BIG OFFENSIVE IN FLANDERS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 18, 16 October 1918, Page 5

BIG OFFENSIVE IN FLANDERS

GAPfURE OE ROULERS ■ •.■■.-[ ... ■ , NAVAL BOiBARDMENT OF THE COAST GERMAN 1 PROPOSALS EEFDSED no Dealings with vandals : :; -and murderers The British have laurtohed anew offensive in Flanders, and are rapidly advancing, on an dxtensi'e front. Roulers is stated'to have been captured , , and the line is moving rapidly eastward. A naval ; squadron off the;coast ; is co-operating. Tho British have surrounded Laon, General Mangin U-ing carried shoulder high and on entering Laon, General Maug in being carried shoulder high'and in other, ways accorded the homage duo to a conquering hero. , President Wilson has replied to the German armistice proposal, and left' x • no. room, for misunderstaaußng or.misinterpretation. He insists on the abolition of the the'cessation of cruel and illegal acts—submarine attacks, and" spoliation and destruction nf the French towns and villages in 4he path of the retreat—as indispenable , conditions for the discussion, of an armistice. A separate Note is being, sent to. Austria. Tiirtoy is bent on securing a separate ' peace, but the Central Powers have asked her to delay action.

NEW, OFFENSIVE IN FLANDERS

BRITISH CAPTURE ROULERS RAPID PROGRESS OF THE ADVANCE •. ,' ■' By A63ooiation~Co»yrißlit ~'..; i ' New York, October 14... The British, French, and Belgian troops have begun a new offensive in Flanders, on an extensive front, designed to secure the Belgian ports.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. . . • • ■ .. ••■ ' London, October 14. . The British have captured Roulers, and are rapidly passing to the east. —Reuter. ■. ■ ' . . ■•..,''. Tho'/Evening News" states that Roulers has been captured, and the Allies are four miles north of Courtrai. 'The French have captured 3000 pris-oners.—Aus.-N.Z, Cable Assn. ' . ' : • ATTACK OK: 28 MILES OF FRONT. • ' ■■■■■.■■■' v ■ . ■ • • ■ ■ , 1 ' (Eec. October 15, 7.40 p.m.) London, October 14, 7.45 p.m. The Allies' attack in Belgium extends along twenty-eight miles of front from Wervicq to the Yser. The advance has reached Iseghem. The British Fleet is co-operating off Ostend.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. BRITISH 'MONITOR ENTERS OSTEND v v , ____ . . . . r ( ' ; , .■•, ■ .AN UNCONFIRMED , REPORT. ■ . j' ■i ..■-> ■•'•■■'"' (Rec.' October .16, 1.30 a.m.) I ' : • '■ , . . London, October 14. ■'Mr. Philip Gibb/states'that thero is ah unconfirmed report that a British monitor has entered Ostend.—Aus.-N.Z,. Cable Assn. . BELGIAN CIVILIANS LEAVING, THE STORM AREAS. : l • (Rec. October 15, 7.40 p.m.) ■ . Amsterdam, October 14. Belgian civilians are fleeing towards the Dutch■ frontier .from the arehs threatened by the Allies, causing great ■ congestion and shortage of food. Thousands have already crossed the frontier.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. DOUAI SURROUNDED •■''■' ' New Yorh, October 14. Tho British hare surrounded Douai.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable, Asen. \ GERMAN RETIREMENT TO THE HUNDING LINE , ESCAPE: FROM AN AWKWARD CORNER. ■■•;.> . ; (Rec.!October 15, 7.40 p.m.) ■ ' London, Ootober 14, 4.35 p.m. The British are now along the whole water line of the Haute Deule and Sensee Canals, but they are not likely to be able to oross these for a few days. The French are approaching the River Sierre Souche, behind which is the Hunding line, to which the enemy's retirement has been carried out invgood order. They left behind little material, and their movement was in no senee hurried. Moreover, the enemy has been reacting heavily north of Le Cateau. Although further developments must be very uncomfortable for him, at the moment he has undoubtedly got out of an awkward' corner very successfully.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. '. . HAIL TO THE VICTOR I ■ ' ■ ~~ " I MANGIN'S ENTRY INTO LAON. : (Rec. October 15, 7.40 p.m.) ' Paris, October 14. General Mangin had a triumphal entry into Laon on Sunday afternoon, the inhabitants welcoming.him on masee, weeping for joy, and shouting, "Vive le.Liberateurl" They_ carried him shoulder-high to the (Town Hall, where the Deputy-Mayor received him, the Germans having taken the Mayor with three hundred citizens as hostages. Laon is. less damaged than Cambrai or St. Qtientin.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE OFFICIAL REPORTS SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S DISPATCHES . /• ! London, Octobor 14, 3.10 a.m. Sir Douglas Haig reports: —"On Sunday afternoon the enemy opened a heavy bombardment on a wide front north of Le Cateau, and launched strong infantry attacks against our positions east of the Sello Rivor, in the neighbourhood of Solesmes. These attacks were successfully repulsed after stiff fighting. Other attacks, in which tanks wero employed supporting the infantry assault against our positions opposite Haspres, were unsuccessful. Our patrols advanced at a number of points south and north of Douai, gained ground, and took prisoners."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Rciiter. \ ON THE FRENCH FRONT .' (Reo. October 15, 7.40 p.m.) London, October 14, 4.35 p.m. A French communique states:—"On our whole front we bavo maintained close contact with the enemy's infantry to the south of Chateau Pocion. We drove back to the north bank of the canal the last of the onemy's elements who .were still resiating. ,l r-Au's..-N,Z. Oaßq Asan.-Beuter.

