THE OVERTURE TO THE GREAT CONFLICT

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3009, 21 February 1917, Page 5

THE OVERTURE TO THE GREAT CONFLICT

INTENSE ACTIVITY IN THE AIR

STORY OF THE FIGHT AT MIRAUMONT

' By Tcl<?frra.pli"Press ABSOoiation-OopyriElit j , London, February 19. i Reuter's correspondent p.b Headquarters states that the battle around ■Miraumont was the heaviest attack since the battle at Beaumont Hamel. The lino of attack extended from a, point south-east of Pys to the Puisieux Road, on a front of two.miles. The attack Was launched before dawn, under cover of all the available guns. All objectives on tho left were carried lby'7 o'clock, the British advancing well up to the strongly-fortified line of the Albert-Arras railway. Daylight brought rainclouds, which enveloped tho battlefield and put the artillery out of action. , ' _ _ The fiercest struggle was in the centre,-where the British objective was rf 40ft. mound, with a sunken road fringed with machine guns. The Germans disputed the advance foot by foot up tho incline. The British'had almost gained the crest when the Germans launched a heavy counter-attack. • Grey waves swept down the slope, and the British retreated, a short distance. '.Theni supports arrived, and ended, the German advance, which had gained a. little ground. Thereafter the fighting was desultory, and tho Germans failfid to retrievo their losses. The enern- casualties were heavy; and we also paid tho price for the victory, which aggravates the already critical position of tho Germans at Bapaume. ' French correspondence-reveals the fact that the British operations were commanded by General. Gough.—Router. '

AIR ACTIVITY STEADILY INCREASING /

'-: ' GERMANS CLAIM NEW HIGH-SPEED WAR PLANES. ''■ '(Rcc.| February 20, ,6.2-5 p.m.) ■ . • , . . v , , '. ■ Paris, Fobruary in. Air fighting is steadily becoming more intense. '.Che Germans evidently intend to make a great effort to_ prevent Anglo-French dominance in tho air,i aiftj claim to have Jitted five or six machiue-guns on their newest war planes, w'hitfh, they say, are sufficiently fast to , cross tho Atlantic in twenty-four hours;.— United Sorvieo. ■■' '.

BRITISH RAID SOUTH OF SOUCHEZ

. CRec: February 21, 0.20 a.m.)' _. ■" London, February 20. Sir Douglas Haig TepoTts:—We made a successful raid south of Souchez, anca, destroyed several occupied dugouts."—Aus;-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter.

| ' THE GERMAN ATTACK IN CHAMPAGNE,

RESULT IS' NOT DISQUIETING

' London, February 19. ■A correspondent at Irench headquarters states that tho Germans attacking west of the Maison de Champagne carried tho lino over a two-mile front.' This represents a gajn of 800 yards. The attack was preceded by fierc<=> bombardment and a barrage which; cut" off the French 1 front line. The (success is not disquieting, and the French can retake the ground at will' —Th» "Times."- ■ ~ ■ .

,VON HINDENBURG'S VIEW OF-THE WAR

WAR COULD. BE CONTINUED INDEFINITELY.., , , ,(Rcc. February 20, 6.30 p.m.) '\ .' " m „. ' . '; . . ,_''. ■i : ■ ■ Amsterdam, February If). Tho Prime Minister of Bavaria, m.an interview, said: Von Hindenhurg's! view is that war, theoretically, can be continued without limit of time,, because the German reinforcements exceed the losses, Germany's front tiers liave remained intact, her defensive aim has been.completely successful But thto enemy could continue indefinitely, while able to draw iris strength .from'overseas. Therefore, the submarine Warfaro is the only way to a quick finish. Having gamed all that Germany wanted, Hindeiiburg did not desire to continue the strugge. Ho considered that the last stage of the war would be terrible.—Tho "Times."

" NATIONAL EQUIPMENT " EFFORT GER\MAN DEMAND ON THE

PUBLIC. . (Reo. February 21, 0.20 a.m.). Amsterdam, February 20. Tho Bacik of Germany publishes a demand that all classes must contribute gold, ornaments, and jewellery, except those of special artistic, and historical value, as y)art of tho national equipment effortu—Router.