A GREAT VICTORY

Taranaki Daily News, 12 August 1918, Page 4

A GREAT VICTORY

GERMANS UTTERLY ROUTED THE BRITISH REVENGE II r ' ~ iitmr - i ENORMOUS CAPTURES OF MEN, GUNS AND MATERIAL « ALLIES STILL PRESSING ON

WESTERN FRONT.]

BIG GERMAN RETREAT, Evacuating Flanders Front. Allies' Surprise Blow. [London, 'August 9. The Germing are retreating on, the Flanders front. The Allies advance* eleven uniles in the Montdidier region, have captured Frcsnoy and have reached Cliaubw. New York, August 'l9. A London message states that the Germans are retreating on the Flanders front and; evacuating their positions in the Lys Volley. The British have taken iM,OOO prisoners, the majority of whom have Ibeen captured by. the Australians and Canadians. The British, "have reached the Fram-eiville-Vauvillers-Ohiona line 1 , and the French have t&ken'Fresn'oy. The Allies' have taken 200 guns, and it ia reported that a German divisional general has teen captured. The Germans on the Amiens front are Mowing up ammunition dumps. The British casualties are only 9000. Allied! airmen halve Mown, up-the bridges over the Somme. French troops north-west of Montdir dier advanced four mites and captured 3000 prisoners. The British and French advance reached a maximum depth of eleven miles. British cavalry are within «i mile of Chaulnes. Canadian cavalry surrounded a largo force of Germans.—> Aus.-N#. Cable Assoc. NO RESPITE FOR ENEMY. """' ' GAINS ON THE MARNE. Washington, 'August 9. The Allies on the Marne front have regained 11500 square kilometres of territory, and 200 towns and villages have been recovered, and the Allied front shortened by 33 miles. The Germans used 19 divisions to cross the Marne and 17 in retreating from there- Additional reinforcements, from Flanders have readied the Vesle. United States army officers rejoice at Bit Douglas Haig's Wow. They declare it completes the evidence that the Allies control the initiative and'that General Foeh has no intention of allowing Lflidendorff a respite in which to organise new offensives.—Aus.-iN.Z. Cable Assoc. SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S REPORT. NEW BATTLE OF THE-SOMME. CANADIANS AND AUSTRALIANS PARTICIPATE. Wellington, August 10. The High Comissdoner reports under date London, August 9% (2.20 p.m.) Sir Douglas Haig reports: The French, have taken Fresnoy and Chuumes, The British are eastward of Le Quesnoy and Oaix. Northward of the Somme we are meeting With vigorous resistanceThe prisoners taken yesterday exceed 14,000; the number of guns has not yet been estimated. In Flanders our line advanced on the whole front from the Lawe River to the Bourro River to a maximum depth' of 2000 yards. 'London, August 9. The Australians are fighting north of the Somme. The Canadians captured Beaufort.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assoc.

