WESTERS FROST.

Taihape Daily Times, 8 November 1918, Page 5

WESTERS FROST.

GERMANS ROUTED BY FRENCH.

SOME IMPORTANT GAINS

Received Noon

LONDON, Nov 7

A French communique states: Our indefatigable troops continued to pursue the enemy all day between the Sambre and the Meuse, shattering local resistance. We advanced ten kilometres at certain points, and liberated numerous civilian populations. The enemy, harassed by our advance guards, abandoned everything during their headlong retreat —prisoners, guns, and material —which is so fat uncounted. East of the Sambre we reached the eastern outskirts of Nouvion. Regnaval forts were captured. Farther south of Vervins and north thereof, we are advancing beyond the Serre. The Italians crossed the Hurtaux by assault and stormed Rozoysurserre, to'the north of the Aisne. We are twelve kilometres north of the Chateau Bordet. We captured Rethel and advanced . six kilometres north thereof. Our cavalry here charged an'd captured a battery of fifteen guns, and a battery of four-inchers with gunners’ teams.

ACCOUNT OF RECENT FIGHTING.

GENERAL ADVANCE ALL ROUND.

Received Noon.

LONDON, Nov 7.

Sir D. Haig reports- On the whole battlefront, 'despite rain, there was sharp fighting. We prisonered hundreds. On the right we captured Cartignies and Marbaix; in the centre we drove out the enemy from hastily-con-structed defences on the east bank of the Sambre. We crossed the river near Berlaimont, and captured Leva! and Aulnoye, also the important railway junction there. Further north we crossed the Avesnes-Bavai Road eastward of Mormal Forest, and reached the railway southward an westward of Bavai, where sharp fighting continues near the town. We cleared the west bank of the Honelle as far north as Angre, where all day long there was stiff fighting. We repulsed two counter attacks on the IST!. The Canadians are progressing eastward of the Scheldt and have captured Baisseux and Quievrechain.

AMERICAN’S CAPTURED SEDAN

BEFORE ARMISTICE WAS SIGNED

Received 9 a.m

NEW YORK, Nov. 7,

The Americans continue to progress on the Verdun front. The Germans are rapidly retiring, fighting rearguard actions.

Mr James cables that Sedan has been set afire by the Germans in their retreat. The Americans are within five miles of the town. The American success is developing into a great victory.

.Later—The Americans took Sedan just before the armistice was signed.

AMERICAN REPORT

Received noon

LONDON, November 7. An American communique stales: We advanced over four kilometres east of the Meuse, despite most difficult ground and bitter resistance. The enemy is desperately striving to maintain his last foothold on the heights of the Meuse. The enemy failed to check on rapid progress west of the Meuse where we reached the outskirts of Mouzon. We captured Bulson and Praucourt. Twenty-two enemy divisions have appeared on our front bet-sen Meuse and the Argonne since November Ist.

GERMANS ADMIT RETREAT.

LONDON, November 6.

It is stated in the lobby of the House of Commons that a German armistice delegation has reached the Allied lines.

The Daily News states: The German mission arrived in the British lines last night. Foch will receive the members to-day.

THE SITUATION SUMBfcED UP . _j W, ,

LONDONN, NovV. G.

The desperate haste with' .which the enemy is evacuating material is shown by the congested state of the railways, and the reduction of troops' transport to a minimum. The enemy’s situation is more dangerous than a week, ago. If the Allies' pressure can be maintained, great results may ensue, but in view of the uncertain weather conditions, it would be unsafe to rely on the enemy's: military collapse. We have three railways available through Trentino to concentrate on Germany's southern with other lines from Trieste, Saxony and Bavaria are now in imminent danger. The enemy has no adequate forces to defend.them. Some forty German divisions are still in Russia, and Austria. All are of inferior value, .and comparatively ill-equip-ped. It will take a long time to concentrate them to meet the new danger. If the Germans immediately, retired to the Meuse line, they might economise sufficient troops, to delay for a time the Allies’ advance into .Bavaria and Saxony. It Remains to, bo . seen whether the army and the people; arc willing to continue a hopeless struggle with the certainty of total disaster. The enemy’s supplies of food and oil from Ukraine, Roumania ? and Austria, arc unobtainable. Preparations have been completed for the transfer of British troops by sea to -occupy the Dardanelles and Bosphorus. The Siberian situation is unchanged. Good progress has been made in raising a Russian army there: it now numbers 200,000.

Wo have occupied Mosul, the Turks complying -until the armistice terms. We are now enabled a transfer a large number of troops from Palestine for service in Europe.

NO HOPE FOE GERMANY,

NEW YORK, November 6. Newspapers point out that Germany’s armies are retreading from France and Belgium in dsorder. Even if Germany could make good her retreat to the valley of the Rhine she could be invaded through Belgium, Luxemburg, Alsace-Lorraine and 'through Silesia.. Germany could not rely on aid from levies from Russia, because the opening of the Black and Marmora Seas to the Allied fleets enable the latter to restore ordeaftin Russia and redeem her people from German exploitation.