RUSSIAN CHAOS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16260, 10 July 1918, Page 7

RUSSIAN CHAOS.

ALLIED OFFENSIVE IN ALBANIA.

FOURTH YEAR—343rd DAY,

THE WEST FRONT.

AUSTRALIAN GArNS

ANOTHER ADVANCE ON THE

SOMME

(By Cable.—Press Association. —Copyrights (Australian and K.Z. Cable Association.) (Heuter's TolegiamsJ

LONDON, July 3

Sir Douglas Haig reports: — . "The Australians advanced their line slightly on a front of 3000 yaids astride the Sorame, capturing prisoners. "Scottish troops successfully raided southward of tho La Bassee Canal. "The Australians entered trenches eastward of Hazebrouck. "Hostile artillery is active astrido the Somme, following our operations ' and also westward of Beaumont Hamel, and in the neighbourhood of Bethune." LONDON, July 8. Mr Percival Phillips writes: "The Germans, evidently worn out by previous fighting, and discouraged by their failure to receive relief, fell back from their shell holes, and allowed the Australians to occupy them. Low spirits were shown.

"A grey-haired Australian officer daringly climbcd to the roof of the market nlaeo and unfurled the French flag. The German artillery opened fire, but the dare-devil officer reacned the ground safely as a shell knocked off a corner of tho building. The shelling -of the flag continued all day, but it still waved triumphantly from the battered masonry." WITH THE FRENCH.

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Reuter'a Telegrams.) (Received July 10th, 12.30 a.m.) LONDON, July S. A French communique states:— "There is artillex-y activity between Yillers Cotterets Forest and the Marne."

THE AMERICANS

(Australian and N.Z Cable Association.)

WASHINGTON, July 6. General March states that there were 251,000 United States troops in the fighting line on July Ist.

AMIENS CATHEDRAL INTACT

LONI7ON, July 8.

Mr Philip Gibbs writes: The enemy recently lias sent only odd shells into Amiens. Every few . hundred yards gained by the Australians, English and Americans ensure greater safety for the old city. It is to the enemy's credit that his gunners hitherto have not made a target of Amiens Cathedral. A few shells nave pierced it, but no irreparable damage has been done.

THE COMING BLOW

(Australian and N.Z. Gable Association.)

PARIS, July 9

Colonel Rousset, writing in the newspaper "Liberte," says that von Ludendorff will probably attack before the end of the week. Our situation haa somewhat changed, and strong reserves will be echelonned. Surprise will bo practically impossible.

(Reuter'a Telegrams.) PARIS, July 8.

Experts are of opinion that the German reserves amount to only 55 divisions, as compared with 80 in the spring, hence they expect the coming blow to be on a mucH restricted front. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, July 8. "We now know," writes Mr Philip Gibbs, "that the German companies have been reduced to low strength owing to influenza, which is rife in the German ranks. Typhoid is also reported. It would be rash, however, to assume that the delay in the offensive is primarily due to sickness. There must pe other and more potent reasons, but it is believed that a widespread outbreak is really affecting the; enemy's striking power, and. may hinder his plans for immediate operations."

SENSATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS EXPECTED.