MOST SUCCESSFUL BATTLE,

- A BRILLIANT OPERATION. lioncton, August 8. The advance is still progressing. Late yesterday afternoon our cavalry and armoured cars and tansies had reached' Framervill© and lAhons.. Thi3 means an: advance of eleven miles at the greatest depth and an infantry advance of soveflf miles, or an average of five or eix oveif the whole front. There are between Bind and ten thousand prisoners. The Germans have now been driw&lteV yond gun range of Amiens and they wlfl he unable to stay on the Awe, wiierej their line is completely outflanked the north. The German position an the Aisne.*Df not affected by the advance, but thtj enemy can hardly stand on the WkffiW dMier front, which will undoubtedly 3>S evacuated. The Germans continue to retire in-th® Lys salient and have withdrawn ximately 2000 yards ion a front of sis miles. Correspondents i&eclaTe that errai Messines tattle did not equal yeffterdaty's (brilliant sucto&sa, A Qtaosa otfatt/'d 1 captured diary frankly and Wttarly aft mits the Allies' air aupwetnaey and 3ayd that the airmen drop bombs post counting, day and nigbt, with dock-' like regularity from a bright well beyotndi leach of tie antiaircraft eunß.—•Ata.l ST. 1- Cable 'A&sdo. "' *- GROWING CONFUSION AMONJ* GERMANS. / ' PRIS(X^ES'TOTAIi-OVER'2O,OOOi-London, Augnsfc-8-The (Onlied Press eorreiponderiS states that the tsdfaanee continues amid growing eneimy eonfusioa. British «val< ry have taken further- villages, ans troops are s/pproaching Okaulnea. Thej prisoners now profalbly number over! 20,000, The British were unable to retaia the summdt of Ohipfilly, but flghtblng tihere continues heavy. The progress made elsewhere Is un* hampered, and Franco-British cavalry are cutting up the retreating columns. Bridges Peronne and Brie have been destroyed.—Aus.-N.Z. Calble Assoc. HAIG'S SURPRISE ATTACK. GENERAL tribute, London, August 9. General Maurice pays a tribute to tin. work of the newest tanks southward at the Somme where they recently had a, dress rehearsal. The enemy was on the alert northward of the Soinme and in the neighbourhood of Moreuil and consequently progress was less rapid there than in the centre, but the progress in the centre is most important. The enemy at Montdidicr is already in a pronounced salient and the advance eastward of Villers ißretonneux has made his position very vncomfoiialblc. Already Amiens is out of range <Sf all except the longest guns. More important still is the giving him no respite and keeping him on the defensive while getting in heavy blows on the Vesle. It is premature to say definitely that we have won hack the but we should if the, tattle develops" as it promises. Sir Douglas iffla/ig'a suwew is I due to a surprise, consisting of a seferet concentration, a short intense bombard" ment and the launch of a formidalble j tank attack.—Aus.-N".2. Gable Assad.

PRISONERS STREAMING IN.

WSS OF MUJPEKXSB-A GfiEATBLOW. &,TANGLI£P!J GERMANS BOMBED. SOMME BRIDGES- DESTROYED. Received Aug. 10, GJS pin. London, Aug. 9. Prisoners are steadily streaming in. General von der Marwitz's and General von Hutier's losses of munitions and other supplies alone are a big blow to the Germans. Ten divisions have been identified in Thursday's fighting. Further divisions have been thrown in since, stiffening the resistance in spots, especially in the Morianconrt region. The Wurtembergerß, on regaining it, were ordered to hold the ChipiUy spur at all coats. The cavalry elsewhere are rounding up prisoners. Armored cars are dashing up and down the roads increasing the enemy dismay. The tanks and whippets are manoeuvring across the fields, eo-operat-uig with the cavalry far ahead of the infantry. The whole area of the bend of the Somme is a tangle of German transport, artillery, and troops, all struggling on the same roads, over which our low fliera are machine-gunning and bombing night and day. All the crossings of the Somme are bombed mercilessly. Many bridges, including those at Peronne ana Brie have been destroyed. The French cavalry, tanks, and infantry are fighting brilliantly on the British right The position at 3 in the afternoon was that the British infantry were following the cavalry and tanks ten miles from the starting line. The total French advaaee is four miles on a nine-mile front The Canadians captured MarviDers. The enemy has captured CWpilfy. The situation is satisfactory. The German losses, in addition to prisoners, are very heavy. Ours are exceptionally lifht-United Press.

ALLIES'ATTACKING STRENGTH. v.

