LINE OF ENEMY'S PROBABLE RETIREMENT

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 25, 24 October 1918, Page 7

LINE OF ENEMY'S PROBABLE RETIREMENT

London, October 22. The "Daily Chronicle's" correspondent at Amsterdam etates that there arn indication that the Germans consider the Autwerp-Metz line to be too long, nr.d it is likely, therefore, that they will take up the Liegc-Namur-Montmcdy-Jletz position. Troops are continually arriving at Antwerp en route to Liege.—A us.N.Z. Cable Assn. WHAT THE MEUSE LINE MEANS TO THE GERMANS. '< ■ London, October 22. Air. James Campbell ("Times" correspondent) writes: "Even if the enemy is driven back to tho Jleuee the shortened line will enable him to hold tho new front with half the present divisions, thus releasiug half a million for the creation of new reserves."—"The- Times." BRUGES DOCKS DAMAGED BY THE RETREATING ENEMY. Paris, October 22. Before evacuating Bruges the Germans seriously damaged the docks. They also dynamited tho locks and blocked tho canal by sinking destroyers and submarines.—Eeuter.

THE OFFICIAL REPORTS SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S DISPATCHES The New Zealand High Commissioner reports:London, October 22, 9.30 p.m. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "Wn have entered Valenciennes, and mndo further progress." London, October 23, 1.50 a.m. A British official report states: "In Flanders several enemy counter-attacks failed. The Belgians have crossed the Derivation (?) Canal at several points. The French have advanced on a front o f 2J miles to a depth of about 2 miles. Tho British Second Army has advanced 1500 yards between the Lys and the Escaut, and established a. bridgehead oil the right bank of tho Escaut."

By Telegraph—Pret 3 Association—Copyright London, October 22. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "As the result of local fighting during the night we advanced our lines to the left bank of tho Eeaillon River, southward of Thiunt, the western portion of which is in our possossion. Wo mndo further progress between Valenciennes and Tournai. The enemy's resistance on this front is increasing. In the Toiirnni sector, ae the result of sharp fighting at night, vo .expelled the enemy from the village of Orcq and the woods in the neighbour-! hood of Froyemies. AVe are within a mile of the town."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.Keiiter. THE BELGIAN OPERATIONS ' London, October 22. A communique concerning the Belgian operations states that the pressure has been maintained on the whole front. The Germans in their hurried retreat north abandoned all their coastal guns, some of which were intact. The French across the Lye have repulsed violent counter-attacks and improved the bridgeheads. The British havo reached the Scheldt between Bailleul and Helchin, and have advanced between tho Scheldt and the Lys, despitn a lively resistance.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Heuter. : ' AMERICANS AGAIN ADVANCING .■ London, October 22. An American communique states: "In the course of stubborn lighting to the north of Verdun we advanced our line eeerval points. We have captured Hill 297 and ejected the enemy from the Rappes Wood. We have also improved our positions further to the'wwst."—Aue.-iN'.Z. Cable Assn.-Reiiter.