GREAT GERMAN RETREAT

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 16, 14 October 1918, Page 5

GREAT GERMAN RETREAT

IMPORTANT CAPTURES ■BY THE FRENCH , ;:

YOUZSERS & THE CHEMIN-DES-DAMES

BRITISH AT OUTSKIRTS OF DOUAt,

GERMAN COMMUNICATIONS IN DANGER

To-day's reports tell of a forward sweep by the Allied armies in the Western theatre, which "bears plain witness to the collapse of the enemy s plans and the spread of demoralisation in his ranks. In the north the British are practically on the outskirts of Douai. Assisted ' by an American army corps they lave gained nrach ground north and south of Le Cateau. The French and Americans are rapidly advancing along almost the fiom east of St. Quentin to beyond the Meuse. The French are closing in on the northern flank of the \'Sf Gobain massif, from which the enemy is reported to b& retreat- ■ ing/and have gained the wholo of the Oliemin des Dames ridge, north of the Aisne. In the Champagne they-have captured the im- , portant railway junction of Vouziers, after advancing on a wide front, in places "to a depth of more than six miles. The Americans are forging ahead on both sidesof the Meuse. The German Government -. has interpreted President Wilson's recent Note as offering an opportunity of withdrawing unmolested from invaded territory, and sug- ' gests the appointment of a "mixed Commission" to determine the conditions of evacuation. It is stated also that Germany accepts the; principles of settlement laid down by President Wilson, but her professions are naturally regarded with suspicion. A peculiar contnbu- * tion to the peace oampaign is. a German official message which quotes Merger as stating that measures have been taken, including the removal of "the two commanding Generals considered to embody militarism; , which mean that fmilitarism in Germany is ended forever.", ;•■■-. ...■.•.'■ ■ ■ ■"■./ . ' , I

