GAME OF BLUFF IN BELGIUM

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2327, 8 December 1914, Page 5

GAME OF BLUFF IN BELGIUM

GERM TACTICS ANALYSED ACTIVITY ALONG THE RHINE DEFENCES ,_.. London, December 6. The "Observerls" Amsterdam correspondent says that mystery envelopes the movements of the.German forces in Belgium. Apparently they are largely a, bluff to deceive the Allies, giving the appearance of a strong offensive while sending large forces eastward. ■•.-... . : The Germans have constructed a wall of concrete sixty miles long, from Ecloo (twelve miles north-west of Ghent) to south-west lof Brussels, to which they will retire if the Allies take the offensive. '■< ' Private letters from' Germany state that foreigners have been expelled from the eastern, banks of'the Rhine, which is being prepared with powerful defences. ' ■ ■ ■ ' GERMAN. EXPLANATION OF THE RETREAT FROM VERMELLES .' t • ' Amsterdam, December 6. An official message from Berlin states: "We have evacuated Vermelles, in accordance with a concerted plan. Its further retention would have entailed, needless sacrifices. Before retiring, we blew up the buildings which remained standing." -•'■■,' (Rec. December 7, 5.20 p.m.) I'Times , '. and Sydney "Sun" Berricos.l London, December 7. 'An' official message from Berlin states_ that the French attacks' in Flanders were Tepulsed, and that the situation in Bast Prussia is favourable. "We have captared twelve hundred prisoners; our operations in Poland continue ta develop normally."- / FRENCH OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE: EFFECTIVE' BOMBARDMENTS: ■ . / ■ ■ Paris, December 6.' A Paria communique states: "Near the house at Poesele we destroyed a small German fort. Wβ wore successful in , a. duel of artillery in the Champagne district. The sapping war continues in the Argonne, where we are slowly advancing.' We advanced slightly, south-east of .Varennes, where we silenced the Germany artillery."- r GERMAN MORALE AFTER THE YSER BATTLE. ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" services.) '. • ■ ' ; London, December 6., The Hague reports that the morale, of the Germans has been seriously affected, by the hardships of the battle of the Yser. The number of suicides, is increasing, especially among the men with families, who feel that even-if they are not hurt in the war their health will be permanently impaired. The Dutch Press states that the weather ie rainy and stormy, and some of the German trenches are like brooks.' The soldiers remain for two days in -tie trenches, then have a day's rest. ; ' . ' THE LATEST: LITTLE ACTIVITY AT, THE FRONT. ' ' • (Rec. December 8, 1:5 a.m.) . Boulogne, December 6/ There is little activity at the front. A noteworthy decrease in the number of wounded is reported, though many of the soldiers in the hospitals, particularly the Indians, are suffering from frost-bitten hands and feet.. The weather has enabled the aviators tomake reconnaissances resulting in the Allies progressing between Dixmude and Ypres. The..Germans at Turnhout are cutting down, the Forest of Casterle, with the object of building bridges and rafts with which to'cross the .Yser floods. The German attempt at Pewyse resulted in the loss of eight machine guns mounted on rafts.' The Belgians had only forty killed and seventeen wounded. • ; . . ; , . . ;