BRITISH GAINS HELD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16039, 4 October 1915, Page 5

BRITISH GAINS HELD.

PROGRESS IN CHAMPAGNE. RUSSIAN FRONT SECURE BULGARIAN PREPARATIONS.

The Germans have made determined efforts to wrest back the ground won by the British in Northern France. Apart from one slight gain they were unsuccessful, and Sir John French reports that the British positions are now firmly consolidated, while the German attacks have grown weaker. The French have made further progress in the Champagne, capturing prisoners, machine-guns, and a salient in the enemy's line.

A feature of the allied offensive has been the use of aircraft. British airmen damaged main railway lines in 15 places, and partially wrecked five or six trains. The French have been equally active. Russian military critics claim that the German offensive has been arrested from Riga to Pinsk. This accounts for the whole line except the Volhynian theatre, where the Russians also continue successful.

Replying to a Parliamentary delegation which urged the mobilisation of the Roumanian Army, the Premier, M. Bratiano, said the hour had not struck for RoumaniaV entry into the war.

The allies have intimated to Bulgaria that they will assist Servia if she is attacked. Austrian and German officers are arriving in Bulgaria to take an active part in directing the army. This is stated by Sir Edward Grey to be news of the utmost gravity. German influence in Bulgaria is said to be growing, although opposed by the chief Agrarian leaders. lhe American Government is so impressed with the success of the British methods of dealing with submarines that it is studying them. American estimates place the number of German submarines sunk, at 66.