Page
THE WAR.
THE HUNGKONG DAILY PRESS, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5TH, ` 1915.
EXTENSIVE ENEMY WITHDRAWAL ON WESTERN FRONT:
5
PRINCIPAL GERMAN COMMUNICATIONS THREATENED.
TURKEY PROPOSES TO SUE FOR PEACE.
COALITION GOVERNMENT FOR GERMANY:
PRINCE MAX OF BADEN APPOINTED CHANCELLOR
Franco-Belgian broni
LATEST CABLES.,
11
$
TuBowɑE REUTER'S AGENCY-J BRITISH FRONT.” AIRMEN'S PÄRT IN THE BATTLE,
LONDON, October end.
Sir Douglas Hnig states:- The weather was fine but cloudy, on October 1st, when our low fliers were very active, machine gunning trenches and parties of troops, and bombing and stampeding gun teams,
We took more than 1.700 photographs. We dropped tons during the day and to tons at night.
·
We heavily attacked the railway june tions t Valenciennes, Aulnoye, and Busigny. causing fires at two places. There was much air-fighting on the Ger- man side of the lines.
We destroyed 21 aeroplanes and drove down 'out of control. Fifteen British machines are missing"
A GERMAN ATTACK STOPPED. Lasco, October 3rd.
THE BATTLE DESCRIBED.
LONDON, October 3rd... The enemy's withdrawal, which com- menced yesterday, in the vicinity of La Bassee involves Lens and Lille, the Jatter of which is also threatened by Limeral Plumer's advance on Menia:
The violence of the enemy's reaction yesterday shows, the desperate nature of his position, and is regarded as rather an effort to gain time, while the present line is evacuated. than as indicating the determination to cling to the line.
of the war.
Sir Donglas Haig's stroke, indeed, in breaching the rearmost positions of the Hindenburg Line between Cambrai and St Quentin, seems to render a retreat from that line inevitable. It is described by experts as one of the greatest feats Praises lavished on Sir Douglas Hap's achievements in the past two turing of a colosal total of prisoners, months, not merely because of the cap-"
but also because of his triumphs over a series of the strongest defences which were the largest contribution of any shal Foch's strategy. “ Allied army towards the success of Mar-
MAIN GERMAN COMMUNICATIONS
THREATENED...
The armies of General Horne, General Sir Douglas Haig states:
Byng and Gen. Rawlinsoo, together with The enemy strongly attacked this
those of General Debeney, General Man morning north-east of St. Quentin, within and General Berthelot are breaching fresh troops, and succeeded in pressing the walls of the fortress, protecting the us hack from Sepichart, where we
richest network of communications in stopped him.
the theatre of the war, of which Cambrai is the apex and the Rhine, between Cologne and Strassburg. is the base British and Belgians on the north takes Simultaneously, the attack of the
The Canadians, as a result of yester
the main German communications in day operations in the neighbourhood of the flank, while the armies of General Cas bem, captured the suburb Neuville-ourand and General Pershing in the Sure and the high ground west of ast threaten the Rhine-Moselle railways.
BRITISH ADVANCE TOWARDS MENIN.
Lent fighting took place north of Crevecoear and west of Cambrai. but there is no material change in the situa tion.
Rumilies.
The enemy early this morning, com- menced to withdraw onwide front south and north of the La Bussee Canal. We are following up closely, and have taken prisoners.
LONDON, October 3rd.
A Belgian communiqué states:- Notwithstanding the enemy's stiff ro sistance the Belgian Army has improved GREAT GERMAN WITHDRAWAL IN its positions by local thrusta at different
PROGRESS.
Losnos, October 3rd.
Sir Douglas Haig states: The progress of the Allied offensives in Flanders and before Cambra and St. Quentin, combined with the enemy's heavy losses in endeavouring to resist the Allies' successful attacks, has compelled the enemy to undertake an extensive withdrawal of his line.
From Lens to Armentieres the enemy vacuating highly organised positions held since the commencement of traneh. warfar, which were hitherto defended with the atmost resoultion.
This movement, which was expected, is being closely followed up by our troops, who are maintaining touch with the Ger- man rear guards, inflicting many ensual- ties and taking prisoners....
