BELGIUM FREE

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 16302, 30 November 1918, Page 3

BELGIUM FREE

j , ! j ENEMY TROOPS CROSS FRONTIER.

EASTERN DISTRICTS PROSPEROUS By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright. (Received Nov. 30, 11.35 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 28. Mr. Robinson writes that Belgium is free. The last enemy troops crossed the frontier on November 27. Our cavalry is fifteen miles east of Namur. The countryside east of Mons is a curious contrast to the desolated regions elsewhere, not showing signs of the war. The peaceful valley is covered with agriculture, sheep and cattle. The Mons and Charleroi mines are working, the factory chimneys pouring out smoke, and the shop windows brilliantly dressed and full of good things. All kinds of foods and wines are abundant.

Apparently the population in the east of Belgium- fared luxuriously, suffering none of the hardships the war inflicted on the majority- of their fellow countrymen. Thov do not charge the Germans with brutality, but are enthusiastically delighted at their deliverance. Every road on tho frontier is littered with abandoned Gorman transport. Tho enemy deliberately fired great numbers of lorries and cars. Tho roads swarm with returning prisoners and civilians.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.

ADVANCING ALLIED TROOPS. REACH THE GERMAN FRONTIER. LONDON, Nov. 28. Sir Douglas Haig reports: Our forward troops reached the Gorman frontier between the neighbourhood of Boho and Stavelot. They have taken possession of 14.00 guns since November 11. The advance on the night of the 26th hast, had reached the general lino Beho, Werbomont, Aywaillo, southward of Liege. A French communique states; Marshal Foch, accompanied by General Castclnau. visited Strassburg, reviewed the trooiv, of occupation and took possession of the city. Ho received a magnificent ovation. The French armies, completing the occupation of Luxemburg, reached the German frontier eastward of Wcieswnnpach and Heimersoheit.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn, and Reuter. AN OLD ACCOUNT. TO BE SENT IN TO GERMANY. (Received Nov. 30, 10.5 a..m.) PARIS, Nov. 28. The Municipal Council proposes to ask the Peace Conference to demand that Germany repay the war levies made during the Franco-Prussian war, totalling, with compound interest, nearly 2000 million sterling.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.

THE KING IN FRANCE. WARM CONG RATE LA TION S.. ON THE GREAT VICTORY. (Received Nov. 30, 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 29. Tho Press Bureau states that the King, speaking at a banquet at the Elyseos, said;— • ‘‘lt is a ,pleasure to be a guest amidst the great nation with which the British have mingled their sorrows and joys for four years, which are now triumphantly crowned by an overwhelming victoiy over our common enemy. Thanks to the bravery of the splendid French army and Marshal Foch’s skilful strategy, the repeated desperate German efforts to reach Paris have been defeated and tho enemy hurled across the frontier and compelled to sue for peace. “I congratulate tho noble French nation on the great victory. Tho British armies are proud to have participated with tho British and French peoples during the life and death conflict. They have created a union of hearts and an identity of interests which I trust will ever grow closer and contribute materially to the consolidation. of_ ponce and the advancement of civilisation.”