THE GREAT WESTERN DRIVE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2826, 18 July 1916, Page 5

THE GREAT WESTERN DRIVE

RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF THE ♦ BRITISH ATTACK „ , \ GERMANS CEASE PUBLISHING WAR MAPS (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright). • Australian-New Zealand. Cable Association. , London, July 16. General Haie reports heavy bombardment's on both sides; otherwise thero is nothing important. "We are continuing to find largo quantities of armament find other abandoned war material in.tho positions captured. The booty includes fivo heavy howitzers and four 77 millimetre (3-ineh) held guns. SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S WAY. _ j London, July 16. "Llovd's News" Paris corespondent state that Sir Douglas Haig is progressing with greater success, and with smaller losses, than at the outsat of the offensive. the thoroughness of his preparations making sure that eaoh step will facilitate the nest one. FRENCH DELIGHTED WITH JOHN BULL. Paris, July 16. , ■ Never have such joyous spirits been at largo as on Sunday. The crowds swarming in tho streets paid voluble tributes to the British, such as John Bull has the Boches on the run." General Haigs name was aflectionately mentioned. Ml aeree that the British fought with unequalled courage, dash, and vigour, and that the lesults were -remarkable because tho Germans had prepared the most strenuous resistance. • BRITAIN NOW THOROUGHLY 'AWAKE. \ (Rcc. July 17; 6 p.m'.) Paris, Julj; 16. The "Figaro" observes: "Germany, the strongest Military nation since the days of Rome whoso national industry was war, who was armed to the tcoth, has now found that England, who stepped into the breach ivith no army to speak of. who did not 'know what war really meant, in two yearg has produced two armies, which to-morrow'will bo the largest on the Western front. Already she holds up and thrashes tho mighty German Empire." ARTILLERY FIGHTING ON BELGIAN FRONT BELGIAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. i ' (Rec. July 17, 6 p.m.) London, July IS. A Belgian official communique states: "Muring the "week our batteries directed a destructive fire on the German defensive works at Dixinude, Driegrachten, Steenstraatc, Hetsas, and Boesinghe." WITH THE FRENCH' ON THE SOMME ABORTIVE SURPRISE ATTACK BY THE GERMANS. / Pjiris, July 10. \ French official communique states; "The Germans, in a surprise attackunder cover of fog, recaptured La Maisonette and Biaches. Our troops counterattacked vigorously and retook both places, and also a small wood to the north, "We brought 'down six German aeroplanes in the Somme Tegion." » (Rec. July 17, G p.m.) i Paris, July IC. A.French' ofiicinl communique states: "We brought down two aeroplanes on tii® Somme." .. WHAT THE GERMANS SAY AND THINK \ THE OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. London, July 18. A German official communique states: "Infantry firo brought doirn an enemy aeroplano westward ot Loos. A damaged biplane landed in oui lines at N ' tel '°i'hero has been strong artillery activity on both s;ides of the Somme. Four British attacks on Ovillers and Bazentin le Petit, inthe atternoon,.broke down in front of our lines; also an attack which commenced m tho morning eastward fi'liting developed on Saturday evening southward of the Somme, southward of Biaches. We reoccupied portion of Biaches, taking over a huudred prisoners. We repulsed with he'a riest losses French attacks near Barleux and Estrees." • < SEVEN GERMAN GENERALS DISMISSED. (Rcc. July 17, 6 p.m.) Rotterdam, July IG. The German journal "Berliner Tagoblatt" states that the Kaiser has pensioned off seven generals who have been holding important war commands. All tendered their resignations. Generals von Bredow, von Weinstkowski, von Glokke von Cramer, and von Bauer will definitely leave tho army; Generals von ICleist and von Khraraer have been given homo garrisons. J. he reason for their dismissals has not been assigned. NERVOUS NOTE IN GERMAN PRESS. Copenhagen July 16. The.ominous monotony of the British and French success is reflectedin the new tone in the Gorman Press. Long and significant articles appeal id tho Berlin newspapers, exhorting the Germans not to listen to thoso who are campaigning in the country demanding a general strike with, a new to ending tho slaughter. Tho writers appeal to the popnlace for singlo-mindcd loyalty, and

not to hamper tho military organisation by compolling.it to deal with enemies at home, while tho British, French, and Russians are standing on .tho vast fronts and threatening to penotrnte the Fatherland in the autumn. "Our enemies outnumber us by two to one. Japan is sending them enormous quantities of food and ammunition, while Germany depends on her own production. The British bombardment, for seven days, was murderous. Our 1 staff admits tho inferiority of our artillery. Hnvc wo any surety that the furi-' ous attacks upon the gatoway of tho Empire will all fail? Therefore, we must be united." A MOST SIGNIFICANT ANNOUNCEMENT GERMAN PRESS PUBLISHING NO AVAR MAPS. Uteuter's Telegram.) (Eec. July 18, 0.25 a.m.) • . London, .luly T7. ' A most significant announcement appears in the German semi-official journal, . the "Cologne Gazette," which says: "It is of little use to publish maps giving the lines of our position, because these aro so elastic and are repeatedly changing in detail, and therefore no reliable picture can bo produced." This is a remarkable statement, as the German papers have hitherto published dotailed maps. „The British Press Bureau, on the contrary, has supplied a photographic, reprwluction of a map of the Gorman positions which liave been captured, complete to the smallest detail. CHAMPAGNE AND THE MEUSE FRENCH. SCORE ON VERDUN FRONT. Australian-Now Zealand Cable Association. (R-ec. July 1", G p.m.) ' Paris, July 16. A French official communique states "There has been great activity by French and Russian patrols on the Champagne front. "After a lively bombardment at Chattancourt wo carried some trench elements, cm t of Hill 304. ■ "We have followed tip our progress west of Henry."GERMAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. : London, July 16. A German official comnvuniqua states: "The French were unsuccessful eastward of tho Mouse, despite tl]e bringing up of strong forces against Froid de Torre Hill and Floury. "The French repeatedly assaulted south-west of Thiaumont last evening and penetrated- small sections of our first lines, -where fighting continues." PORTUGAL OFFERS HER TROOPS , (B-cutcr's Telegram.) (I!cc. July 17, 10.30 p.m.) London, July 17. Eeuter's Paris correspondent' states that tho journal "Eclair" publishes an interview with tho Portuguese Premier (Dr.\Almoida), stating that Portugal is ready to assist the Allies by sending troops to Franco and elsewhere whenever tho Allies desire, the oourso of events and Portugal's financial resources determining the number to bo sent.