HEAVY FIGHTING NORTH OF YPRES

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2454, 6 May 1915, Page 6

HEAVY FIGHTING NORTH OF YPRES

GERMANS CLAIM A VICTORY POISON TACTICS CALCULATED AND DELIBERATE The High' Commissioner reports:— ' ' rv l , , London, May 4,1.40 p.m. -North or Ypres, two German attacks were repulsed by the British—one on Sunday night, the other on Monday evening. "Near Bagatelle (in the Argonne), the French have gained some ground, v 'During the night of Sunday the French repulsed an attack on Bois le ■Pretre (in the Woevre district). ■■I?- ~,, •, ,„. T , _ , London, May 5,12.35 a.m. Jjield-Marshal- Sir John French reports that the readjustment of the •ground, due to unexpected use of asphyxiating gases by the enemy has been successfully completed, the new line running west of Zonnebeke. Paris reports that, in the Champagne district, .near Beausejour, three successive German attacks were repulsed, with heavy losses." FRENCH OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. , ' By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright) (Roc. May 5, 9 p.m.) nrc * i (in ~ . , Psrih, May 5. Uracial. Our progress continues m the Tegion of Steenstraate, on the .Yser Canal. "Three successive attacks by the Germans near Beausejour were repulsed with heavy loss to the enemy. , - advanced on Bagatelle and found numerous German dead who had been killed in the fighting on May 1." GERMANS CLAIM SUCCESSES NEAR ZONNEBEKE ALLIES STATED TO BE RETREATING. ro ™ tI, 1 e iv Gerinalla claim Great successes around. Zonnebeke, T\liere it is said the Allies are retreating. •, „ Amsterdam, May 4. A .German communique states: "We attacked from north-east of Ypres, ftsd captured Zeinencote, Zonnebeke, Westhoek, and three neighbouring woods which had been hot'y contested for. many months, the enemy retreating under a flank fire from our batteries north and south of Tpres." GENERAL FRENCH'S REPORT ON THE POISON TACTICS FUMES CAUSE PAINFUL AND LINGERING DEATHS. T , ■ ~ London, May i. Field-Marshal Sir John French's report on the use of poisonous gases by the enemy Gays that the Germans ejected the gas from pipes laid in the trenches, and also by means of shells manufactured for the purpose "The Germans, he says, "havo constantly used.such gases for defence and offence since the first occasion., "Tho Germans Press suggests that tho effect is mere disablement or painlees death, but tho fact is that, those sent .to hospital suffer acutely, and many die painful and lingering deaths, while tho su'rvirors appear to be permanently injured, their lungs being reduced to a condition indicating that they will bo lifelong invalids." Sir John French adds that he considers that the enemy has definitely de- . cided on tho use of gases as a normal procedure and that protests would bo Useless. GERMANS PROVIDED WITH SPECIALLY-DESIGNED RESPIRATORS. The High Commissioner reports, under date London, May i, 7 p.m.:— "Sir Jolin French, reporting on employment, by Germans of poisonous gases, says that the German troops are providod with specially-designed respirators issued in sealed covers, produced after long and methodical preparation and on a large scale. The effeots of the gases must bo well known to German soientists, who devised the weapon, and to the "military authorities who sanctioned its use." BRITISH WAR STAFF MEDITATING REPRISALS IN KIND.' London, May 4. Questioned in the House of Commons regarding the 'Germans' uso of asphyxiating gases,_ Mr. Tennant, Under-Secretary for War, said the Government was considering tho employment of similar sxpedients. FRENCH THREATEN REPRISALS. CRcc. May 6, 0.30 a.m.) Paris, May 5. Uhlcss the Germans relinquish the use of poisohous gases the French will rolali'at'e by using hajid-grcnades containing chemicals capable of paralysing iiip.ii for minutes. Journalists have witnessed tests of the now in. vontion.

POISON FIGHTERS CAUGHT IN A TRAP WIND ROBS THEM OF THEIR COWARDLY SCREEN (Hcc. Ma.v 6, 0.30 a.m.) Fnt /-i ~ , , , London, May 5. jiie German attack on the French at Steenstraate on Sunday was oreceded by gas. Under cover of the denso yellow vapour the Germans advanced, but the wind dispersed the fumes and left the enemy exposed to fifteen. macWguns winch mowed tho first ranks liko wheat. iho advance was arrested, and tho enemy broke and fled. Shramiel firn machine-guns, and rifles did terrible execution as they ran. The Germans left two thousand dead and dying on the field.' TERRIFIC BOMBARDMENT OF YPRES. (Rec. May 6, 0.30 a.m.) m, -n ■. . Amsterdam,' May 5. 'F ? s F a^ f -x sa ' vs , that the bombardment of Ypres Wm „ 1 te I mble ,'. Tlle habitants have shown the greatest courage but many are now departing. vul,l k«> ... DAILY LIST OF ARMY CASUALTIES. The High Commissioner reports:— Army casualties:- . Unden, May 4, 10.30 a.m. Killed. Wounded. Missing.' Prisoners Officers 63 133 4 prisoners. Mett 80 165 25 _ '.Total 162 .298 29 , ... London t May 4, ~t n.m. Army casualties:— p Officers 36 131 — _ Men 89 118 ' — _ Grand total 287 547 29 ~3 NEW ZEALANDER WOUNDED IN FLANDERS, i. t , ■ London, May 4. Among the Canadian troops who .were wounded in the recent fiehtinc in ± landers ie Corporal Barlmson, a New Zeaiander;