FIFTY VILLAGES FREED

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3035, 23 March 1917, Page 5

FIFTY VILLAGES FREED

LATEST SCORES I GREAT ADVANCE

STUBBORN RESISTANCE DEVELOPING

A NEW RETIREMENT

AMERICA IN STATE 1 OF WAR !

ON THE SIDE OF THE ALLIES

Fifty now villages have been liberated witji the further advance of the Allies in the West—forty on the British front and ten on the Frenoh front. The German roaTguards, spec Sally on the' 'Arras boo tor—the pivot of the Garni an swing—are obstinately resisting. Further north, on the La Basses line, the Germans are said to be . very active, and there are indications, in tho shape,-of smoke and fire, of a further withdrawal on the La Basseefront. A lata dispatch suggests that the enemy's motive is to create a strategio reserve for use on the principle of the shuttle —fifrst on one front and then on another. Severe fighting is reported from the Balkans, where the French are pushing energetically north of Monastir. Amerioa is virtually in a, state of. -war against Germany: ' in fact, the literal reading of the cablegrams would suggest that the nation is definitely committed to war. The State Department says that, the United Stateß will co-operate with the Allies in all operations. Meanwhile Cabinet members have been pledged to secrecy., There has, ' been' another eruption of peace, rumours, one of an extraordinary and circumstantial kind, to the effect th at Russia and Austria had in. view a. separate peace proposal. Developments in flie new Russian regime are emerging Blowly. The Dupa and'the extremist sections of the Workers' Party have some difficult differences to settle.

IFORTY NEW. VILLAGES OCCUPIED

! RAPID ADVANCE ©F THE STUBBORN GERMAN REARGUARDS EXPELLED B T T«legrapH-Prosa "Assooiation-CopjTiebt. ' . (Rec. March' 22, 8.30 p.m.) London, March 211 Sir Douglas Haig reports: "We.advanced rapidly south-east and east of •Peronne reaching points tell miles eastward of the Sonyna. We have cccu- „ "'tTipt- forty villages in this area. The enemy is developing considerab£ resistance at a number of places between Nurlu and Arras, but their rearwards have been steadily expelled from their positions. , Our progress rnii+mues We carried out successful raids eastward of Arras, north-east-ward of Neuville St. Vaast, and repulsed a raiding party eastward of Nouville St. Vaast. The enemy fired a mine south-east of Ypres, damaging his own trenches." . •• SHARP FIGHTING AT CROISILLES EVIDENCES OF HASTY RETREAT. , Paris, MarcE 21. 'A sharo engagement ' was fought against the German rearguard of machine-gunners at Croisilles. There was open patrol fighting and long-range snininff elsewhere. Fires were observed at a distance from Bapaume, some apparently on the outskirts of Oambrai.Jn many places there is evidence of hasty retreat. Considerable ammunition was found at Aohiet le Grand. A German feneral order was discovered, whioh explains that a system of destruction is to be observed, including the burning of houses, the felling of trees It barricades, and the pollution of wells. A notable feature of the advance is the almost entire silence of the German artillery.-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ' \ , SIGNS OF RETIREMENT ON NORTHERN FLANK ; Amsterdam, March 21. 'A correspondent in Northern France states t "The Germans are showing ereat activity from north of La Bassee to ; the Belgian frontier, indicating a fresh withdrawal. There were heavy explosions at Lens. Carvin, and Douai, ' showing that German works were being (destroyed.) Tho Germans have moved their heavy guns eastward, particularly around Lillo, which has been placed in a Btrong state of defence.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. MANOEUVRING FOR A " SHUTTLE" RESERVE INTERESTING THEORY OF THE GERMAN RETREAT.. (Re©. March 22, 10.45 p.m.) . London, March 21. speeial correspondent of the Central News Agency states: "The real nature of the German move in the West is becoming slowly, .apparent Their ■ first object is tho new orientation of their iront south of Lille, giving a more southerly aspect. _ Military exerts favour the theory that there will be a still more extensive straichtenfn„ 0 f the line, with a fresh German effort in Flanders, but they are unlikely to sacrifice advantages which the possession of the railheads at Laon and Montmedy confers. The nerve centre of the enemy s present operations is between 'Maubeugo and Namur. If Germans succeed in shortening their lines between Lille and Metz, while retaining the trunk railway _ through Valenciennes and Mezieres, they will automatically create a strategic reserve which can be employed: upon their favourite principle of the shuttle. —Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. > RETIREMENT BECOMING MORE STUBBORN (Rec. March 22, 5.15 p.m.) London, March 21. •Reuter's correspondent • at British Headquarters roports: "Tho weath'er continues to be squally. The ground remains practicable.- for the movements of horse, foot, and guns. The enemy is falling baok faster ill the vicinity of Ham, but northwards the retirement is more stubborn, our advancing troops being frequently faced by the enemy's machine-guns. It appears that the pivot of the great Gorman swing has now been reached, at Arras, whim to the south of iWomie our patrols are seven miles east of tho river. Reuter. FRENCH RELEASE TEN NEW VILLAGES i • ■ i RAPID PROGRESS NORTH OF SOISSONS London, March 21. A French offioial communique states: There wero skinwifiliGß between the oavalry and detachments of the enemy on the road from Ham to St. ' Quentin. Wo carried the chateau Des Ovrien Nois and tho village of Jussy, cast of Ham, and occupied a general line from the Ailetto to the south of Chauny. All tho positions reached havo been solidly organised. We made considerable progress north ond north-east of Soissons, and havo taken ten We penetrated tho German trenches north of Cbanibrefctes Farm, ©n the right bank of the Weusa. . (Roc. March 22, 10.10 p.m.) i ■ ■ London, March 22. A French official communique states: . "North of Ham the situation is unchanged. Our light troops have maintained contact with the_ enemy between Roupy and St. Qucnfcm. Wo forced a passage this_ morning east of Ham at two points- on tho Somme Caaal, ia faco of a. vigorous resistance. ■Hfa-olesttd ih&norf&aacl .SPSaU cmtoj fs

