COURTRAI ABANDONED BY THE ENEMY.

Evening Star, Issue 15628, 20 October 1914, Page 3

COURTRAI ABANDONED BY THE ENEMY.

FLUNG BACK IN A MASS. LONDON, October 19. Mr Philip Grvbbs, correspondent of the ' Dfiily Chronicle,' telegraphs that the Allies have made striking progress since the fall of Antwerp. The Germans have abandoned Cnnrtrai. bting literally flung back in a crowded mass and in dire straits on their lines of communication, relinquishing- ground for which they had sacrificed thousands of lives during recent fighting. French Black Country Territorials in one locality held the trenches, and it was evident that they were in difficulties, being unequal to their German antagonists. The French general decided upon a quick change, and during the night substituted several companies of trained soldiers. The Germans daringly advanced with bayonets, and instead of the Territorials swarthy figures suddenly leaped from the trenches, .assailing them with savage ferocity. There was dreadful carnage, arid few Germans escaped. ENTERIC AND EXHAUSTION. LONDON, October 18. Mr Gibbs adds : " Exhaustion more than death is weakening the enemy, and the German prisoners are miserable, sick, starved, and weary of life. Enteric is making a horror of the trenches." THE DESTROYED DESTROYERS. AMSTERDAM, October 18. A Berlin official message confirms the sinking of the destroyers .Sll6, Sll7, Sllß, and Sll9 off the Dutch coast. It is reported that they bombarded the Belgian lightship from the Zeeforugge pier. A Dutch warship rescued the crew. THE NOORDAM REACHE*S PORT. AMSTERDAM, October 18. The Noordam has arrived at Rotterdam. The mine explosion wrecked the steering gear, but otherwise the vessel was undamaged. WARXETON OCCUPIED BY BRIGAND SOLDIERS. PAEIS, October 18. The Germane are occupying Wameton. They burned half a dozen houses on the pretext that civilians fired upon the troops. They ordered a levy, but were not satisfied with the sum raised, though it largely exceeded the official demand. They tied M. Godßchalk, the septuagenarian burgomaster, to a beam of his charred hous« and riddled him with bullets. A WHITE COAT AS A SIGNAL. (London 'Times' and Sydney 'Sun'Services.) LONDON, October 18. . Some marine* relate that, while re treating from Antwerp, they halted at a: boufle vacated bjf wealthy G«rmaM. The ]

inmates were apparently caretakers. Be- I for© departing they spread a white coat on the lawn. Shortly afterwards an aeroplane, dropped shells, killing the marines sitting near the coat. OFFICERS SHOT AS SPIES. PARIS, October 18. Two German officers who were disguised as civilian* were court martialled and ordered to be shot. MESSAGES FROM THE SKY. (Loudon 'Times' and Sydney 'Sun* Service*.) LONDON, October 18. A German aviator dropped a flag in Nancy with a message bidding good-day to the inhabitants, who, it was said, would soon be Germans, adding : "We apologise for this eccentric method of introduction by powder, but will soon become better acquainted." Another message dropped in Paris stated that certain French captains who had been made prisoners were well. "As for the bombs, I am sorry about them; but war's war. Au revoir." A BOY RECRUIT. (London ' Times ' and Sydney ' Sun' Services.) LONDON, October 18. A Ramsgate lad, whose father and five uncles are "serving with the colors, walked to London and called at Buckingham Palace and then Scotland Yard, and asked to see Lord Kitchener. By accident Lord Kitchener was visiting Scotland Yard at the time, and was stopped by. the boy, who wished to recruit. Patting his shoulder, Lord Kitchener said : " You're too young, sonny; wait till you get older." Hesent the boy to a military training school.