THE WESTERN FRONT

Hokitika Guardian, 2 November 1918, Page 3

THE WESTERN FRONT

j|l*Elt PRESS ASSOCIATION’.—COPYRIGHT.]

GERMAN ORDERS. LONDON, October 31. Renters correspondent- at British Headquarters writing on the -30 th si a tes :—German orders and battle objective maps which have recently fallen into our hands show how complete has 'been the miscarriage of enemy schemes. Great efforts were made to bolster up the flagging spirits of the men by impressing them with the idea that the more strenuously they fight the better would ho the prospect of favourable peace terms. Thus under date of the 12th just, the following document was issued: The High Command states that the possibility of an armistice de■pends on the battle coming to a standstill. Every gunner must carry out his duty night and day. The English must not cross the Selle river. The artillerv must prevent them. LONDON, October 31 A captured order signed by General von Gnrijech, commanding the German Army Corps of the lluigny sector, and dated the 19th inst, saves: We will accept a decisive battle on the LysHerninnn line, which must he held at

any price. The Hermann line is the Scheldt line which the Allies subsequently captured along General von Garisch’s sector. Another divisional order says: “The High Command has ordered that the troops be made to understand clearly that the Hermann-Stelling line must he held at all costs, for the reason that that if this line is held there are good prospects of carrying out peace negotiations, or arranging an armistice. If this line is not held, peace in the near future is out of the. question. Make this point, perfectly ‘ clear, by word of mouth.” Another order says: “The mam obstacle to a peace of justice is the unbridled will of the enemy commanders to annihilate the German Army They hope to achieve this by renewed attacks. Only by standing firm can this scheme of the enemy commanders be frustrated, and an honourable peace b«> secured. The enemy infantry are inferior in quality and are without capacity for resistance. If we turn our backs on him, we are lost. and. with us, the whole of Germany. If only every one stands firm, tTien our task is easy, and we shall be able to settle accounts with the enemy but every man must, stand—that is a question of honour.” ATISTR lANS WITHDRAWN. LONDON, Oct. 31. Austria is withdrawing her divisions from the West Front. They have already gone.

AMERICANS ADVANCE. LONDON. Oct. 31. An American official messago states: We have advanveed our lines northward of Grand Pre, and occupied Bellojoyeast Farm. NEW BRITISH OFFENSIVE. SOUTH OF VALENCIENNES. (Received this day at 9.25 a.m.) NEW YORK, November 1. The British have launched a new offensive to the south of Valenciennes.