MANY IMPORTANT CAPTURES

FRENCH TAKE VOUZIERS AND THE CHEMIN-DES-DAMES BRITISH AT OUTSKIRTS OF DOUAI f - .'„■■■ : ■ By Telegra-ph-Press ■Aesociation-OopyrißM ■ . . • . . : ■■■•,.- ; New York, October 11._ The United' Press Agenoy in London learns that the Germans 1 are , retiring from north of the Scarped the Meuse. The Allies have completely am•quired the Argonne Forest area, The French advance is menacng Guise The French have captured Bertricourt, on the Smppe, arid the I™™™ ™ e captured Troyon, on the Aisne.-heights, south of Laon.-Aus.-N.Z. Cable A*,sn. ■' • "' (Reo. October 13, 5.5 p.m.) . • •'.■■■•.■•"•■./.•;.. New York, October 12. The French have" captured Vouziers. The British are on the .outskirts of Douai. Vouziers and Guise and villages south of Laon are burning, ine ; Franco-Americans are near Dun-sur-Meuse and UDie ESn- ■ (Reo. October 14, 0.20 a.m.) - . . . . London, October 13. .-., The French 'haveoccupied; the, lemainder of", the Cliemin-des-Daraes.— rieuter. •■• ■' \ • . '• ; . . ■ . ]"■'■. ' EXTENSIVE GERMAN RETREAT. . (Rec. October 13, 5.5 p.m.) , London, October 12. A message this afternoon states that the\Germans are retreating "rapidly on three sectors, the retirement being: most'pronounced in the Champagne. The French: have advanced considerably beyond Vouziers, practically unoppos-ed.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. , . . LATEST ADVANCE TURNED THE HUNDING LINE. (Rec. October 13, 5.5. p.m.) > ~-':.. '■.■'■. London, October 11. News from the West'frorit emphasises the enemy's difficulties. Our latest advanw has turned the Hundmg line, between. Laon and the enemy's next line of retreat, which is rougnly, behind the Serre-Sissonne barrier Bwitchline. The British are now well in the rear of the Bunding line. The enemy will certainly, evacuate the St. Gqbain massif immediately. ' He will nlso be compelled to straighten out his,line between. Lille and the Scarpo. It is difficult to know exactly how the enemy will join up these' two lines/ It depends on what the Allies have in. store;.. The enemy's days of retirement according to plan are past. He is now evaouating the Chemin-des-Dames. The Franco-American,forces huve joined hands north , of the Argonne, in the Grand Pre gap.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. , ■NINE'GERMAN ARMIES IMPERILLED. ♦ :' ' London, October 11. ■ Mr. George Perris'writes:—"lt is too soon to say that the German retreat in the south is general; but the indications are that the British and Frereh victories at Cambrai and in the Champagne aro ■ now bearing fruits in the centre. It would be rash to pxsect a debacle; but nine German armies are imperilled."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assu. . * \ NEARLY HALE A MILLION PRISONERS SINCE JULY 18. • ■: . October 11. The bag of -prisoners since July 18 is nearing half a million. It was 461,000 yesterday, including 65,000 Bulgars. The guns taken since/Marshal Fooli launched the offensive total over fivo thousand, and the machine-guns 40,000—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ■ ; MESSAGE FROM THE KING FILLED WITH ADMIRATION AT MAGNIFICENT ADVANCE. London, October 11.. . The Kinjj.has sont a message to, Sir Douglas Haig, in which he says:— ''Tlie magniheent advance of the armies under your command, powerfully supported by our American comrades, and opposed by tho retreating but stubborn foe, and against tho most formidable defence!) which human ingenuity mid strength could devise, fills me with admiration, prido, and gratitude. These sentiments will bo shared by the people of the Empire. In their name and from my heart, I congratulate you and all ranks. , ''—Aus.-N.Z. Oablo Assn.-Reuler. , • . NEARLY TWO MILLION AMERICAN TROOPS CROSSED THE / SEAS. ■ ' ' . i New York, October 11. General March, United States Chief of Staff, announced that more than 1,900,000 American troops have now crossed the seas.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. OFFICIAL REPORTS BRITISH MAKING RAPID PROGRESS London, October 11. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—"We resumed tho advance at dawn on the whole battletront, and are,rapidly progressing at all points, despite tho efforts of the enemy's rearguards to hold us up. We aro approaching the large woods east of Bohain, and have entered Vaux-Andigny, north of that place. Wo have reached a gonc/al line on the Selle River from St. Souplet to the neighbourhood of Solesmes, and have captured Le Cateau. West-of Solesmes we captured A.vesnes, Rieux. and Thain-St. Martin. West of tho Escaut Canal we have taken Estrmi. In the towns and villages captured to-day a number of , civilians wero found, including 2500 at Cauroir. Soutli- . east of "Lens we made further progress, and captured Rouvroy. Our lowflyers, with bombs and machine-gun lire, caused destruction, and confusion in the columns of the retreating enemy. Wo bombed the railway junctions at . Mons, Valenciennes, and Lille, securing direct hits. Thirty-three tons of bombs were dropped. German aeroplanes wero active, and thero was considerablo fighting. We shot down 21 aeroplanes. Nino British are missing. Night-flying was impossible."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. (Rec. Ootober 13, 5.5 p.m.) London, Ocotber 12. r Sir Douglas Haig. reporting on tho evening of October 11, Bays:—"We have continued to advance northward of the Sensee River, and now hold the

