OPERATIONS IN THE WESTERN THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2397, 1 March 1915, Page 5

OPERATIONS IN THE WESTERN THEATRE

STEADY PROGRESS OF ALLIES TRENCH WARFARE ALONG THE AISNE Paris, February 25. The communique states that the British repulsed an attack in Belgium, and in addition gained one hundred metres on the La Bassee road. Progress continues north-west of I'erthes and Mesnil les Hurles. (Rec. February 28, 5.5 p.ru.) ' . Paris, February 27. Official.—"We have made progress in the Champagne district. .We cap ; . tared two successive lines of trenches north of Mesaii. "From the sea to the Aisne there is no change. In the Argonne our artillery up an ammunition depot near St. Hubert. "Between the Argonne and the Meuse the enemy sprinkled our advanced trench with flaming liquid, forcing us to abandon it. ■ 'He occupants were seriously burnt. A counter-attack immediately stopped the enemy, and inflicted losses, capturing prisoners. "In the Verdun region, and also on tie heights of the Mouse, our heavy artillery demolished the German gun 6, blew up twenty ammunition wagons, annihilated detachments, aiid destroyed 'a whole encampment. "At Bois Brule the fighting continues to our advantage. "A German flotilla threw bombs behind Nieuport, killing a woman and an old man.- ■. • "A French aviator has dropped bombs on tho barracks at Metz." CA message te the same effect has been received from the High Commissioner,! ■ • I'■ ' X IMPORTANT CAPTURE OF THE TRENCHES. The Prime Minister has received the following from the High Commissioner, dated London, February 27 (12.45 a.m.) :— "Paris reports cannonading along the whole front. Progress m the Champagne district has been continued. At Mesnil the Allies captured-two successive lines of trenches reaching to the crest of rising ground which is occupied.by the Germans. In tile westward the area of occupation has been extended, and important sections of the enemy's lines have been captured." s EXTRAORDINARY ACTIVITY ! OF THE FRENCH ARTILLERY. Paris, February 26. The ''Temps" states that the French artillery is extraordinarily active in' the Oise and in the Argonne. It is firing ninety thousand shells daily, enabling the French to capture the German first .lino at numerous points.—: "Times" and Sydney "Sun" services. SIR JOHN FRENCH'S REPORT OPERATIONS HAMPERED BY THE WEATHER. The High Commissioner cabled from London.at 3.20 p.m. yesterday:— Sir John French reports: "The period since my last communique has been marked by thick mist and rain, culminating on Wednesday in a heavy snowstorm. Operations were consequently hindered. Despite the bad weather, however, our aircraft carried out their duties, and the co-operation betweenour aviators and artillery lias been particularly close. Near Ypres intermittent lighting has continued along tho canal without change in the relative positions of tho opposing forces. _ "Many gallant acts have been performed during the recent fighting here, and in one instance a sergeant and ona man held communication trenches for a considerable period unaided, and shot down all the Germans who attempted to advance against them. Our machine guns have been handled particularly well. On one occasion they came into action in the open and inflicted considerable loss. • ; "On the remainder of our front theenemy's artillery fire has sometimes been'somewhat heavy, but there has been no infantry attacks-on either side." y. French Official Communique to the same effect has been received via Paris.] CLOSING THE NET ALL ROUND CRec. March 1, 0.20 a.m.) Ne>v York, February 27. j Reuter reports that Great Britain and her Allies have informed the neutral countries that because of the German submarine .attacks they . hold themsebes. liable to stop all shipping to and from Germany and the countries of her allies. Mr. C. E. Hobhouse (Postmaster-General), speaking at Bristol, said that the circle round Germany was narrowing'daily, and soon the net would be closed altogether. We ; would not forget to repay the losses of our innocent merchant-seamen. _ _. Though the details are still unpublished, the English newspapers are not favourable to President Wilson's proposals to Britain and Germany for a plan of modifying the blockade methods.