LOCAL ACTIONS ON THE WESTERN FRONT

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2858, 24 August 1916, Page 5

LOCAL ACTIONS ON THE WESTERN FRONT

TRENCH GAINS ON THE SOMME

FURTHER ADVANCE BY THE FRENCH ON

THE MEUSE

The High Commissioner reports:—

London, August 22, 3.40 p.m. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "At Guillemont the enemy is obstinately resisting, in spite of heavy losses from our artillery lire. In tho Pozierea region, we made considerable progress, and advanced on a half-mile front, establishing ourselves at the road junction outside Mouquet Farm. We pushed forward our right on tho Pozieres-Miraumont road. At the Leipzig salient we extended our gains to within a thousand yard's of Thicpval." : • \ ■ ' Lonilon, August 22,11.40 p.m. The British official report states: "Between Martinpuich and Bazentin wo gained a further hundred, yards of German trench-line, and south of Guillemont wo carried out a successful enterprise on the enemy's lines." ' 'ON THE FRENCH FRONT The High Commissioner reports:— London, August 22, 3 p.m. A French official message states: "North of the Somine tho actions wero chiofly confined, to artillery fighting. Two more camion were captured in the wood south of Guillemont ,on the-20th, making a total of eight guns south of tho Somme. Portions of tho German trenches havo been captured at Estrees and Soyecourt. During tho night we progressed in tho neighbourhood of Clerv. "Our air squadron returned! safely after droppiug 79 bombs on the railway station and railways at Tergnier, Noyon, Eaudcport, Leveque, and Appily. Fires resulted." ■ FRENCH .OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. (Rcc. August 23, 9.15 p.m.) Paris, August 23. A French official states: "An artillery duel is proceeding on both banks of tho Sommo and! at Fletiry. A surprise attack northward of Maurepas yielded us some prisoners." GERMAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. . (Bee; August 23, 2.20 p.m.) London, August 22. A German official communique states: "Repeated British attacks on tho salient at Thicpval and Poziores wero repulsed. We lost tho projecting angle. There was bitter fighting at Guillemont. Tho enemy temporarily penetrated our line. Wo recaptured the lost trenches at Estrees and Soyecourt." LARGE NUMBERS OF 'GERMAN WOUNDED. Amsterdam, August 22. There is a considerable increase in the number of Gorman wounded passin" through Belgium, 5000 being transferred during tho last few days.

A DISCUSSION ON THE SITUATION

THE NEED FOR A SUPREME EFFORT,

(Rec August 23, 9.15 p.m.)

London, August 22. In the House of Commons on the motion for the adjournment of the House, Mr. Winston Churchill said that tho war situation did not warrant the assumption that there would be a speedy end to tho war. The brilliant fighting on the Somme and at Verdun had not appreciably changed the strategic alignment. Tho Germans were never more numerous or better equipped than they were to-day. The diminution of the German reserves in relation to the Allies' growing power constituted a sccuro foundation -upon which to build a victorious conclusion. Wo should coldly and scientifically arrange our national life io meet a supreme effort. Wo should place our food supplios and prices on a war basis. Tho Government should charter nil shipping at Admiralty rates. Tho rise in freights was an absolute scandal, lhe Government should control the food distribution, and issue meat and bread tickets, which was preferablo to regulating consumption by high prices. Wo must do our utmost to equip Russia, and onable ber to develop her maximum strength, smash the Eastern front, and shorten the war By months. • By spending fifty, oven a hundred millions, we would thus relievo our finances of vastly greater dangers.

Mr. Llo.nl George (Secretary of State for War), questioned on tlie possibility of raising the military servico age, said that that would depend entirely upon the exigencies of the war. Wc meant to win the war, with all the country's resources. That was the only consideration which dominated the Government. The initiative ha<l been wrested from tlic enemy on !iis whole battle-front in tho East and on tlio West. Those who criticised the offensive failed to realise tho extent of our achievements. Our concentration of great forces had enablod us to hold tho Germans while Russia dealt with the enemy. All tho endurance of our race, in every part of the globe, was wanted to securo a comploto victory. Upon these questions of olfort and endurance depended whether tho war would end next year. He thought that in the dim distance ho was beginning to see the end. Britain and her allies were marching and working together, and wero assured of victory. Germany had missed l hor chanco —and know it.

Sir Alfred Mond moved tho adjournment of tho debate in order thatthe Houso should give adequate attention to tho riso in tho cost of living. Mr. Bonar Law resisted, amid protests, whereupon the Government accepted tho motion, and agreed to discuss tho question to-<lny.