REPORTED RESIGNATION OF VON HINDENBURG

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 12, 9 October 1918, Page 5

REPORTED RESIGNATION OF VON HINDENBURG

Now York, October 7. It is reported that General von Hindenburg has resigned his position aB Chief of iho German General Staff.—Aus'.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

BRITISH STOCK EXCHANGE VERY ANIMATED

(Rec. October 8, 11.40 p.m.)

London, October 7. The London Stock Exchange is very animated. The opening of the War Bond campaign caused gilt-edged securities to weaken. Consols closed at 61}. Armaments, explosives, base metals, and shipping shares weakened.— Atis.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

THE OFFICIAL REPORTS

ENEMY'S RESISTANCE BROKEN BY THE FRENCH

London, October 7. A French communique states:—"North of St. Quentin the battle continued all day; We captured Rainancourt, Tilloy Farm, and several fortified woods between Mercourt and Sorquehart; The enemy resisted [furiously, but failed to arrest the advance of our troops, who conquered the ground foot by foot, and took several hundred prisoners. North of Reims wo reached the River Suippe at numerous points. The German rearguards, on tho south bank resisted violently, counter-attacking sevoral times. .Wβ drove

them back, inflicting sanguinary losses. We hold the southern outskirts of Aquilcourt and the village of Bertricourt, north of the Suippe. Wejforced a passage east of Rainstille, and captured Pointgavart Cemetery. Equally severe fighting in the region of Bazancourfc and Bonlt-sur-Suippe resulted in our reaching the outskirts of these localities. Wo debouched from Bethauville in the face of violent artillery and machine-gun fire, and gained ground also north of St. Clement, on the Ames. Our troops in this Tegion endured unflinchingly a most severe counter-attack. Our artillery, firing with open sights, mowed' down the enemy battalions, and the Germans were- compelled to retreat in disorder. The fighting to-day completed the deliverance of Reims."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. ■ •

(Rec. October 8, 7.25 p.m.) London, October 7,

A French communique, issued at 5 p.m., states:—"North of St. Qnentin the struggle was continued throughout the night with redoubled violence. The enemy's several attempts to retake the captured positions were all broken with the exception of that in the region di Tilloy Farm, where he regained a slight advantage. The fight continues along the Suippe front. The Germans were vigilant, and endeavoured with all strength to arrest our advance. On the north bank of the Suippe the struggle was particularly lively in the region of Bertricourt. Further east we captured St. Masmes. On' the right we entered Hanvine, north of the Arnes."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.Reuter.

LOCAL ACTIONS ON THE BRITISH FRONT

(Rec. October 8, 7.25 p.m.)

London, October 7. Sir Douglas Haig reports:— We took four hundred prisoners in local fighting at Aubencheul-aux-Bois. We established point's at the canal crossings northward of Aubenohoul-aux-Bois, and north-east and westward of Oppy. We captured a post eastward of Berelau, and made slight progress northward df Wezniacquart."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter.

(Rec. October 8, 10.20 p.m.)

London, October 7,10.20 p.m. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "As the result of a successful operation we advanced our line on four miles of front north of tho Soarpe, capturing Birchestvaast and Oppy and a number of, prisoners and machine-guns. Wβ made progress in patrol fighting north-easfc of Epiony and north of Aubenchejil-aux-Bois."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter.

AMERICAN ADVANCE ON THE MEUSE London, October 7. An American official message states:—"Wβ slightly advanced between the Meuse and the Bois Desogons. There was stubborn infantry fightinc further west, and increased reciprocal artillery action everywhere."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Aens.-Reuter.

THE ENEMY'S REPORT

(Rec. October 8, 11.40 p.m.)

London, October 7.

A wireless German official report states: "The enemy, who first gained ground on the Somme Canal towards Essiguy-le-Potit, was pressed back on Sunday as far as Remancourt. The Americans continued their violent attacks between the Argonne and the Meuse, and were beaten back on the heights eastward of the Aisne."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter.

THE WAR IN THE AIR

SMASHING EAIDS OVER THE FRONTIER.

