RUSSIA'S OUTLOOK.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16153, 6 March 1918, Page 7

RUSSIA'S OUTLOOK.

DETAILS OF PEACE TREATY.

BRILLIANT FRENCH ATTACK NEAR, VERDUN.

THE CAMBRAI BATTLE >: REVIEWED.

4th YEAR—2l7th DAY.

THE WESTERN THEATRE.

SHARP FIGHTING NEAR LENS

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Reuter's Telegrams.) (Received March sth, 10.25 p.m.) LONDON, March 5. Sir Douglas Haig Teports: — "We repulsed raids westward of Lens and St. Quentiu after sharp fighting."

THE CAMBRAI BATTLE

SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S DESPATCH

(By Cable.—Press Association.— Copyright.) (Australian and 2s.Z. CiiblQ Association.) (iieuver's Telegrams.,) LONDON, Match 4. Sir Douglas Haig, in a despatch, to the War uuice ueiuing with tuo battle of. Cambrai, mentions that it ivas proposed to stop, the attack -48 hours alter its commencement, or sooner if the results did not justify its continuance. In detailing tho reasons for the continuance of the attack after the expiry of this period, ttir Douglas Hai« states: — T i> The positions captured north of I'lesquircs were completely commanded by tho Bourlon ltuige, and must havo been abandoned unless tho ridge was gained. Un the other hand, tho enemy showed signs of withdrawing, and the loss of the ridge would probably have causcd the Germans to abanaon their carefully-prepared defcnce systems for a consiuei able distance northward. Hie enem3 r was not yet too strong in tho Bourlon region to bo overcomo by the numbers at Sir Douglas Haig s disAn additional important argument for continuing tho attack ivas the enemy offensive in Italy. Moreover, two divisions under orders for Italy were placed at Sir Douglas Haig s disposal. Therefore, tho prospcct of securing Bourlou liidgo seemed gcod. Dealing with tho enemy country-at-tack cn November 31st, Sir Douglas Haig says: — , , „ . , ' "At the northern ©nd of Bonairs Itidgo in the Gonnolieu sector, tho swiftness of the enemy's advance attei the opening bombardment appears to liavo overwhelmed our troops, both in i tho lino and in immediate support, almost before they realised that tho attack had begun. The nature of tho bombardment contributed to the suecess of tho enemy I ** plans. steadily "advancing barrage, gave warning or tho approach of tho German assault columns, whose. secret assembly was assisted by the formation of the ground and tho morning mist. A great number of low-flying German aeroplanes rained machine-gun fire upon our infantry, while the extensive use ot. smoke shells and bombs made it difhcult for our troops to see what was happening on ■ other parts of tho battlefield. This assault effocted a local surpriso." Sir Douglas Haig says that the greatest credit is due to the troops at .vlasnieres, Bourlon, and Moeuvics for their gallant services on this clay. Jheu steady courage and staunchness saved possible serious consequences Dealing with the results or the Lainbrai battle, Sir Douglas Haig says: — "There is littlo doubt that it was ot considerable indirect assistance to the Allied forces in Italy where large demands were made upon the available German reserves in a time when a groat concentration of German divisions was still boing maintained in Evidence is available that Gorman divisions intended for tho Italian theatre were diverted to Cambrai. It is probable that a further concentration of German forces m Ita y was necessary at the most critical period when the Italians wero making their first stand on tho 1 lave. J lie partial success of the enemy s attack may tend to show that the garrison on this front is insufficient, either owing to want of numbers or to lack of traming or to exhaustion. _ Sir Douglas Haig emphasises the point that the captured maps and orders prove that tho enemy aimod at far creator results than ho achieved. Threo convergent attacks wore to be made on tho salient formed by the British advance. Two of these wore delivered approximately near Gonnelieu and Masnieres, followed by :i still more powerful attack on Bourlon. Tho objectives of these attacks extended to the high ground at Beauttamp and Treseau t. I ho onerny hoped to capture and destroy the whole British forces on the Cambrai Stl This bold and ambitious plan was foiled over tho greater part of tho front bv the splendid defence of the British divisions engaged. J hough the defence temporarily broke down, the recovery made by the weak forrcs still left there, and within immecuato reach, was most praiseworthy. \ftcr paving a tribute to the manner in which General Bvng conducted the operations, Sn* Douglas Haig states:—"Tho great offensive value of the tanks was conclusively proved. In view of this experience, the enemv will hesitate to depleto of his front in order to free trAops for tleeisivo action elsewhere. I RAIDS BY AI"STR A T. I ANS. The Hi"b Commissioner reports: — LONDON. March 4th (11.40 a.m.). Sir Douglas Haig reports:— "At Warneton the Australians matte a successful raid last night. They killed at least 50 men and brought back 11 prisoners and a machine-gun "Also, in the neighbourhood of Gapaard, southwards of they took more prisoners and a uia-chine-gun." PRISONERS' STATEMENTS. (United Service.) LONDON, March 4. Prisoners taken by the Australians state that their battalion commander was most anxious to achieve a success.

