THE WESTERN FRONT

Hokitika Guardian, 16 September 1918, Page 2

THE WESTERN FRONT

fPEIt TRESS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.] THE EVACUATION OF DOUAI. WASHINGTON, September 11. Advices from France states that the Germans are systematically evacuating Douai. Huge quantities of stores have been observed behind the German lines. The Germans continue to attack. On the American front, south of the Aisnc, tho enemy is desperately attempting to secure the Monto Rouge Plateau but is suffering heavy losses.

THE TIME LIMIT. WASHINGTON," Sept, 14. Mr. Grasty interviewed a high French military authority at Paris, who said that there are five weeks more good offensive weather. If -the summer continued three months more, it would perhaps he possible to got a decision. However. south iof the Somme, perhaps the offensive can he continued after mid-October.

NEW FRENCH ATTACK. LONDON, September 12. The French have attacked on a fivemile front, between the Aisne and the Yesle rivers, from tlie dirctiou of Forest do Cotirsv at the south end of the Gobain Massif. The move is progressing favourably. The French have captured eighteen hundred, whereof one French' Division took a thousand The enemy counter-action lias been

weak', though his front lines were strongly held and the prisoners say they were told to hold on at all costs. The advance threatens to turn the enemy west flank 'on tho Chemin dos Dames, and also endanger Laon and the, Gobain In a simultaneous attack on tho Ailotto the French have captured Monte do Sfignes and the villages of Aleomant aiid Sanky.

AUSTRIAN OPINION. OTTAWA, September 13. The “Chicago • Nows” Hague correspondent states that tho Vienna paper “Niue Preie Presse” says that General Fooli now has great technical resources and more than a million of Americans, so that ho can keep up his offensive. He thinks that 110 can tire out the German Army, and compel the Higher Command to call up the reserves. but the Higher Command is reserving his men, and apply the tactics of an elastic defence with strong coun-ter-attacks. The paper attributes much of tho Allied success to a new and powerful gas which creates monster flames and explosions.

GENERAL SMUT’S OPINION. LONDON, September 13. General Smuts, speaking at Newcastle,, said that he was convinced that recent events were not ordinary “ups and downs,” but meant that the tide had finally turned. If the war last ed another year our efforts would make Germany shudder. When the end came the Dominions must he consulted regarding the colonies. They would never consent to restoration until the cancer of militarism had been removed. Germany was now showing signs of weakness. Her armies were being beaten.

NEW ZEALANDERS FORCED BACK LONDON, Sept, 13, The United Press correspondent states: The Germans in force continue io put up a stiff resistance about Gouzeaucourt. They have thrown hack the New Zealanders and have advanced southward of “Dead Man’s Corner,” though they thereby exposed themselves to heavy casualties.

THE BRITISH POSITION. LONDON. Sept. 14. A high authority writing regarding the British front, says the situation is regarded as extremely satisfactory. The capture of Havrincourt and the crossing of the canal to the south gives a possible stepping stone lor turning the Canal Du Nord in the direction of the Ilmirlon and Cambrai. The capture of Jeancourt also brings the British a little nearer to the line held in March. We have reached the borders of tbo river Lys to the north westward of Armentieres, and arc now in front Port De Nieppe, within a mile of Aripenieros. SURPRISE ATTACKS ON ENEMY. LONDON, Sept. 13. .Mr. Phillip Gibbs says: Our attack on La Basse railway was not a set piece. There iwas no bombardment except a shelling of the enemy batteries. Our men suddenly pushed out, surrounding the German * outposts. Savage lighting followed, within a triangle with bayonets, hut the Germans were mostly trapped, and surrendered :• There was a sharp outburst of fighting on the Australian front. !

LILLE BEING EVACUATED: AMSTERDAM, Sept. 13. Many fugitives from Lille a're arriving here. The state that- Lille is being evacuated. The Germans are constructing a num her of military bridges over the Meuse.

AMERICA’S MILLIONS. i ßeceived This Day at. JUS a.rn.) NEW YORK, Sep. 13. Nearly a million men have registered in New York.