SECOND BATTLE OF ARRAS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3062, 25 April 1917, Page 5

SECOND BATTLE OF ARRAS

- —♦— \ TERRIFIC ATTACK BY , 'THE BRITISH GERMANS STUBBORNLY '''"DEFENDING • IMPORTANT POSITIONS CAPTURED CONSCRIPTION IN. ■~ ' AMERICA BILL IN CONGRESS

The second phase of tho great battle of Arras has been opened, by the British with a terrific attack at dawn. The operations thus far have developed successfully, aud important positions have been captured, -with prisoners and booty. It is pointed out that in this case the enemy is better prepared for resistance, as, in expectancy of tho attack, ho had concentrated his troops and massed his guns for a desperate effort to stay the British advance. This is going to bo a much harder battle than that which marked the opening phase of the offensive. On the French front tho enemy is persistently but unavailingly attacking in an attempt to regain cortain important points. On the Russian front thero are indications of'impending activity, in the Riga sector of the line. A powerful German fleet is reported to have proceeded up tho Baltic with a view, it is conjectured, to a landing attack beyond Riga. The British advance in Mesopotamia has been carried a further stage by the occupation of the, Istabtlat position, and another retirement by the Turks. There are some interesting statements from Russia—one of them official—regarding the attitude and metier of the Soldiers' and Workmen's Congress in regard to the further prosecution of the war. • „ . .