Facts for Berlin

Refugees from East Prussia

15,000 reach the capital

Joffre still nibbling

The estimate given here on the day it’s occupation was announced, as to the value of Dixmude to the enemy was officially endorsed in the Paris message we published yesterday.

The probability is that the Germans no longer hold it.

Both afternoon and evening communiques were couched in an optimistic even cheerful vein, the later message quoting as the most noteworthy, the throwing back of the enemy on the right bank of the Yser and stating that part of the left bank of the canal which the Germans was still holding has been completely evacuated.

At other points progress, though slow appears to be continuous and whenever the enemy attacked he was repulsed, in most cases losing heavily.

Joffre’s tactics are having a heart- breaking effect upon the enemy. He may be, as he himself puts it, nibbling, but there is something relentless in his methods.

Already we learn that at various parts of the front, the Germans and the allies lines are so close that the enemy have found it desirable to abandon sentry work and to call all their men in to shelter under cover.

With winter setting in the conditions under which the enemy are conducting their campaign will soon become unbearable, particularly as their hopes by this time must must be much below zero.

Perhaps the most important news this morning however comes from the eastern front. Russian pressure on the ribs of Germany is already exerting its influence at the very heart of the empire.

The Vorwaerts, the Socialist paper which appears to have defied the German censors on several occasions, now states that 15,000 East Prussian refugees have arrived in Berlin. Thus there are 15,000 facts which the official press will seek in vain to explain away and Berlin, it may be taken for granted, is beginning to understand.

The Russian advance in this region continues, and indeed everywhere, it seems, the Russians appear to be victorious. Cracow will shortly have the oncoming Russians at its gates.

A period of very hard fighting lies ahead probably equal to anything we have seen in the west, for an immense battle is developing along the front of the great German fortress defence line.

As to its result we may hear nothing definite for some time and it is likely that both the Russian and the German communiques will be scanned in vain for anything illuminative in the way of information.

It is unofficially reported that a British cruiser has destroyed the Turkish forts at Sheikh Said an important strategic point at the southern end if the Red Sea. Indian infantry were landed and the guns captured.

A French torpedo boat that has reached Dunkirk reports it has destroyed a German submarine in the Channel.

The Admiralty issued a statement last night showing that eight warships have been found sunk in Teingtau harbour, namely an Austrian light cruiser, five German gunboats and a destroyer and one minelayer.