The Press Bureau issued the following last night:
"9p.m
"Early this morning a concerted operation of some consequence was attempted against the Germans in the Heligoland Bight.
"Strong forces of destroyers, supported by light cruisers and battle-cruisers, and working in conjunction with submarines, intercepted and attacked the German destroyers and cruisers guarding the approaches to the German coast.
"According to the information that has reached the Admiralty so far, the operation has been fortunate and fruitful.
"The British destroyers have been heavily engaged with the enemy's destroyers.
"All British destroyers are reported afloat and returning in good order.
"Two German destroyers were sunk and many damaged.
"The enemy's cruisers were engaged by the British cruisers and battle-cruisers.
"The First Light Cruiser Squadron sank the Mainz, receiving only slight damage.
"The First Battle Cruiser Squadron sank one cruiser, " Köln " class, and another cruiser disappeared in the mist heavily on fire and in a sinking condition.
"All the German cruisers which engaged were thus disposed of.
"The Battle Cruiser Squadron, although attacked by submarines and floating mines, sucessfully evaded them, and is undamaged.
"The Light Cruiser Squadron suffered no casualties.
"The Flotilla cruiser Amethist and destroyer Laertes are damaged. No other vessels are seriously injured.
"British loss of life reported not heavy.
"The Commanding Officers concerned in this skilfully-handled operation were Rear-Admirals Beatty, Moore, and Christian, and Commodores Keyes, Tyrwhitt, and Goodenough."
THE SURVIVORS.
"11.20 p.m.
"His Majesty's ship Liverpool reports that she is returning with nine German officers and 81 men prisoners, many of whom are wounded. There is reason to hope that this is not the complete list of German survivors from the sunken ships, but that other lives have been saved."
Official communiques issued yesterday from various sources convey the following intelligence as to the progress of hostilities:
Early yesterday morning an attack, "which has been fortunate and fruitful," was made by a portion of the British Fleet upon German war-ships in Heligoland Bight.
A strong force of destroyers, supported by light cruisers and battle cruisers, and working in conjunction with submarines, intercepted and attacked the German destroyers and cruisers guarding the approaches to the German coast. The British destroyers became heavily engaged with the German destroyers, two of which were sunk and many damaged. The British cruisers engaged the German cruisers, sinking the Mainz and a cruiser of the "Köln" class, while another was seen to dis-appear in the mist ''heavily on fire and in a sinking condition.''
The battle-cruiser squadron was attacked by submarines and floating mines, but successfully evaded them.
The light-cruiser squadron suffered no casualties. The flotilla-cruiser Amethyst and the destroyer Laertes are damaged. No other vessels are seriously injured, and the British loss of life is not heavy.
His Majesty's ship Liverpool reported herself to be returning with eight German officers and 81 men (many of them wounded) as prisoners.
The commanding officers concerned in this "skilfully-handled operation" were Rear Admirals Beattie, Moore, and Christian; and Commodores Keyes, Tyrwhitt, and Goodenough.
A message from Sir John French announces that in Wednesday's fighting, in the neighbourhood of Cambrai-Le Cateau, the British troops were exposed to the attack of five German Army corps, three cavalry divisions, and the Guard cavalry.
The British casualties were heavy, and very heavy loss was inflicted on the enemy. The behaviour of our troops was in all respects admirable.
It has been impossible at present to send the list of, casualties, but Sir John French hopes to telegraph some of them immediately.
The French operations of war, extending over a distance of 250 miles, had necessitated certain changes in the British positions, and yesterday morning the troops were reported to be occupying a strong line supported by the French on both flanks. Little doubt was felt of their ability to give a good account of themselves.
In addition to reinforcements proceeding from this country, the British Army in France is to be increased by two divisions and a cavalry division, besides other troops, from India. The first division is now on its way.
The wastage at the front has been immediately filled up.
The eager desire of the native Indian Army to fight in this war side by side with their comrades of the British Army is to be gratified. The possibility of either external or internal trouble in India is believed to be so negligible as to permit large drafts to be made on both the British and the native troops.
The ancient and historic city of Louvain was sacked on Wednesday by the Germans and many of the inhabitants were massacred. The German troops, who had been in action at Malines on the previous day, fell back on Louvain, and being mistaken by the German garrison for the enemy were fired on. The destruction of the town was an act of vengeance for this incident. Both English and American citizens are reported to have been killed. Louvain is now " no more than a heap of ashes."
The German official war news, dated yesterday, declares that the main body of the German Army operating in the West has been advancing for nine days and gaining continuous victories. The British Army was, it is claimed, not only defeated at Maubeuge, but encircled; while eight French Army Corps were completely defeated between the Sambre and the Meuse, and are now being pursued.
"An iron ring" is being drawn round the French and English forces.
"The unbounded exultation of all classes is reported at the news of the British reverse at Maubeuge, and it is declared that the news of the surrender of the British Army would be received with greater satisfaction than the fall of Paris.
Meanwhile the German Emperor has issued a statement expressing his sympathy with his East Prussian subjects, and exhorting them to steadfast trust "in the living God, Who, up to the present, has rendered the German nation such wonderful assistance."
The Japanese Admiralty officially announce a blockade of Kiao-Chau as from the morning of the 27th inst.
An expert Committee (with the Lord Chancellor as Chairman) has been appointed by the Board of Trade to advise as to the best means of obtaining for the use of British industry supplies of chemicals, colours, and dyestuffs hitherto largely imported from Germany.
His Majesty has sent a message to the King of the Belgians expressing horror at the danger endured by the Belgian Royal Family from the throwing of bombs.
It is reported that the Germans have threatened that if the City of Brussels does not pay the war levy exacted, the priceless art treasures of the Brussels galleries will be removed.
The Prince of Wales's National Relief Fund yesterday amounted to £1,812,000.