THE ENEMY'S LINE.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 October 1918, Page 5

THE ENEMY'S LINE.

ONLY TENTATIVELY HELD. WITHDRAWAL TO THE JIEUSE PROBABLE. BELGIANS' MARVELLOUS SUCCESS. Received Oct. 25. 11.5 p.m. London, Oct. 24. As yet the enemy on the western front lias not shortened his line appreciably, which, owing to the exhaustion of his troops, is now an urgent necessity for him. It is unlikely they will remain on any line longer than necessary for the withdrawal of their forces and material until they reach the Antwerp-Brussels-Namur line. It is doubtful whether they intend to hold the latter any length of time, as it presents few natural defensive features, and no extensive entrenchments have been dug along it. Therefore it is probable that the enemy's withdrawal will' be to the line of the Meuse, which is the shortest and strongest he can occupy. The Meuse line would give him breathing space to reorganise his troops and reconstitute a strong fresh reserve. The enemy during the past few weeks has been unable to maintain more than three or four fresh diviaons. The most remarkable feature of the recent fighting is the remarkable performance of the Belgians, who, without any experience of open fighting for four years, effected such a rapid advance over difficult, marshy country. Interesting evidence has recently been obtained of frequent mutinous conduct in the German army, and the difficulty that thb enemy is experiencing in replacing material is evidenced in the further reduction of the heavy batteries from four to three guns, and m some cases to two guns.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.

A GREAT VICTORY. VALENCIENNES WILL BE ISOLATED WEATHER FAVORS THE BRITISH. Received Oct. 25, 10.15 p,m. London, Oct. 24. Reuter's correspondent at British headquarters, writing on the 24th, says that yesterday's victory by the British 3rd ami 4th Armies was infinitely greater than is expressed by the big haul of prisoners and guns. It is merely a question of time before Valenciennes is isolated.

The weather is favoring us, as an east wind is drying up the ground.—Reuter. BRITISH ATTACK RESUMED. FURTHER SUCCESSES. Received Oct. 25, 7.30 p.m. London, Oct. 24, 1.20 p.m. Sir Douglas Haig reports: The attack was resumed on the whole front this morning between the Sarabre and the Oise Canal and the Scheldt, to the northward of Valenciennes. We cleared tihe enemy from the Derasmes forest and captured Thiers, Hauterive, and Thien. There was determined local lighting westward of Tournai, without material change in the situation. —Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc, and Reuter. THE WINTER CAMPAIGN. TO BE EXTRAORDINARILY VIOLENT GERMANS TO BE GIVEN NO REST. Received Oct. 25, 7.30 p.m. London, Oct 24. The American headquarters correspondent states that throughout the winter the Germans will be subjected to. a campaign of exceptional violence. They will not be given a breathing spell to recuperate their forces and replenish supplies. Seventy-five per cent, of the whole west front offers no real obstacle to the continuance of the fight.—Times Service. GERMAN RESERVES • LAST DIVISIONS THROWN IN. Received Oct. 25, 7.30 p.m. London, Oct 24. The Times' correspondent says that the German reserves are practically exhausted, the last four divisions having been thrown in. TJie American front retains forty divisions, and the briefly rested 1929, class is partly in use.—Times Sorvice. ~.'■' ! FRENCH CROSS CANAL. j SOME LIVELY STRUGGLES. Received Oct. 25, 7.30 p.m. London, Oct. 24. , A French communique states: On the 'Oise front we .crossed the canal east of Verly-le-Giand, and, despite counterattacks, our elements maintained themselves there. Between the-, Oise and the Serre the struggle \«as also lively,, and. in the regum of N",Z.-Cable Assoc, aai Reujei;,. Re^v^ : Oct.j24:i^oH*p.m. Baris, "Oct, 24, The .Belgian. Government has appointed. Biu^l^.t«|Bß9ay7 !^BWit»l! 4Smes