BY FRANCO-AMERICANS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 10087, 28 September 1918, Page 7

BY FRANCO-AMERICANS

iN GHAIPAGM ANDVERDUi EMEMY LINES PENETRATED 7 IVIILES BRITISH ENTER BULGARIA SOME STRIKING ALLIED SUCCESSES ATTACK ON A FORTY-MILE FRONT By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. Australian and New Zealand Cable Association. NEW YORK, September 26. The French and Americans have begun, a new offensive in the Champagne, on a front of forty miles. , The attackers have gained the German first lino. : CHICAGO, September Mr Bell Price, correspondent-in Paris for the Chicago "Daily News," says that the Franco-American offensive is the largest they have undertaken. The front extends for fifty-four miles. There was an enormous concentatkra of artillery and gas shells. All the first objectives are reported to have been taken. ENEMY LINES PENETRATED TO DEPTH OF SEVEN MILES (Received September 27. 9.15 p.m.) OTTAWA, September 27. The Americans, north-west of Verdun, have penetrated the enemy lines. to an average depth of seven miles and captured eight towns. They also secured more than five thousand prisonetra. The towns captured are Malancourt, Bethincourl, Montfaucon, Cuisy. Nantillos, Zeptzarges, Danneux, and Gricourt. (Received September 27, 10.50 p.m.) ) PARIS, September 26. The Fourth French Army is engaged in a new battle. The field is the same as the battle of September 25th, 1915. The Germans seem to have got wind of the attack during the past -week and multiplied their raids Special rations have been served out to the men. Australian and New Zealand Cable Association and Router. . ,■ i ; 5 LONDON, September 26.' A French" communique states:—At 5 o/clook this morning we attacked in - the Champagne in co-operation with the American Army operating farther east. Between the Ailette and the Aisne the enemy renewed his attacks lost evening in the regions of Alemant and Moulin de Laffaux. He succeeded in penetrating our lines at the latter point, but our energetic counter-attaok re-established the situation. Farther south we extended our gains east of Sancy, and took prisoners. GERMANS VOLUNTARILY ABANDON FORWARD POSITIONS ' "„'',:>','■ : -.',\','"£„-'.:', L \ri Neuter's Telegrams. ' --' ■'-'■■> ■ ■ ;;/;. ..r:.',"." '*/''.'! (Received September 27, 11.50 p.m.) LONDON, September 26. The Franco-American offensive was on a forty mile front between the rivers Suippe and Mouse. Our a.£*n.cking forces progressed to a depth of some miles. The enemy voluntarily abandoned lus forward positions, consequently there was little artillery or'infantry resistance. FIGHTING IN ST. QUENTIN AREA Australian and New Zealand Cable Association. LONDON, September 26. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—We successfully continued local operations during the afternoon and at night norfch-west of St. Quentin. The English made progress, and captured certain strongly-defended'localities in the neighbourhood of Selency and Gricourt, and took a number of prisoners. Besides the counter-attacks launched by the enemy north-west of Fayet, he also twice unsuccessfully attacked us north-west, of Gricourt. The English were successful in minor operations north-we3t of La Bassee, and advanced the line. We repulsed a counter-attack in this locality in the night. We improved our positions slightly north-west of Armentieres. LONDON, September 26. The Germans heavily shelled many points from St. Quentin towards Cambrai. The British havo slightly improved their positions. GERMAN~OFFICIAL REPORT Australian and New Zealand Cable Association and Renter. { . LONDON, Septembers 26. A German wireless official report states: —Tho enemy temporarily gained a footing on the height between Pontruit and Gricourt, but our counterattack recaptured it. The French made small breaches in our positions between Francilly and the Somme. •; NO CESSATION OF OPERATIONS DURING WINTER Australian and New Zealand Cable Association. LONDON, September 26. An interview with Marshal Foch has been published. The terms of it are interpreted as meaning that there will be no cessation of operations during the winter. \ EFFORTS TO FLOOD ALLIED TANKS LONDON, September 26. Mr Beach Thomas writes:—Owing to the enemy's dread of the tanks, water is playing an increasingly large part, in the Germans' defences. Their engineers are busy flooding the canals and rivers in the Souchez Valley and the Sensee, south of Douai. ' . WIDELY-CIRCULATED REPORTS OF ENEMY DEMORALISATION (Received .September 27, 7.40 p.m.) LONDON. September 26. A United Press correspondent reports that von Ludendorif, in a signed order, speaks of the increased complaints from Germany, that "men on leave are creating an unfavourable impression by statements bordering on high ireason and inciting disobedience. Some of this is due to the natural irritation of soldiers who see things superficially, while war weariness and despondency are unfortunately so widespread at home." Ludendorif says that officers should carefully explain to soldiers that while travelling they see the surfaoe only. Honest toil and severe struggle are not apparent. It seems, however, that some peoplo are consciously adopting an attitude hostile to the State, and he directs the liome authorities to immediately return all such to the front. / A report from Amsterdam states that owing to the widely-circulated reports of demoralisation among the Bavarian troops, the Kaiser has telegraphed to the King of Bavaria eulogising the condition of the Bavarians, whom he visited on the. Western front.

Three German officers and 102 men. wore deserters west of St. Quentin last night, and slipped across to the British lines.

CONSERVATION OF CANADIAN PAPER Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. OTTAWA, September 26. Sir George Foster, interviewed with reference to the export of Canadian paper to Australia, stated that presently the Canadian Government would be considering the imposition of restrictions on newspapers with tho o object of conserving supplies.

I.W.W. MJANADA MEETINGS PROHIBITED DURING THE WAR. By Telegraph—Pr e sa Association—Copyright (Received September 27, 9.15 p.m.) OTTAWA, September 26. The Government has decided to pro- ; hibit meetings of the I-W.W. and other organisations in Oanada for tie duration of the war. Books, newspapers and pamphlets written in enemy languages aro barred unless licensed. .