HALF A MILLION OE ALL ABMS. Received Aug. 10, 5l pjm. London, Aug; a. The French advanced south-east of Amiens to the assault without artillery preparation, and found the enemy in the act of being relieved and utterly unable to withstand the onslaught It is estimated that the Angle-French participating total a quarter of a million infantry, an* half a million <& all arms.—Renter. CORRESPONDENTS ACCOUNT. A WHIRLWIND FIRE. HUNDREDS OF TASKS ADVANCE, London, August 9; m iweivaj Phillips writes: Thanks to the almost eeaeeless artillerying/the enemy was for the most part unable to develop any formidable system of defence «wsh as *e had to overcome on the Sonune in I*l6 and in Handera is 1318. The ebhsciqutnesa of this weakness was pivfa&iy responsible for ins recent withdrawals. 'The preliminary bombardment wmaisted of thTee minutes' whirlwind fire on the front position. Then the sdd pma and trench mortars began to lenathm out the creeping barrage, wlnbt our heavies continued to pound away at spots likely to pro ve tmM«g» Hundreds of tanks advanced with infantry "*!s. ""V erossmg the Avre with gratifying ease. nnn * er °* low-flying aeroPWPI participated when the light broad««fl«nffie»ently, shedding a terrible hail of bombs and machine-gun fire. It was so naay when tha advance began that the gun flashes were often invisible fifty yards distant. ft was just the weather for a surprise. The advance was uuifonßly rapid everywhere, except at Moriancourt, where the enemy's position was woU fortified, fighting there was continuous throughout the morning. Below the Sommo the men literally vanished into the fog. It is difficult to piece toeether anything like a connected narrative, because the fighting rolls away over a wide sweep of country, and it becomes impossible to follow, but prisoners aiv coming in in shoals. They arc in tr'm condition, many of them, indicating that thev liad keen over-run and surren" lered without fighting. i)ne general. referring to the captures of gun*, laughingly said it would take iiay< to count them. A swift surprise drive on such length of front and such liepHi gives the enemy no time to take his batteries away or jven to destroy t!:em. The infantry in many places overrun our artillery's support, but this did not matter because, firstly, they had advanced beyond where any German guns were posted, and, secondly, because we had plenty of Gem an guns to swing round and serve. Our hatieries advanced with wonderful : martness In one instance a whole field brigade gc| beyond the original front Hue and were in action twenty minutes after. We were successful in getting two companies of tanks across the Luce River under cover of darkness, and they did invaluable work in clearing what was feared might prove a difficult situation, owing to .the strong German positions in Dodo "Wood and neighbouring high ground. Such casualties as the tanks suffered were inflicted by gunfire from the MUth bank of the Sonnne We therefore directed a converging attack against Ttois Oressaire and Chipilly, securing Isrec hauls of prisoners and field guns in both places. .Our men speak of the wonderful effectiveness of our barrage. The enemy machine-gun fire was lees intense than anticipated, doubtless owing to the ■■unthering of observation by the mist. The prisoners are of a good type of solder, bat were depressed at the news of the Marne defeat.—Aib-N.Z. Cahlo Assoc.

ALLIES' GREATEST BLOW,

. , THE TIME ARRIVED, Received August 11, 5.5 p.m. Washington, August 10. tierenal Marsh says that the time has now arrived on the West front for the Allies' greatest blow. Marshal Foch intends to keep on hitting. Any suggestion that the end of the war is near u» unfounded, but the time has come to keep the enemy running. The passage of the initiative to the Allies at this stage is all-important.—Press Assoc. GREATER THAN ANNOUNCED., THE ALLIED ADVANCE, HALF, THE GERMAN GUNS CAPTURED. . ; ,. Received August IL. 5.5 p.m.* Paris, August 10. It is believed that the Allied adcauce is greater than announced. Half the total guns behind the German front have been captured.—Press Assoc. AMMUNITION FROM THE AIR. CONCEALING APPROACH OF THE TANKS. AEROPLANES* NEW DEPARTURES. Received August 11, 5.5 p.m. London August 10. The aviation report states:—Aeroplanes co-operated with other arms on the battle-front throughout the day, and supplied our advance troops with ammunition from the air. They also dropped smoke bombs before the tanks' line of advance, concealing their approach from the enemy. Hying low, our squadrons machinegunned and bombed the retreating enemy, causing havoc among the masses of troops and transport, also trains at the junctions and bridges. We destroyed 48 aeroplanes and drove down 17 others uncontrollable. Fiftyone British machines are missing, mostly shot down from the ground. Airmen continued On the 9th to cooperate with the infantry, cavalry, and tanks, and heavily bombed the Somme bridges both day and night.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assoc, and Renter. \ ' Received August 11, 5.5 p.m. London August 10. The Allies' capture of guns totals 400. A new French attack between Montdidier and Lassigny advanced four miles, capturing 2000 troops. General von Hutier's plight is serious. The Pall Mall Gazette states that the Picardy battle is spreading northward of Arras. The Canadians and Australians captured Bouchoir, Mericourt, Lahons, Rainecourt, and Proyart. Von Hutier's army is retreating from the Montdidier-Noyon line.' A! German divisional headquarter'sstafl? was captured.

PROGRESS CONTINUED.