villages df Hamel, Brobieres, and Cuincy. Wβ nre eastward of HomnLietard and on the western outskirts of Ammny. There hns been local lighting at certain points on tho remainder of the front."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-iteu-ter. ' Sir Douglas Haig, reporting at midnight, states:—"Between Boliain and Solcsmes tho enemy is strongly resisting on the line of the Solle River. Wo repulsed attacks against our positions 'eastward of the Selle, m the noiglihourhood of Lo Catcau, and took possession of Briastro, in the angle between the Solle and the Eseaut Canal. Wo havo captured Iwuy and progressed lo the rising ground to tho eastward, and repulsed strong counter-attacks delivered witfi the assistance oY tanks in this area. Westward of the Canal do l'Kscnut wo have captured Fresies. Following our deep advance to tlio southward of the Seusoe tho enemy is hastening his withdrawal from strongly fortified positions northward of that river. Wo have driven the enemy s rearguards from the northern portion of the Drocourt-Queant lino, between the Scarpo and Quiery la Motto, and captured Sailly-en-Ostrevent, Vitry-cn-Artois, Izel-lez-Esque'rchin, Drocourt, and Fouquiores. Despite the weather our low-flyers havo continued to , harass tho retreating enemy. The German aircraft are inactive. Wo have destroyed two aeroplanes. Night-flying is impossible."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. . BELGIANS REPULSE AN ATTACK (Ree. October 13, 5.3 p.m.) London, October 11. A Belgian communique states:—" There has been great activity by tho hostile artillery against our communications. After violent artillery preparations the 'enemy attacked our lines before Roulers, but was completely repulsed."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. SERIES OF SUCCESSES BY THE FRENCH London, October 11, 4 a.m. 1 French communique states:—"East of St. Quentin our troops are closely maintaining contact, and continue to pursue the enemy, whose rearguards are resisting severely. We advanced four miles at certain points, and earned our lines to the east of Seboncourt, the outskirts of Bernoville, and east ot Montigny-sur-Arronaise and Bernot. We occupied numerous villages, including Fieu'lain, Neuvillette, Regny, Chat illon-sur-Oieo, and Thenelles. bouth of the Oise we captured Servais, and took prisoners. Between the Ailette and the Aisne the pressure ox our troops, assisted by.ltalian units, operating on both sides of the Chemin-des-Darqos, forced the Germans to retire beyond tho Oise Canal. Notwithstanding violent machine-gun fire, we captured Beaulne-St Ohivy, Verneuil, Courtonne, and Bourg-et-Comin. Simultaneously crossing the Aisne east of Oeuilly, we drove back the enemy to the north, and occupied Pargnan and Baurieux. Farther east wo attached strongly north of Berry-au-Bac, gained ground/and took prisoners. In the Uiampagne the enemy, exhausted by the incessant and severe fighting since beptember 26, on the front of the Fourth Army_, began this morning ; a retreat ■; in the direction of the Aisne. Our infantry is hustling tho rearguards, who are attempting to arrest our advance. We passed tho villages ot Uey, Monthois, and Challerange, and reached tho outskirts of Mont-St. Martin and St Morel Further on the right, we crossed the Aisne opposite Termes, which we hold. We occupied tho station of Grand Pre, where numerous prisoners Were taken. In spite of fog on Wednesday, our observing aeroplanes mado numerous reconnaissances far into the enemy territory. Great concentrations of troops were reported, and were attacked by massed squadrons of aeroplanes, which dropped 33 tons of explosives and fired thousands of cartridges, with successful results, an the troops and convoys. During the operations 21 enemy machines were brought down. Tho fog was denser at night, when only five and a half tons of bombs were dropped on various sta-tions."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. (Rec. October 13, 5.5 p.m.) London, October 11. " 4. French communique states:—"Before our incessant attacks the enemy, has been compelled to abandon on a .front of 37 miles all-the positions which he has been defending lior days north of the Suippe and the Arnes Rivers. Preceded by cavalry, which is pressing on the heels of the enemy rearguards our infantry is overcoming the resistance of the machine-guns charged with the duty of delaying our march. Wβ hare during the day advanced at ■some points over.six miles, taking prisoners and capturing material. Wo have crossed the Suippe • arid captured Bertricourt, Aumenan-court-le-Grand, Bazancourt, tie Islos-sur-Suippe, and bt. _ Mi-enne-sur-Suippe. The whole of the enemy's first positions north of the Suippe are in our hands.. We have advanced beyond the Grande Usuras Wood, and are advancing in the wooded region west of Mesiul-le-Pinos, in the direction of the Eetourne River, which we have reached between Hondileourt