IN THE WEST

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 119, 6 February 1918, Page 5

IN THE WEST

THE LULL CONTINUES NEWS OF THE NEW ZEALANDERS London, February 4. Sir Douglas llaig reports that there has been hostile artillery firing at Lens and north-east of Gavrelle. Admiralty aircraft yesterday bombed an aerodrome at Houttave. —Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.-Router. (liec. February C, 0.35 a.m.) London, February 4. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "A strong party of the enemy attempted to raid our post north of Havrincourt, but was driven off with heavy loss. Another party rushed a post south of Armentieres. A few of our nion are missing. There is hostile artillery firing east of Hargicourt, north of Lens, in tlio neighbourhood' of Armentieres, and cast of Ypres. Our aeroplanes dropped four and a half tons of bombs on various targets, including Melle, lngelmunster, and Lichmcrvclde. Ten hostile machines were brought down. One of ours is missing."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Router. GN THE NEW ZEALAND FRONT ATTEMPTS AT FRATERNISATION. (From Captain Malcolm Ross, New Zealand Official War Correspondent.) By Cable, February 1. Our sector remains quiet, and there is little to report. "Snipers claim two hits," which frequently appears in the daily report, indicates the normal state of infantry activity in the front line. There is in addition the usual patrol work, and machine-gun and trench mortar fire. Field and heavy artillery fire remains normal. In sectors the. enemy has been showing a disposition to fraternise, but gains little encouragement. _ Two Germans who walked along their parapet unarmed were fired upon, and one was hit. A dog made its way into outlines with a German message tied round his neck—"Bost wishes from your com-' panions in misfortune. What is the position as regards peace?" The company strength of the enemy opposite our sector is said to be weak, but we bear reports of new divisions coming west-ward from the Russian front, as well as artillery. The aeroplanes are less active than formerly, and there is little bombing in our hack area. Clear, frosty weather has been followed by a thick ground fog. Men are employed preparing ground for tho cultivation of vegetables on a largo scalo. The vegetables produced will be purchased by the Army, the proceeds being devoted to pay tho rent of tho land and the cost of plants and seeds, and to build up a credit in the Army Agricultural Fund. I Liberal leave to the United Kingdom, Paris, and Southern France is being granted. Military Medals have, been awarded to Lance-Corporal W. G. Bowers, Sergeant W. B. Bowles, W. F.I-lallani, of the Rifles, and Corporal F. C. Glceson, of tho Engineers. ATTEMPT ON THE FRENCH LINE FAILS (Rcc. February 5, 8.20 p.m.) London, February 4. A French official communique states: —"After a violent artillery preparation, the Germans attempted to attack on our sector west of Fresnes. The attack was easily repulsed. During the last ten days of January, 98 enemy aeroplanes wero brought down."— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reutcr. INTENSE ARTILLERY DUEL ON FRENCH FRONT (Rec. February 6, 0.35 a.m.) London, February 4. A French' official conimuniquo states: "There is an intense artillery . duel in progress north of the Aisne, in the Cornillet region, the Argonne, and in Upper Alsace." —Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Reuter. " PREPOSTEROUS " MR. BAKER'S 500,000 SPRING , DRAFT RIDICULED. Washington, February 4. Senator Hitchcock (Nebraska) characterised Mr. N. D. Baker's forecast that 500,000 American ti'oops would bo in France by the spring, as preposterous. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. (Roc. February 6, 1.30 a.m.) Washington, February 5. Mr. Joscphtis Daniels has replied to Senator Hitchcock that the United States has sufficient'ships to transport all tho troops which Mr. Baker had announced America would send to France in 1918. It is understood that tho administration plans to cut imports by 50 per cent, for the purpose of , releasing one million additional tons for transporting troops. ■ President Wilson has issued a proclamation licensing tho manufacturing distributors of fuel oil rhus and extending the Government's restrictions in non-essen-tial industries—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.