THE DANUBE FRONT

Wanganui Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15657, 8 November 1918, Page 5

THE DANUBE FRONT

SjERTIAN PRISONERS RETURNING

Received November 8, 10.15 a.m. LONDON, November 7,

A French Eastern communique says: French troops occupied the bend of the Danube in the region of Orsova. Disorganisation is continuing in Hungary. A large number of Servian prisoners are returning to their own country, assisted by the Hungarian population.

POLAND A REPUBLIC

Received November 8, 10.55 a.m. NEW YORK, November 7. The United Press Zurich correspondent states that Poland has been proclaimed a republic, NAVAL COLLISION Received November 8, 10.14 a.m. LONDON, November 7. The Admiralty reports that a British patrol vessel was sunk on the 4th, and one man is missing. - A British auxiliary v&ssel was sunk on the sth. The casualties were both the result of collisions. DEMOBILISATION MATTERS. Received November 8, 10.15 a.m. LONDON, November 7. The Press Bureau states that the Government has created a Civil Department of demobilisation and re-settle-ment to deal with all questions of reemployment of sailors, soldiers, and war workers. THE AUSTRIAN ARMISTICE THE EMPEROR IN TEARS. , DECLARES TERMS HUMILIATING. (Times.! AMSTERDAM, November 6. German newspapers give a dramatic version of the reception of the armistice in Vienna. The Emperor Carl, after reading them, burst into tears, exclaiming “I cannot sign that. The loss of the Tyrol is shame for us. We cannot permit the Allies to cross onr territory in order to attack Germany.” The Emperor’s adjutant suggested that the Emperor’s delegate, an Austrian field marshal to sign. Marshal Koevess and three other members of the Council refused. Finally Von Arz signed under, protest, only because Austria was unable to resist an hour longer. A LESSON FOR GERMANY. (Reuter.) LONDON, November 6. Papers unanimously' approve the terms of the Austrian armistice, which extinguishes any German illusion that Austria-Hungary will he a neutral barrier against the Allies. It opens the door to the ideals of national liberty in Eastern Europe, while the disposition of the fleet is an object lesson for Germany of the treatment she may expect. It is hoped the German people will draw conclusions and not needlessly prolong bloodshed in view of the inevitable end.

ITALIANS OCCUPY TWO POETS. \ ROME, November 6. The Italian Fleet occupied Dulceigu and Autwarts (on the south-west of Montenegro).

GERMANS FACET) WITH DISASTER. NEW YORK, November 6. Newspapers point out that Germamy’s armies are retreating from France and Belgium in disorder. 1 Even if Germany could make good her retreat to the valley of the Rhine she could be invaded through Belgium, Luxemburg, AlsaceLorraine and through Silesia. Germany could not rely on aid from levies from Russia, because the opening of the Black and Mamora Seas to the Allied fleets enable the latter to restore order in Russia and redeem her people from German exploitation.

GERMAN ARMIES IN GRAVE DANGER.

GREAT RESULTS' MAY ENSUE.

LONDON, November 6

Renter's correspondent at British headquarters, telegraphing to-day, says the retreat continues, but there is no question of u rout. We are simply ■pressing the Germans hard, and they are covering their withdrawal with a screen of mobile machine-gun defences. We know confusion and demoralisation exists among the foe, but so strong is the ingrained training and discipline that the leaders manage to keep the men in hand. Heavy rains, while impeding us, aro preventing the enemy from getting i.iv-u guiuj and other material. Tire desperate haste with which the enemy is evacuating material is shown by the oongseted state of the railways, and the reduction of troops' transport to a minimum. The enemy’s situation is more dangerous than a week ago. If the Allies’ pressure can be maintained, great resu.ts man e/eue, bn* in view of the uncertain weather conditions, it would bo unsafe to rely on the enemy’s military collapse. We have three' railways available through Trentino to concentrate on Germany’s southern frontier, with other lines from Trieste, Saxony and Bavaria arc now in imminent danger. The enemy has no adequate forces to defend them. Some forty German divisions aie still in Russia, and Austria. All are of inferior value, and comparatively ill-equipped. It will take a long time to concentrate them to meet the new danger. If the Germans immediately retired to the Meuse line, they might sufficient troops to delay for a time the Allies’ advance into Bavaria and Saxony. It remains to lie seen whether the army and the people are willing to continue a hopeless struggle with the certainty of total disaster. The enemy’s supplies of food and oil from Ukraine. Roumania and Austria are now unobtainable. Preparations have been completed for the transfer of British troops by sea to occupy the Dardanelles and The Siberian situation is unchanged.” "Good progress has been made in raising a Russian army there: it now numbers 200,000. W© have occupied Mosul, the Turks complying with the armistice terms. We are now enabled ot transfer a large number of troops from Palestine for service in Europe.