IN THE WEST.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 March 1917, Page 1

IN THE WEST.

Haig’s Report

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Association

ami Reuter.)

LONDON, March 4

Sir Douglas Haig reports: After a stubborn resistance we made further progress northward of Puisseuxaumoiifc and eastward of Commeeourt. Our line was advanced a quarter of a mile on a frontage of five miles. An enen.' bombing attack forced us to evacuate a trench eastward of Sailly-Saillcsei'l, but wo regained the ground by an immediate counter-attack

The Withdrawal

Helped by Fog

LONDON, March 4.. Mr Philip Gibbs' wires that the weather still favours the German withdrawal. In the thick fogs our airmen are Lelpjless and our Gunners arc lmndicappeu just when direct observation is most valuable. It is doubtful if anything sensational will happen in the next few days on xne left. The only sensational thing yet has been the withdrawal itself. The truth is simple; at the start tne enemy decided to withdraw and made plans of a careful order to frustrate any British plans to deal a knock-out. It also saves their men by shortening their lines, and the movement was timed remarkably well, as they utilised the hard frost for their guns and materials and moved their last man when the ground was a quagmiro. 1 The German scheme undoubtedly i» to delay our advance to the utmost, in hopes to impede our progress by belts of barbed wire and strong bodies of picked troops and 'machine guns. Also masses of heavy guns ease ui Bapaumo are holding the Bapaume pivot, while their troops swing back. Yet the enemy’s hopes arc not certainties, and full of danger if any part of the scheme, fails.

Official Report

WELLINGTON, Jilarch 5. The High Commissioner reports from London on March 4th at 9.35 a.m.: British Official.—This morning we attacked tlic enemy’s front and support lines east of Soueliavesnes on a front of 1200 yards, 'taking 173. prisoners and three machine guns. 7 '.East of Gommecourt wc advanced along a two-mile front with an average depth of 1200 yards.

An Explosion. PARIS, March 4. An explosion has occurred in a ponder factory near V eriepetit with two killed and nineteen injured. The Duma LONDON, March 4. The “Daily Chronicle’s” Petrograd correspondent says that- contrary tu expectations tlic sessions of the Duma have not yielded a sensation. The appeals by the District Commandant, the President of the Duma, and Count Militekoc resulted in complete order opening with this distinct gain, because itlie reactionaries aim at securing a dissolution, important members of the Duma were able to raise their voices at the necessary moment.

Premier Galizen did not declare a policy, and 'Count Proitopopoff did not appear to debate the political situation and all showed that the relations between the Government and the country are not changed. 'The internal crisis drags on and no concessions have boon made.

In the public opionion nothing has occurred to modify the last session’s indictment of the Government.

Count Milukoff reaffirmed the need for victory, and approved of the Allies v-arf aims, and ltt> outlined their Note to President Wilson. He added that if we did not conquer with the Government we would conquer in spite of it, but we will be victorious. M. Gronsky. Labour leader,, referring to Constantinople, urged that the Allies should adandon their Imperialistic'schemes. /Hied Conference. PET-ROUKAD, March 4. An inspired statement says that the Allied Conference afforded a fresh proot of the increasing solidarity of tlie Allies and their unswerving fidelity to the common cause.

The conference decided upon measures for the better distribution of resource*.

Food, tuffs.

LONDON, arch. 4

The newspapers point out a considerable advance in prices of foodstults since the announcement of the restriction of imports regardless of lami Uevonport’s warning. These .increases not merely affect the articles restricted, but apply particularly to meat, choose, semolina and all vegetables and bacon and rice. Some retailers are selling potatoes above the fixed price, risking piosscution, despite the fines which have been imposed upon several offenders. ,Some quarters urge immediate step* to prevent speculation and food hoarding. China’s Position. / LONDON, March 4. The “Morning Post” says the Chinese Cabinet decided to break off relations with Germany, and subsequently to declare war.

The Chinese President has agreed to this, subject- to parliament's approval.

In Flanders.