Far as the outskirts of Clastres and Montescourt. The enemy has flooded this region. The majority of the villages before our lines are burning. "In the region of St. Qnontin wo made progress north of Tergnier, on the Somme, and thero were skirmishes in tho valley of the Ailette. The enemy, who was ocoupyiug tlio east bank of theCromt Canal and the Ailette, vigorously bombarded our lines. We made considerable progress north of Soissons, fighting several lively actions. The majority of the reconquered villages are ruined. "East of the Mouse the enemy launched several attacks on tho Calonne trenches. All failed." —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn,-Router. FIERCE DENUNCIATION OF HUN VANDALS THE ABDUCTIONS AT NO YON. Paris, March 23.. The advance of the army has liberated 20,000 residents. There is intense indignation at the German vandalism, especially at the destruction of the historic remains of the Chateau Coney. There a,re violent denunciations in regard to the abductions at Noyon (where the Germans forcibly carped off 50 girls). M. Maurice Maeterlinck and others urge reprisals by the destruction of German towns in future whenever the enemy violates towns in France, 'Alsace, or Belgium.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. GERMAN DESCRIPTION OF THE WITHDRAWAL AN OPERATION ''UNKNOWN TO THE ALLIES." (Reo. March 22, 5,15 p.m.) Amsterdam, MarcK 21. 'A semi-official message from Berlin says that the German withdrawal was carried out unknown to the Allies. "Peroune was evacuated a on the night of Maroh 18 and occupied on the evening of March 17. Everything serviceable to tie enemy -was destroyed, though tho greatest consideration was paid to toe inhabitants of the evacuated districts. Our operations were conducted like peace manoeuvres, and apart .from some men who lost their -way in the wide terrain, wo sustained no losses."—Reuter. GERMAN, REPORT. (Rets. March 22, 5.5 p.m.) London, MarcH 21. A German official communique states: "We.repulsed French attacks Fosses Wood,' and on the right bank of the Meuse."—Aus.-N.Z. Cabfe AssnReuter. (Rec. March 22, 8.30 p.m.) London, March 21. r A : German wireless official dispatch says: "Apart from engagements between the Somme and the Oise, no events of importance have occurred."— 'Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. , THE FRENCH HIGH COMMAND 5> .i STATEMENT BY THE NEW PREMIER. Paris, March 21. M. Ribot (the Premier) visited, and read a Ministerial declaration in the Chamber, and the Senate respectively. _ __ _ . He said:'"We have entered upon'a decisive period in the terrible war in which the Allies are taking part. The first retirement of the enemy was caused by the pressure of our admirable troops, although tho retirement is only the prelude to further rough battles, in which the enemy will expend his'last efforts; France feels confidence in making a fresh spring from the results due to the clever strategy of tho Allied leaders. The question nf the ldgh command in Francs has given rise to many debates. It is now . definitely Bettled that the Government is to he master of all that concerns the organisation and maintenance of the armies, but that when the Govern-/ ment has chosen a. leader it will leave him complete freedom for the strategic conception, preparation, and direction of operations."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. - ! UNANIMOUS VOTE OF CONFIDENCE. (Reo. March 23, 1.10 a.m.)" ' •„ Paris, March 22. _ The Chamber of Deputies has passed a unanimous vote of confidence in the Government.—Renter.

, AMERICA VIRTUALLY - AT WAR

PRESIDENT SUMMONS CONGRESS.' ! NATION EXPECTS A DECLARATION Washington, March 21. 'President Wilson has called an extra session of Congress for April 2, to consider the question of taking: more drastic measures to protect Amerioan commerce. He is not considering the formation of a 'War Cabinet. While a War Cabinet has not been formed, the National Council of Defence, in which are included the members of the Cabinet and a railway and an industrial expert, •will probably act as a War Counoil. Congress has already riven the Defence Counoil a quasi-offioial status, and it is believed St will he able to operate efficiently under that status. The Council's first business will be to mobilise financial, industrial, and transportation resources of the country. The State Department has announced that the United. States will co-operata ■with the Allies in all war operations.—Atls.7N.Z- Cable Assn. ~ \ ;• DEMANDS FOR A NATIONAL CABINET New York, March 21. It is believed in many quarters that President Wilson's call for an extra session of Congress means that he will ask Congress to declare war or pronounce that a state of war exists through Germany's acts at home. President Wilson's advisersj however, are urging that war should not be, declared unles a submarine sinks an armed Amerioan merchantman, hut meanwhile Congress should provide for the maximum preparedness, inoluding provision for raising an army for immediate use when necessary. President Wilson's finil decision will be influenced by public opinion, whioh is now developing strongly in favour of war. There are increasing demands for an immediate Coalition Cabinet. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. (Rec. March 22, 5.15 p.m.) . ; ■ New York, March 21. Several of the leading newspapers demand a recasting of the Cabinet, with the inclusion of national leaders.—Reuter. PARTY LEADERS URGE UNITY OF EFFORT .. New York, Maroh 21. At a-meeting of the Union League Club, speeches were made by Mr. Roosevelt, Mr. J. H. Choate, Mr. Elihu Root, and Judgo Hughes. Resolutions were adopted recognising that war now exists by the aot of Germany, and urging the people to concentrate their united weight and loyalty Is secure effeotiva action by the Government,—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. , GERMANY EXPECTS WAR 1 New York, March 21. A, United Press Association message from Amsterdam states: "Private messages from Berlin to the Bourse state that war with America is expected in forty-eight hours." —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. /