aiid Sault St. Remy. Farther east we have occupied tho villages of Aussonce, Laneuville, Couroy, Machault, Contreuve, St. Morel, and Savigny-sur-Aisne. Continuing our progress, we have reached thei oiit- •■ skirts of Bignicourt, Visle-sur-Retour ne, Mont. St. Remy, and St. Jane, two miles south-west of Vouziers. At the-Chemiii-des-Dames the Italians, co-opsratine with the French, brilliantly continued their advance.. Ihey have occupied Vendresse, Troyon, Courtecon, and Cereny-en-Laounois. Wo have captured Cuissy, Jumigny, and Paissv Wood, and reached the Chemm-des-Dames. Numerous fires kindled by the .enemy are reported m the villages in the Oise valley, in the Guise region, attesting that it was the systematic intention of the Germans to destroy everything before their retreat. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. ; , . A French communique issued at 4.35 p.m. states:— Wo liavo maintained everywhere'eontact with the onemy, whose retirement has continued at different points on the front to the north of the Aisne. We have _ occupied and advanced beyond Mhistyand Moul ins-en-Laonnois. The Italian troops have reached south of Courtecon the Chemin-des-Dames, which we hold as far as the heights of Cerny-en-Laonnios. In the Champagne we have gained a footing at"various points on the north bank of the Suippe, between St. Etienne and Boult-sur-Suippe. AVo havo also progressed at Varmerivilje, Vaudetre, and St.. Vastes. Further east we are pursuing the retreating enemy. We have carried Semide, Mont. St. Martin, Cordon, and Bneres. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. . '• (Rec. October 13,11.30 p.m.) , London, October 12, 5 p.m. A French communique states:-" We entered, Vouziers 'this morning. We have continued to progress along the whole.or the Champagne front. We hold a general line from the River It e,tourne and the road to Pauvres to Bouzieres."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Reutor. ■ AMERICAN LINE ADVANCED London, October 11, 4.30 a.m. 'An American communique states:—"On the right bank of the Meuse the French fighting with the First American Army continued to advance, and valiantly withstood counter-attacks. The heights east of Sivry have been cleared of tho enemy. On the left of tho Meuse we stormed the Cote-Dame-Marie after seyerb fighting, Further west tho enemy has been driven from the Argomie Forest, and wo have reached the lino of Sommerance, . Tarcy Chcvieres, and opposite Grand Pre. Wo took a thousand prisoners, including two complete battalion staffs."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. (Rec. October 13. 5.5 p.m.) London, October 12, 3.30 a.m. An American communique states:"On both sides of tho Meuse violent counter-attacks failed to stem the advance of the Franco-Americans. AVe took Molleville Farm, northward of the Bois do Consenavoyo, passed through the Bois de Foret. and aro before the villages of Landreset, St. George, and St. Juvin, ■which is on fire. ■ An American army corps operating with the British fought over ten miles through the enemy's defensive system and have captured 1900 prisoners since October 5. To-day this corps took Escaufort, St. Benin, and St.. Souplet. The American Army has taken 8000 prisoners since October 8, of which number French units took 2300."— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. ' , THE ENEMY'S REPORT (Rec. October 18, 5.5 p.m.) London, October 11. A wireless German report states:—"Between St. Etienne and the Aisne wo withdrew to positions on both..sides of Grand Pre to the north bank of the Aire. The Americans, attacking with strong forces all da-y long be- ' tween Sivry and Houmoiit AVood, wore beaten back in bitter fighting. , — Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. 1 (Rec. October 13, 11.30 p.m.) ■ London, October 12. A wireless German official report states:—"Westward of Douai we retired to our lines m the rear. .We frustrated a British attempt to break through in tho direction of Valencicn nes. Tho enemy gained a footing at Iwuy. We evacuated tho Chemin-des-Dames and occupied a new position between Berry-au-Bac and southwar d. of Bouzieres. The Saxons have recaptured Gun'cri and the Bois de. Sormes."—Aus.rN.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. THE WAR IN THE AIR ENEMY RAILWAYS AND WORKS HEAVILY BOMBED. London, October 11. Tho Press Bureau reports :—"Tho Independent Air Force on AVednesday night heavily attacked tho railways atMczieres, Metz-Sablons, and Thionville, and aerodromes at Frescaty and Morhange. Good results were observed at Mezicres; five direct hits were made on the Motz-Sablons railway, and fire caused. Two direct hits were made on the Thionvillp railway, and four on tho Karkhhume works. Twelve and a half tons cf bombs were dropped. AVe again heavily attacked Metz-Sablons to-day, and five direct hits were re-corded."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Rciiter.

