GERMAN REPLY TO MR. WILSON

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16980, 14 October 1918, Page 5

GERMAN REPLY TO MR. WILSON

PRESIDENT'S TERMS ACCEPTED RESERVATIONS ON SOME POINTS ENEMY IN GENERAL RETREAT CHAMPAGNE FRONT BROKEN ■ i BRITISH RAPIDLY ADVANCING i ■ Germany in a farther Note to the United States professes acceptance oi the terms laid down by Mr. Wilson as a preliminary to peace negotiations. The message states that Germany and Austria are ready to evacuate occupied territory, and suggest a mixed commission to arrange details, and claims

that the proposal is made with the support of a majority o! the

Reichstag, and represents the German Government and the , German people. A message from the High Commissioner states

that Germany declines "other phases" of Mr. Wilson's

proposals.

Semi-official Berlin messages state that the question of evacuating invaded territory depends upon guarantees that the Allies will not ovefstep the German frontier and on whether France will evacuate Upper Alsace. The people are being prepared for evacuation of ground in the west on a great scale.

A German wireless message states that the American reply to the Peace Note has been received. The Reichstag will sit on October 16. The Frankfort Gazette, however, states that Germany has already sent a Note accepting Mr. Wilson's principles. Austria is reported to have warned Germany o! her intention to conclude a separate peace unless the joint negotiations quickly succeed.

The French advance between Rheims and the Argonne has quickened, the enemy bedng driven to retreat on a front of 40 miles to a maximum depth of 10 miles. The French cleared the whole ol the line of the Suippe, reached the Re* tourne further north, and crossed it at several points. All the villages south of that region have been occupied. Co» operating with the Italians, they have cleared the Chemin des Dames Ridge.

The British advance between Cambrai and St. Qnentin has met with resistance east of the River Selle, in the region of Le Cateau, but progress has been made in spite of it. : Progress farther north has caused an enemy retreat north of .";Jjjj» Sensee which has brought the British to the outskirts ;iof Douai, while they have reached pointu five miles due east jifgijf Lens.

*% The British, French, and Italians made seven vigorous ' local attacks against the Austrians on Friday morning. The . trench systems at various points in tire mountain sector were deeply penetrated, and. heavy losses inflicted.