(Australian & N.Z. Ouble Associati. n and Reater).

AMSTERDAM, March o. A Flemish deputation asked Count llolweg to grant Flanders autonomy on the basis of the Dutch in language aim e.uiture.

'Count Hollweg replied that encouomieally and culturally Flanders and Germany were one.

He promised in the Kaiser’s name that Flanders would receive free eultur al scope under the German Government. Germany would guarantee the free development of the Flemish race at the peace negotiations, and thereafter. lie accepted the Flemish University as lent under German patronage. It is pointed out that these deputations were merely Germany’s cat spans and were denounced as'traitors by the vast majority of the Flemish and were identical with that obnoxious section.

Mere Intrigue PUNT A ARENAS, March 4, The German intrigue has reached the Straits of Magellan, where the eonsm, a wealthy German, has organised a seven weeks’ strike of shepherds and farm labourers, preventing the shipment or mutton to Britain.

usrman Report LONDON March 3. A German communique states: Strong {British reconnoitring detachments attempted to penetrate trenches at Hulluch and Levin, but were lepulsed. There were renewed violent in fantry encounters on both banks of the Ancre. The British suffered sanguinary losses. The Germans broke into the Russian position west of Luck to a depth of fifteen hundred metres by a width of two and a-lialf kilometres. Italian Loan. ROME, March 4. The subscriptions to the new .fai loan at present are two and half milliards lircs, of which 1,720,000,000 are new money. In America.

WASHINGTON, March 4. The small group opposing the Bill consisted of pacificists and opponents m granting the President war powers, and also opponents to tjhe arming of merchant ships. Herr Zimmerman’s cynical admission as to the authenticity of the Note caused widespread resentment, and there is now little doubt that the country will support President Wilson if lie decides to arm ships, as an overwhelming majority in both Houses favour 'this course. NEW YORK, March 5. President Wilson has issued a statement that by an old law he is. prevented from arming ships unless authorised by Congress. NEW YORK, March 6. President Wilson lias called a special session of the new Senate lor Monday.

In ffiesonotatPia.

LONDON, March 3. The Admiralty announces that in Mesopotamia tlic river gunboats Tarantula, Mantis, and Motes, came in contact with and passed the retreating Turkish Army westward of Sluunran oil February 2Gtb. We inflicted heavy losses and captured or destroyed four Turkish, steamers and a number of barges containing ammunition. ./TEHERAN., March 4. Russians captured Hamadan and are pursuing the retreating enemy.

Returned Soldiers

AUCKLAND, March 5.

The Hospital Ship brought twentytwo officers and 510 men of other ranks including 45 cot cases, none of whom are officers, and none are regarded as. specially serious. The beneficial effects of the voyage are apparent .as at. the commencement nearly 100 were lying down cases. Tho destinations of the men are as follows. — Auckland total number 109, cot cases U. Wellington total IS7 with 15 cot cases. Christchurch 33 with 5 cot cases. Dunedin 95 with 14 cot cases. Mayor Gun son welcomed tho lueuMm behalf of the city. * In the course of his speech Sir James Allen paid a’ warm tribute to the work of Colonel Collins, the medcial officer contmanding the hospital ship ana !"S staff, and it was a matter for gratification that the staffs of the hospital ship had given their services so ungrudgingly.

A special meed of praise was due to the nurses who had undertaken risks and braved dangers and it "’as splendid to think that Now Zealand men always wished to lie in New Zealand hospitals or on New Zealand hospital ships and treated by New Zealand nurses.

Wool Sales. LONDON, March 4.. The wool sales were a very ottering in all classes, but there was animated competition, especially in crossbieds which were substantially above last week’s prices. Merinos were firm and unchanged. A meeting of the Brdaford trade decided to ask lion. Mr Forster-Stniuey to receive a deputation to protest against Government control. LONDON, March 5.

The market returns show a decrease of 2*.>.9 per cent in tin? moat sales for February compared with January, which is estimated as equivalent to three-quarters of a pound per Lead weekly.