In the West

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 83, 4 November 1916, Page 5

In the West

| SLAVES FROM BELGIUM. IRON RULE OF THE HUN. London, October 25. Renter's representative at Amsterdam states that the correspondent on 'the frontier of the "Telegraaf," do- ! .«cribing the conditions in Northern France, says that the Germans aro pressing civilians to work in greater numbers. Many Russians are also be'ing employed. The Russians in their ileisure time sell wooden souvenirs to ! the French in exchange for bread to allay their apparent hunger. The Germans arc requisitioning supplies largely. They recently carried off from a single factory nearly £300,000 worth of goods. The "Telegraaf" also declares that the Germans are planning to outrage Belgium as they did Northern France. Already 2000 civilians have been deported from Ghent, and preparations for a similar raid are being taken elsewhere. It is announced that anybody refusing to work is liable to imprisonment for three years or a fine of £SOO.

"TANKS'' ENGLISH-MADE. New York, October 25. 1 Mr George Gaston, a large Amrican manufacturer, who has been on a visit of inspection to the front in France, says that there is no truth in the report that the British "tanks" 'arc American made. They are the sole product of English invention and manufacture. No part of them was made in America.

THE FORT VAUX VICTORY. GLOSSING OVER THE DEFEAT. Press Association—Copyright, Ausira lian and N.Z. Cable Association (Received 11.20 a.m.) London, November 3. A German wireless message claims tli at their withdrawal from Fort Vaux was not observed by the French, who bombarded the empty fort for 1 many hours, and then strongly assaulted and found it deserted. Owing to the French gains near Fort Douaumont, Fort Vaux was valueless to Germany; thedefore thev retired to a favourable .. * w) Istvw line.

BRITISH PROGRESS/'EASfWARD.

SUCCESSFUL TRENCH RAIDS. Press Assn.—Copyright.—Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn., and Reuter. (Received 11.30 a.m.) London, November 3. General Haig reports: We surprised and captured a trench east of Gueudecourt, and successfully raided trenches at Etrenas.

FRENCH ADVANCE AT VERDUN.

BELT OF EXTERIOR FORTS REESTABLISHED.

NEW POSITIONS FIRMLY HELD.

Press Association—Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received 11.20 a.m.) Paris, November 3.

A communique states : Owing to the violence of our bombardment for several days, the enemy did not await an attack by the infantry, whose.pressure was even closer, yesterday afternoon evacuated Fort Vaux, in which the heaviest explosions were observed. We occupied it at night without loss.

i The belt of exterior forts at Verdun is now entirely re-established, and is firmly held by us.

BEFORE LA TRANSLOY. Press Association—Copyright, Austra lian and N.Z. Cable Association London, November 2. Mr Gibbon says that since the 21st fighting eastward of Les Boeufs lias ebbed and flowed against the stubborn Bavarians, until only the crest of the trenches held out. For a week the artillery pounded the trench out of existence. On the 30th the Britishers, after fierce bayonet lighting, again rushed the slopes and won every objective. Our line is now parallel with the great German system before Le Transloy: The price paid is not excessive. That the Germans lost heavily is shown by the number of corpses lying in the rain. The Bavarians were so dazed with the violent fighting that they declare they destroyed two tanks, whereas no tanks were engaged. The rain continues, mud, broadening ponds, and water being everywhere, necessitating constant efforts to keep the positions in repair.