HOSTAGE INCIDENT EXPLAINED.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 October 1918, Page 5

HOSTAGE INCIDENT EXPLAINED.

THE WAY OF THE HUN. Received Oct. J7, 7.30 pjn. London, Oct. 16. Mr. Ferris writes that it is incorrect to say that the Germans took hostages from Laon during the retreat. Twentyfour inhabitants, including twelve women, were deported in January and interned on tho pretext that France acted similarly in Alsace, but these were returned to Laon or repatriated to France in April, in accordance with the Berne agreement. Tho maypr of Laon was removed on Saturday, not as a hostage, but ostensibly to give an account of his stewardship of the American Relief Committee. It is evident that the real reason of his removal was to prevent him speaking to his countrymen. Three hundred mobilisable men were also taken. The American Relief Committee alone prevented actual starvation at Laon. —Router. GERMANS ADMIT RETREATING. Received Oct. 17, 7.30 p.m. London, Oct. 16. Wireless German official: The enemy penetrated beyond Iseghem-Courtrai railway line. We withdrew Bomewhat westward and south-west of Lille. We evacuated a small salient position between Oligny and Grand Pro along the Aisne towards Mouron.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc, and Reuter. RECOVERY OF CEMETERY AT ARMENTLERES. Received Oct. 17, 130 p.m. London, Oct. 10. General Griffiths, director of the Graves Registration Committee, has informed Sir Thomas Mackenzie that the .military cemetery at Armentieres has •tieen recovered, practically undamaged.— Aus. Cable Assoc. * FUGITIVES GOING TO HOLLAND. Received Opl. r», 7.30 p.m. iterdam, Oct. 10. Tfecommii'id ti-o German army at AirfaSrerp'«h*i c .„' *>• ♦'"> Dutch auth.oifiMes that i<" * -''tTveS awgoint} jto'iHjrfland".—An- &W& Assoc.