London, October 7. The Press Bureau reports:—"The Independent Air Force bombed Kaiserslautern and Pirmasens with good results. There was very heavy fighting all the way to and from the objectives. The dropped 12J tons of explosives on railways at Meziores,' Metz-Sablons, Thionville, and Courcelles, . and on aerdromes at Morhango and Frescaty, and on the Burbach works. Nino heavy bombs fell on a factory in Burbach. Fire broke out at Courcelles. All the machines returned."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Router,

ON THE BRITISH FRONT,

(Rec. October 8, 11.40 p.m.)

London, October 7. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "AVe dropped over seven tone of bombs behind the enemy's lines. The German'aircraft were inactiye. We destroyed ono balloon. Five British aeroplanes are missing. Our night-flyers dropped 16} tons of tombs, obtaining many direct hits on the railways."—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.<-Reuter.

WITH THE FRENCH SQUADRONS,

London, October 7,

A French communique states:—"ln spite of unfavourable weather, the aviators dropped 13J tons of bombs on concentrations of troops, convoys, and batteries, silencing the latter. T»;enty-one enemy maohines. were brought down."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assu'.-Iteiiter. "' ■■ . .

HOW THE PEACE OFFER WAS RECEIVED

INDICATIONS OF STRONG STAND BY AMERICA

UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER DEMANDED

By Tolcgrapli-Pross A6sooiation-OoDyritrlvi

■ Washington, October \. President Wilson is preparing a prompt reply to the German and Austrian Notes. It is understood that President Wilson will refuse to consider negotiations on the basis of a round-tablo conference, but if Germany sincerely accepts President Wilson's terms and agrees to evacuate immediately the invaded territory, President Wilson is likely to consider the door open towards peace. The Secretary of the Treasury (Mr. W. G. M'Adoo) states that tho United States, will refuse the Central Powers' peace offer.—Aus.-N.Z. Oable Assn. NOTHING BUT COMPLETE SURRENDER New York, October 7. The New York "World's" correspondent at Washington states that Washington awaits the full facts before offering a definite opinion on the Austro-German peace move. The correspondent points out that nothing but complete surrender by the Central Powers will.be considered by l the Allies. When Bulgaria wanted an armistice, the Allies accepted the proposal on their own terms, which amounted to Bulgaria's unconditional surrender. This has established a precedent in the dealing with other peaco moves. If Germany and Austria are willing to surrender to tlio Allies' terms, it is possible that the war may be brought to an early close. While high officials would not venture an opinion m the absence of the text of Prince Maximilian's speech, it was made clear that if the Central Powers want peace before their territory is, invaded and laid waste they must unconditionally surrender. Many strong men in Washington and in the Allies' capitals are opposed to suspending hostilities on any terms, even if named by tho Allies, but want to push the war across the enemy frontiers and' administer punishment for the crimes committed by the Germans and their associates in the war. If Geimany, Austria, and Turkey aro ready to surrender arms and withdraw from the exiled territory, President Wilson may consent to arrange an armistice and the discussion of a general peace.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable'Assn.

PROPOSALS DISCUSSED IN UNITED STATES SENATE

"GERMANY SHOULD APPLY TO FOCH."

Washington, October 7. The Senate is discussing the peace offers of the Central Powers. The tone of tho debate indicates that the offers will be rejected. ' Senator Nelson suggested that the question of an armistice was not one for America's consideration. If Germany wanted an armistice, let her apply to Marshal Foch, as. Bulgaria did. Senator Poindexter said that an armistice unaccompanied by the enemy evacuation of Belgium and France would bo merely a German victory. Senator Hitchcock (Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee) pointed out that Germany was willing to accept President Wilson's fourteen points. If Germany agreed to restore Alsace-Lorraine to France and indemnify Belgium the matter might be worth considering. The idea of an armistice was absolutely' abhorrent. Ho suggested that the Allies should agree to deal only with the real representatives of tho German people. Senator M'Cumher pointed out that it_ was necessary to safeguard tho Senate's rights in peace and war discussions. Senator Lodge said that the onlyfuture possible for Germany was that based on suing for peaco from the Alljos. An Allied military victory was essential. It was impossible to conceive that President Wilson would agree to the German overtures. The mischief would be irretrievable if tho United States started debates instead elf winning the war. Senator M'Cumber introduced a motion providing that before the United States agrees to an armistice Germany must disband her armies, restore Alsace-Lorraine, repay the Franco-German 1870 indemnity (£200,000,000), and indemnify the ravaged countries throughout Europe.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ■ . .

