ON THE WESTERN FRONT.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 September 1918, Page 3

ON THE WESTERN FRONT.

[r£K PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPTRIaHT.] THE AMERICANS READY. ON TKE VESLE. (Received This Day at 10.26. h.Ji.i LONDON, September 4 Tho “Daily Chronicle’s” Paris correspondent says tho Americans nlong tlio Vcsle are poised jn rondiucss for au energetic pursuit, at tho first sign of a German break from the river. Tn consequence of General Mnngin’s success north of Soissons, the junction of the Veslo and the Aisne is a critical point. If surrendered, the Germans must retreat to Chemin des Dames. Great fires in the northern hills in the enemy’s rear throughout the night suggested that stores were being destroyed. Tho Yeslo was easily forded at daybreak.

RETREAT FROM VESLE. NEARING GUIffCARD. j LONDON Sept. 5. j Writing later, the correspondent says it is evident that the main body of the enemy have withdrawn from the Novon-Veslc sector. The French immediately began to advance and reached within two miles of Guiscard on tho Noyon-Ham road. _ The Fteneh Army is full of entluisiasm at th e British victories and uu-st-intingly praise the British generals. GERMAN COMMAND WRANGLE. AMSTERDAM September 5. Reports from Germany reveal a sharp conflict between Hindcnburg, Ludendorff and the Crown Princes of. Germany and Bavaria. The Crown Prince party ; claim they always -opposed the oflensivo on July loth and left the front iu order not to bear the responsibility. Instead they went to Berlin and ; Munich, allowing the generals to struggle in their own muddle. The Crown ; Princes are mow returning to the front, j frenctoperattons. j

(Received this day at p.m.) LONDON, September 5. A 4.35. p.m French comnmnique reports during the night wo maintained contact with the enemy rearguards, ana advanced cast- of Canal du Nord, and m the region of Boyonnes Offov. Fur ther south we passed Monbleux. E'smercy, IIellon ; and Plnvymolloux and carried our line north of Guiscard to the outskirts of Berlnneourt. Between the Ailelte and Aisne wo Carried Clamecw, Brave, Missy, Sur aisne. Last night we repulsed two violent counter attacks at Mont des Tombs, east of Lcuilly and maintained positions on the Veslo front. Frnnco-Americnn troops on the crest of tho heights dominating tho Aisn.are extending our actions still further. Wo also crossed the Veslo between les Yantoaup and Jounelierv. german Report. (Received This Day at 1.5. p.mJ LONDON, September 5. Wireless German official—The enemy pressed hack our front field troops to ’a new lino between Ypres and La Basseo. . We continued our withdrawal in the region of Rlnyo and freed ourselves without a fight. The enemy are following slowly. . . Wo withdrew from the Veslo positions eastward of Soissons, undisturbed.

OFFICIAL NEWS. WELLINGTON, x This Day. The High Commissioner reports* from London 'sth., September., at 5.5. a.m.— French official reports state the enemy was forced to retreat to the north of the Oise. On the Vesle front we have reached the approaches to Esmcyro Hallon. We have crossed the Ailette and reached Atarlicuelle capturing prisoners, Runs and material. Crossing the Vesle on a width of JO kilometres we have passed Chameby, Crenelle, Vaubcrlin, and have gained a footing on the ridge north of BasillClgir Douglas Haig reports London 4th September at 1,40. p.m.—The- English and Welsh forced the passage o the Tor till e river and the canal du Nord over a wide front, north of Moislnnis carrying two villages and substantially progressing East. Further north the English and New Zealanders have taken Ruyaulcourt, reaching, the outskirts of Havrincourt Wood. , • East of the Canal the English have entered Moeuvres where fighting is still proceeding among the old Hindenburg defences. ALIT ABLAZE. Received this dnv at 2.36 p.m.,1 PARIS, Sept. 5. The enemy are burning everything u tlieir retreat in order to create a dcser zone. La Fere, Cliauny, and Jussy ar now ablaze. Several villages betwee te Vesle and Aisne are also destroyed