STRONG ATTACKS REPULSED BY AMERICANS

London, October 14. An American, communique states:—"On both sides of the Meuse wo broke up strong and repeated attenrots by the enemy to dislodge us from our recently won positions."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. ~ THE ENEMY'S REPORT (Rec. October 15, 7.40 p.m.) ■ London, October 14. A wireless German official report states:—"Our counter-attack threw- out the enemy, who penetrated into Aubigny-au-Bac. AVe occupy new positions northward of Laon and on the Aisne. Our successful battles on the Chemin-des-Dames and on the Suippe have rendered possible the smooth carrying out of bur movements here and aiSo in the Champagne."~Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter.. ■ ' •

NO ARMISTICE WITH GERMAN^

ALLIES GOING ON TO VICTORY . NO FAITH IN THE ENEMY'S HONOUR Washington, October 14. The Swiss Minister (Dr. Paul Ritter) delivered.the official text of the German answer to Mr. Robert Lansing (Secretary of State). The text of the Note ie identical with that receiyod from Rouen by wireless. President Wilson immediately called i Mr. Laneing and Mr. N. D. Baker (Secretary of War) to the White House for a conference. /The Spanish Ambassador (Senor Gayangos) has delivered to Mr. Lansing the Turkisn Peace Note, whioh is similar to the German Note. Mr. Lansing handed the Note to the President.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. , "THE WAR DEPARTMENT IS GOING RIGHT AHEAD " Washington, October 14. ■ The Government has deoided that there will be no armistice. The dispatch of troops overseas will continue. Mr. N. D. Baker, Secretary of State for War, says:—"The War Department ie going right ahead."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn* CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES TO REST WITH THE GENERALS 1 ' Washington, October 14. President Wilson has announced that, when the time to consider an armistice comes, the Allied military advisers ■will be consulted. No military advantage will be lost. I . ■ ' After an interview with tho President, Senator Ashurst gave out an interview in which he stated 'that President Wilson did not desire in the slightest degree to weaken the Allied will to victory. Senator Ashurst pointed out that Mr. Lloyd George and M. Clemenceau had already been consulted, , ' . ii f Speaking in the Senate, Senator Ashurst said the President would refuse - to consider any armistice, of his own making. Tho cesFation of hostilities ■ would only be done through the generals in tho field.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. PRESIDENT'S REPLY TO GERMANY ;, AMPLE GUARANTEES INSISTED ON (Rec. October 15. 9.40 p.m.) Washington, October 14. President Wilson has replied to the German Note. His Note says: "The unqualified acceptance by the present German Government and the large majority of the Reichstag of tho terms laid down by the President; of the United Statos in his address to Congress on January ,9, 1918, and subsequent addresses, justifies the President in making a {rank and direct statement as to his decision with regard to the German communications of October 8 and 12. It must be thoroughly understood that the process of evacuation and the conditions of an armistice are matters which muet be left to the judgment and advice of the military advisers of the United Statos Government. The President .feels it his duty to say that no jirmistico can bo accented by tho United States Government which does not provide absolute and satisfactory safeguards and guarantees ;of the maintenance of the present supremacy of tho United States and Allies in tho field. He feels confident that he can safely assume that nothing but tins will ahio be the judgment and decision of the Allied Governments. "The President also feels it his duiy to say that neither _ the United States Government nor the Governments' with which it is associated as a belligerent will consent to consider an armistice so long as the armed 'forces of Germany continue the illegal and inhumane practices in which they still persist. ' At the very time at. which tho German Government has approached the United States with proposals for peace its submarines are engaged in sinking passenger 'ships at sea, and not ships alone, ; but the very boats in which the passengers and crew seek to mako thoir way to safety; and in the present enforced withdrawal from Flanders and Franco the German armies are pursuing a course of destruction which has always been regarded as a direct violation of the rules and practices of civilised" warfare. Cities and if not destroyed, are stripped of everything they contain, even of inhabitants. The nations associated against Germany cannot bo expected to agree to a cessation of arme whih acts of inhumanity, spoliation, and desolation arc being continued, which they justly look upon with burning hearts. The President's words, that autocracy must cease, constitute a condition precedent to police, if peace is to come by the action of the German Government itself. The President feels bound to say that the whole pro- ' cess of peace will depend, in his judgment, upon the definiteness and satisfactory character of the guarantees which can bo given in this fundamental matter. It is indispensable that the Governments associated against Ger r many should know beyond peradventure with whom they are dealing.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. : ...

