Of the battle line in France the news tells of hard fighting at several points, without any substantial change in the general situation.
It is recognised that the enemy's right occupies a very strong position, though it has been compelled to give way a little, and that it has not been easy to locate the enemy's guns. But along the rest of the line the Germans are less favourably placed, and the frontal attack has more chance of success.
Altogether, a Paris bulletin issued at midnight on Thursday declared, the German Army was in a singularly perilous position, fighting at an enormous distance from its base with extremely inadequate lines of communication. Its left is barred by the French frontier fortifications, and its rear is threatened by the Belgians. Persistent rain aggravates its difficulties.
Yesterday's official news from Paris is that on Thursday the battle continued along the whole front from the Oise to the Woevre, without any important modifications in the situation, although the Allies slightly progressed on their left - that is, on the heights to the north of the Aisne.
Three counter-attacks against the British were repulsed, and three night attacks made on the French between Craonne and Rheims were also driven back, as was an offensive movement against Rheims.
From Rheims to the Argonne the enemy has been fortifying his position. In Lorraine and the Vosges the enemy is in possession of defensive positions near the frontier.
Our Press Bureau issued last night a bulletin which simply stated that there had been "no particular change" in the situation, though there had been some activity on the part of the Allies' cavalry, without, at present, any definite result.
The Admiralty announce a small success by an armoured motor-car force attached to the Naval Flying Corps. A patrol of five Uhlans was encountered some nineteen miles north of Amiens. Four were killed and one was captured. The British force suffered no casualties.
As to the Russian campaign in Galicia, a report from Petrograd states that the pursuit of the enemy is continuing, and important successes over the Austrian rear-guards have been gained. The Russians have occupied Sandomir, and, crossing the San, put the Austrians to flight. In the region of Jaworow two convoy columns have been captured, as well as more than 30 guns and 5,000 prisoners.
Between Yusevoff and Annopol and southwards the Cossacks are in strength and have been successfully in conflict with the German cavalry.
On the East Prussian front only insignificant engagements have taken place.
In Belgium there has been further fighting near Termonde, which the Germans have successively occupied and vacated.
The Prorogation of Parliament yesterday was marked by an unprecedented incident. At the conclusion of the formalities in The House of Commons everyone present rose and joined in the singing of the National Anthem.
The King's Speech - a brief but historic utterance - contained the words: We are fighting for a worthy purpose, and we shall not lay down our arms until that purpose been fully achieved."
The Prime Minister last night addressed a great meeting in the Usher Hall, Edinburgh, on the subject of the war.
The Prince of Wales expressed an urgent desire to accompany the 1st Battalion of the Grenadier Guards, now under orders for the front. Lord Kitchener has advised his Majesty that as the Prince of Wales has not yet completed his military training it was undesirable that he should proceed on active service.
Concerning the investment and blockade of Kiao-Chau by the Japanese, it is reported from Tokyo that aeroplanes engaged in- reconnoitering the position succeeded in dropping bombs on the ships in the harbour, on the wireless station, and on the electric power station.
In South-West Africa an attack has been made by a strong German force on a small Union police force at a frontier station. Of five men two were killed and three were taken prisoners.
The Defence Department of the Union is shortly to ask citizens to volunteer for service.
A message from Constantinople, delayed in transmission, announces that the British Government has recalled the British Naval Mission under Rear-Admiral Limpus. Not only have the Goeben and Breslau their German crews on board, but every Turkish warship now possesses a German officer.
Our Washington Correspondent sends an interesting and authoritative message on the subject of Germany's attitude towards the American Government's inquiries respecting the possibilities of peace.
The names of 53 officers and 291 non-commissioned officers and men are included in a casualty list issued from the headquarters of the Expeditionary Force under date September 15.
It is announced that the German Government are prepared to communicate lists of British prisoners of war in their hands in return for similar information as to prisoners of war in this country. It is contemplated that such lists should be exchanged periodically. Letters and postal parcels to and from prisoners of war are also be permitted.
The Prince of Wale's National Relief Fund yesterday reached the total of £2,701,000.