ITEMS THE NEW CHANCELLOR HAS FORGOTTEN

M. CLEMENCEAU JREMINDS HIM.

Paris, October 7. M. Clemenceau, Premier of France, in an interview, said:—"Prince Max forgets that President Wilson laid down not only 'fourteen points,' but equally emphasised that America will never deal with the autocratic Government of this Hohonzollerns. Does the Chancellor think his phantom Government, of comical democratic aspect, meets this condition, or that ho can convince President Wilson that h e j s as ] {e( i t0 d ca i w ith a Government subject to Parliamentary control? P r j llce j[ nx forgets that President Wilson's points are conditional- upon having confidence in those who make the peace proposals."—Aub.-N.Z. Cable Asgn.

THE REAL PRINCE MAXIMILIAN

SENTIMENTS ON DEMOCRACY AND PEACE RESOLUTIONS,

(Rec. October 8, 7.25 p.m.)

Berne, October 7. A letter which Prince Mnx wrote to Prince Hohenlohe in December of last year throws a singular light on the mentality of the new Chancellor, who poses as "the head of democrateed Germany." The letter declared that the "newspapers on the Left are overpowering me, with praises, although I condemned plainly enough the democratic watchword and all theoretical and political formulae comprised in the word parliamentarisation." In the same letter, referring to the Reichstag's peace resolution, lie says:—"Naturally I desire a comprehensive political exploitation df our military successes. • I also am an opponent of the abominable peace resolution, which is the fruit of fear. lam anxious that we should obtain the most ample reparations possible, whatever form they take, iu order to save us from impoverishment after the war. —Renter.

FATHERLAND PARTY OPPOSES PROPOSALS

(Rec. October 8, 11.40 p.m.)

• Berne, October 7. The Fatherland Party has decided to resist the Chancellor's offer to the utmost. They have arranged for meetings of protest.—Renter. ~

UNPRECEDENTED MONEY PANIC IN BERLIN

(Rec October 8, 11.40 p.m.)'

London, October 7. The- "Daily Telegraph's" Paris correspondent, states: "Swiss messages state that there -was an -unprecedented panic on the Berlin Bourse on Saturday. The collapse was general, but the heaviest losses were in shipping and armament securities.

French financiers state that if Germany haggles over the peace terms first Turkey and then Austria-Hungary will unconditionally surrender. The finances of both empires are hopeless."—Renter.:

PEACE FEELING IN THE GERMAN ARMY

WHAT A CAPTURED OFFICER SAYS,

(Rec. Ootober 8, 7.25 p.m.)

„, „ , „.. . London, October 7. _ Mr. Gordon Gnlmour.writes:—"A German officer who had been taken prisoner stated that he had determined to surrender at the first opportunity. Ha was no longer able to bear the privations of the front line, especially as he felt convinced that Germany was beaten. He added- 'The Germans in this sector have only sufficient troops to withstand an attack and deliver a counter-attack. After that they are powerless until fresh forces arrive. . He believed .that-the German line must be withdrawn as far as Le Gateau. . He declared that Germany's resources were barely sufficient to maintain her armies in the field ■ through" the winter. He expected an early peace, and a revolution in Germany was certain to follow quickly." Mr. Keith Murdoch says: "Germany's armistice proposals have stirred our men to more intense efforts. The Allies have suffered what may be called minor reverses during the past few days, in that they Have failed to achieve all their objectives. The Germans' obstinate resistance, while involving heavy losses in prisoners and positions, has saved their armies from a repetition of the August and September retreats. Our men are beginning to think that a period of stabilisation is likely :to" be reached shortly, but Germany's proposal, launched during critical battles, convinces them th'at she fears a collapse."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

AUSTRIAN NOTE ARRIVES AT WASHINGTON Washington, October 7. . -The Swedish Minister (M. W. A»-F. Ekcngreu) delivered the Austrian Note to Mr., Lansing (Seoretary of State) at 11 a.m.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. AN EXPLANATORY STATEMENT. (Rec. October 8, 7.25 p.m.) .... . „. ± , ■ Amsterdam, October 7. Advices.from Vienna stato that an explanatory semi-official statement emphasises the fact that Austria's peace offer is "the logical outcome of a development of ideas in favour of no annexations, no • indemnities, the League of Nations, no economic war after the' war, and freedom of the seas. — Reuter. •