(Rec. October 13, 5.5 p.m.) i ■ London, October 1.1 • The Press Bureau states that tho Independent Force on the night of October 10, despite mists, attacked tho railways at Thionville, and Messieres, blast furmicos at Rombach, and an aerodrome at Frescaty.- — Ans.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Renter'.

(Rec. October 13, 5.5 p.m.) London, October 11. A French aviation communique states: —Fifty-iivo to, ; of bombs were dropped in tho daytime on October ,10. In the Vouziers region ammunition dumps wero exploded, and there were numerous air fights. Seventeen enemy machines wore brought down and eight balloons set on live. Twenty-four tons of bombs were dropped at night on bivouacs, stations, convoys, and trains. In September 211 onemy machines wore brought down, mostly over the enemy lines, 62 balloons wero sot on fire, and 370 tons ot projectiles were dropped."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Renter,

OVER 3.50 AMERICAN MACHINES IN FLIGHT.'

■ (Rec. October 13, 5.5 p.m.) New York, October 12. The "New York Times" correspondent at the American front states that an American bombing squadron, consisting of more than 350 machines, dropred 32 tons of explosives behind the German lines between ANarvillo ami Damvilliers. The squadron was composed of two hundred bombing pianos, a hundred pursuit machines, and fifty triplanes. In a battle with the enemy twolve German machines were, destroyed and ono American \\ itn the exception of the raid north of Verdun this is the largest undertaken so far on the West front—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

A MAGNIFICENT SPECTACLE. (Rec. October 13, 5.5 p.m.) London, October 11.

Renter's correspondent at American Headquarters, writing on October 11, says that he witnessed a magnificent spectacle .Yesterday. The Germans were reported to be massing for a counter-attack east of the- Meuse. lwo hundred bombing machines were dispatched with 32 tons of bombs. Also a hundred chasers and fifty triplanos. They covered tho entire sky. Groups of a dozen were Hying in V-shaped formation, the rays of tho sun turning them into flashes of silver till tho entire heaven sparkled with its new constella- . tions They crossed tho river, and in'face of their bombing the enemy coun-ter-attack melted away. Twelve German aeroplanes woro , unhappy enough to meet that mighty armada, and wero sent crashing to the ground.—Renter. ' . COMMENT ON THE SITUATION . • ENEMY'S COMMUNICATIONS GRAVELY ENDANGERED (Reo, October 18, C.5 p.m.) v London, Octohor 11, Midnight. Great alterations on the whole base of the West front are now in progress The German army is definitely falling back, and it is difficult to say where the movement will end. The British have advanced towards Douai. They have passed the Drocourt-Queant line and reached the Lens-Douai railway in the neighbourhood of Beaumont and Quiery la Motto. _ More to the northward they have reached Henin-Lietard, on the Douai-Carvin road. The enemy will probably take up a position in front of Douai. Wβ have captured St Aubert, more to the southward; and are now less than ..seven miles from the German lateral communication railway from Lille to Valenciennes, Avesnes, and Hirson, which nm in trunk line is behind the whole German front. Its severance will mean the throwing back of all the enemy communications gravely endangering everything to the northward of Valenciennes especially tho Lille salient. More to the southward along the whole front between the Soissons-Laon road and Grand Pre, the enemy is retreatinn- The Franco-Italians are closely pursuing. * The enemy's hold on the Chemin-des-Dames is slackening hourly. More tp the eastward the French have crosed the Suippe at several places, and advanced four to five miles, and captured Machault. . The enemy is falling back in the directions of Vou'ziera to the line behind the Aisne.—Aus.-N.Z, Cable Assn. ■ . LAST LJNE OF HINDENBURG SYSTEM BROKEN ■ London, October 11. The British success on October 8 has completely broken the last line of the Hindenburg system, constituting the main pivot of the enemy's whole defensive system between the Meuse and the sea. It also turns the enemy's rear lines of defence, constructed between the Oise and the Argonne. "When the enemy is driven from his present position in the Champagne and on the , Aisne,' he will have no line of defence where-he can reorganise and rest his troops. How far-reaching th"e results will be will depend on the weather and the enemy's moral. His troops are greatly exhausted. The enemy's situation is now most dangerous.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. GERMANS' POSITION IN LAON SALIENT PRECARIOUS i ..' ■ (Rec. October 13, 5.5 p.m.) , London, October 11, Midnight. - Reuter's correspondent at'Frenoh Headquarters, .writing at midnight on October 11, says:—"General Gourand's army, which was checked for days by the desperate resistance, made a most important advance across the Suippe. Almost everywhere on the whole twenty miles front the Germans are making unmistakable preparations for a further retreat. _ The advance in the eastern Champagne is even more.jrapid. Between the Aisne and the Oise the enemy's retirement has been unexpectedly slow. The Germans' position in the Laon salient is most precarious, .the Anglo-French having cut the main lines. General Mangin's army, nevertheless, is meeting- with considerable resistance. The rate of advance has been. _ prudent.. General Debeney's army has taken four thoueand prisoners during the last ten days. _ AH were small bodies comprising the: garrisons in concreted centres of resistance in the Hindenburg line."—Reuter. IMPORTANT AMERICAN- VICTORY. (Rec. October 13, 5.5 p.m.) Paris, October 12. Experts consider the Americans' victory astride the Meuse to be of the utmost importance, as it threatens the Mezieres-Metz railway, which is the only direct communication between the Germans in north-west France and those eastward and south-eastward of \ Verdun. _ Two hundred _ and fifty i'ranco-Aruerican aeroplanes which participated in the battle, besides bombing the enemy unmercifully, co-operated by regulating the gunfire, supplying ammunition to advanced posts, dropping smoke screens to conceal the movements of the infantry, and attacking observation balloons far behind the lines.— "The Times." ' " • ■ SAVING LILLE FROM DESTRUCTION London, October 11. Reuter's correspondent at British, Headquarters, writing on Thursday evening says—"The enemy retirement was so hurried that even civilians were not removed from tho captured villages. The tendency of our progress is'in a direction parallel to the Lβ Catmi road. Thus we are elongating the salient eastwards, without a corresponding extension to tho north. I believe this is strategically deliberate, and it should be considered in conjunction with the situation around Lille. We are apparently avoiding a pitched battle around Lille, which would give the Germane an excuse for wantonly devastating the great manufacturing district. In Flanders the sodden ground is restricting movements, but the enemy is in such an uncomfortable plight in the clay plains that he will probably not attempt to remain in his present positions long."—Reuter,

