IN THE WEST.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 January 1917, Page 1

IN THE WEST.

N.Z, Cable Association and Reuter).

LONDON, Jan. 24. A French conimuifiquc says: Wo made several successful coups de mam south of Chilly on the Somme, near ItogjievilLe, Woevre. Our Allied aircraft are successfully busy.

LONDON, Jan 24. General Sir Douglas Haig reports: The enemy attempted a raid south-west, ward of Loos, hut was easily beaten off, leaving a number of dead and wounded. We drove hack a party southwards of Hulluck, and raided trenphes southeast of Yprcs. Wo bombarded trenches south-east-ward of Soucliez with good results. During air lighting six German aeroplanes were destroyed, and three driven down damaged. One of ours wasc brought down and two are missing. LONDON, Jan. 25. iA French communique says tliero was destructive artillerying against the enemy in the region of Moulins Sousciuvent, north-east of Hill 304. There was an appreciably violent artillery struggle in the sector at Couricres Wood.

Russian Gfttcial. LONDON, Jan. 24. Berlin official. —Tlie artillery duel was renewed south-west of Riga. LONDON, Jan. 24. A wireless Russian official says: After strong artillerying, the Germans attacked between Tirul swamp and the river Aa, eastwards of Kaincem, and pushed us hack half a mile northwards. Fighting continues. We surprised and destroyed the Bulgarians crossing the Georgieu, a branch of the Danube.

PETIIOGRAD, Jani 24. The lull in General BrussiloflV front was due to had weather, which has bro Men. There was a sharp battle in the woods on the heights surrounding the TTotuz river. . . The Russians commenced tlio battle on Sunday with a bayonet charge. There was the fiercest fighting all night long. The German 225 Division, being experienced soldiers, offered the most stubborn resistance. The Russians finally advanced two verts, capturing an important defence

Two German battalions were wiped out, losing two thousand, in addition to 400 prisoners., and ten machine guns. PETROGRAD, Jan. 24. At the opening of the Upper House, the President said lie hoped, despite disappointment in tlio beginning, 1917 would bring peace. A fateful hour for Germany is approaching.

Our iron will shall lievv its way to a prosperous conclusion.

On the Swiss Front. GENEVA, Jan. 25. A partial mobilisation began to-day. Tlie troops departed for the frontier with enthusiasm.

Rallying to the Colors. LONDON, Jan. 25. Large numbers of eigliteen-year-old lads are rallying to the colours, although the proclamation lias not yet been issued.

The German Version LONDON, Jan. 24. A wireless German official message says: Our torpedoers encountered the British in Hoofden. We sank one destroyer and observed another, by aeroplane, in a sinking condition. One of our torpedoers was damaged, became iinseaworthy and ran into Ynmiden.

All our other ships returned with slight loss.

Labor Conference.

(Australian & N,Z. Cable Association and Rsuter.) LONDON, Jan. 24. At the Labour Conference Mr "VVardle M.P., read Mr Lloyd George’s telegram congratulating them on their decision to share the responsibility in directing the Empire’s affairs. A resolution was adopted protesting against handing over to charity or recruiting authorities the resettling of soldiers and munitioners after the war, declaring hat the trades unions were co-operating to deal with the problem.

Mr Hodge stated that he intenaea to use the trade union machinery to the utmost during demobilisation. Mr Bellamy moved on behalf or the Executive demanding a provision to protect the three million munitioners oher than war workers, as well as soldiers, urging the Government to formulate plans in advance. If discliargod soldiers fell into mo clutches of the poor law there would be a popular outburst of indignation. The resolution was carried. Mr Kirkwood, one of the Clyde labour leaders expelled from Glasgow, at the instance of the military authorities, explained the circumstances, and the deportation scenes. Great excitement followed, delegates demanding that the labour representatives bo withdrawn from the Government unless Mr Kirkwood and his colleagues wero reinstated Mr Henderson ended the scene by suggesting a conference to insitute an inquiry lie pointed out that the Conference heard one sido only, and promised to abide by the result of the inquiry.

Toll of the Sea(Australian & N.Z. Cab's Aasocia i a and Keatfr), LONDON, Jan. 24. The Dutch steamer Salland has been submarined and the crew saved. LONDON, Jan. 25. The Dutch steamer Zeta, of 3053 tons, the British New Queen, of 3583 tons, and several trawlers were sunk. Thirty-three (Norwegians, worth two millions sterling were sunk since 1916.

Railway Construction. LONDON, Jan. 24. The “Times’s” Cairo correspondent, says that 390 miles of railway have been constructed in connection with the Sinai operations. There are important trade prospects for after the war.

Spies In Sweden. (Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.) STOCKHOLM, Jam 24. The newspaper" “Tidning” reports too discovery of an extensive system of espionage iu Sweden. ' A spy named ’Hendricksen and others were arrested and charged with informing German agents of the movements of Entente ships in the Baltic and the Gulf of Bothnia and assisting torpedo. ers.

Press CommentSTOCKHOLM, Jan. 24. The newspapers of both parties interpret President Wilson’s speech as antagonistic to the Allies.

About -Peace. WASHINGTON, Jan 23. President Wilson denies any knowledge of Germany’s terms. The “New York Times” Berlin correspondent interviewed Herr Heckslier, a prominent member of the Reichstag. He said: We don’t want to continue the war with France. We shall lie glad to meet the French Deputies to consider why France continues. I believe that Germany is prepared to restore the ante helium conditions respecting France. Germany waged war with France for no other object than to strike at the ally of Russia and the instrument of England.

Casualty List WELLINGTON, Jan. 25 Died of wounds while'•prisoner of war in Germany. Thompson, W., Private. REPORTED WOUNDED. McQueen, J. -V1... 2nd-Lieut. WOUNDED, ADMITTED TO HOSPI: TAL. Elliott, W., Rifleman. ' SLIGHTLY WOUNDED, REMAINING WITH UNIT. Black, 11. J.,.Private.