On the front of the enemy retirement we have already reached the general line, Cite.St. Auguste-Deuvrin--East
LL Bassee--Enat "Auders-West Bois- grenier, and our advance continues,
Yesterday evening we repulsed an at- tack to the north of Cambrai taking pri
BON TX,
We renewed our attacks to the north of St. "Quentin this morfing,
SANGUINARY ENEMY LOSSES, LONDON, October 2nd. Reuter learns that there has been very heavy fighting to-day from St. Quentin to Flanders, with little to show except
| sanguinary enemy losses.
We gained a little ground af Gheluvelt, in Flanders, and captured Fleurvaiz, south of Armentieres
points.
i
f
中央
The enemy is unquestionably beginning CONSIDERABLE AERIAL ACTIVITY.
to feel the heavy loss he has sustained i in wae naterials, and has for some timą i past employed liquid air as a substitute for high explosives.
....
SIEGFRIED LINE BROKEN UP
* 4
LONDON, October 3rd:
GERMANS GREAT BARRAGE.
Router's
stated:--
AGAINST TANKS.
A French communiqué statom:~~
LONDON, October 3rd. During October 1st we brought down 14Headquarters telegraphing yesterday Correspondent at French enemy aeroplanes and two balloons.
Our bombers dropped 7 tons of pro- jectiles and fired thousands of rounds into enemy corentration convoys during the night of September 30th.
In forcing the Beaurovoir-Wianevart line yesterday, the English Thirty Second Division bort & conspicuous share, final ly breaking through the last outpost on the Siegfried line, and enabling the Eight tons of bombs were dropped on the
swing towards the north, where night of October 1st. attack to swing the Germanns were massed below Cambrai.. Üver 2 tons wore dropped on big sta-
The
statement that the Germana set tions at Honguyon, Conflans, Dommery
Barcourt, fire to Cambrai appears to be unconfirmed.
Maison-Bleue. Le Chatelet. It is now believed the fire was caused] Mont Cernet, and Laon. by burning dumps.
MAGNIFICENT ALLIED CAPTURES.
LONDON, October art.
In the attack along the Canal buk, north-west and south-east of Vendhuille, our troops relieved a partly of Americans, who had been surrounded the day before and had put up a magnificent resistance although outnumbered.
A French communiqué states:- and Belgium took 2844 officers, 120, 199 During September the Allies in France
The ground was strewn with dead Germen, 1,600 guns, and over 10,000 machine.
mans
We made satisfactory progress on the rast on various parts of the new battle
field.
GREAT BATTLE ENDING IN FAVOUR OF THE ALLIES.
LONDON, October 2nd.. Beuter's Correspondent
British Headquarters
states:
telegraphing to-day,
The long and bitter battle is still aging, but it has turned so definitely in our favour that it would not be prema tury to call it à grent victory.
The enemy's desperate doggedness and endurance is alone warding off immensur able disaster.
had breached the Wiancourt-Beaurevoir By yesterday afternoon the Australians line, which is the Fast rearward outpost of defence of the Hindenburg system, thus giving the French Black cover capture of St. Quentin.
for the The
way in which the whole German resistance has stiffened in the past few days is remarkable, seeming to indicate is fighting with his back to the wall. This the enemy's sudden consciousness that be
is confirmed by the salleness and the scarcely subdued savageness of the prison. ers taken recently.
THE CLIMAX OF THE WAR."
LONDON, October 2nd. Reuter'a Correspondent At British Headquarters, telegraphing to-day. states:-
Our dirmen, droppell over 30 tons of bomba on likely spots.
т
3
This morning it was evident that enemy opposition was increasing, na reinforce- meats appeared in the line.
Bellicourt tunnel is now reported as The whole Hindenburg system below the being in our hands. Strong patrols were working through the tunnel and its many lateral gallerids this morning.
The Australians are exploiting yester day's gains and are going on.
guna..
The Allies between July 15th and Sep- sember 30th have taken 3,318 afforts. 948, 494 men, 3,660 guna, and over 120.000 machine guny
AMERICAN BOOTY IN ONE WEEK.
Lushos. October 3rd.
