Official communiques issuing from various sources yesterday convey the following intelligence as to the pro-gress of the war:
In a review of the general position a French statement explains that the troops which were compelled to retreat in Lorraine and the Voges and which afterwards sustained and repelled the enemy's attack, resumed the offensive three days ago. This attack is being pressed slowly but continuously, and is marked every day by new local successes.
In the area which includes Metz, Verdun, and Toul no important operations have taken place.
The troops operating in the region of Epincourt and Longuyon have checked the army of the Crown Prince, but some of the French troops in the neighbourhood of Neufchâteau have suffered partial checks, which have obliged them to entrench themselves on the Meuse.
On the Meuse, at Sassey, a regiment of German infantry has been completely destroyed.
On "our" left wing the progress of the German wing continues.
In connection with the new Army, a War Office statement calls for ex-N.C.O.'s to come forward as drill instructors for the new recruits. They will, as far as possible, be reinstated in the ranks which they originally held in the Army.
The Admiralty has issued a notice that vessels passing through the Straits of Dover must pass through the Downs.
PUBLISHING " SCARE" NEWS. In answer to a question referring to the publication of certain articles in the Times' on Sunday, the Prime Minister said that those appeared to be a very regrettable exception to the patriotic reticence of the Press as a whole. It might become necessary to ask the House of Commons to pass some form of drastic legislation if the dissemination of untrustworthy news was persisted in.
THE POSITION AT BOULOGNE. It is stated by Reuter that the alarming reports circulated in London with regard to the precarious position of Boulogne are entirely baseless. The town is perfectly calm, and it is not true that the Military Governor has left.
NEWS FROM PARIS. The Minister for War has decided to call out the 1914 class of conscripts and to recall to the Colours those Reservists who had been sent home.
BELGIAN REPORTS. It is officially announced at Antwerp that the situation in Belgium remains stationary. The country north of the Demer and the Ghent district are clear of Germans, and Diest has been evacuated.
INDIAN TROOPS FOR THE FRONT. The announcement that Indian troops are to be employed in the war has been received with the utmost pride and satisfaction throughout India.
WAR RISKS. The Insurance Office announces that the rate for cargo insurances has been reduced from three to two guineas per cent.
THE DALMATIAN COAST. A Rome telegram reports that about 5,000 Austrian troops, supported by warships, failed to dislodge the Montenegrins from Budua and Spizza, and, after suffering heavily, fled on the appearance of the French Fleet.
AUSTRIAN ATROCITIES. Servian reports accuse the Austrian troops of atrocities similar to those perpetrated by the Germans in Belgium.
KING CAROL OF RUMANIA. No confirmation is forthcoming at the Rumanian Legation of the reported illness of King Carol.
GERMAN WAR NEWS. An account of the action off Heligoland admits the loss of one torpedo-boat and one cruiser, the Ariadne. Acknowledgment is made that the British, without stopping to consider their own danger, sent out lifeboats to save the German sailors.
A battle between the Anstrians and the main Russian force is said to be proceeding, and the Austrian position is declared to be favourable.
THE AUSTRO-RUSSIAN FRONTIER Our St. Petersburg correspondent says that The fighting still continues, and the Russians are steadily gaining ground, although Austria is believed to have put a million men into the field. The Austrian outflanking movement towards Lublin has been held, while Lemberg, the Austrian centre, is half-encircled by the Russians. The losses have been very great.