THE WAR.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 March 1917, Page 2

THE WAR.

(Per United Press Association)

French Stiii Advance

Wellington, March 23

The Hit.h Commiaai'Tno,’ rep >r:3» London ‘22nd, at 2.55 a.m.: French cfSc’nl—NotH wards of Tergnil we improved cur positions eietwards of Sr, Qnentin C • ai, ejecting the enemy from cevernl impo tant point c.

Weoecapied eeviia! villages, dispite enemy resistance in Iha region of Yregny.

French Operations. Wellington, March 23 The High CommlsiioLer rej orts, London, 22nd March, at 1.35 j .m. : French official—North, of Ham the situation is unchanged. Our light elements are resting in contact with the enemy between Roupy ani St Quentin. Eastwards of Ham we forced and passed Somme Canal at two p ints, and oleared the banks north and east of the Canal throwing back the enemy to the bord-rj of Claatres aid Montescourt The greater part of the villages in front of our lines in the regien of Saint Quentin are in fUmes. We progressed nor.h of IWgnier. The enemy who occupied in force thß east bank of Croyat Ailetic, effected a lively bombardment in our lines. In the region north of Soissons wo made considerable progress. The greater part of the conquered villages are entirely destroyed. East of the Meuse several enemy attaoks failed through our fire.

French Report.

(Australian &N.Z. Cable Assoicaiici and Reuter.) (Received March 23, at 12.10 p.m.) London, March 22 A French communique says after a lively struggle for extended positions east of St Quentin Canal in the region north of Tergnior and Elvono, the enemy at several important points advanced south of the Oise and north of Soissons and occupied several, village?.

Important Moves. (Admiralty per Wireless Press). London, March 22 Russian official—ln the direction of Zida the enemy attacked, after a long bombardment, and occupied onr positions. A counter attack partly restored the positions. We drove back an attack north-west

of Brody. There is intense enemy aerial and and artillery activity in the direction

of Foeany.

A British Demand (Received March 23, at 10 a.m.) Amsterdam, Much 22 The Teiegtaf state* that French and British Ministers at the Hague have domanded the admission of armed merchantmen into Dutch ports. German Shipping. Amsterdam, March 22 Tn the Reichstag, Dr Hellferich said negotiations were proceedingwith shipowners for the reconstitution of the commercial fleet. Dr Krug, on behalf of the Foreign Office, declared that prisoners’ conditions at Alexandra Palace, London, were satisfactory. Steamer Sunk Washington, March 21 The Norwegian steamer Davagar has been sunk, One American was aboard. Tbe crew were saved, after several hours’ exposure id the North Sea. Mr Wilson is bow considering the formation of a War Cabinet. Imperial Conference. Opening Sitting London, March 21 Hon W. Long j and Hon Austin Chamberlain welcomed tbe Imperial Conference delegates at the Colonial Office.

Hon Lloyd Goorge was absent, owing to pressure of business. Hou W. Eiong presided. The Conference lasted two hours and then adjourned till Saturday. A report of the proceedings will not be published. It is understood tbe Conference decided that owing to the most immediate subjects being associated with military proceedings, it was inadvisable to disclose the proceedings. Casualty List. Wellington, March 22 Reported killed in action —Rifleman W, Nicholson. Reported died of wounds—Sapper E. McHugh, Private S. Greer. Reported died of sickness—Privates J. O. Stewart, W. R. Watson.

Finnish Revolt. (Received Maroh 23, at 11 20 a.m.) London, March 2£ Reports from Berlin state the Finnish Independence Committee has proclaimed the independence cf Fiuj land at Wassa.