MORE TILLAGES TAKEN ENEMY EVACUATING LYS .VALLEY Received August 10, S.S p.m. London, August 9. Sir Douglas Hadg reports: Progress continues. The French have taken Fresnoy en Chausse. The British are now eastward of Le Questnel Croix. The enemy is vigorously resisting northward of the Somme. There is heavy fighting between ChipiUy and Morlancourt. The Allies have prisonered upwards of 14,000. The number of guns cannot yet be estimated. The enemy continues to evacuate forward positions in the Lys valley. Our ! line has advanced between the Lawe and Bourre Rivers, north-westward of Merville, to a maximum depth of two thou? sand yards. We hold Locon le Cometmalo, Quentin le Petit, Pacaut and Lesart. We advanced our line a short distance upwards of a thousand yards on the front northward of Kemmel A French communique states: There i-> no change on the battlefield of the Somme. There is some enemy artillerving at night time. Enemy raids in the Champagne, in the regions of Prosnes, Mont Sannom and Sourin, were repulsed. —Aus and N.Z. Cable Assoc, and Reuter. TO DEFEND THE RHINE. A "LAST STAND" ARMY. New York, August 9. A correspondent at the American front reports that information has reached the Allies that a "last-stand army" of half a million picked troops is being formed by the Kaiser's orders solely to defend the Rhine. French military opinion is satisfied that Germans must evacuate Mont-didier.—Aus.-X.Z. Cable Assn. SLIGHT GERMAN RECOVERY. New York, August S. The Germans have recaptured Chipilly by a strong counter-attack.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE SCAPEGOATS. Berne, August it. In addition to General Van Planitz. two major-generals and Hi nigh officers have been retired as punishment for the Marne defeat.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

"THE BRITISH REVENGE."

GERMAN ARRIVES IN TIGHT CORNER. FOCH CAN DELIVER OTHER RAPID BLOWS. , : , Received 11, 5.5 p.m. London, August 10. What the Paris papers enthusiastically style "The British revenge" is progressing in a fashion that is unprecedented by any British offensive. Hitherto the advance has been slower north of the Somme than elsewhere, as the succession of ravines there favors defensive tactics, but troop g are back on their old lines south of the Somme. Generally speaking, the salient has been broadened both at its apes and base by yesterday's successes. Now there are no seriously exposed flanks, the Germans, as at the Marne, (being driven into a great pocket south of the Somme, with their backs to the river. They will need the most desperate efforts to maintain themselves here, while retirement will imperil the flank of their new positions to which they were driven from the Marne. The crucial point in Chaulr.es, which is near an important road and is a railway centre, and where the British advance attained it? greatest depth. Its capture is bound to precipitate a German withdrawal from the Montdidier salient. Rome experts think it is possible the Germans will attempt to escape from their difficulties by another drive to the channel ports, but, contrariwise, it is pointed out that General Foch's present thrust has precisely anticipated such a move by necessitating further inroads on Prince Rupprecht'a reserves, and, as expected-, General Foch can now deal other rapid blows. The prospects of any effective German retaliation is regarded as diminishing. This is practically admitted by the German newspapers, which ar* now talking of new defensive strategy designed to spare men.—Aus-N.Z. Oalble Assoc. aiid^Reutor.

GREAT NUMBER OF GERMAN DEAD.

