THE MYSTERY IN TIE WEST

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 209, 23 May 1918, Page 5

THE MYSTERY IN TIE WEST

GERMAN PUBLIC WANTS REASONS FOR DELAY A MATTER DIFFICULT TO EXPLAIN By Telegraph-Press Aesotilation-Copyrifflit. s Washington, May 21. Diplomatio t.dvices state that the German Government is having the greatest difficulty in explaining to the public why the drive' on the West front has not been continued, and why that on tho' Italian front has not been started.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. GERMAN EXCHANGE BATE FALLING STEADILY. New York, May 21. The Stockholm correspondent of tho Chicago "Daily News" states that, iud»in" by foreign exchange rates, the Germans, have no prospect of breaking through, on the West front. The German exchange had an upward trend at tho, beginning of tho March offensive, but is now several points lower than before tho offensive, and is falling daily—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

| - SIGNS OP AN EARLY MOVE ''<' (Eec. May 22, 9.30 p.m.) London, May 21. Renter's correspondent at French Headquarters, writing on May 21, states: "The activity of the German aeroplanes and the exceptional violence of the artillery bombardments on tho Avre and in the region of Albert are tho ouly indications of the coming blow. The Gornians have between Zonueboko and Koyon nearlv one-third'of their whole strength in Trance, namely sixty-four divisions out of a total of 210 divisions. They havo carried out a redistribution of forces along their whole front."—Keuter. GERMAN COMMANDERS WAITING FOR THE MOON ATTACK BELIEVED TO BE IMMINENT. (Eec. May 22, 9.30 p.m.j London, May 21. The 'Tall Mall Gazette" says that in some quarters it is believed that the German commanders havo been waiting for a favourable phase of the moon. An <S may on that assumption, bo regarded as imminent. It is certain that he eneWs preparations have been comp eta for. some time, but the initial a - tacks have Jen delayed longer than usual. Meanwhile tho British and Irench Viators have blinded the enemy as ho has never before been blinded on tho eve of a sreatTattle. They havo also greatly derange,! the enemy's artillery movement liens exist that the enemy must not delay longer if ho wishes to retain tho advantage of his initiative.-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. AUSTRIAN ARMY OF MANOEUVRE FOR THE WEST. (Heo. May 22, 7.80 p.m.) Romo, May 21. TK« ™wsnar,er "Bpoca" states that at the Germans' request Austria- is sending a ne^ly-foTmed P army of manoeuvre to the Western front.-Aus.-N.Z. 1 Cable Assn. VON HINDENBURG REPORTED DEAD. (Rec May 23, O.fiO a.m.) London, May 22. Mr Perry Eobinson writes:—"German prisoners persistently assert that Von Hindenburp; is dead. Probably this is untrue, but a large part of tho German Army believes it."—"Tho Times-

SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S REPORTS London, May 21, 1.60 p.m. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "The Surrey Battalion carried out a successful operation north-west of Merville. Our firo broke a counter-attack Against tlio new positions gained. Wo mado a successful raid south-cast of Arras. The enemy artillery is active, particularly at Hill 70. northward of Lens. The enoiny gasshelling is heavy northward of Bethune. J -Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Reuter. (Roc. May 22, 9.30 pm.) London, May 31. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "After a heavy bombardniont the enemy counterattacked in considerable strength on a front of twelve hundred yards against our new positions north-west of Merville. Despite the intensity of his artillery preparations his infantry only succeeded in reaching our positions at two points, where they wore dealt with effectively by our troops Our whole lino is intact. The French repulsed two night raids north of Bailleul. Wo took a few prisoner!, in a patrol encounter in the neighbourhood of IMoyelles.- -Aus.-iSU. Cablo Assn.Reuter. ' HEAVY ARTILLERY DUEL ON BELGIAN FRONT (Rec. May 22, 9.30 p.m.) London, May 21. A Belgian conimunifiue states: "Reciprocal artillery activity has been very great during the past twenty-four hours."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. AUSTRALIANS' BRILLIANT EXPLOIT GRAPHIC DESCRIPTION OF THE TAKING OF VILLE-SUR-ANCRE. London, May 21. Mr. Philip Gibb3 describes the Australians' capture of Ville-sur-Ancro as a thrilling exploit, similar to their rocapture of Villers Bretonneux. Under a bright moon, and in the face of fierco machina-gun and rifle lire, parties worked up on each side of the village, tho garrison of which was heavily strengthen, od. The attackers followed a "creeping barrage" tnrough flooded ground wliere the water in some places was waist deep, and, smashing through the entanglements, bombed 'heir way forward to their objective, down (lie sunken roads, driving the enemy before them. Then a third body advanced m tho centre, and cleared out tho village, where much heavy fighting took place among tho ruins. The village was strewn with dead Germans, the enemy defending themselves desperately. The Australians have consolidated the ground. Ihis brilliant littlo success increases the difficulties of the enomy for any attempt north of the village, as they must now come under enfilade lire. Many of the prisoners wero young and speotaoled, weedy lads. They worn very hungry, as they had been separated from 'heir rations for a long time, and they eagerly accepted biscuits. One prisono.r, after surrendering, shot a scout-corporal, and tried to escape. Tho ■ incident was punished with instant death. A machine-gunner wearing the Iron i Cross fought so bravely that when captured ho was given a noto expressing tho > hope that no one would tako his Cross from him.—Aus,-N.Z. Cable Assn. ! TRIBUTE FROM SIR DOUGLAS HAIG. I (Eec. May 22, 8 p.m.) i London, May 21. ; Sir Douglas Haig has congratulated the Australians on the completo success •»of their operations on May 19, which resulted in the capture of ,Vifle-sur-Ancre with other gains—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter.

THE FRENCH COUP AT BRULOOZE SUBSTANTIAL REWARD FOR, THE 111 SUCdIiISS. London, May 21. The French attack on the Belgian border was brilliniit.lv successful. They recaptured the Locre Hospice, Brnloozc, and the entire wood southward of 'Briilooze, advancing tho lino fiomo distance, and took 50(1 prisoners. The attack greatly improved llio • positions in the neighbourhood of Montrougo and Scherpcrborg. Tho French.casualties were light. Tho attackjrs suddenly fell on iho Germans on a front of between two and three miles. North-oasl: of the MervilloLamotte road (lie British advanced tho line on 600 yards of front. Local fighting is developing.—Aub.-N.Z. Cable Asm. E.USSIAN LEGION PRAISED FOE ITB DASH AND BRAVERY. (Hoc. May 22, 8 p.m.) Paris, May 21. The Russian Legion participated in recent attack besides the Zouaves, and earned the highest praise for its dash and bravery.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. RAPID INCREASE OF AMERICAN TROOPS IN FRANCE MAY SOON EQUAL THE NUMBER OF BRITISH. (Rec. May 23, 1 a.m.) Washington, May 21. A United Press correspondent states that owing to the speeding up 'of the transportation of United States troops to Prance, their number may soon b» equal to the British forces which are now lacing the Germans. Tho announcement is made that tho First American Field Army in Franco has ben formed. It consists of two hundred thousand men, divided iuto two corps of three divisions. —Aus.-57;£. Cable Assn. "OLD GLORY" ON THE WEST FRONT AN AMAZING CONGLOMERATION OF TYPES. London, May 21. Mr. H. Perry Robinson, describing the "American, invasion" of the British front, says tho ranks contain everything from millionaires and professors to pugilists. There is enough theatrical talent to supply half a dozen theatres. No one has ventured to count the number of nationalities; there is'a pure-blooded Chinaman on tho Staff, and Germans are everywhere. Many of tho best noli, commissioned officers are Jews. All have been fused as in a magician's meltingpot, the fire beneath which is tlieir pride in "Old Glory." They liavo much to learn but will soon know more than the average Tommy or poilu. They have, adopted British rules and equipment.—"The Times." BRITISH MASTERS OF THE AIR New York, May 21. The British Mission in the United States announces that British aviators control the air on their section of tho West front, and practically all tho combats aro over tho German lines.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.