ATTACK ON ANTWERP

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2273, 6 October 1914, Page 5

ATTACK ON ANTWERP

\ "Enclosed in a ring of steel" is the description of the present' pligh'tof the Germans in France', as expressed in a Dutch newspaper report from; Amsterdam The British, French, and Belgians lave linked up, and Lille, on the Franco-Belgian frontier, is clear of , the enemy. It is estimated.that,if the present, vigorous advance of the French Left is successfully maintained -there will be no necessity for an attack on. the entrenchments north of the Aisne by the Allies' Centre Army, where at present the situation ie satisfactory. The enemy has been thrown back in the Argonne, and in the Southern ; Woeuyre slow progress is being made. , Along the centre, north- of Reims, the demoralisation of the Germans appears to be increasing. In the Belgian theatre the Germans have begun what appears to be a deliberately-planned and violent attack on Antwerp," with heavy siege guns, the fire of which, though destructive to outlying villages, has evoked a decimating reply from the great forts which encompass the beleaguered city. In the eastern theatre disaster has followed /disaster- in 'the German operations, against the Russians. Details of the battle at Osßowiets show that the defeat of the.Germans was de- '"' cieive and overwhelming, ■ and that the Russian attack was marked • by excellent strategy and-a vigorous offensive, the result being a heavy blow to the enemy with severe losses. Ike .German attempt to cross the Niomen failed, -with disastrous consequences. Elsewhere there is a dearth of news. Mr. Asquith, the.British Prime Minister, has delivered a convincing expose of German diplomacy, concluding an effective speech with a ringing justification of Britain's decision to make wax on the "Bully of, Europe," while Mr. John Redmond, the .'lrish' Nationalist Leader, has spoken to his,people in language that, makes a powerful appeal onbehalf of the nation during its supreme , orisis. .■ : ''; ' ■' " . ■ '. ■' • •■' ' : ■