! FOCH'S GIGANTIC STRATEGY GREAT ENVELOPING SCHEME IN PROGRESS. (Rec. Ootober 13, 5.5 p.m.) London, October 11. Mr. Keith Murdoch", in a special aitido, says:—'"l have not fought my battle yet,' so said Marshal Foch when i nformed of Germany's, petition for an armistice The question whether the Germ ans can avoid an immediate military debacle dominates the situation. Marshal Foch's strategy overshadows tho diplomatic events, because it is certain the Allies will not pause until the "present military phase is completed. Marshal Foch's great strokes are tar from finished. His plans include other heavy blows, which will work in witu tho progressing enveloping scheme. The sublime grandeur of the whole or Marshal Foch's gigantic strategy, with its minor enveloping movements within major movements, small pincers, within great, pinchers, like a multiplo printiim- press, is impressing even the German military authorities, who belatedly admit General Foch's genius. Despite tho thickening and apparent y organised rearguard actions, the pace of the German retreat almost hourly increases, especially on the British front, and the position now is. such that groat events are possible. No wonder rumours ilood Switzerland, that von ■Ludendorff has been dismissed. The importance of the Cambrai victory is extolled in Paris, where the British are the heroes of the hour. The. Matin says the rosult 13 that von Boehm's army is completely beaten, and is extensively retreating, the retreat sometimes degenerating into a rout, scattered units arc abandoning their arma. like the Bulgarians. The Crown Prince's 'array is cornered between the Oiso and the Aisne, and Prince Itnpprecht's is half-encircled in the Lille legion. Thus Germany's forces are beinw driven in two masses unable to assist each other. One is retreating on tho Ardennes and the other on Mezieres. The hopes for an immenso triumph grow." ■ , ■ , No Further Solid German Trenoh System. Mr Murdoch comments:—"lt is unwise to speculate on tho results, for mere distance absorbs the momentum of the advance, but the next few days fighting promises to reveal whether the Germans are ablo to retain their_ organisation whilst retreating. It was thought that the trenohline which existed at Lβ Catean was. incomplete, but strong; the absence ot news indicates this, and the poor earthworks were easily penetrated. It is a startling; fact that no further solid trench system exists between.us. and the Getman frontier. The Germans planned lines on. the Meuse in 1914, but it is believed that they must long since have 'fallen into thsropiw, or, like the amt Beaurevoir line, be\ thing of patches of hal-bmlt trenches acres of sticks for wire, upon which wire has never been put Tie probabilities are that the German commanders will make their utmost endeavour to peril ade he depressed and exhausted troops to sand- upon the firs water, fronted line, promising that tho water will protect them against the tanks. It is interesting to note that prisoners agree that the German company sh-Pii-rtli now varies from ten to forty. If tho average is sixfy, they have Sr MO.OOO rifles left ill France and Belgium."-IJ,,ltcd Service.