THE GERMAN WITHDRAWALS

Waikato Times, Volume 89, Issue 13892, 18 October 1918, Page 5

THE GERMAN WITHDRAWALS

SITUATION FAVOURABLE FOR THE ALLIES, BUT A SEDAN IMPROBABLE LINKS THREATENED BUTII NORTH AND HUTU. BIT WITHDRAWALS WELL CARRIED HI T. (Australian and New Zealand Cable Association.) Received October 17, 7p.m. LIiNDuN, October 10. Oeii.Tiii M;mrlce writes that the military situation is extraordinarily favourable. but he do"s not see any immeiliate likelihood of another and greater Sedan. Sir Doiiu'las Hair's victory on i iclober Bth compelled a Herman withdrawal to the llimdinc-Kriemhilde iine, just as bis victory on September tttli compelled a withdrawal to the llindenburir line. The second retreat is not yet complete. The Americans northward of Verdun are breaching the Kriemhilde line, 'die French at Sissone are breaking in the llundins line, and the British at Le, Cateau and Solesmes are menaeinsr tho northern extension

ef lln' 11 un<l in ir system, hut mi tin 1 whole tho Oerman withdrawal has boon well carried out. There is no sign that their lighting spirit has been broken, though it has sensibly weakened. The enemy's delaying actions, together with the utilisation of their many railways, which are not shown on the ordinary maps, make Sedans difficult of accomplishment. Meanwhile Marshal Koch's power of attacking everywhere is daily increasing. Mr Perris writes:—ll is incorrect to say that the Ciermans took hostages from Laon during their retreat. Twenty-four thousand inhabitants, including 12 women, were deported in January and interned on the pretext that Kranee had acted similarly in Alsace, hut these wen l returned to Laon or repatriated to franc in April in accordance with the Berne agreement. The Mayor of Laon was removed on Saturday, not as a hostage, hut ostensibly to give an account of Ins stewardship of the American Relief Committee. It was evident, however, that the real reason of his removal was to prevent him speaking to his countrymen. Three hundred mobilisable men were also taken. The American Relief Committee alone prevented actual starvation at Laon. Received October 17, 7."10 p.m. LONDON, October 10. Oerman official: The enemy penetrated beyond the Iseghem-Courtrai railway line; we withdrew somewhat to the westward and south-west- of Lille. We rv.icualeii a smalt salient in our position between Olizy, Orandpre, and along tho Aisne toward Mouron. Received October 17, 11 p.m. LoNDoN, October 10. The Daily Mail understands that the capitulation reports are without foundation.