THE HUN WITHDRAWALS

Waikato Times, Volume 89, Issue 13889, 15 October 1918, Page 5

THE HUN WITHDRAWALS

ADVANTAGES TO BE GAINED FROM A RETREAT TO THE RHINE. c » A SHORTER AND MORE EASILY DEFENDED FRONT. ARMY'S MORALE WILL BE STRENGTHENED FIGHTING ON THEIR OWN SOIL. Received October 14, 7.20 p.m. STOCKHOLM, October 13. According to the Aftontidningen, the Centre Party considers that the Germans will rather gain than lose from a retreat to the Rhine, as a shorter front will he more easily defended and the morale of the army will be strengthened if the soldiers are defending the Fatherland on their own sod. The Socialists are of the same opinion. Received October 14, 7.20 p.m. LONDON, October 13, 6 p.m. German official: We withdrew somewhat north-east of Cambrai, but the enomy did not follow. We reached near Avesnes lc Sec and the heights on the west bank of the Selle, near Sautzoir and Haussy. Retween the Oise and the Aisne the enemy has reached the wooded districts of St. Gobain and the heights north of the Ailette and Ami Fontaine. DEVASTATION OF FRANCE JUSTIFIED AS A MILITARY NECESSITY. Received October 14, 7.20 p.m. AMSTERDAM, October 13. Dr. Solf justifies the devastation of France during the German retreat as a military necessity. "As long as the struggle continues," he says, "much as yve regret the loss of irreparable art treasures, even consideration for the most venerable shrines of civilisation must give place to the consideration of the lives of the defenders of the Fatherland." RETIREMENT GOING ON IN GOOD ORDER ACCORDING TO WELL-THOUGHT-OUT PLAN. NO SIGNS OF A DEBACLE AND NO WIDESPREAD DETERIORATION. Received October 14, 10.10 p.m. LONDON, October 13. Our troops arc at the gates of Douai, having captured the suburbs on the, west bank-of the Sensee Canal. The Allies occupy practically the whole of the St. Gobain massif. The French have reached the outskirts of Laon, which is expected to fall at any moment. We advanced another six or seven miles to-day in this region. The enemy has practically evacuated the Oise salient, and the Allies have emerged into open country in the neighbourhood of the source of the Loukhey River. The enemy is carrying out the retreat towards the frontier in good order according to a well-thought-out plan. The retreat is no debacle, though his morale- has deteriorated in one or two sectors, but there is no Widespread deterioration. When the present retreat is carried out the enemy will be in an extremely difficult position, with a number of salients and the prospect of open warfare. The peace negotiations have not affected the enemy's morale, as political considerations rather than military necessity are responsible for the peace overtures.