GERMANS RETREAT TO THE EASTWARD

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2300, 6 November 1914, Page 5

GERMANS RETREAT TO THE EASTWARD

THE BELGIAN FIASCO, AND AFTER SEVERE FIGHTING STILL CONTINUES Bj Telejraph—Pr«w 'Atsoclation—Copyright Paris, November 4. Bordeaux admits that the orisis is almost over. 'General Joffre, Com-mander-in-Chief of the French Army,* is credited with tho statement that it is possible to expel the Germans from France at, a cost of a hundred thousand men, hut that it is not worth the expenditure. At lesser cost the enemycould be fought hack over the frontier. ' The "Figaro" calculates that the German losses during the last few days exceed fifty thousand—"Times" and Sydney "Sun" service], London, November 4. The Pres3 Bureau states that theßritish Tepulsed attacks along the whole line on Sunday. Howitzers demolished two of the enemy's 8-inch guns. Tho artillery caused prodigious slaughter. ' BELGIANS SAVED BY'THE NAVAL BOMBARDMENT. Paris, November 4, Belgian officers assert .that the warships' fire alone saved the Belgians from disaster at Nieuporfc. They were worn out by many weeks' _ fighting against overwhelming odds. 'While ietaking Ramscapelle the Belgians captured three heavy guns, which were cleverly concealed, and with which the Germans were bombarding Fumes. ENEMY ABANDONS THE .YSER, POSITIONS. Havre, November 4. 'A Belgian official statement: The enemy is retreating eastward of the Y6er, between Nieuporfc and Dixmude. . London, November 4, 9.30 p.m. Paris reports that on our Left Wing, in the North, tho situation is unchanged. The enemy is falling back on the right bank or the Yser. We have captured Lombardzyde (3£ miles north of Nieuport). On the left bank of the Yser the Germans are only holding Tete de Point, between Dixmudo and Nieuport. Between Dixmudo and the Lys the action continues with alternate advances and retreats. The following message referring to the operations in Belgium _ has been received by the Prime Minister from the New Zealand High Commissioner:— London, November 3. Official. —Berlin reports admit that German operations are impossible south of Nieuport, and owing to floods the troops were compelled to retreat. Paris reports that the Germans have abandoned the left bank of the Yser. Beyond Dixmude the Allies reoccupicd the passages of tho Yser without difficulty. Violent attacks by the enemy north of Lys and in the region of Arras were •repulsed. LATEST-OFFICIAL REVIEW OF THE POSITION. (Reel November 6, 0.20 a.m.) Paris, November <1, night. Official.—On the left the enemy lias fallen back on tlie right bank of the Yser, and holds only Teto do Pont, on the lel't bank, midway between Dixmude and Nieuport. He has abandoned large quantities of material, and many guns, which were in the inundated area. Wo recaptured Lomliartxyde, and appreciably progressed aftev alternate advances and retreats between Dix'trude and the Lys. We also advanced east of lie Qtiesno.v to the heights of Parilliors, regained part of the lower slopes north of Vailly and Chavonne (on the Aisup), and remtlaad a violent aUnek on t,hp hdfjljlN •Above Olmiiii!> T)iesuacra aad ilelrns. There is nothing to report on tho remainder of tho front.

KAISER'S HEADQUARTERS MOVED TO COURTRAI. Paris, November 4. It is believed that the Germans concentrated four hundred guns at Ypres. The Allies' aviators partially wrecked the Bruges railway station. Severe fighting is in progress in the bushy country 'between Ypres and : Roulers. The Germans are strongly entrenched, and many wounded have been brought to Roulers. The Kaiser has removed liis headquarters to Courtrai, 15 miles eastward of Ypres. GERMAN ACTIVITY AT LIEGE AND NAMUR. London, November 4. Ten thousand Germans hare left Liege in the direction of Brussels. Eight supply trains, each of sixty wagons, loaded with munitions, have been dispatched from Namur for Northern France. The Germans are still making trenches at Namur.—"Times" and "Sydney "Sun" services. Amsterdam, November 4. A German authority at Liege has posted a proclamation that the inhabitants need not be astonislied if numero us German troops traverse the city from the front, because typhus and cholera are raging among the Allies. OPERATIONS ALONG THE AISNE VALLEY.- ' Paris, November 3 (midnight). Offioial.—We counter-attacked and retook a farm eastwards of Vailly (nine miles east of Soissons). We repelled an attack on Tour de Paris, in the Sainte Hubert district, and gained ground. Three German aeroplanes were shot down afe Souain. , „ Paris, November 4. The Germans again violently shelled Reims, destroying many buildings and killing non-combatant 3. The following message has been received by the Prims Minister from the New Zealand High Commissioner:— , , ' London, November i (9.80 p.m.). Paris reports that between the region of Arras and the Oise we have advanced to the heights of Parilliers. In the Centre; •■he German attack is not continued.. During yesterday we regain ed part of the lost ground. ■ A vigorous • German attack was repulsed around Reims. DECLINING MORALE IN THE ENEMY'S RANKS. (Rec. November 6, 5.20 p.m.) London, November 4. The "Times" military correspondent says thit reports of German diepiritedness and fatigue are becoming too numerous to bo disregarded. There is also evident, he says, a difficulty in replenishing stores and heavy ammunition, uniforms being particularly scarce; the dead are stripped m order to clothe the recruits; • , . , .. It is not uncommon, he adds, for gunners to get snot m unheroic fashion. When tired of life in the trenches a man holds up his hand with a view to getting a bullet wotmd enabling him to go to the rear. _ Another correspondent states that the Germans are boginnmg to manitest restlessness, and are grumbling hard agaiilst tlioir officers for the useless sacrifices on the Yser. This is especially noticeable among troops returning to the front, who, during their intervals of rest) have arrived at the conclusion that the struggle is madness. He says that lie can state with absolute certainty that there are desertions throughout tho whole region. Stivero preventive measures af© being adopted, and soldiers ar© forbidden to pass tli© lughfc ut private houses to prevent them escaping in civilian Suicides of officors are becoming a notifiable feature; three shot themselves in the heart, and One major drowned himself.