DEMORALISATION OF THE ENEMY

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3052, 13 April 1917, Page 7

DEMORALISATION OF THE ENEMY

BRITISH ADVANCE IMPEDED BY THE WEATHER' DESPERATE FIGHT FOR CAPTURED VILLAGE The High Commissioner reports:— 't, . „. .-''',', London, April-11, 12.40 p.m. bir Douglas Haig reports? "The situation is developing favourably in accordance with our general plans. The village and heights of Monchy-le-Ireux la Bergere were captured early this morning. Satisfactory progress is being made elsewhere on the battle front." ' HEAVY FIGHTING IN A,' SNOWSTORM BIG COUNTER-ATTACK BY THE GERMANS, (By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright).' , (Ree. 'April 12, 7.10 p.m.) ', „.'.„. London, April 11. ■ . Sir Douglas Haig reports: "A heavy snowfall all day rendered observation impossible, and impeded our operations. We beat off two counter-attacks on our new positions near Monchy-le-I'reux. Prisoners taken at Monchy-le-l'reux state that they were ordered to hold the village at all costs ._■ "Further south we penetrated the neighbourhood of Bullecourt, taking prisoners. Large enemy forces counter-attacked, and forced us back on our own lines. Our artillery inflicted heavy losses on the attacking troops "— Aus.-N.Z. Cable.Assn.-Reuter. .' '.'• TOLD BY THE CORRESPONDENTS ARRAS COMPLETELY RELIEVED OF MOLESTATION, n.L x Cil •„ ,',.;'■ London, April 11. The capture of the village and height of Monchy-le-Preux la Bergere to-day completely relieves Arras from the German operations. °. Demoralisation of the Enemy. ~ Correspondents at British Headquarters draw attention to the demoralisation of the'enemy. A single division took twenty-four guns and another twenty-six. Even a detachment of cavalry, which had little part in the general operations, charged one spot and took four heavy howitzers The number of machine-guns and trench mortars captured are so numerous that q l ?™ ■pt bas be f n m , ad « to s ?. lvo miich less count them. In addition to d/!UU prisoners taken by the Canadians, a neighbouring English and Scottish brigade took iOOO prisoners. Among the Canadian prisoners was the German general commanding a brigade, whoso unit was taken almost without a casualty. The brigadier wept for shame at the capture of himself and staff without resistance, particularly as the unit inflicted no casualties. w„n SlI T R n'n the - United correspondent, states that the Canadians, have taken 3600 prisoners and 23 guns. Formidable Obstacles Crumpled Up.. M Marcel Hutin referring in the Paris "Figaro" to the Arras battle, says that the formidable nature of the fortifications, which included extensive wire entanglements, armoured cupolas for machiife guns, and shelters for guns of ev-ery calibre, manned by an extraordinary number of well-selected troops indicated Prince Rupprecht's determination to maintain the position at all costs. Over a hundred batta ion majors and commandants engaged in the battle were taken prisoners, equal to t)i e strength of an entire-division Le Journal s correspondent writes that- the Battle of Vimy began in moonlight, and was fought in three stages. The slopes, were captured within seven minutes, the fight for the crest asted an hour, and" then came the battle tor the plateau,' which was conquered in. broad daylight.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn; A TACTICAL SITUATION DANGEROUS TO THE ENEMY (Rec, April 12, 7.10 p.m.) n- x , i i x u i , London, April 11. Reuters correspondent at Headquarters states: "The splendid success of the offensive at Vimy has created a most interesting tactical situation fraught with tremendous possibilities. The enemy has been forced back on the pivot of his previous retreat in a manner which creates a dangerously sharp salient."—-Router. Stiff Fighting at Blangy. Mr. Philip Gibbs, in a further account of Monday's attack, emphasises the stiff character of the fighting, at Blangy, where the defences were exceptionally strong. "Troops from the old English regiments smashed their way through a perfect nest of formidable works with the assistance' of the tanks which knocked out the machine-guns. The attack of the Scottish troops on tho famous railway triangle was held up for a time by ' tho machine-guns where the enemy's works had not yet been destroyed. Meanwhile the British barrage still moved ahead. Word was sent to the rear, aud the barrage crept back, coming perilously close to the Scots, but not over-close. The gunners, with marvellous accuracy, found tho triangle, reduced its defences and the Scots surged forward over the chaos of timber and barrioades and readied them goal.'-WAus.-N.Zi Cable. Assn, '

