THE BRITISH ADVANCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 March 1917, Page 2

THE BRITISH ADVANCE.

Driving the Enemy. London, March 22 The Times correspondent at Headquarters describes the wonderful march of the British Army which compelled the Germans to retreat. The Tommies trampled steadily through a horrib'e sea of filth and mud, wearing leather overalls, their rifles wrapped in rag?, old rocks and mitteus, protecting the precious mechanism.

They arrived on Bapaume Ridge as soon as the enemy, who had expected that the state of the ground would prevent pursuit, and was taking a needed re.it behind the ridge. But he was immediately compelled to turn at bay.

The enemy was not given a moment’s respite. The Somme fury was relighted, the British batteries incessantly bombarded, and thousands of shells shrieked in the sky towards the ridge, the tremendous vibrations shaking the earth, The sky was full of our balloons and aeroplanes, but there was not a single Boche flier. Enemy trains were running northward through invisible tunnel?. After an interminable period of secret warfare, it was au astonishing thing to see the battlefield in every direction, alive with our troops, moving freely to distant points and during Fritz to do bis worst. It obviously testified that the Germans were mastered and driven from place to place. They attempted to burrow in again, but were driven back still further, not daring to show their faces. A feeble shrapnel fire was their only attempt to fight. 'One striking spectacle was afforded by the young battery observers lying on their stomachs in the mad, coolly directing the battery’s fire on the Loupart Wood, in a loud sieg-song voice, watching the hits through binoculars, and joyfully exclaiming, “ That got ’em all right! ”

Replngton’s Views. London, March 22 Colonel Repington, the Times military expert writeß: “ The retreat, as the result of the Somme victories, has weakened the Germans, who are unable to maintain their ground. They will probably continue to fall back until they are abla to fight on clean ground, and will possibly choose the so-called Hindenburg line fiom Lens and St Quentin towards Laoo. This policy precisely suits the British, who are fully alive to German traps, and are not likely to commit follies.

“ Although it ia problematical how far the German strategy is dominated by a pathetic belief in a starving England, the leaders do not believe it, while galling the people. Therefore Germany must ultimately use threequarters cf a million new troops— Hindenburg’s raservs—for a great west front counter offensive against the coming attack of the Allies. Mere resistance is useless, because the internal situation is well-nigh hopeless.” Reuter’s correspondent at Paris says that the great German retreat before the British is the only topic of conversation. The air is full of sensational reports that the retreat is turning into a debacle under the un'emitting activity of the pursuers, who are superior, both in material and initiative. It is impossible at present to say how far this is true, but undoubtedly the Bri. tish continue advancing.

Other Views, London, March 22 Aerial reconnaissances show that the Germans along tbe whole length of their interior lines are now engaged in blowing up bridges, works, munitions aud provision depots, while their heavy guns are keeping up a violent fire in order to mask the retreat. The German Staffs have moved baokward fifteen kilometres (about 10 miles). The effects of the fail of Ba« paume and Peronne would be felt immediately aloDg tbe whole western front.

The Le Matin writes:—Possibly at the outset the German Staff had the idea of a cleverly-planned retirement in order to hamper the nndonbtable British offensive, but General Gough outplayed the enemy. Instead of hnrling forward masses of cavalry, which wonld have dashed themselves against positions previously prepared, he maintained contact by the methodical destructive action of his guns. The result is that the enemy haß been caught in his own trap, and the retreat, which at first was voluntary, is now a regular debacle. There is no longer an uninterrupted line of trenches. Ths British are now fighting in the open over a wide area, and are relentlessly pursuing tbe harassed demoralised foe. Armed Liner Arrives. Copenhagen, March 26 The St Louifj, the first armed American Liner, which sailed for Britain, baa arrived safely. Rewarding Bravery (Australian & N.Z. Gable Association and Reuter), London, March 26 Three N°w Zealanders have been awarded Military Medals.

Official War NewsWellington, March 27 The High Commisanoer reports London 26'b, at 2.25 sum.: French official—During the night the Germans repeatedly renewed tbeir attacks on the Easigny-Benoy front, but were arrested by our fire. Oar caunter-atiacks caused serious losses to be inflicted on the euemy. Wo have maintained the positions taken yesterday southward of the Oise, and have continued oar advance " despite the state of the ground and the bad weather.

War Items From France. (Received March 27, at 10.35 a m.)y Paris, March 26 A Ministerial Councils’ decree prohibits the importation into France and Algeria of all merchandise except one half for the State or goods specially authorised by tha Minister ol Finance. Ribot, the Premier, states that each country in alliance must become as far as possible erlf supporting. The war is becoming very largely one of transport and finance, and any measure saving tonnage and restoring exchange brings victory nearer. Government intends to encourage Home production of foodstuffs, France during 1916 spent six hundred million abrotd ia imports, exceeding the exports by four hundred million sterling.

Nearing Mosul London, March 26 A Russian communique states the* Russians, pursuing the Turks, have entered the villayet of Mosul. Mosul is about 200 miles north of the ancient capital, Bagdad.