••• • A SEPARATE NOTE TO AUSTRIA. (Rec October 15, 9.40 p.m.) Washington, October 14. President Wilson will make a separate reply to Austria.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Asan. i ■ ■ DISCUSSION IN THE SENATE (. . "THIS CORRESPONDENCE MUST NOW 'CEASE." J ■ Washington, October 14. In the Senate, Senator Lodge introduced a motion urging that no further communication should be held Germany except to send a demand' for unconditional surrender. , ' Senator Thomas introduced a further resolution stipulating that, there shall be no peace with Germany without specific recognition of the rights of self-government of the Slavic and Polish peoples. During' the debate Senator New said it was impossible to think of accepting anything short of unconditional surrender.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. KING CONFERS WITH THE PRIME MINISTER (Rec. October 15, 7.40 p.m.) London, October 14. The King: came from Sandringham this morning, and had a lengthy discussion on the situation with Mr. Lloyd George and General Wilson (Chief of the General Staff). When the House of Commons resumes to-morrow the pacifist section will attempt to involve the Government in an immediate debate. It is unlikely that the Government leaders will aay anything while the communications with President Wilson are proceeding.—"The Times." ANOTHER CRISIS IN GERMANY IMPENDING RESIGNATION OF NEW CHANCELLOR. New York, October 14. It is reported that the resignation of Prince Maximilian is imminent.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. " ' (Rec. Ootober 15, 11 p.m.) ' London, October 15. It is understood that Prince Mas has. resigned.—"The Times." SOCIALISTS DEMAND VON PAYER. (Rec Ootober 15, 7.40 p.m.) I ' ' Amsterdam, October 11 ■ Advices from Berlin state that the Socialists demand that Dr. von Payer shall replace Princo Max, whoso letter to Princo Alexander of Hohenlohe, sneering at Parliamentarism and democracy, aud his talk about seizing tlie Allies'by the throat, have oaused many to believe that he is not tho man to arrange" peace. There is talk of fresh restrictions, to dfyrive the German Kaisers of the power to declare war, and transferring t,;is power to the Reichstag.—Ans.-N.Z. Cable Assn. / IMMINENT ABDICATION OF THE KAISER IN FAVOUR OF HIS GRANDSON. London, October 14. Tlio "Daily Telegraph's" correspondent at Rotterdam learns froma wellinformed source that Prince Max's resignation is probnblc, ami that Dr. bolt or Horr Schicdemann will succeed to t >c;. Chancellorship /Dm sensationn development is duo to the imminent abdication of the Kaiser in ■ avour _ of bis grandson. The Kaiser has been anxious to.do this for two months at, , but Ike Empress dissuaded him. Th ? Kaiser is subject to long fats of mental depression, broken by such outbursts as-his Essen speech. His abdication has been publicly discussed in Ge™any where many, believe that tie Entente Governments will refuse peace wh.lo Wi helm is on the throne. 'The German Army leaders have not in<*ely assented to, but pressed for, an

acceptance of President Wilson's conditions. Von Ludendorff, at tlio end of July, said: "All I can do now,is to carry on the defensive,'and.l cannot maintain that." . Ever since then von Ludendorff has continually impressed the Government with the necessity for a speedy peace.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. [The Kaiser's eldest grandson is Prince Wllhelm (son of the Crown Prince), torn On July. 6, 1905.] 7" NEWS FROM GERMANY CAUTION AGAINST UNDUE CREDULITY. (Rec. October 15, 9.40 p.m.) The Hague, October 14. There is reason to believe that the German telegraphs are rigorously controlled by the military authorities, hence more than the usual caution is necessary in placing one's construction on what news is allowed to get out from Germany.—Reuter. ' THE DISSOLUTION OF AUSTRIA IRRESISTIBLE ADVANCE OF A REVOLUTION. London, October 14. The Milan correspondent of "The Times" says:—"There are many signs that Austria, is crumbling. Dramatic developments are expected." The "Grass Tageblatt" declares that' revolution is approaching, ami caunot be stopped."—"The Times." ; • TURKEY BENT ON A SEPARATE PEACE CENTRAL POWERS COUNSEL DELAY. ' '(Rec. October 15, 11 p.m.) . . . ■ London, October 15. Turkey has notified Vienna of her intention to propose a separate peace. The Central Powere have advised Turkey to delay,'■tout Turkey has not replied.—Reuter.