THE GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT "WE REPULSED STRONG BRITISH FORCES." London, April 11. Wireless, per Admiralty Press: "A German official report says: "\Yc heavily repulsed strong British forces on a wide front on both sides of the Arras-Cambrai road. I'resit lighting has developed here sinco also between Bullecourt and Quarant. The enemy is bombarding 'St. Qiientin and La Fere with grenades and shrapnel. The artillery work is daily increasing in violence from Vailley to Reims. A quick counter-thrust 'frustrated a French coup de main eastward of Berry-au-Bac."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. (Roc. April. 12, 9.45 p.m.) . n • i a- • , . London, April 11. tho rTw o ® cla V; e P° ,,t states: "Near Fampoux northwards of l « D F '- $ at , tacks ' 1 a ° d several cavalry attacks near Roeux, CONSTERNATION IN THE FATHERLAND / REPORTS OF BRITISH VICTORIES SUPPRESSED, r> . , ' „ , , ' , , , Amsterdam, April 11. Reports from Cologne show that the defeat at Arras has produced consternation m the German Empire. The newspapers are nob allowed to publish the British reports of the victory. The public only have the German communique, which concluded with the words: If Germany has to evacuate France and Belgium the occupied territories will be turned into a desert." —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. (Rec. April 12, 9.45 p.m.) • London, April 11. The "Vossische Zeitung" describes the British offensive as the commencement of decisive operations, and declares that th 4 Germans may rely on the strength of the uncompleted Drocourt-Quean, or Wodin, line, which'links up with the southern, or Seigfried line, forming what is known as the Hindeuburg line.—United Service. CROWN PRINCE DEPRIVED OF HIS COMMAND 1 .(Rec. April 12, 9.20 p.m.) Amsterdam, April 11. German deserters report that the Crown Prince has been deprived of his command, and recalled to Berlin. Von Falkenhayn is now chief commander in Flanders, with Headquarters at Theilt.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ON THE FRENCH FRONT London, April 11. A French official communique states: "There is artillery, activity in tlie region of the Somme and the Oise. Lively grenade fighting occurred towards Maisons-de-Charapagne. and a somewhat violent artillery duel at Bois le Pretre."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. (Rec. 'April 12, 9.45 p.m.) j London, April 12. 'A 1 French official communique states: "There has been active artillery fighting in the St. Quentin region. The enemy, south of the Oise, after a sharp bombardment, drove back one of our detachments north-east of Ever-neuil-Sous-Coucy, but our counter-attack promptly ejected them."—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. BIGGEST WAR LOAN IN HISTORY . PASSED BY UNITED STATES HOUSE SLOW RECRUITING FOR THE FRONT Washington, April 11. In the House of Representatives Mr. C. Kitchin introduced the Government Bjill authorising the issue of a thousand million sterling'* in bonds, and also four hundred million sterling in Treasury certificates. The Bill is the greatest loan in history, and provides specifically for aid to tho Entente Powers. The cost of is estimated at 12,000,000 dollars. Hie House agreed to the issue of five billions of dollars (£1,000,000,000) in bonds, also two billions of dollars (£400,000,000) in certificates, the latter redeemable at the expiration of a year. The firm of Morgan's offer their services in dealing with problem? in'connection with equipping the Army and Navy.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ' THE EXPEDITION TO EUROPE London, April 10. The New Yoj'k "Times" Washington correspondent says an expeditionary force will not be sent to Europe until a million men are. in training.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. VOLUNTARY RECRUITING DISAPPOINTING. Now York, April 11. It is admitted that voluntary recruiting is disappointing. , Bit-. Roosevelt and others are lobbying in favour of ■ conscription. The Agricultural Conference sitting at St. Louis recommends that men rejected from the Army and Navy should be conscripted as farmers under the military organisation and' sent wherever there is a shortage of agriculturists. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. NAVAL CONFERENCES WITH THE ALLIES! Washington, April 11. A series of naval conferences between the representatives of.America and the Allies, with, a .view to, guarding shipments to the Allies, is now proceed-ing.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. COMPULSORY CONTROL Ul l ' SHIPPING. . s • . Washington, April 11. The Government is making plans foi ; the compulsory control of lake and coastwise shipping, with the object of adding to the trans-Atlantic war supply services for the Allies' benefit. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ■ FIENDISH WORK OF THE BOMB ASSASSINS . ■ SUSPECTS ARRESTED. Washington, April 11. As a result of the explosion at the Baldwin locomotive and munitions fac\ tory at Eddystone, the dead total 125, the majority being girls. One hundred and fifty were injured. Scores were blown to pieces. In addition' to the dynamite, ten thousand shrapnel shells exploded. There were some awful scenes. Girls with their clothes ablaze were blown high into the air. Their mangled remains were recovered. Women's bodies were found in heaps inside the building. The occurrance has caused horror and anger throughout the nation. There were agonising scenes at the morgues when the dead were being identified. Some of the bodies-were unrecognisable. The explosion is believed to be the work of spies. Suspects, including a German sailor, have been arrested. The officials are certain the explosion was not an accident. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. • (Rec. April 12, 9.45 p.m.) New York, April 11. . The officials at the Eddystone ammunition works are certain that plotters caused the explosion. The police believe that whoever was responsible was killed by the conflagration.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE WAR AT SEA CONTRABAND RUNNER CHASED BY UNITED STATES I DESTROYERS. San Diego, April 11. United States, destroyers chased a schooner carrying war ammunition to a Mexican port. The schooner was beached and the munitions were captured. —Reuter. •WHEN THE NEW YORK STRUCK THE MINE. London, April 11. The American liner New Vorlc (10,798 tons) was mined during a blizzard. The rescue of the sixty passenger:; was difficult, owing to the huge seas washing over the vessel. The launching of the boats was a perilous operation. Captain Roberts's orders tvcr-3 carried out with military precision, and ' everyone safely reached the boa ts. The liner was' towed to a dock. ' Tlie ] New York was armed fore and aft, and carried naval gunners. The passen- 1 gers had just finished dinner when a torrific explosion took place on tho port 1 side. Everyone rushed out of the saloon, and lined up for the boats. There 1 was some excitement, especially amongst the women, but it was soon calmed 1 by tho officers. The passengers were half an hour in tho boats before the ' rescue vessels arrived.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. j PIRATE RAIDS ON AMERICAN SHIPPING. ? c Washington, April 11. During the war the Germans sank sixteen American ships and attacked eight unsuccessfully.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ANOTHER BELGIAN RELIEF SHIP SUNK. / , _ Amsterdam, April 11. t The Belgian. relief ship 'Anna Fostenes (2577 tons) has been sunk.—Aus.- v N.Z< Cable Asen. 1

JAPAN'S FELICITATIONS TO AMERICA : . New York, April 11. the Aew lork . 'Herald's" correspondent at Tokio states that the Emperor has sent a message to President Wilson welcoming tlio United States joining the Allies to uphold the sacred liberties of mankind. "May this step servo to cement and consccrate the lasting friendship of our two nations."—Aus.-N.Z. Gable Assn. ARGENTINA WILL OBSERVE CONDITIONAL i NEUTRALITY n(K„: 1 « t- Buenos Aires, 'April 111 viola^-t-Nl 1 Assn oUt ' mUeStnCt U " IeSS her al ' o States' 0 soHdarity^th'The United