OFFICIAL NEWS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2337, 19 December 1914, Page 6

OFFICIAL NEWS

PROGRESS BY ALLIES

The following; message was received yesterday by His Excellency the Gover-nor:-from the Secretary of State for tho Colonies:—

' t - London, December 17. A British patrolling squadron endeavoured to cut off the cruisers which raided tho Yorkshire-coast yesterday, but the Germans, on being sighted, retired at full speed, and escaped, being favoured by a mist. Tho losses on both sides were small. Fifty-five civilians were killed at West Hartlepool. The Admiralty points out that such demonstrations' against unfortified towns or' commercial ports are not difficult if some risk is accepted, but have no military significance.

. The French Government report slight progress 'at several points: Westende /was bombarded by a British squadron. The Prime Minister received the following message from the High Commis,sioner;' dated London, December 17 :— i Pans reports "from the sea to Lys the Allies took several trenches with the bayonet. In the region of Vermelles we'made progress at several points. The Allies' heavy artillery fire was very efficacious in tho neighbourhood of Tracy, Le Val, on the Aisne, Champagne, and Argonne and the Verdun. Another message from the High Commissioner lated December 18 is as follows :— ' ■ '

Paris reports the Mies have gained ground 021 the route north of Ypres and Meninavise. to south of Bixschoote. Sensiblo progress was made north of Arras and, in the region of Bupaumo and Peronne.