French Progress Beyond Bixschoote

Southland Times, Issue 17733, 10 August 1917, Page 5

French Progress Beyond Bixschoote

GERMAN PRESS CONFESS ANXIETY British Airman’s instructive Work RUSSIAN FORGES RALLYING Undiminished Submarine Losses HOUSING BRITISH WORKERS

Sir Douglas Haig reports a continuation of heavy rain in Flanders, but the French have gained ground north-west of Bisschoote. British aeroplanes were undeterred by the unfavourable conditions, and inflicted a great amount of damage to depots, trains, etc., as far as 40 miles behind the German lines.

German press descriptions of the Flanders battle reveal how deep an impression has been created by the tremendous blows the British are now able to strike. They seem to admit that the British have developed an offensive weapon before which the stoutest troops may well quail, and they recognise that the future phases of the great battle are full of anxiety for Germany, whose most powerful weapon, the U boat, is threatened by the direction of the Allied offensive.

A Petrograd message states that the latest advices from the fsont have greatly heartened the population, confirming the reports that the troops in the various sectors are rallying satisfactorily.

The submarine losses for the week are again considerable, 21 vessels of over 1600 tons being sunk, as against 18 the previous week. The average number of ships over 1600 tons sunk per week since the opening of the present campaign is just over 19, so that the preventive measures have only been successful in a minor degree. Of course it has to be taken into consideration that Germany is probably now employing more submarines than at the beginning of the campaign.

The arrangement secured from Germany by King Alfonso for safe passage for hospital ships has not yet reached the stage of a formal agreement between Germany and the Entente. The latter will welcome the arrangement, because it will save the lives of wounded men, but they absolutely deny the necessity for neutral officers guaranteeing that hospital ships are used only for their legitimate purpose. They have never been used otherwise. The housing of the working classes at Home, a question admittedly closely connected with the industrial unrest, is now receiving serious consideration. The shortage of houses is estimated at anything between half and one million, and the outlay involved in the complete scheme is £200,000,000. It is recognised that the post-war efficiency of the nation demands that this question be tackled and solved. It was stated in the Senate that the next American troops to embark for overseas will go to Russia and Italy. iio2nd Day o! the War (By Telegraph—Press Assn,—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.)

Cable Association.)