THE WESTERN THEATRE.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16149, 1 March 1918, Page 7

THE WESTERN THEATRE.

THE COMING CONFLICT

TIMED FOR EARLY THIS MONTH

(By Cable. —Press Association.—Copyright.) j (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received February 28th, 8 p.m.) PARIS, February 27. The "Petit Journal's" correspondent at British Headquarters says:— ''There aro ever-increasing indications that a German attack is imminent. "The enemy's aetivit}* is most noticeable in the regions of Arras, Cambrai, St. Quentin, and Passchendaele. j "The enemy has built gigantic block-J houses, protected by barbed wire en-1 tanglements, and has established 16 new hospitals and 22 aviation grounds. "Prisoners declare that all leave passes have been cancelled. "It is believed that the lighting will rccommcncc at the beginning of .March." AMERICANS EXPERIENCE GAS ATTACK. (By Cable.—l'rc.s3 Association.—Copyright.) j (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.i ! (Router's Telegrams.; NEW YORK, February 27. i < Tho United Press Association's eor- j respondent on tho American front j states that the first gas attack against the American forces was made oil Tuesday. Tho Germans hurled 100 gas projectiles with such suddonness that spveral Americans were unable to utilise their masks. A second gas attack followed almost immediately, but tho Amoricans replied with a heavy fire, and held all their positions. Five Americans were killed, and 50 taken to hospital. ACTIVITIES ON BRITISH FRONT. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Reutor's Telegrams.) (Received March Ist, 1.30 a.m.) LONDON, February 2S. Sir Douglas Haig reports:— "The Canadians carried out a successful raid in the neighbourhood of LeDs. "Hostile artillery is active at Cambrai, La Bassec, Armentieres, and Ypres "Our artillery engaged an infantry transport at St. Quentin. '"British aviators made several loi'.g distanco reconnaissances. They bombed lailway sidings and junctions at Courtrai, and in the Valenciennes district, aDd aerodromes at Douai. Wo brought down 15 enemy machines. Eight of ours ore missing. "We also bombed barracks in Troves and an aerodrome at Metz with good' results." LONDON, February 27. Douglas Haig reports:— ''Wo repulsed raids north-westward i of St. Quentin, nt Bullecourt, and eastward of Vermelles. There has been reciprocal artillery activity north-east-ward of Ypres." ACTIVITY IN THE CHAMPAGNE. LONDON. February 27. A French communique states: — "Our fire stopped tho enemy who attempted, after a fierce bombardment, to approach our new positions southwest of the Butte du Mesnil, in \Jho Champagne. "Enemy aeroplanes bombed Nancy last night. Two persons were killed and 11 injured.'-'