided to propose to
the hostile powers to enter peace negotiations. This morning I
transmitted a note to this effect to all the hostile powers through the
representatives of those powers which are watching over our interests
and rights in the hostile states.
BETHMANN-HOLLWEG,
_Reichstag, December 12, 1916._
[Illustration]
_AFTER THE FALL OF BUKHAREST_
_Chorus, "Long live the diplomacy of our enemies."_
* * * * *
The Germans announce the occupation of Bukharest. The evacuation of the
city was clearly imminent, and for some time past there has been little
hope that it could be saved. As a recent semi-official statement from
Bukharest intimated, the forts had been disarmed and the Rumanians never
intended to defend it if the field defences before it could not be held.
_Times Correspondent, December 15, 1916._
[Illustration]
_THE FRENCH VICTORY AT VERDUN_
_The Crown Prince leaves Pepper Hill to occupy a second line of defence
prepared beforehand._
* * * * *
The French have achieved a splendid victory before Verdun.
The capture of the strongly fortified position of Poivre Ridge was
decisive in its effect upon the fighting along the whole line. The ridge
was turned, and when the Germans, abandoning everything in their flight,
found their retreat cut off, they surrendered in hundreds.
_Times Correspondent, December 17, 1916._
[Illustration]
_WHILE THEY TALK PEACE_
_U-Boat Officer: "We have done for their ship. Now fire quick into their
life-boats!"_
* * * * *
The degree of savagery which the Germans have attained in their
submarine policy of sinking merchant-ships at sight would appear to have
reached its climax in the sinking of the British steam-ship
_Westminster_, proceeding in ballast from Torre dell' Annunziata to Port
Said. On December 14 this vessel was attacked by a German submarine,
without warning, when 180 miles from the nearest land, and struck by two
torpedoes in quick succession, which killed four men. She sank in four
minutes.
This ruthless disregard of the rules of international law was followed
by a deliberate attempt to murder the survivors. The officers and crew,
while effecting their escape from the sinking ship in boats, were
shelled by the submarine at a range of three thousand yards. The master
and chief engineer were killed outright and their boat sunk. The second
and third engineers and three of the crew were not picked up, and are
presumed to have been drowned.
Great Britain, in common with all other civilised nations, regards the
sinking without warning of merchant-ships with detestation.
_British Admiralty Report,
December 19, 1916._
[Illustration]
_THE PEACE MOVE (II)_
* * * * *