OCCASIONAL NOTE

In June last a meeting was held in London at which a committee was formed to promote the interests of prisoners of war in Turkey by the collection of information or otherwise. An office has been opened at 25, Chester Square, London, S.W.1, and a good deal of useful work has been done, including the printing of a pamphlet containing regulations and notes for the help of relatives and friends. The executive committee has issued its first report, dated August, 15, which, amongst other matters, refers to the Berne agreement with Turkey regarding the exchange and repatriation of a certain number of invalid prisoners.

Guarantees were needed from the German and Austrian Governments that the “exchange ship” would not be attacked; and the report observes that “there seems reason to believe that the German Government is holding up the guarantee in the hope of embittering our future relations with Turkey.” A telegram published this week indicates that the Germans have sought to impose conditions on the employment of the “exchange ship” – stipulating that the vessel shall be sold to Holland for the duration of the war, shall fly the Dutch flag and a special flag, and go unarmed. Great Britain, on the other hand, naturally sees no reason why vessels used for humanitarian purposes between Great Britain and Turkey should be sold to Holland. The incident affords a commentary on the new German professions of humanity. It also illustrates afresh the sinister influence of Germany upon Turkey

AIRMEN ACTIVE ON WHOLE FRONT

In a communiqué with regard to aviation Sir Douglas Haig says: Air squadrons were active on the whole front, keeping in touch with the advancing troops. Smoke curtains dropped around the enemy’s strong points proved of great value. Aeroplanes with bombs and machine-gun fire scattered infantry and transport. They dropped twenty-one tons of bombs, destroyed ten aeroplanes and drove down two out of control. Seven British machines are missing. Our night-fliers dropped twenty-three and a half tons of bombs on railways and communications. They hit and derailed two trains and started several large fires on railway sidings. All our machines returned.

PREMIER S MESSAGE TO HAIG

The Press Bureau announces that the Premier has sent the following message to Sir Douglas Haig:- I have just heard from Marshal Foch of the brilliant victory won by the First, Third and Fourth armies, and wish to express to yourself, Generals Horne, Byng and Rawlinson, and all the officers and men under your command, sincerest congratulations on the great and significant success which the British army with their American brothers in arms have gained during the past few days. The courage and tenacity with which the Empire’s troops, after withstanding the terrible onslaughts of last spring, have resumed the offensive with such decisive results is the greatest chapter in our military history. The smashing of the enemy’s great defensive system in the West, which he claimed was impregnable, is a feat of which we are all justly proud, and for which the Empire will be ever grateful.

BIG PUSH IN THE MEUSE SECTOR

We captured Cornay and against stubborn fighting continued our advance in the Argonne forest. The French and Americans eastward of the Meuse brilliantly attacked in the vicinity of Bois-des-Cauros and Bois-d’-Aumont, occupied the villages of Consenvoye, Brabant, Haumont and Peaumont, and drove the enemy well beyond them. We, in co-operation with the French astride the Meuse, are pushing back the enemy from the scene of the desperate struggles for Verdun. Today’s total of prisoners exceeds three thousand, sixteen hundred of whom were taken by the French eastward of the Meuse. This command has taken over four thousand prisoners during the last few days. The French captured eighteen heavy trenchmortars.

60 SQUARE MILES OF TERRITORY WON

Reuter’s correspondent at the British headquarters, telegraphing today, says: Yesterday’s victory yielded us, besides prisoners, sixty square miles of territory and a great haul of field guns, trench mortars and machine-guns. Moreover, important tactical results were achieved. The enemy has been thrust back into open country beyond any continuous defensive works. A heavy counter-attack from the direction of Avion resulted in fierce hand-to-hand fighting. The enemy’s numerical superiority compelled us at first to give ground. A naval division took the strongly fortified village of Niergnies, capturing many prisoners.