Reports from "Eye-witness."

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 84, 13 April 1915, Page 5

Reports from "Eye-witness."

EVIDENCE OF WEAKENING OF THE ENEMY. WAR LEVY ON LILLE, ROUBAIX, AND TURGOINC. A "MAGNIFICENT LIE" ABOUT THE ENGLISH. United Pbess Association. (Received 11.30 a.m.) London, April 12. ''Eye-witness" says: The Belgians brilliantly drove out the Germans on April 5 from n redoubt which had been constructed on the west bank of the Vser, most of the Garrison being killed or drowned in attempting' to escape across the river. Though a month has passed since Neuve Chapelle, it is significant that the enemy has not attempted to retaliate in any (juarter. It is also instructive to note that there has been a gradual weakening of German resistance during the past four months, which is practically an admission that the Germans, with the troops at their disposal, are unable to avenge the defeat. There is (dear evidence that something like a panic prevailed at Lille during the fighting at Neuve Chapelle, and the large hospitals were all removed to Tournai. Confidence among the German troops has been decreasing since Christmas. "Eye-witness" says: The Inst German war levy on Lille, Roubaix, ant! Turcoing for March and April was £200,000. "Eye-witness," referring to the statements in the German newspapers that the English at Neuve Chapelle drove the Sikhs and Ghurkas with uplifted hands in front of them, thus preventing the Germans from firing, and also similarly used the German prisoners, describes the story as a magnificent lie. He also quotes an officer's statement in the Frankfort Gazette that 250 English, disguised in German greatcoats, induced a party of German soldiers to join them and then shot them down.