BRITISH ARMY'S PART

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2290, 26 October 1914, Page 6

BRITISH ARMY'S PART

FIGHTING IN THE NORTH OF FRANCE OFFICIAL NARBAUVE ENEMY'S TROOPS ENGAGED ON THE BORDER

Tlie Prime Minister has received tho following messages from the High Commissioner :— London, October 24. During tho past few days British troops have been engaged along the Franco-Belgian border, and also alone tho Aisne. In the former sphere the allied forces extend southwards from Nieuport along the coast. The results in both theatres, though undecisive, have been entirely satisfactory, and in furtheranco of -the general schemo which the Allies' are carrying out in

co-operation. The Right Wing is maintaining the prossuro on the Aisno. without actually advancing. In the northern sphere tho Left Wing has advanced considerably in the face of opposition. Since the repulse inflicted on tha enomy at tho Aisne on October II there was no serious- fighting till .October 16. Thero is less artillery' action than usual. Tho misty weather has rendered observation impossiblo and militated against the employment of guns. Our patrols have been active with the bayonet and have accounted for numerous small parties of German/infantry left to occupy tho front trenches. In Northern France tho fighting is chiefly of .a preparatory nature. ' Ground has been -gained but the misty woather has hampered aerial reconnaissance. Artilleiw co-operation is almost impossiblo, rendering progress slow. ' Enemy Driven North of the Lys. North of Lys our cavalry forces havo driven the enemy back steadily. There has been hard fighting here, especially in tho neighbourhood of Mont des Cats, where Prince Max was mortally wounded on October 12. A brilliant exploit on October 13 was performed by British cavalry.' Our patrols came suddenly upon a German machine-gun detachment, and the' subaltern in command ordered a charge, with the result that somo Germans were killed, tho' rest scattered, and the gun captured. Sontli of the Lys the progress was slower, because tho' Terrain . affords greater facilities for the defensive, and the enemy has had more time for preparation and. is in greater .strength. 'Die numerous dykes hero necessitate the transport of planks and ladders to cross them, and most obstinate combats' have taken place. The position-of tho villages enclosed in the countries renders artillery co-operation, difficult,' except where the villages attacked contain a church or other landmark standingabove the trees and enabling the guiis to get the range. . OTHER MESSAGES. . ■' OPERATIONS IN WESTERN THEATRE. < . London, October 23. Official. —The enemy is endeavouring to make a fresh effort along tho greater

part of the line, especially between the North Sea, and the Oise, with new corps, composed of raw trcops. Strong German forces on the Left Wing continue violently, to attack the region between tho sea and tlie La Basseo Canal. Tho Allies generally have held their positions, but have been obliged to give way at cortain points, whilst th'ey havo advanced at others., Tho enemy aro active in the Arras district, and also on tho Sominc. The Allies have made progress north of the river, particularly in the region of Rosieres on Santerro. Wo have also gained partial successes in the region of Verdun and Pont-a-Mousson. Thero is nothing to report from the rest of tho front. - London, October 24, 6.40 p.m. Paris officially reports that tho enemy has mado progress to the north of Dixmudo and around La Bsssee. ■ To the east of Nieuport and between Armontiores and Lille we have advanced appreciably. In tho Woovro our advanco continues. Tho enemy's night attacks were repulsed. There aro inevitable fluctuations in the fighting line, which, on tho whole, is boing bold.

A ferment of excitement tvas caused in the city yesterday morning on receipt of the news that the New Zealand Shipping Company's steamer Ruahine, which left Wellington for London at 12.30 p.m. on Saturday, was in .difficulties off the coast of New Zealand. As is usual on such occasions, tho rumours became wildly exaggerated in the course of an hour or two, until the story went round that the Ruahine was sinking in mid-ocean as the result of an encounter

No. 8 hold (immediately in front of tlie bridge) there was at the time the message was dispatched, four feet of water on the lower side, whilst the hold was dry on the high side, indicating that, the vessel has a considerable list. In that .section of the vessel are 6813 crates of cheese shipped at Wellington', whilst down below,- in tho lower hold, whero there was 19 inches of water, are stored some 43,000 boxes of butter, 18,000 of which were shipped