WESTERN ALLIES.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 October 1918, Page 3

WESTERN ALLIES.

[per press association.—copyright.}

A WARNING

(Received This Day at 11.15 a.m.) LONDON, Oct. 3. Though there are many indications of the liklihood of a German retreat, there is no sign of a real break in tho Geiman resistance. The public should not he encouraged to look for peace by Christmas: What is really happening is that we have forced the Germans to put in their reserves to hold the present lines. Any further advance will render the attempt to hold for the enemy important lines of the salient with great coal deposits, is threatened. The Allies who are running a race with the winter, have only ft month campaigning weath- j cr ahead. Even the most successful operations take time. St. Quentin, which is as big as Hull, is not cleaned up yet, and will probably take three or four days. ON THE FLANDERS COAST. Received this day at 2.36 p.m.,) LONDON, Oct. 3. . General Haig, in an announcement of the German retreat from Labasse canal, j apparently confirms persistent Amster- j dam reports that thorough preparations j have been made for the evacuation of Lille and other places. Messages cm- j phasi.se that the Anglo-Belgium progress is making the evacuation of a considerable portion of the Belgium coast necessary in the immediate future. It. is reported the evacuation in.the region westward of Bruges lias reached an advanced stage. It > s even said the evacuation will include Antwerp. Presumably the La Basseo retirement is the first, withdrawal ■ from the salient between Warneton and Loos, including Armentiercs, and involving a retreat on a twenty-five miles front. The movement is the immediate result of General Plumer’s swift advance. *• The Germans themselves Rave announced three more retreats southwards of St. Quentin, north-westward of Rheims. and in Argonne Forest. The developments arc awaited with interest.