WEST FRONT

Grey River Argus, 7 October 1918, Page 3

WEST FRONT

THE BIG RETREAT STARTING. EVACUATIONS IN BELGIUM AND ALSACE. AN ANTWERP-METZ-ADRIATIC LINE MENTIONED. (Rec. October 6, 5.5 p.m.) AMSIJaiDATu, GVcober 5 The German newspapers are preparing the public for the coming retreat. The "Kreuz Zeitung" says: — ""We must prepare to defend ourselves along a line irom Antwerp to.Jletz and thence to the Adriatic. This defence will last a long time, but we need jjjli our strength." Dutch newspapers are receiving confirmation of reports that tlie Germms are bridging the Meuse river. •It is reported that there is much demoralisation behind the . German lines. In Belgium large numbers are said to have deserted and crossed the frontier in the last few days. It was ah open secret in Berlin on Wednesday that the German Crown Council had approved of an earjy and considerable shortening of the. line, one whereby Flariders, and part of the Hainaut, and Namur 'districts will be abandoned. It is stated that the German evacuation of Alsace has begun, and that the inhabitants 'of twenty villages have been sent to Bavaria. Some are said to have escaped to Switzerland.