Alexandria Gazette

Haig's Troops Reach New Switch Line to Which Foe is Fleeing.

London, Sept. 4.--A British armored car is reported to have entered Marquoin, according to a dispatch from the British front today.

(Marquoin is on the main highway running from Arras to Cambrai, slightly more than half way between these two cities.)

London, Sept. 4 (11:27 a. m.)--The northern pillar of the German line is seriously threatened and the Germans are in full retreat there, says a dispatch from the front today. Cambrai will be taken within two days, the dispatch predicts.

The speed of the British advance continues. The British have reached Lagache, southwest of Marquoin. The latter town is only five and a half miles northwest of Cambrai.

London, Sept. 4.--Between Peronne and the Sensee river the British are continuing their successful advances against the Germans, according to Field Marshal Haig's communication.

The British have now reached the general line of Ytres (south of Bertincourt) Beaumetz-Les-Cambrai, Bapaume, Rumancourt and Lecluse.

The capture of the town of Queant the southern support of the famous German switch line before Cambrai and Douai, is announced in an official statement from Field Marshal Haig today.

The British have captured all of Lens, which was captured by the Germans, the British moving in the Lys salient, where the Germans are retreating, the British advanced today and now hold the western outskirts of Neuve Chapelle. The British have captured Richebourg St. Vaast.

The new switch line behind the Drocourt-Queant line to which the Germans are believed to be retiring and which was recently completed is some six miles to the rear of the old line. It runs from Brebieres, five miles southeast of Drocourt, southwards to Hendecourt west.

The considered one of the enemy's best, was rushed up from Cambrai but the men were so worn that they were easily pushed back. Hundreds of prisoners were taken today, but probably not so many as yesterday.

Opinion is that the Germans have few, if any, fresh reserves available on this front. It is not believed the line of the Sensee canal can be strongly defended. If this is taken it will be possible effectually to shell Cambrai.