An American citirminnique" states:- A petial count of the exptures in the past werk show that we have taken 120 guns of leahbres, 736 trench mortars, 300 machine guns, 100 henry tank guns, thou- sands of shells and hundreds of thousands of rounds of ammunition.
EARLIER WABLES... CAPTURE OF ST. QUENTIN COMPLETED.
for the creation of an anti-tank barrage composed of mines and concrete obstacles
General Ladendorff has issued an order
front of positions exposed to attack Its been decided by the Germans to uso Minenterfer and projectiles for this already in existence north of purpose. One such anti-tank zone is Others are being identified
Rheins. various parts of the front.
The Hulkan19.
LATEST CABLES, THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.] THE PART THE FRENCE .CAVALRY PLAYED. BEFORE THE ARMISTICE WAS
SIGNED
LONDON. October 3rd.
A French eastern romaniqué, issued on October 11, stated :-
A Palestine official statement Bays?— The Australian mounted troops ettered Damascus on the night of September 30th. At six in the morning oa October 1st the sein. Over 7,000 prisoners were taken.co.
was occupied by the British and a portion of the Arab Army of King Hus
drawn from the city, and for the present After the surrender, excepting necessary the local authorities are responsible for guards, all the Allied troops were with-
the administration.
ANOTHER AUSTRALIAN SUCCESS.
LONDON, October 3rd."
A Palestine comuniqué states :-- The Australian mounted troops, na Cletober, and captured an enemy coinmo in the vicinity of Kublestiasar. 17 miles north-east of Danasens, taking 1,500 pri- soners, two guns, and 40 machine guns.
Our neroplanes heavily bombed an enemy aerodrome agd the railway estil lishments at Kayak.
EARLIER CABLES. THE CAPTURE OF DAMASCUS A MOST IMPORTANT TURKISH
BASE..
LONDON. October 2nd. ly brilliant part in the operations pre-emphasise that it was one of the most im
The French cavalry played a particular.
The newspapers are giving prominence ceding the signing of the armistio
to the British capture of Damascus, and
23rd they captured considerable booty, and the principal supply centre for the After entering Prilep on September portant Turkish bases in Asia Minor, and subsequently vigorously cooperated captured Turkish Armies. with the infantry in overcoming the The newspapers also dwell on its great enemy resistance before Veles.
historical interest- The cavalry turned the defences of opinion that the capture will create an
and express
the Veles
by following almost impassable enormous mountain paths, and then daringly pene Islamic world.
impression throughout the trating the enemy lines.
On September 29th they came within Aerial Activties. today,sight of Takab which the cavalry carried after heavy fighting. The cavalry' held on in spite of furious counter-attacks, which were aided by fresh, Bulgar reinforce ments.
LONDON, October 2nd..
Headquarters,
Reuter Correspondent at French
telegraphing states 2 ---
The French completed the cupture of St. Quentin The town is now fally in our hands.
FIGHTING IN ST. QUENTIN STREETS.
LONDON, Uctober 3rd. Reter's Correspondent at French Headquarters, telegraphing yesterday,
stated:-
Whole quarters in St. Quentin are burning.
Our advanced units yesterday crossed the town to the eastern side. One cpm- pany reached the railway station at the south-eastern corner.
Fighting continued through the night in various parts of the town.
During this operation, which was Car ried out with the greatest daring, the French cavalry took 400 prisoners includ ing 200 Germans.
They also captured seven heavy guns, large number of horses and cattle, and train laden with cora, consigned to Germany.
Measures provided for in the armistice are being carried out.
damaged, but is probably mined. It
The ancient Town Hall is not visibly A cannot yet be said that the interesting buildings of the town are beyond reach of danger.
:
The battle continues north and south of St. Quentin.
wards, Omissy, three miles north-east of
To the north, the French advanced to-
Likewise, the English and Canadian divisions between Le Catelet and the Bensee are advancing.
"As the climax of the war approaches the town. the fighting grows more intense and more stupendous. Never was such a rening test of human endurance. This killing burg defences.. pace cannot be long maintained.
N
LILLE CIVILIANS BEING
-REMOVED.
General Plumer's Army, after severe
LONDON, October 3rd." fighting, onde an important advance, in the Germans are removing civilians from Frontier Correspondents announce that the direction nf Menin. by capturing Lille. Gheluvelt.
