IN NORTHERN FRANCE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue LXVIII, 14 October 1914, Page 5

IN NORTHERN FRANCE.

REASSURING REPORTS

GREAT MOVEMENTS OF GERMANS

ENEMY BEING THRUST BACK

AND SHEPHERDED OUT OF

FRANCE,

(Received Oct. 14, 10^30 a.m.)

CALAIS, Oct. 13

There has been a great movement of Germans from Lille in the direction of Courtrai, and they are also increasing their activity between' Lille and the coast, strong German columns passing Bailleu in the direction of Ypres,, where the Germans are concentrating in large numbers. No doubt the main body is retreating in the east and north-east.

Civilians who passed through the German lines repeatedly passed columns moving in. the direction of Bailleu and Armentieres, and these acknowledged they were retreating.

OSTEND, Oct. 13

Officials from Antwerp state.that the platforms of concrete on which the big guns were mounted were prepared for .the Germans in the suburbs of Antwerp, where German residents had villas and large' gardens. Other big gun positions were prepared at a German paper mill. *

PARIS, Oct. 13

Messages from- Northern France on Sunday state that the Germans were heavily massed in the triangle Douai-Bethune-Arras, but the force'was hopelessly scattered. Germany's vaunted cavalry army between Armentieres and Tourcoing, , which has to insure the military promenade into LiUe, has been thrust back, chiefly at the point of the bayonet, out of France past Warneton and Merin. A confused mass of Germans between Arras and Douai is being slowly shepherded in a north-eastern direction, and the forces menacing Hazebrouck are being driven northwards.