Earthquake devastation

Serious damage at Rome

Panic and loss of life

Other towns damaged

Rome-Wednesday: A disastrous earthquake which occurred here yesterday’s as had wide ranging effect in the province of Rome, the telegraphic station has been seriously damaged and houses cracked and damaged. It is impossible at the moment to give an accurate estimate of the casualties but there are many deaths and many bodies buried beneath rubble.

Another million

Czar’s hosts again advancing

Set-back in the west

French defeat near Soissons

Yesterday’s official reports are commendably frank but they are the least satisfactory that we have received for some time.

It is evident that the fighting in the neighbourhood of Soissons on the left centre, hitherto going in our favour, has taken a turn for the worse.

The Germans claim a complete defeat of the French and the report from Paris may be taken as an admission that the claim is very largely justified.

That the Germans attach great importance to the possession of the hill known as 132 is evident from the determined nature of the attempts to regain it.

Fighting is apparently still going on and the next news from the quarter will be awaited with some anxiety. On the other hand the enemy have cause to be anxious in regard to their positions at Perthes. A further considerable French advance here would seriously endanger their possession of important railway lines.

A message this morning states that the events in Persia are developing and that the Turks are gradually advancing into the interior. The Persians are helpless and unable to resist.

Apparently the Turks are to display activity into another region shortly and according to an official communique issued in Cairo an attack on Egypt from Syria cannot long be deferred, the object being to distract Britain’s attention from Flanders.

The latest news from Petrograd is of an exceptionally interesting character. the Russians are resuming activity on the borders of East Prussia, an advance in two directions being reported.

The Viceroy of India stated that India had dispatched nearly 200,000 troops to fight for the Empire. He referred in eloquent terms to the patriotism and loyalty which had spread over India from shore to shore.

Count Berchtold, Austrian minister for foreign affairs has resigned for ‘personal reasons’.