On the north and close to Armentiere General Plumes captured Bizet and Hencone Farm, north of Sennlines.
British aviators destroyed sero planes and 2 balloons.
MOST CRITICAL FIGHTING OF THE WAR.
Correspondents describe the fighting, especially in the Cambrai sector, a the most severe and the most critical in the
but is being gained at great sacrifices, whole war. Our victory is net doubted.
The Germans yesterday flung in nine Divisions between Cambrai and
the
Serve River, in addition to special detachments of marksmen and machine- guns, at every ten yarda
Every attack was met by a German counter-attack, the latter conducted in the old style-mass formation which ad- vanced steadily into an annihilating artillery fire until the attackers melted away, only to be followed by fresh victims and guns.
Hence, it is not surprising that sheer weight of numbers checked our advance at some points, but the obstinate courage of the Germans was matched by the heroje determination of the British.
FOCH'S DEMONIACAL"
STRATEGY.
THROUGH GERMAN EYES.'
LONDON, October Brd.
A German oficial statement say We evaounted Armentieres and Lens, without fighting, on the night of Septem ber 1st and occupied positions on the east. Strong attacks against our new lines north and south of St. Quentin failed.
French local penetrations in Champagne con south of Orfeuil were reduced counter-thrusta.
LATEST CABLER
FRENCH FRONT.
ENEMY COMPLETELY. EJECTED PRÖM ST, QUENTIN.
LONDON, October 3rd.
A French communiqué states: --- The enemy has been completely ejected from St. Quentin, the whole of which we occupy, also the suburb of Isle to the south.
We advanced towards Hancourt and carried Moy in spite of tenacious resist
back the dermans to the original Binden. To the south, the French have pushed
In the eastern outskirts of the town. the Germans are merely fighting, rear- guard delaying actions. The town is
OUTS,
VIOLENT BATTLE AT CAMBRAI.
PARIR. October 2nd.
A Havas message says:- General Debeney's men formed a linzon with the British Fourth Army, entered St. Quentin, and pushed the enemy be yond the Canal on the eastern side of jo. the town,
EARLIER CABLES. THE SURRENDER OF BULGARIA THUNDER-CLAP TO GERMANY.
LONDON, October 2ad.
A Havas message says:- The news of Bulgaria's capitulation came like a thunder-clap to Germany, the greatest ismayin
and caused Berlin,
In the Bumre, no worse pic has occurred since the outbreak of war. stock, slump has ocquered in all war industry
Germany bus lost a quarter of a million men in a few months, and the people are growling that the allies of Gerthay are either. deserting her, or are paralysed. AUSTRO GERMAN TROOPS ARRIVE AT SOFIA.
AMSTERDAM. October 2nd. A telegram from Vienna states that Austrian and German troops bave
arrived at Sofa,
In spite of stubborn defence, the« * French have now penetrated deep in the Hindenburg system.
General Berthelot's Fifth. Army com- piled; the enemy to abadon the high ground Imtween the Aisne and the Yesle A pitched battle, of extreme violence, is in progress at Cambrai, where the German are fighting desperately and throwing in all their, available troops. Twelve Divisions have been accumulated north of Cambrai GERMANS RETIRE ON THE AISNE MARNE CANAL.
LONDON, October 2nd. Great progress has been made between the Vesle and the Aise
The enemy has retired to the Aisne Marne Canal, north of Rheims.
The enemy has been forced back upon the river line on the whole of this front, anee by the enemy.
excepting in a small sector four miles North of the Vesle our advance couern corner of the Canal, where the enemy. wide and one deep at the extreme north-
neng Jernicourt Wood, roughly on the is fighting on the south bank of the Aisne, Rheing Laon Road.
tinues.
Roucy, Uujencourt, Boufigneureux, Stillers-Franquex and Caurmy were cap cured.
Courcy.
ST. QUENTIN-CAMBRAI FRONT BROKEN.
LONDON, October 2nd Reuter learns that the news early this We improved our position in Chama'terapon from the Western Front shows an advance between St..Quentin and pagne, and south-west of Orfeuil and gained a footing in the heights south of Cambrai, where the enemy's lines have
been broken. Monthois.