French Report. (Australian & N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter.) (Received March 27, at 11.25 a.m.) London, March 26 A French communique says onrfire stopped a counter attack. Wb repulsed several fresh enemy attacks at night on the Eisigny-Bsnay front between Somme and Oise, Serious lobs was inflicted cn the enemy, We entirely maintained the positions captured yesterday.

We continued to advance south of the Oise, despite the state of the ground and bau weather. French air squadrons dropped a ton of bombs on factories at Theonville and Briey Basin, also the railway stations at Conflana and Montmedy. ’

Britain’s Huge Military Effort. (Australian & N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter.) London, March 26 The immense military effort by ,-v Britain is strikingly illustrated in the Army appropriation account for 1916, showing the total net expenditure on the Army was £543,187,548 sterling. This amount includes pay £98,157,156, supplies and clothing £212,960,815, quartering transport and remounts £96,273,107, of which the sea transport of ttoops cost £30,687,382. The sum of £5,570,320 was credited to the Indian Government for ordinary expenses of the Indian expedition* ary Force.

Russian Report. (Admiralty per Wireless Press,) London, March 26 Rugsian official—The German advance in the region of Postavy, following four gas waves was thrown { back. Germans dressed in white overalls attacked westward of Barabovrtoh but were dispersed. We occupied fortifications at Kalaiohahin in the direction of Kanykin, the Turks maintaining themselves on the heights near Mautaga. German Claims(Australian &N.Z. Cable Assoication and Reuter.) (Admiralty per Wireless Press). (Received March 27, at 12.55 p.m.) London, March 26 German official,—We attaoked the French, who advanced across the Somme at Orozet Oanal, inflioting heavy losses. Three attacks, east of Ailett, resulted in a check of the Frenoh advance ( north of the Aieue. Our air eqnaaron attacked Dunkirk causing several fireß. Ws claim to have downed eleven aercvflar.'s on Sunday. America’s Problem (Received March 27 at 11.35 Washington, Match 26 President Wilson is . considering a scheme of universal military training but he believes the conntry does not welcome it. Therefore he may recommend Congress to recruit an army of 250,000, or recruit the militia to its full strength or raise a volunteer army of 250,000.

Invasion Rumors.

London, Maroh 26 Invasion rumours, current in London and the .Provinces for the past forty-eight hoar 3, have been dispelled by Hon Bonar Law. In a statement in the Commons, he said he was unable to find a foundation therefore. The Safety Line.

' Washington, March 26 Consul Keogh at Rotterdam reports that the Healdton was following the German safety line when she was torpedoed. Some of the crew wore burned to death in the vessel and Y others were froz3n tc death, being exposed for hours in weather below zero. Spy Sentenced. (Received March 27, at 10.55 a.m) New Yoke, March 26 George Vanx Bacon, an American journalist, was arrested in England for spying, H 8 pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy and organising on American soil a military expedition against a friendly power. He was sentenced to 466 days imprisonment. Envoi* Pasha’s Mission. Bekne March 26 Enver Pasha has gone to the East front. Old Turk circles in Geneva declare that Germany's refusal to send back Turkish troops ba« caused bitterness in Constantinople and Enver’s mission lo Berlin was in this connection, being due to the failure of an earlier mission.

Job for Mackensen. Berne, March 26 It is stated from Constantinople that General Mackansen has arrived to re-organise the Turkish Armies. Getting Out. [REUTERS SEE VICE.—COPYRIGHT.] Amsterdam, March 26 The Chinese Minister at Berlin has asked for hia passport.

Transfer of Powers, (Received March 27, at 1.35 p.m.) Rome, March 26 Advice from Pdir..grad states the transfer of executive powers and military commands proceeds without conflict;. No meuber of the Imperial Family wiil hold a position in the Army or civil administration.

ifj MESOPOTAMIA Will British Cut Off Persian Army. London, March 22 Whereas some critics were pessimistic even when Kut was captured, and urged that there should be no further advance, as it would be a •waste of energy, in view of the supreme .importance of the western front, all now speculate on how far ■General Maude will go beyond Bagidad, and hope that ha will bo ablß to intercept tbe Turks retreating from [Persia with the Russians at their iheels. It is considered most likely that his cavalry will reach Kbanikin, en route to Kerinanshab, before the Turks who are fleeing bafoco thß Russians, Only the most precipitate retreat can save the Turks, and the junction between Maude and the Russians from Hamadan will be probably the next development. Some experts issue warnings against over optimism, pointing out that Bagdad will be difficult to hold, and that the unfavorable season is imminent.

But ths combined dash and caution sof G&naral Maude, and the terrible ‘blows he inflicted on Turks throughout the laborious fighting at Kut, are xegarcled aa indicating that he will prove a match for any fresh army the Turks may be able to concentrate. Indeed, the extent to which tb9 Tarkieh army at Kut was smashed is only now being realised. Two months hard fighting were necessary to recapture Kut, but the resulting enemy losses were so great that it was only a remnant which bolted to Bagdad. The victory is hailed as a fresh proof of .British sea power, which has accomplished what was beyond the power of ■ihe vast Russian armies through the Asiatic theatres, The subsidiary collective effect of a series of Turkish reverses is bound to be felt in Europe, since Turkey ia irremediably weakened an ally of Germany.