GERMANS GIVE GROUND BEFORE ALLIES

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2287, 22 October 1914, Page 5

GERMANS GIVE GROUND BEFORE ALLIES

ATTACKS REPULSED ON WHOLE FRONT PREPARATIONS FOR DEFENCE IN BELGIUM ■•■■.-..; ByTelegiaph-PHos A«oel*tion-CoiiTrtent ■ m w .;,_',• ~ „ London. October 20. The "Daily Telegraph's" correspondent, who vkited the battlefields in Northern France, found every indication that the German sledge-hammer had loet its power. , The onslaughts were futile against the Allies' Centre. The German avalanche in the north-eastern area is daily weakening, . ENEMY'S TROOPS FACED WITH■ DISASTER. ' ™ „ ,"■,•■ » Paris, October 20. The Germans planned to march a huge force across the Nord and Pas-de-Oalaiis Departments'to engulf the'seaboard towns, but the dofeatß at Lille smashed their plan. The German troops in the coastal districts are threatened with destruction. ' ■■ ■ - ' The Departments of the Nord and Pas-de-CaJais include the stretch of country, in the extreme north of France reaching from Calais and Lille across to Maubeuge. " , BELGIAN SUCCESS AT ; YPRES. Paris, October 20. 'On the morning of tho 11th a hundred of the Prussian Death's Head Hussars, in the vicinity of Ypres, came in contact with Belgian cavalry, which charging impetuously, broke the Hussars' ranks. The Hussars fled, but were overtaken and' all killed. Unaware of the Hussars' fate, the enemy's column three kilometres (1J miles) behind, advanced, when suddenly the French field guns opened a murderous tire, which was taken up by the infantrymen at close range. The Belgians found themselves facing the Prussian Guard: The latter beneath a terrible fire, opened out with calm precision, as though on parade! Whenever a man fell another was substituted. The Guards lost all their officers' and tho leaderlesa Prussians retired, lea ving five hundred dead. The Belgians, then masters of the Hazebrouck-Roulers railway, functioned with the forces from Ostend. 'PREPARATIONS FOR GERMAN RETREAT. , ■ ' . ' London, October 20. A refugee from Liege statee that the Germans are heavily fortifying Liege. They are repairing the forts and cutting down the woods, throwing up miles of trenches and wire entanglements, and building a Zeppelin shed.8 ' GERMAN MORALE IMPAIRED. ■ .:.■•.'• ' Paris, October 20. French Staff officers on the Aiene, interviewed, emphasised the great change in the spirits of German troops since the Battle of the Marne. Many of the officers were unnerved, and prisoners attest that the long iudecisive struggle on the Aisne told severely on the German troops. The Allies fought their way forward from house to house at La Baseee (twelve miles south-west of Lille), and also completely defeated a eevies of German efforts to break through between Peronne and-St. Quontin, east of Amiens. ' ■ _ ■ ARRAS SUFFERS HEAVILY. ' London, October 20. The "Daily Mail's" correspondent states that Arras suffered nearly aB much as Louvain and Reinle. ■• The town hall, museum, and theatre were gutted, and most of the buildings in the centre of the town were reduced to ruins. Tho Cathedral and the famous belfry were severely damaged. A shell struck tho hospital, killing a ■number of the wounded and nurses. Arras is a town of about 25,000 inhabitants, and is now the chief town of the Department of Pas-dc-Calais and the, seat of a bishop. The Hotel do Ville, or town hall, is ono of tho most handsome in the north of Franco, and line a fine Gothic facade. The graceful belfry of the Ilotol do Villo, built in 1403-1551, terminates in a crown, and is 2-loft. high. Tho largest bell weighs nearly nine tons. The museum is in tho extensive buildings of tlio former Abboy of St. Vanst, entirely rebuilt in tho 18th Century. The Cat.licdrnl was built in 1755-1833, and contains some good paintings attributed to Rubens and Van Dyck. FORCED BACK BY THE ALLIES' HEAVY GUNS. (Rcc. October 21, 6 p.m.) Paris, October 20. The "Figaro l . , says the movement of the Germans towards Northern France has nil the appearances of a retreat, and primarily duo to the splendid French and British heavy suns, which bavo made tho German linoo untenable, •—"Timea" β-nd Sjdnej "Sun" wvice.

SIR JOHN FRENCH'S DISPATCHES. . (Rec. October 21, 6 p.m.) London, October 20. The "Times" in a leader says: "After weeks, of weary waiting, the nation hae the satisfaction of reading two immensely interesting dispatches from Field-Maiehal Sir John French. We see no reason why the first, dated September 17, should not have been published earlier. The Government must remember more constantly that the millions who watch and wait, while puKzled at the unwonted silence, are apt to misunderstand it. They will bear any strain with calmness and fortitude so lone as they know that in. duo Beason they will always be told the truth. The whole country will bo inspirited and nerved afresh by, these dispatches.—"Times" and Sydney "Sun" service. MUCH DETAIL WORK BY CAVALRY. (Rec. October 21, 10.15 p.m.) > Paris, October 20. A wounded officer states that the publio have not realised the Allied cavalry's work in the north-west of France. It is no longer massed charges 'in which thousands meet the shock, but engagements in detail, in which the ruse andithe initiative are a prominent part. The cavalry which penetrates tho enemy's lines and gains ground without arousing attention does much to ensure victory. ATTACKS EVERYWHERE REPULSED. (Rec. October 21, 9.20 p.m.) Paris, October 21, morning. Official.—The Germans attacked on the whole front from La Bassee to the Meuee. The attack was particularly violent afc La Baseee, but the attacks, were everywhere repulsed. DETAILED PROGRESS ATJ VARIOUS POINTS. (Rec. October 21, 9.20 p.m.) Paris, Ootober 20, evening. Official.—We have made detailed progress at various points. The Belgians, despite violent attacks, maintain their position on the line of the Ysef. There has been further fighting in the Ypres region. The Germane continue strongly to hold the advances to Lille in the direction of Annentieres-Fournes-La Basseo. On the Meuse the enemy vainly tried , to repulse the Allies, who debouched on the right hank in Roman camp. The Yeer flows into" the eea half-way between Ostend and the 'French frontier, ■ The Armentieres-Fqurnes-La Basse line is about 11 miles long, and rune in a north and south direction about se von miles west of Lille. GERMAN GUNS DESTROYED. . (Reo. October 21, 10.15 p.m.) ' i . ■ . , Paris, Ootober 20. A battery of 75mm. guns destroyed fifteen German mitrailleuses at Vermelles, and a heavy battery at St. Mihiel ALLIES GAIN IN HAND-TO-HAND FIGHTING. ,■..-.• * (Rec. October 21, 10.15 p.m.) . Paris, October 20. The Allies, in hand-to-hand fighting, always have the, advantage, despite the unconcern with which the German generals sacrifice life. FRUITLESS ATTACKS ALONG WHOLE FRONT. (Rec. October 22, 0.55 a.m.) . ' . ' Paris, October 21. Am official communique states:—The Germans made en effort on the whole front. The Belgians held their ground remarkably well at La Bassee, where there was a violent attack. Other main efforts were made at Mametz, between Albert and Peronne, and at Vanguois on the east of the Argonne and finally on the heights of the Meuse and in the region of Champton. All were repulsed. • , ■* ' NAMUR REFORTIFIED. (Reo. October 22, 0.55 a.m.) ' Rotterdam, October 21. The Germans , are refortifying Namur, and have erected bridges over the Meuse between Liege and Vise. They are also building four Zeppelin sheds at Antwerp, and three at Brussels.