IN THE WEST

Hokitika Guardian, 23 March 1917, Page 1

IN THE WEST

Still Palling Sack (Australian & N.Z Gable As-ojiatioa and Reuter.) LONDON, Marcn zl. Headquarters’ correspondent says the weather continues squally, but the ground remains practicable for the movements of horse, foot, and guns. The enemy is falling hack faster in the vicinity of Ham; but ntfrthwarde their retirement i, s more stubborn. .....

advancing troops being frequently faced with machine guns. . It appears that the pivot of 'the great German swing has now reached Arras, while to the south of Pcronne our patrols are serein miles east of the river.

German Withdrawals. Well Executed. AMSTERDAM, March 21. A semi-official Berlin telegram says the German withdrawal was carried ou;t unknown to the Allies, and Peronno was evacuated on the night of the 13th. and occupied on the evening of the 17th.

It! adds that everything serviceable to the enemy was destroyed, though the greatest consideration was paid to me inhabitants in the evacuated districts. Our operations were conducted like peace manoeuvres and apart from some men lost on the way in the wide Terrain we had no losses. German Vandalism. LONDON, March ku. The advance has liberated 20,000 residents, and there is intense indignation at the German vandalism, especially the destruction of the historic remains of the “Chateau Coucy” and violent denunciations of the abductions at Noyon. Maurice Maeterlinck and others urge reprisals, by the destruction of German towns whenever th© enemy violates Franco, Alsace or Belguim.

Haig’s Report LONDON, March 21. Field Marshall Sir Douglas Haig re- , ports:—We advanced rapidly southeastward and (eastward of Peronno, . reaching points ten miles eastward or . the Somme, and occupied another forty villages in this area. . The enemy is developing considerable resistance in a number of places between Nurlu and Arras, but their rearguards have been steadily expelled from their'positions, and our progress continues. Wo carried out successful raids eastwards of Arras and north-eastwards of Ncuvile iSt. Vaast, and repulsed a raiding party eastward of the latter. The enemy blew up a mine southeastward of Ypres, damaging his own trenches. ~ French Onoretions (Australian & N 7., Cable Association).

LONDON, March 22 A French communique says.—North of Ham the situation is unchanged. Our light troops have maintained contact with the enemy between Roupy and St. Quentin. We forged a passage this morning east of Ham two points on the Somme Canal in fact of vigorous resistance.' We cleared the north and east banks of tlie Canal and drove the enemy as far as the outskirts of Clastres and Montescourt. The enemy has flooded this region and the majority of the villages' before our lines burning in the region of St. Quentin. We progressed north of Teryir, and had somo skirmishes in the valley of Ailette.

The enemy who was occupying the cast bank of the Croyat Canal and AfYeitte, vigorously 'bombarded our lines.

We considerably progressed north of Soissons fighting several lively act-

ions. The majority of the reconquered villages were ruined east of the Meuse. The enemy launched several attacks at Carlone trenches, but all failed. yes-man Report LONDON, March 21. German Official—We repulsed French attacks at Loos Wood on the right bank of ithc Mouse, also west and north of Monastic. "We re-captured the heights northeast of Tirnova. near Senegovo. Two Sweepers Mined(Australia & N.Z. Cable Association) LONDON, March 21. The Admiralty announces that two mine sweepers were mined, in one ease without casualty, and in the other ?ase fourteen were drowned. LONDON, March 21. Wireless RuKsia'n official.—ln the direction of Sakiz w© are pursuing the Turks. We entered Turkish territory. There is great rceomioitering activity ui«- the Last front.

Arab Revolt. LONDON". March 20. In the House of Commons, Mr Balfour stated that the most important chiefs in Arabia hast revolted against the Turks, and ho cotild only say that the position was satisfactory. The Turkish force near Aden was (isolated from Turkish Jiearfqiiaitcrs’, with mo means of ascertaining the ■ disposition against them, except 'through the newspapers. Wirelss. —The American Consul at Mahno has been dismissed for conducting trade in contraband foodstuffs for Germany’s benefit.