THE INITIATIVE IN THE WEST

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 157, 22 March 1918, Page 5

THE INITIATIVE IN THE WEST

, BELIEVED TO REST WITH THE ALLIES ALL RESERVES TO BE POOLED By Telegraph-Frees Aesociation-Copjrigllt Washington, March 20.. The authorities expect a<l important announcement by the Versailles War Council. American officials believe that the Allies aro planning to pool all their reserves to permit of overwhelming concentrations at selected points of attack. They believe that the initiative on the West front uow rests with ■the Allies and the Americans.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. GERMANS REGROUPING THEIR COMMANDS ~ London, March 20. The Germans are regrouping their commands on the West front. Hitherto there have been three armies; row there' are four. They aro commanded by Prince Bupprecht, Prince Albrecht, the Grown Prince, and General von Gail-witz;—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ENEMY ATTEMPTS TO REACH FRENCH LINES '■ ~ , * COMPELLED TO WITHDRAW WITH SERIOUS LOSSES. . London, March M^ A French communique states: "Tnere is active enemy artillery action in tho Champagne, on the right of the Mouse, and in the Woeuvre. The enemy at several points on the front engaged in infantry actions, but a I-vfre abortive A coup do main north-east ot Reims was arrested without difficulty. .The enemy three times attempted to reach our lines in the Souain swtor, l;ui our violent fire compelled a withdrawal with serious losses. A strong attack south of Arracourt, in Lorraine, lesulted in violent hand-to-hand fjglitmg. We partly gained an advantage and repelled the enemy."—Aus.-JS.-4. tfiblo Assn.-Eeuter. _____ SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S REPORT '(Rfic. March 21, 11.20 p.m.) . c London, March 20. Sir' Douglas Haig reports:—"Wo repulsed raiders south of Passchendaele end north of Poelcapelle, taking prisoners. There is hostile artillery firing at La Bassee Canal, Bois Grevier, and Passchendaele."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. GERMANS DROP GAS BALLS. OVER AMERICAN SECTOR. London, March 20. Beuter's correspondent at American Headquarters states that the German airmen are dropping rubber balls, eighteen inches in diameter and filled with liquid and mustard gaa, over tho American sector, but fo I'ar without results.—R'euter. AMERICAN SECRETARY- OF WAR UNDER FIRE. (Roc. March 21, 5.5 p.m.) j . Ottawa, March 20 The United Press correspondent on the American front reports that Mr. N V Baker, United States Secretary of State for War, was in the front line trenches under shell fire on Tuesday.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. '■ ' ' (Rμ. March 21 p.m.) ; ' New York, March 20. While on the American front Mr. Ba '\ had a narrow escape, a shell bursting in his immediate vicinity.—Au f.Z. Cable Assn. WET WEATHER RESTRICTING OPERATIONS. London, March 20. Reuter's correspondent at British Headquarters states that very wet weather is restricting operations; It favours surprise tactics, but the cnomy ■ shows no signs of emerging.—llouter. DRUNKEN GERMAN RAIDERS CAPTURED BY AUSTRALIANS "DOPED WITH RUM AND SENT FORWARD LIKE CATTLE." Paris, Maireh 20. The Australians in the Wartioton Hill sector had a curious experience. They hoard strange sounds, and oaths and altercations, beyond the wire 'facing them. They investigated and encountered a hundred torrnans staggering drunk, tearing their uniforms .against the wires. They oft'eied small resistance jmkl were <-aptured. When they became sober they stated that they had been detailed for .t raid, and wore threatened that A ,hey would bo "shot if they refused to go forward. They wore doped with rum and sent forNvard like a herd of cattle, two machine-guns threatening'thorn from tho rear. —Reuter.