Naval disaster

Battle off Chilean coast

British cruisers are sunk

There has been a naval fight off the Chilean coast, Admiral Cradock’s squadron coming into contact with four or five of the German raiders who had congregated near Valparaiso.

The reports so far to hand indicated that we suffered disastrous defeat losing two valuable cruisers, others being severely damaged.

It is idle to seek to minimise the misfortune we have sustained but it would be just as well not to be unduly downcast.

We knew when we entered upon this war that there was serious work ahead and that the losses would not be all on one side.

While we mourn the loss of so many gallant men we may take pride in the heroic fight they made and to which the enemy bear tribute.

We may consoles ourselves also with the knowledge that there is a morrow.

Fighting on land With regard to the land fighting, it has become abundantly clear that the forecasts ventured upon in this column were justified and that on the Nieuport- Dixmude front the Germans have sustained a defeat of such a character as to stop their attempt to march to Calais via the coast.

The retreat from the Yser, also as surmised, has been followed by further apparent retiring movements which perhaps do not signify anything.

The next great battle may be in the Ypres district and this is likely to have a decisive result.

The allies are evidently in good heart and General Joffre, a man of few words, has so far departed from his customary silence as to inform the Russian Commander in Chief that he anticipates an early and final victory.

Yesterday’s afternoon and evening communiques tell their own story.

Unofficial messages take up the tale and highly significant is the proclamation that Field Marshall Von der Goltz has issued to the inhabitants of Brussels.

If this is true then the Germans have at length discovered the hopelessness of their position and the retreat, of which there is already some evidence, will become general.

Several of the telegrams to hand this morning are of a particularly interesting character.

Russian Armies The Russian armies on the East Prussian and Polish fronts continue their successful course.

After desperate attacks in the region the Germans are now in retreat.

On the left bank of the Vistula the German retreat towards the frontier is still being heartily carried out.

Turkey’s challenge has been speedily skewered and the Russians have already given them a taste of what they may expect.