It is significant that the reward for bringing in a British prisoner has been raised from £15 to £25, together wltn 18 days' leave. The Germans give credit to alarming stories about our gas. It is commonly believed that eight new . varieties nave been invented. GREAT AERIAL ACTIVITY. (Australian and N.Z, Cable Association.) LONDON, March 4. The Press Bureau reports that the enemy dropped 221 bombs during the. day-time, and 12G1 at night-time in the area of British occupation in France, while tho British naval and military air services dropped 5900 bombs in tho daytime, and 1753 at night-time in enemy areas. THE FRENCH LINES. ENEMY RAIDS REPULSED. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Reutcr'a Telegrams.) LONDON, March 4. A French communique states:— "There was lively artillery fire during the night in the regions of Beaumont and Bezonvaux, and also at Bandespar. and East Harzetzen. "Following a bombardment the enemy attempted several raids in the region of Pancy Forest, in the direction of Neuviller, and in Lorraine. Our fire dispersed the assailants. '•A lively engagement occurred -; n the region of Bures, in which _ the enemy was repulsed with appreciable losses. "Tho enemy unsuccessfully raided in the direction of Veho. We took prisoners." BRILLIANT FRENCH ATTACK. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Router's Telegrams.) (Received March sth, 10.25 p.m.) LONDON, March 5. A French communique states: — "East of the Mouse wo conducted an extensive coup de main, penetrating to the fourth enemy line on a front of 1200 metres, and reaching to a depth of 600 metres at certain points. "While the coup de main was progressing an enemy counter-attack on our left flank was - repulsed after sharp fighting, with important enemy losses. "Our losses were extremely light. "An enemy coup de main north-west of Bczonvaux (Verdun area) broko down, and another attempt east of Largitzen was stopped." AMERICAN SECTOR. GERMAN SPY CAPTURED. (Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association.) PARIS, March 4. Americans captured n German pfisoner, who was carrying a complete map of the American trenches on the Toul-St. Mihiel front. Details of tho Australians' activities are given by the special correspondent of the "Sydney Sun," cabling tinder date February 25th. A Gotha, with a crew of four, descended injured near a group of Australians, but behind tho line, he states. The men rushed forward to secure the prize. A haughty German officer emerged from the machine, and being under the impression that ho was in German territory, asked if they were Australian prisoners, and tho whereabouts of their guard- The men soon convinced tho aeroplane's crew that they must "Kamernd!'' The machine was secured intact, despite tho crew's efforts to set it on fire. The Gotha, or Fokker, recently downed by tho Australian scouts, together with the big guns captured in tho recent raid, will be sent tq Australia. Lieutenant Jacka, V.C.. is on furlough in London. Ho states that tho men are in good heart, and freely raiding the Gorman trenches. Tho men agree that the British defences are complete, and that Fritz will be massacred if ho attacks. THE > TALI AN THEATRE (United Scrvicc.) ROME, March ■*. Mr .7. M. N. .Jeffries reports that snow, rain, and fogs have reduced the fighting on tlie Italian fronts. AUSTRIAN'S SHOOT PRISONERS. (Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association.) (Received March 6th, 1.25 a.m.) ROME, March 5. According to the Yolta Agency the Austrians court-martialled and shot

hundreds of prisoners. Groups are now shot daily in the Lavine Valley.