An expeated, the enemy resisted most heavily north of St. Quentin, but here The Berliner Tagblatt's expert, General we have broken through the last line Ardenne, admits the seriousness of the Our lines reached the southern out- of the Hindenburg system.
situation. He describes Marshal Foch's skirts of Cormicy and Loivre. Further strategy a demoniacal, aiming not mere-south, we skirt the western bank na fat ly at the encircling of the German As Laneuvillette and have captured Armies in all sectors, but also the break ing through in each German army:---- He says that the most dangerous point is between the Scarpe and St Quentin. Even here the situation might have been satisfactory, but for the sudden British and Bélgian attack on the coastal front. He concludes by comparing Marshal Foch's present operations to boring holes at ive points, preparatory to blasting with dynamite.
There are indications that the energy is preparing shortly to retire between La Bassee, and Lens.
We gained ground north of Cambrai. and extended our front of attack towards the north here on a front of five miles. The enemy has thrown in eleven Divi- sions and is determined not to give up ground unless compelled to do so,
BELGIANS NEARING ROULERA." LONDON, October 2nd. Reuter'a Correspondent at British. Headquarters. telegraphing to-day,
stales: -
We gained and maintained the high ground between Crevecour and Rumilly, sending back hatches of prisoners, which, by night-fall, totalled over 1,700.
EARLIER CABLES.
CANADIANE GAIN MASTERY IN CAMBRAI BATTLE.
HEAVY LOSSES INFLICTED ON THE ENEMY.
LONDON, October 3rd! A French communiqué states:-- North of the Veste we are continuing to advance and have captured Loivre
In the region of Neuvillette there was a violent German counter-attack but with out result.
In Champagne the fighting began yes- terday afternoon and continued till the
evening,
-We captared Challerange.
The Germans made, powerful efforts to throw us out of the woods, south-east
Orfeuil, where we penetrated.
of
Three times their assaults against our We maintained all our gains and in flicted heavy losses on the enemy.
LONDON, October 2nd. Reuter's Correspondent at British Headquarters, telegraphing this evening, The Canadians. fought against heavy states:- numerical odds in the spirit of men who
Although the fighting blazed up this will not be brooked, and inflicted very morning with great intensity, the infantrelines were shattered. heavy losses on the enemy,
fighting decreased later along the Cam- In Flanders, the Belgians are pushing brai-St. Quentin Front, on through mud, often hip high, and aze-drawing nearer to Roulers, having already taken Hooglede and Handazene Our Second Army, equally handicap ped by the condition of the ground, con tinued to open a great "crab-claw" to wards Armentiers,, and took Le Bixot, -north of that town.
WA
solidating our gains
are busy mopping up and con-
The Canadian attack yesterday was anticipated by a heavy enemy assault in which two fresh storm divisions were engaged.
sh storm
}
Henor, there was furious fighting in which the Canadians gradually gained the mastery.
The number of prisoners taken has been still further increased during these fights. The attack was resumed at daybreak this morning.
CHALLERANGE CAPTURED...
LONDON, Jctober 3rd-
A French communiqué states)— We bave captured Challerange.
WARNING AGAINST. OVER-" OPTIMISM.
LONDON, October 2nd: While the immediate and prospective advantages of Bulgaria's surrender are illy recognised, the newspapers here are uttering warnings against over-optimism.
It is pointed out that even if the down- fall of Turkey speedily follows, the hardest part of the Allies military task. would still remain.
As regards the "Parliamentariaution" of Germany, it is emphasised that the main object of the move is to strengthen the enemy's resistance by convincing the German troops that Germany will become A free country.
Meanwhile, the enemy on the Western Front is Eghting his bravest and in the most determined manner.
Continuous effort, and the greatest Belf. sacrifice, are still required to attain an Allied victory,
PERSISTENT RUMOURS REGARD. ING TURKEY.
LONDON, October 3rd. Reuter learns that some delay is to be expected in carrying out completely the terms of the Balgarian armistice, owing to the congestion of the railways and road- ways, due to the present demoralised state of the Bulgarian Army.
There is no confirmation from any quarter of the enemy reports as regards the Austrian and German military move- the Balkans. Anyway, "the ments in Allied Command has the matter well in band.
