WESTERN FRONT.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 November 1918, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

CAPTURING SEDAN. AMERICANS AT WORK. USE OF COMMUNICATION CLOSED. Received Nov. 8. 5.5 p.m. London. Nov. 7. 4.25 p.m. American official: The Ist American Army capture;! a portion of Sedan cv. the west bank of the Meuse and the bridge across the Meuse into the remainder of Sedan, which is filled with the retreating enemy. The valley is flooded and the railroad bridges have also been destroyed. The enemy's principal lateral line' of communication between Metz and northern France and Belgium is no longer open to Him.--Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.

THE POCKET SQUEEZE. , V s "?'•& '..ENEMY IN THE PINCERS. HIS POSITION*' ajHSPERATE. Received Nov. 8. 5.45 p.'A London. No*, f. Mr. Sidebotham states that the winoie agonised German army has now to squeeze through a narrowing and a rapidly congesting pocket, fifty to sixty miles between Avesnes and Mezieres, in which only one railway is working freely. Nor is the worst compression over. The loss of the Afcne line means tl.iat the real squeeze is only beginning and that the enemy's situation is almost desperate.—Times Service.

BARBARIC BAVARIANS. LOOTING AND MASSACRING. CIVILIANS HORRIBLY TREATED. Received Nov. S. 5.5 p.m. London. Nov. 7. Reuter's correspondent on the Belgian front says that the Bavarians, before evacuating, systematically pillaged Dcynze and massacred 183 civilians, on the orders of General von Ostraski. When the looting was finished, the Bavarians drove the inhabitants into cellars and threw in incendiary bombs. The whole of a Courtrai street was burned and 34 civilians incinerated, while 123 others »l'i« k : 'led its shells fired after the Ger- ' " —n.—Reuter.

FRENCH -TJKSUIT CONTINUES, MAiUii«**uru£ /HE MEUSE. Received Nov. 8. 5.5 p.m. London. Nov. 7. 4.25 p.m. A French communique states: The pursuit continues this morning on the whole front. We progressed east of the forests of Le Nouvion and Regnaval. north of the Sere and the Aisne. On our right cavalry elements are pushing in the direction of the Meuse. — Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc, and Reuter.

THE BELGIAN COAL MINES. THREATENED DESTRUCTION BY GERMANS. -j,.. EMPHATIC AMERICAN PROTEST. Received Nov. 0, 12.55 a.m. Washington, Nov. 7. Mr. Lansing's note to Germany protests against the reported intention to destroy the Belgian coal mines. The message notified Germany that if such acts were carried out they would confirm the belief that the solemn assurance of the German Government had not been given in good faith. Acts so wanton, and cruel cannot fail to impress the American people as being wilfully inhuman; therefore an emphatic protest was necessary.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc.