ALLIES STEADILY GAINING GROUND

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2580, 30 September 1915, Page 5

ALLIES STEADILY GAINING GROUND

FIGHT FOR THE RIDGES BEYOND SOUCHEZ FIERCE EIGHTING IN THE ARGONNE The High Commissioner reports:— London, September 28, 5.25 p.m. In Artois, during tho night, the Allies gradually .gained further ground towards the ridges east and south of Souchez. "In Champagne the Germans are offering resistance from the positions on which they had fallen back. There has beon further progress west of the Navarr.in farmstead,, north of Massigos." ■ "In yesterday's attacks there were from six to eight German battalions against the-Allies' first line of trenches at Fillemorte and the Bolante Wood (in the Ai'gonne). The attacks ended in a severe check to tho enemy. Tho Allies', counter-attacks in the courso of the night enabled them to% expel tlia enemy's infantry at nearly all the points where they had succeeded in penetrating."

SEVERE FIGHTING ROUND ABOUT LENS DISPATCH FROM SIR JOHN FRENCH. (Rec. September 29, 9.10 p.m.) London, September 29. - Sir John French reports:— "Severe fighting continues round Lens and also to the northward of tho city. Wo now hold iiil the ground north of Hill 70 which the enemy retook on Sunday. "We have made , further progress south of Loos, and captured another gun, bringing the total to 21. Several more between us and the:'enemy hnvo'been abandoned. The prisoners taken now exceed 23,000. Forty machine-guns were captured, and many more were destroyed. j "The lines captured were exceptionally strong,'consisting of a double front line, including two largo works nampd the Hohenzollern aim Kaiser Wilhelni Redoubts, which wore a network of trenches and bomb-proof shelters hundreds of yards in extent. Tho second lino ran just west of Loos., We have now closely engaged tho third line. "Our aeroplanes bombed the railway near Bapaume, wrecking a train, and damaged tho railway near Acheit-le-Graild. "

FRENCH OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright S . Paris, September 28. A commumquo states:—"We have progressed nearer and nearer to the crests south east and east of Souchcz., ■ "The Germans in the Champagne district are resisting in reserve positions, protected by extensive disguised entanglements. "We made further progress towards Hill 185, east of Sommepy. "Seven enemy battalions attacked our trenches at La. Fill© Mortc and the Bois do Bolanto (in tho Argonne), and suffered a serious defeat. They penetrated our first line of trenches at some point but our counter-attacks at night expelled them. The ground in front of our trenches was covered with German dead.. (Rec. September 29, 10.10 p.m.)... .< . Paris, September 29. 'A communique stales: "We continue to gain ground foot by foot towards tho crests of tho Souchez ridges. Tho prisoners include men who havo boon brought back from the Russian front. "Wo have, mado fresh progress in Champagne, particularly north of Massignes, wl)ero 800 _ prisoners were taken. . "The enemy violently bombarded our trenches in the .Argonne, but did not attempt an infantry action. • "Grenade fighting enabled us to regain that part of- our firing lino which the enemy has been holding--since yesterday."

THE GREAT PSYCHOLOGICAL MOMENT, (Rec. September 29, 8.5 p.m.) Paris, September 29. A number of wounded French soldiers from the battle ill Champagne' have arrived. They state that tho infantry attack began at noon on Saturday. For the three previous days the big French artillery mado an appalling din, day ant) night unceasingly. "On* leaders oil the stroke of twelve cried: 'Forward!' We shouted like men possessed, and were out of the tranches at a single bound. There was hot work in front of us, where the lads of the first line are doing good business. They were beyond the bosches' trenches, and we doubled up to them." "We saw piles of German dead, and farther on saw shell craters in which a number of bosches wero buried beneath tho earth. We rushed on again, and sighted strong detachments of tho enemy's ninchine-guns in a pit. Wo dashed on them with the bayonet. It was a stiff fight. "Tho German survivors shouted 'Kamerad I'and threw down t'heir arms. Ono officer begged for mercy, saying that ho had a wifo and children, and offered us money when we spared him. "Another wounded Frenchman said that when his company reached tho German artillery positions tho gunners and tho infantry were seen huddled round tho guns, holding up their hands. The French artillery had mado idiots of them. There wcro all kinds of soldiers, old and young, and they were all possessed of tho one idea—to bo snared."

GERMAN RESERVES WERE CAUGHT IN A TRAP ' (Rec. September 29, 9 p.m.) Paris, September 2!). Military critics explain the huge captures of prisoners by tho fact that t'ho French advance in, Champagne wa;> so rapid, and tho bombardment so disorganised the enemy's lines that tho German reserves in the centre were caught in tin) jaws of pincers, and out off. Marclmiid, the hero of thn Pnhliodn mohltmt, wis wounded, His hurt m serious, but ui'obabl v will not be fatal-

FRENCH CAVALRY COME INTO ACTION (Rec. September 29, 10.10 p.m.) Paris, September 29. The French cavalry played an important part in the offensivo in the Champagne district. They swept the enemy like a hurricane after the infantry had cleared the first lino troiic-hcs. MILITARY OUTLOOK REVIEWED: THE HUNS' DILEMMA ENEMY NOW FACES A DOUBLE OFFENSIVE. (Rec. September 29, 4 p.m.) London, September 29. .All accounts agree that the British continue to make progress in Artois., A big battle :'s proceeding in the Champagne, while the Allies are preparing to make another spring. Critics are of opinion that the German efforts to hold the British and French immobile, while seeking a decision in the East, have been definitely frustrated. The Germans are now facing a double effort, which it has been the prime object of their strategy to avoid. The enemy is likely to uncover a certain portion of" his front in order to accumulate large forces at threatened points, and the Allies will not miss the opportunity of attacking at the weak points. Hence fighting is likely at places not yet mentioned.

CROWN PRINCE IN AN AWKWARD PLIGHT (Rec. September 30, 0.30 a.m.) Paris, September 29. The German counter-attack-in the Argonne is not likely to interfere with the French push in Champagne. The Crown Princo sustained a serious reverse, and was hurled back four times, with heavy loss. His desperate efforts to break through to aid Generals von Einem and von Heeringen is accounted for by the fact that fcho French approach to Challerange Junction threatens to cut hi'm off from his Vouziers base. ' ' . •

GERMAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE (Rec. September .29, 10.10 p.m.J • _ Amsterdam, September 2D. A German communique claims that the Germans have gained ground against the Allies' offensive, and captured twenty officers and 750 men. "French attacks near Souchez; and on the remainder of the Champagne front, have been repulsed." .

' TRAIN-LOADS OF PRISONERS STEAM INTO HAVRE Havre, September 28. Several train loads of prisoners taken by the British have arrived. All arc glad that their'fighting is over. London, September 28. The Exchange Agency reports that many German prisoners state that' they had just arrived from the Russian front,. and been je-equipped at Berlin, where there is great optimism.

MAGNIFICENT RED CROSS ORGANISATION I London, September 28. Wounded men from La Bassee arriving at Glasgow pay a tribute to the manner in which tho wounded were clcared fr.om tho front. The hospital trains ran as • regularly as the coaches in the Lord Mayor's Show. Tim first official warning of the oflensive was -when the attackers paraded on Friday, and heard Sir John French's stirring appeal that ho relied on every man to do his utmost.

MAILED FIST BRANDISHED •AT THE GERMAN COMMANDERS ("Times" and Sydney "Sutt" Services.) London, September 28. 'Dutch papers assert■ that the Kaiser wroto in the most imperative terms to his Genorals in the AVest, stating that tho successful issue of the war was dependent on events there." ' Any important succoss obtained by tho Allies would be considered a 8 duo to culpable negligence on the part of the German commanders. ■

GRAVE APPEAL BY THE BRITISH PRIME MINISTER , (H-eo. September 29, 4 p.m.) , London, September 29. Lord Kitchener and Mr. Asquith addressed the Joint Labour Board upon the military situation. The necessity for such appeals was proved when Mr. Lloyd George, m the House of Commons, announced that seventeen hundred men engaged on warship construction at Thorneycroft's, Southampton, wore striking as n protest against tlio employment of non-union men who had been released from the colours (with tlio union's authority). . _ . • • Ho added that proceedings would be commenced against the men. Mr. Asqiiith's gravo appeal showed that the House of Commons and the Government realise the critical nature of tho present operations.