THE MOST STRIKING FEATURE. COMPLETENESS OP ENEMY'S ROUT. Received I'l, 5.5 p.m. London, August 10. Mr Robinson states: The relatively great number of German dead is the most striking feature of the torn battlefieldThe losses on Santerre plateau aro beyond anything I have ever seen. Their fosses in one fight were ten times greater than ours. The completeness of the enemy's rout and the overwhelming power of our artil- I lery are everywhere in evidence. Enormous masses of 'scattered materials and arms have been found, including whole deserted batteries amid piles of untouched ammunition.—Times Service. SUCCESS ALL ALONG THE LINE. DASH OF THE OOLOOTALS. -, , OFFICIAL REPORTS. | Received 11, 5.0 p.m. liondon, August 9. Sir Douglas Haig reports that the Allies renewed their attack on the whole battle front southward of the Somme and progressed everywhere, despite the increasing resistance. The French are .extending their front southwards and have captured Pierrepont and a wood north and north-east thereof. Tile Canadians and Australians, with admirable dash, after capturing the outer defences of Amiens, advanced two miles beyond, after severe fighting, before the evening. The Franco-British have reached the line Pierrepont-Arvillers-Rosieres-Rame- 1 eourt-Moreeourt, where fighting tinuesLocal fighting is reported north of the Sonnne. The prisoners are now seventeen thou-. •sand, and between two hundTed and three hundred guns, including a heavy | railway gun, large numbers of trench mortars, machine-guns, immense store» and material, including a train have been laken. Our casualties are exceptionally light " ' Received 11, 5.5 p.m. London, August 10, 2.15 p.m. Sir Douglas Haig reports (2.15 p.m.) r Yesterday afternoon the advance of the Allied, armies was continued on the whole front, from southward of Moutdidier to the river Anere. The French, attacking southward of Montdidier during the afternoon, captured T.p Tron(|uoy. Le Frotoy and Aswmvillers tiireatcnijig Montdidier from the southward. We prisonered over 2000 in this -'(■ to:-. 'I'll" Canadian and Australian divisions have taken Meharicourt, Lihons and entered P.ahiccourt and Proyart. Jn the evening Anglo-Americans attacked in the angle between the Somme and Ancre and met with immediate suecess. TSy nightfall all our objectives were taken, including the village of Iforlan-'-■ourt and the high ground to the eastEnemy counter-attacks nil this sector were beaten after sharp lighting. The prisoners captured.bv the Allies since the eighth exceed 20.000. A French communique states: Our troops operating or. the right of the British pursued their successes last evening. During the nisht wn progressed east of Ardvillcrs and cawlm-ed* D-iveiiescourt. Attacking south of .Y'ontdidicv i.etwe-ri Agineourt and Le vfiyir.oy w too!; Eubescourt and Assn-invillers and reached Faverolles.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assoc. and Reuter.

A HUMILIATING REVERSE-

SUFFERED BY THE GERMANS. COMPLETE SUCCESS OF TANKS, ! CARS, AND CAVALRY. " | Received August 11, 5.5 p.m. London, August 10. Mr. Pereival Phillips says it is a great victory. The second German army has suffered a humiliating reverse. .Much of its organisation, covering the open country before Amiens, lias been practically destroyed. Ido not think the war ha s yielded such stores of rout or confusion of trained soldiers. The outstanding feature lias been the complete success of (he tanks, cavalry, and armored cars. Delivering their first shock, the tanks and horsemen did amazing things. The tanks charged the huts ■wherein tho headquarters staff of the Eleventh German Army Corps was stationed at Framerville and pursued the corps' staff down tho roads, across the fields, from forward machine-gun nests to the snug headquarters at Framerville. The fugitives left a trail of debris of booty dropped pell-mell in their wild desire to reach the Somme. The correspondent traversed eight miles of the reclaimed country. Every yard revealed fresh proof of the enemy's consternation and inability to check the panic of his iroops. A STARTLING SURPRISE. GREAT BAG OF GERMAN BELONGINGS AND SPOIL. Received August 11, 5.5 p.m. London, August 10. The Daily Chronicle's correspondent (Mr. Nevinson) says that the advance northward of the Somme continues slowly. Morlancourt is still in the enemy's hands. A strong counter-attack on Thursday afternoon resulted in the Germans recapturing Gressaire Wood, south-west of Morlancourt, also Chipilly, wherefrom he inflicted damage on our tanks and guns during their advance over the plain. Evidence that our surprise has been startling is shown by the fact that ruined houses and,dug-outs are full of personal belongings, letters, official papers, photographs, books, and clothing. Row upon row of dug-oriw and cavc3 have been constructed in the chalky cliffs of tho Somme reminiscent of the Anzae precipice caves, but the Somme shelters in the open plain are from 20ft to 30ft deep. BATTLE NOT FINISHED. STRENGTH OF GERMAN RESERVES. Received August 11, 5,5 p.m. London, August 10. Colonel Roping ion says tlie attack has apparently struck tliu point of junction between Prince Rupprecht's and the Crown Prince's army groups. There may be some delay in bringing up the German reserves, because it is always more difficult for them tc reach their wings but it is premature to suppose that we have finished the battle. Sir Douglas Haig has smashed eight German divisions, but there must be nearly a hundred at Germany's disposal, excluding the seventy-four engaged on the Maine and those between Verdun «nd Switzerland. Twenty-three of these divisions consist of good storm troops not recently engaged.

