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Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 304, 12 September 1918, Page 5

THE ENEMY'S REPORTS London, September 10. A German official report states: "The enemy captured minor trench sections north of Merckeu and north-cast of Yprcs. An enemy thrust against Gouzeaucourt and Epehy was repulsed. There is great artillery activity between the Ailc.ttu and tho Aisne, where violent and frequently repeated enemy attacks broke down."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. THE WAR IN THE AIR DESTRUCTIVE RAIDS ON THE FLANDERS COAST. . London, September 10. Iho Admiralty reports: "The Royal Air Force, co-operating with the Navy Air Force, nt-taokecl the submarine shelters and workshops at Bruges on four, occasions in the first week in September, and obtained direct hits. They also attacked the Ostend Docks and the coastal motor-boat depot at Blankenberghe, with good results. Large iires wore started. Day bombers dropped fourteen tons of bombs."—Auo.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Renter. BRITISH COMMANDER'S THANKS TO THE ARMIES "THE ENEMY HAS NOW SPENT HIS EFFORT." . London, September 10. Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig, in a Special Order of the Day, says:— "A month has now passed since tho British armies, after successfully withstanding all the enemy's attacks, once more took the offensive. In that short space of time, by a series of brilliant and skilfully executed actions, our troops have repeatedly defeated the same . German armies whose vastly superior numbers compelled our retreat last spring. What happened on the British front happened also on • the froyt of our Allies. Less than six months after the launching of . the great German offensive, designed to cut the Allied front in two, the Allied armies are everywhere to-day advancing victoriously side by side over the. same battlefields on which, by the courage and steadfastness of their defence, they broke the enemv's assaults. Already we have pressed beyond the old battlefields of 1917, and have made a wide breach in the enemy's strongest defences. All ranks and all arms of the service of the British armies in France have borne their part in the most worthy and most honourable manner. The ' capture of seventy-five thousand prisoners and seven hundred and fifty guns in four weeks of fighting speaks for the magnitude of your effort and the magnificence of your achievement. Mv thanks are due to all ranks of the fighting forces for their indomitable spirit in defence and their boldness in attack; to all the commanders and Staff officers under whose able direction suoh 'great results were attained, and to all those whose unsparing labours behind the actual fighting line contributed essentially to our common success. To have commanded this splendid Army, ivliich at a time of grave crisis has bo nobly done its duty, fills me with pride. We have passed through many dark days together. Please God, thesa days will never return. The enemy has now spent his effort, and I rely confidently on each one of you to'turn to full advantage the opportunity your skill, courage, and resolution have created.'"—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. COMMENT ON THE SITUATION FOCH'S NEXT MOVE HOW TO TAKE THE HINDENBURG LINE (Rec. September 12, 0.40 a.m.) Paris, September 11. Well-informed opinion does not credit Marshal Foch with tho intention to endeavour to reduce the Hindenburg lino by a direct frontal attack. AH Paris is on tip-toe with expectation as to his next move. Many are closely watching General Mangin's operations around the St. Gobain forest, but others are looking for events beyond Reims, and even beyond Verdun. It is known that the Germans have immensely strengthened tho Hindenburg defences. The railways behind the new lines havo practically been doubled, many new sidings have been built, and every station crowded with trucks filled with munitions and supplies. Behind St. Quentin powerful new trenches have been created along the Canal. Vast now systems of barbed wire are everywhere, also.an enormous number of reinforced concrete shelters, some largo enough to hold a hundred, but mostly containing garrisons of from eight to nine men. Tho roofs of theso fortlets are four or five feet thick, and are declared able to resist repeated hits from eight and ten-inch guns.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. AUSTRIA-HUNGARY UNEASY WOMEN'S RIOT IN VIENNA. (Rec. September 11, 7.30 p.m.) 4 Copenhagen, September 10. The populace of Austria-Hungary is uneasy. A recent dispatch of troops from Vienna to the West front provoked a riot. Thousands of women raided the railway station protesting against their departure.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. PACIFIST SPEECH BY AUSTRIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ' (Rec. September 11, 7.30 p.m.) London, September 10. Renter's Amsterdam correspondent states that Baron Burian (Ausr trian Foreign Minister), in a strongly pacifist speech to German journalists visiting Vienna, contended that the belligerents' efforts to attain their respective war aims did not justify, ithe huge sacrifices still necessary. Therefore he suggested that the adversaries should provide an opportunity for a calm exchange of views. lie believed that some sort of direct informative discussion was possible which in no wise would be peace negotiations. He exhorted tho prossmen to cultivate these views.—Renter.