This advance is threatening his line of retreat from the Oise and St. Gobain. As regards Turkey, no definite change
In view of the loss of St Quentin, and has occurred, but there are. persistent
LATEST CABLES. THROUGH RECTER'S AGENCY.] TREVES RAILWAY BOMBED. TREVES RAILWAY BOMBED,
LONDON, Oetober 3rd. The Press Burrau states: "An independent force bombed the rail- way at Trets un Clctober 1st. OTV tion was impossible owing to clouds and all the machines returned.
A machine reported missing on, the night of September 30th has now been located. This machine had bombed the railway station at Mezieres.
Ganaral.
“
LATEST CABLES.
(THROCOH RUTER'S AGENCY. ] TURKEY TO PROPOSE PEACE
A WITH THE ALLIES
GERMANY'S INTENTIONS ON
BULGARIA,
whosbos, October 3rd: Zurich states that Turkey has informed. The Daily News Correspondent at Germany of her determination to propose... pence with the "Allied
+
Germany's reply cured Turkey" of her intention to occupy Bulgaria by military force.
GRAND VIZIER HAS IMPORTANT
-CONFERENCES AT SOFIA,
LONDON, October 3rd... The Daily Telegraph Correspondent at Milan, telegraphing on October 1st, states that the Grand Vizier of Turkey had important conferences in Soba ani reached important decisions before return- ing to Constantinople.
"
EXCHANGE OF WAR
PRISONERS
A PEREMPTORY DEMAND „TO
GERMANY.
LONDON, October 3rd. Reuter learns that the Government has despatched a peremptory telegram to Gor- many demanding an immediate answer as regards the exchange of prisoners.
The negotiations at the Hague in July did not materialise solely because Ger many introduced, at the eleventh hour, the irrelevant question of Germana i China, and sought to release submarine prisoners, doubtless with a view to their re-employment against - Allied Neutral shipping.
and
It is noteworthy, in this connection, that the Franco-German Prisoners' Agreement had to be suspended immediately it was ratified, owing to German dishonesty ze to its execution.
THE SILVER MARKET
LONDON, October 3rd. The silver market is quiet.
BARLIER CABLES. TRAIN DISASTER NEAR MALMOE.
COPENHAGEN, October 2nd It is feared that 350 persons were kill-
train near Malmde:
the lines to the north of the town, the rumours in financial quarters which can "ed, owing to a derailment of a'passenger scale is probable. retirement of the enemy on a fairly larga ing events may well justify.
This is all it is prudent to predict at
Pre
There WES
a feeling of
STeater buoyancy on the Stock Exchange this afternoon than there has been for a long time, in Consols, also in Russian minerals and oils.
A FURTHER GERMAN. WITH...
DRAWAL MEDITATED. :
1.
LONDON, October" 3rd. Reater's Correspondent at American Headquarters, telegraphing yesterday, states
THE DAY OF DEFINITE PEACEL
LONDON, October 3rd. A Bulgarian communiqué announces that the armistice was signed on the even ing of September 29th and exhorts the nation to be calm as the day of definite peace is near.
The Near East.
LATEST CABLES. (THROUGE, REUTER'S AGENCY.]' · THE OCCUPATION OF DAMASCUS.
The weather has become dry and cold making the roads again available for ARAB AUXILIARIES RECOGNISED. traffic and transport of supplies.
Enemy opposition continues but sigas are not wanting that his fighting is of a covering character, and that he meditates withdrawal to a more distant line, of defence
LONDON, October 3rd. The Allies have formally recognised the belligerent status of the Arabe ghting as auxiliaries with the Allies in Palestine and Syria.
HEAVY CASUALTIES.
STOCKHOLM, October 2rid. Over 100 were killed, including se children, and 60 were injured, in the train disaster at Malmce.
The derailment was caused by the henry rains having washed away the track
The train was derailed when travelling st 60 miles per hour and fell down high bank
The gas tanks exploded and set fire to the whole train. Many were incinerated. THE
SPITZBERGEN EXPEDITION.
COPENHAGEN, October 2nd. The British flag was hoiated in the Ebenhalf harbour at Spitzbergen, where the German wireless station
destroyed.
(Continued on Page α)
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