PRESS AND PUBLIC OPINION FIRST USB OF WORD "VICTORY" SINCE THE MARNE BATTLE Paris, September 28. The newspapers comment thai the censor permits the word "victory" to be applied to tho battle in the Champagne, the first occasion on which the word has beeii used since the Battle of .tho Marne. \ ' ' RAPID ADVANCE NOT TO BE EXPECTED. , , . ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) (Rec. September 29) 5.5 p.m.) London, September 28. The "Times" says:—"The rush of good news from Franco has been fol(owed by less stirring dispatches, which must be regarded with patience and calmness. The Allies are not going to throw sway their new oppoitunities by recklessness. • Tho lessons of Neuvo Chappelle show that the great earlier attacks this year brought small result's, becauso they were made on too narrow a front, were pressed too eagerly, • and were insufficiently supported. Profiting by this cxpcrienco, the Anglo-I'rencli troops are consolidating their gains with advantage. , Colonel Repingten (tho "Times" military correspondent) says:— As wo have gained many hours to consolidate tho British now position, the chances of a successful German countcr-attack on the whole front arc not great. It is certain that the British attack; and tho French attack on the Souchez side were admirably co-ordinated. The British success north of Lens will greatly, assist tho French gain on tho heights west of \iiny. All the ground round Lens is very defensible, and until our artillery has been firmly placed south of the Loos, a rapid advance similar to that which was made on Saturday is not to be expected. -When the Vimy Heights are captured it will bo an important step, because, commanding, as they do, all the ground to tho eastward it is probable that the Germans will fall back on Douai once they are pushed off tile high ground. A rapid advance by tho Allies is not to be expected." •

WHAT LIES BEHIND THE GERMAN LINES ? ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) London, September 28 v The "Potit Parisien" says:—"Since the Battle of the Marne no such day has shono for our flag." . ' The "Matin" says:—"We must not forget that- the Germans put their trust not in thoir first lines, which are mainly defended by niaclune-guns, but' in tlie defensive organisation of tho second ancl third lines, lne nrst results were gloriously achieved." ' . . The Now York "Herald" says:—"Tho elan of the Allies was irresistible, but we havo. to find out what lies behind the first German trenches." GERMAN PRESS OPINION: "FIRST STORM BEATEN OFF." ("Tillies" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) London, September 28. The "Frankfurter Zoitung," under the heading, "First Storm Beaten Off" says: "The enemy has not- selected a favourable moment for tho offensive but gives proof of firm determination. Tho position in Russia is so brilliant- that we are able to send considerable armies from the Last to the West. Therefore we regard these new big battles with equanimity." (Rec. September 29, 9 p.m.) Amsterdam, September 29. The German newspapers, evidently inspired, arc unanimous in stating that the Allies' offensive was timed for the breaking of tho German front and securing a final decision, so the effort has failed.

WHAT OUR BOMBARDMENT FELT LIKE. (Rcc. September 29, 11.10 p.m.) !. Amsterdam, September 29. The "Cologno Gazette" declares that the possibility of the enemy, broaking through no longer exists. "The number of Germans taken prisoners," it says, "is exaggerated." ■ , A liHi officer, interviewed, says: "It was a tremendous attack, supported by" an artillery fire such as we never before experienced, and followed by a hand-to-hand struggle of extraordinary fury. Wo fully appreciated tlio bravery, obstinacy, and courage of the attackers." ' Dr. Wagner, tho "Cologne Gazette's Western correspondent, describing the bombardment, says: "The wholo atmosphere ivas in a state of dull vibration. One had a physical sensation of being shaken by air waves. It* was like an underground growling, distant volcano, slinking the earth's crust for miles around—the most remarkable and exciting sensation imaginable."

THE NEWS IN PETROGRAD TSAR'S FELICITATIONS TO PRESIDENT POINCARE. (Rec. September 29, fl p.m.) Petrograd, September 29. There is profound satisfaction at tho commencement of the dffonsivc in the West, but it is realised that incessant blows alone can shake the German defence, to its foundations. Demonstrative crowds cheered the British and I'rench Embassies. Tho Tsar has telegraphed to Jf. Poinnavo, cnngratulaljug liim on the villi* unt ni'inlct! 1 great success. J], f'oinwc replied, that the "munificent valour ..of the .Russians; was the admiration, of tho worldi

STOCK EXCHANGE BAROMETER IN WALL STREET. • (Rec. September 29, 9 p.m.) New York, September 29. ■The public enthusiasm over the Allies' offensive is reflected in exceptional activity iu the Now York Stock Exchange.

THE BRITISH ARMY IN 1916-LARGE INCREASE IMPORTANT REPORTS FDR CABINET'S' CONSIDERATION, (Rec. September 29, 10.35 p»m.) London, September 29. The "Daily Chroniclo" states that Cabinet is considering Lord Kitchener's estimate for a largely-increased army in 1916, Mr. A. J. Balfour's memorandum on sea power, a distinguished economist's repcrt x on the Empire's economic resources, and an expert report on Britain's financial aiid trading position. Cabinet will receive shortly the Lansdowne Committee's report in connection with the National Register.