OFFICIAL NEWS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2278, 12 October 1914, Page 6

OFFICIAL NEWS

BRITISH ARMY'S DOINGS SUMMARY TO OCTOBER 2 The Prime Minister has received the following message from the High Commissioner :— London, October 9. Official.—A communication from General Headquarters describing tho movements of the British Force and the French Armies in immediate touch with it states: — On September 30 thero was no activity beyond slight attacks by the enemy with artillery fire at intervals. The Allies' airmen succeeded in dropping nine bombs, somo falling into the enemy's rolling stock on tho railway near Laon. Tho enemy's front trenches were found empty at night. Nothing can be deduced from this fact, for they frequently evacuate them, and in this way prevent the men in the back lines firing on their comrades. October 1 was the most peaceful day sinco the forces have been engaged oil tho Aisno. There was only desultory gun fire. During the night tho enemy made a. few trendies. A French aviator dropped bombs on railway station on massed troops. October 2.—The Germans were driven from, a hill, which was occupied as an advanced post, and their machine guns wei-o destroyed by the Allies' artillery fire from the flank. At night, as usual, tho enemy attacked the lines and were repulsed. Up to September 21 the British airnien had covered a total of 87,000 -averaging two thousand miles daily. The total timo spent in the air was 14,000 hours.

A battalion commander states that tho German officers are skilled in leading troops forward under cover, but oncethe latter are deployed the men declino to faco heavy lire. Prisoners describe tho British fir© as pinning them to tho ground.. .In'oho instance in ah attack over open ground against an equal fores of infantry sheltered in a sunken road and ditches the British lost ten killed and sixty wounded, while four hundred of the enemy surrendered after fifty were killed. Each side had tho support of a battery, but the. fight for superiority from the infantry fire took place at a range of 700 yards. It lasted only an' hour and a half. The Germans wavered. Some put up the white flag, others continued firing, and our men continued tho same. Eventually a large number of white flags, improvised from handkerchiefs, shirts; and biscuit bags, were, exhibited all along tlio German lines. Many men hoisted helmets on rifles. '

Latterly tho attacks are becoming moro half-hearted. Tho enemy never close with tho bayonet against the British. Often tho German trenches are deep enough to shelter men when firing standing, with a step at, tho rear for a support. Our men were at first reluctant to entrench, but now, having bought their experience dearly, construct defences which defy the Germans'- artillery fire. The War Office donies tho statement that Canadian troops have reached English waters.

London, October 9. Official.—Squadron Commander Spenenr Grey, with Lieutenants Marix and Sippe, made a successful attack on the Dusseldorf airship shed. Lieut. Marix dropped bombs Jrom a height of five hundred feet. .Ho hit tho shod, destroyed a Zeppelin, and ignited the gas airships. The three officers ..returned safely, but lost their aoroplanes.

London, October 10. Reliable.—Tho general situation ■is unchanged according to latest French reports. Cavalry forces are still operating north of Lille. A battle is proceeding from Lens to Lassigny, on the Left Wing. There is only isolated fighting from tho Oise to tho Meuse. There

*s artillery fighting along tho line on the Allies' Right, in the AVoevre district. The position is unchanged in Lorraine, the Vosgos, and Alsace. Tho Montenegrins are marching towards Serajevo. A Russian Army of one million men is marching from Warsaw to Thorn. Tho bombardment of Antwerp, continuos violently. The enemy's attempt to drive a wedge between the Allies and Antwerp was unsuccessful. Many Antwerp refugees aro arriving in England. London, October 9, 1.45 a.m. • Offioial.—The War Office and the Admiralty ascertained that six years, ago tho Germans had established a system of ospionago in England. To thwart its efforts, a special Intelligence Department was established, which discovered in tlireo years tho ramifications of tho German secrot service in England. Agents shadowed it with (? without) I taking notion unless necessary. ■ On tho declaration of war 20 known spies were arrested and 200 suspects interned. - London, October 10, 6.25 p.m. Official.—Tho battle is progressing favourably for tho Allies, in spite of violent attacks. North of tho Oiso advantages havo been secured. Approciablo progress .has been made in the St. Miliiel region. On the Left Wing tlioro lias been confused cavalry fighting in tho region of La Barsee, Armentiereo, and Cassel. Tho Russians occupy Lyck. The siege of Prssemzysl continues favourably to tho Russians. Tho report issued by the Belgian Commission asserts that murder, rapine, butchery, and pillage were carried out on a deliberate organised Etcalo undor the direction of superior ofiicors.