EVERY REASON FOR CONFIDENCE.

PREVIOUS OPERATIONS HELPFUL. 'VESLE BRIDGEHEADS HELD. ENEMY RIDGE-HOLDERS ENDANGERED. Received August 10, 5.5 p.m. London, August 9. Reiner's correspondent at French headquarters, reporting at C p.m. .on Thursday, states: The battle on the Avre fine is progressing well on the whole front. By tiie attack our troops established themselves on the plateau overlooking the Avre valley from the east, deploying thereon for a continuation of the attack. There is every reason for confidence. It must be remembered that a series of important local operations were carried out in this front between the second and iifth of August, proving successful, and . pushing back the Germans, taking prisoners. General Debency since then has not relaxed his pressure, with the result thai he holds the banks of the Avre from Biaebes to beyond Fragicourt, when tiie attack began to-day American Headquarters, Afternoon. | Despite the bad weather General J'etain is continuing his advance. Ho lias already pushed sullicient forces across l Hie Vesle to hold the bridgeheads on I the right bank. The enemy risks having his line cut through :i! the weakest point, severing the north-wester'! plateau from •tiie strongly-held ridges to the east, thus i threatening the direct line of retreat I across tiie Aisne of the force now holding tht' ridges. The tendency in that direction is the enlargement from La ; XiMvilleliv, north' of Kheims. It will j ')■' instructive to see ]nr,v the enemy I will view these threats, ;ts indicating his j .strength, as anything confirming tiie i:.. >ri -,s!c!i the German shortage of nieii w'it have considerable weight in deter-

KEY POSITIONS.

CHAULNES AND LIHONS, AIRMEN'S BRILLIANT PART. Received August 11, 5.5 p.m. London, August 8. On the afternoon of the 9th the position of the British and Dominion troops north of the Somme was vague, as poor visibility impedes communication, but they are progressing. It is reported the British have entered R'osicrc.s. Though the report is unconfirmed, it is believed to be correct. The infantry's total advance is ten miles, but the cavalry are some miles ahead. Details regarding them are lacking. In London it has been reported that the British have captured Lihons, but the latest news suggests the report is incorrect. The importance of Chaulnes cannot lie exaggerated, as it is vital to the enemy in his whole sector. If we ctpttire Lilions, the enemy will be unable to maintain communications witli either the Montdidier or Royo sectors. We are now able to use Amiens as a railway junction. Airmen arc taking a brilliant part in the battle, bonfbing the fugitives and destroying communications with the German positions hitherto overrun. These are mainly trenches protected with wire. No pill-boxes have been encountered. General von Boehm commands the enemy. The United .Tress correspondent states that the Germans are burning their stores and ammunition in order to prevent them falling into the hands of the pursuing English, Australians, and Canadians, and French but the retreat is so hurried that large stores and supplies have been found intact. The Germans mined the roads but lacked time to blow them up. Guns and howitzers have been found intact, some still being in position and others overturned on the roadside. The Germans sometimes fought stubbornly, one battery of fieldguns firing over their open sights at point-Wang range causing some damage to the tanks, but the cavalry, with drawn sabres, charged the guns and killed or captured the crew. The stiffest resistance came from the extreme flanks. The British had difficulty on the Somme, and the French met stubborn opposition eastwards of Moreiul but eventually overcame the obstacles. We captured Quesnll after a day-long resistance. GENERAL MAURICE'S VIEWS. Received August 11, 5,5 p.m. London, August 10. General Maurice says:—l don't think there has been any battle in the West since trench warfare began wherein we Allies or the Germans ever before penetrated seven miles on the first advance. It seems improbable that the enemy is able to maintain himself in the Roye-Mondidicr salient. Certainly he must make a withdrawal comparable with the Marne. If we capture Chaulnes railway junction, the best the Germans can hope is that their reserves will arrive in time to prevent such a disaster.—United Press.

THE AUSTRALIANS.

AC-AIX DISTINGUISH THEMSELVES, Received 11, 5.5 p.m. Melbourne, August 11 General Bitwood cabled to Mr Pearce, Defence Minister: All our divisions participated in the recent successful operations, and again distinguished themselves by their gallant bearing, which could not be beaten. Our corps alone captured five thousand prisoners and a hundred guns. Our casualties are extraordinarily small owing to the complete surprise of the whole operation.—Press Assoc. ON THE VESLE. HOW THE AMERICAN'S CROSSED THE RIVER. GERMANS CLEAR LINE OF FIRE. Received 11, 5.5 p.m. London, August 10Renter"s correspondent at American headquarters, writing on the ninth, describing the fighting at the Vesle Valley, says th* enemy methodically thought out the problem of holding the heights beyond the Vesle. Once across the river cur troubles wero precipafedly increased. The enemy withdrew the bulk of his automatics to the wooded slopes, leaving only a few in the corn, where they could enfilade our advance from tha river. Many of these were silenced by individual deeds of daring When the output of guns was disposed of a bridgehead was formed and more troops were got over. We advanced to the foot of the hills, we now lying on the hillside practically in the open. The German gunnprs are watching every movement from a belt of trees above their invisible machine-guns, which have a clear field of fire. Our gunners are shelling theirs with gas, but hitherto without sensibly keeping down their firs. The Americans were first across the river, their engineers constructing trestle In-idges from material cut under fire.— Renter.

The National Efficiency Board's report in favor of the immediate abolition of the Liquor Traffic was no hasty or ill-considered document. It is an impartial weighing up- of the evidence of more than sixty witnesses. P>epresenlafives of the Liquor Trade, as wen a- (hose of temperance organisations stated their case. The non-party evidence of general merchants, manufacturers, farmers, employees, and of judicial, magisterial, medical and military iiutlioritics was also taken. Surelv (lie whole question was never more impartially considered and every elector should weigh well the fact that the Board, after hearing all sides, reported '(!'"< Prohibition was essential in the '■'—■■■■■•: n!' permanent national efliciSi'.:n (he Alliance Monster Peti- , iion asking for a poll on this important J question.

STARTLING RAPIDITY.

FORCING GERMANS TO PITCHED I BATTLE. OR ■RETREAT TO* OLD LINES. Received August 11, 55 p.m. New York, ugust 10 The Times' Washington correspondent states that the opinion in military circles is that the startling rapidity of the Franco-British advance in Picardy, following the other Allied successes, will force the German High Command either to use up its reserves in a pitched battle, attempting to block the Allies', or retreat to the old lines occupied last March. The British have captured Rosieres and Harvillera. The progress on both sides of Montdidier continues Eleven German divisions have been smashed in the present battle. French patrols have entered Chaulnes. THE COLONIALS ADVANCE. SPLENDID STAFF WORK Received, August 11, 5.5 p.m. Ottawa, August 10 The Canadian official press correspondent, describing the Canadian-Australian advance, praises the staff work. The tanks and cavalry, within fifteen minutes of the battle beginning, surrounded numerous prisoners. At first the atmosphere was clear, the night 'being starry. Afterwards fog filled the valleys, but the Canadians never slacked the vim of their progress.—Press Association. •

FRESH SUCCESSES.

SCORED BY THE FRENCH. Received August 11, 5.5 p.m. London, Aug 10, 2.30 a.m. A French communique states: Following up the advance on the right of the British Fourth Army, our troopa to-day scored fresh successes. After breaking the resistance of the enemy, we carried the villages of Pierre Pont, Contoire, Hangest en Santerre, and captured Orvillers. Ouri progress in" this direction since yesterday morning lias attained a depth of 14 kilometres. Besides a considerable quantity of materia], we have captured four thousand prisoners. Our losses, like those of the British, are particularly light. On the Vesle the Americans have captured Fismetto.—Aus and N.Z. CaCble Assoc, and Reuter. EFFECTUALLY PUSHED HOME. SWIFT WORK BY THE ALLIES. Received Aug. 11, 11.40 p.m. London, August 11 Reuter's correspondent at British headquarters states that Anglo-American assault between the Ancre and the Somme mentioned by Sir Douglas Haig, was pushed home in forty minutes, when the vitally important Chipilly spur was captured. Morlancourt was captured after hard fighting. South of the Somme cavalry and strong infantry patrols entered . Folies, Beaufort, Warvillers, Rosieres, Vausillera and the front Rouvroy and Santerre By dark the Australians had entered Lihons, and so swiftly that they captured the German divisional headquarters complete. A train, which the cavalry captured was leaving the town. The Americans yesterday gave a magnificent account of themselves.