IN THE WEST

Hokitika Guardian, 28 March 1917, Page 1

IN THE WEST

Official Report

WELLINGTON, March 27. The High Commissioner reports from London on March 26th at 10.0 p.m.. ■- z British Official.—This morning wo captured the village of Lognicuar.t, north of tho Bapaume-Cambrai road. During the afternoon the enemy made determined counter-attacks, but was driven off. A third attack was caught in the open by our artillery and was not developed. WELLINGTON, March 27 The High Commissioner reports from London on March 26th at 4.50 p.m. French Official.—South of the Oise we made important progress in tho Conchy Forest. In spite of difficulties of the gromm and a lively resistance of the enemy wo occupied Folcn Bray and La Flueillc, Biorth of Soissons, and mado progress in the region of Vregny.

Great Possibilties

LONDON, March 26. Great battles in France are developing in immense possibilities. French critics arc exhilarated, declaring that the greatest event since the Marne is expectable immediately. The Prussian War Minister Stein excuses the retreat as owing to insufficiency of guny, but claims that Germany does not lack ammunition and is propared to meet offensives imperturbably. He also says that America’s intervention does not trouble Germany, because an American Continental army is impossible. Stiff Fightiig LONDON, March 26. Mr. Phillip Gibbs says the enemy has now reached Hindenburg’s line of defence from Aras, past Cambrai, St. Quentin and Laon. The French are fighting heavily round St. Quentin, threatening to turn the enemy line.

The Germans are lighting determinedly near Beaumotzlez and Cambrai in an effort to prevent us holding the high ground overlooking their main defencos.

We took Beumetz unopposed on Wednesday, and tho Germans retook it on Thursday, hut we drove them out. They again attacked unavailingly on Friday.

The German command called for volunteers for this operation, but without result, and therefore companies specially trained ay assaulting troops were ordered to take Beaumetz which' they tried to do but failed. , Wo took Laoniconrt this morning, which was occupied by four companies of Germans.

A round St Quentin

LONDON, March 2b

The “Morning Post’s” correspondent at British headquarters says:—On Monday enemy detachments were lidding a new ouitnosit lino on tho front from St. Quentin, shelling a few ruined villages, which it was thought were occupied by British cavalry. Our cavalry and cyclist patrols were constantly moving in the villages in the St. Quentin region, occasionally inviting contact with the Germans, but never continuing the engagement. The British advance east and south of 'Bapaume lias not brought our troops •to the® main German armies, though everywhere they are within striking distance of a fairly strong outpost line. The Germans are still unwilling to make a determined stand if severely

pressed. The weather is ideal for cavalry work. The keen wind and bright sunshine give exceptional facilities for ailobservation.

Chstnef Outlook

LONDON. March 26

The “Vorwaerts” urges Count Bothman Ilollweg to offer peace to Itussia, adding that the outloik of the war has suddenly changed, and wo are no longer fighting Czarism and its allies, but an alliance of the world’s democratically governed peoples, which asserts' the will-to tear down in Germany its last bulwark of reaction. Strike ?.t Barrow. ■LONDON, March 26. According to a statement made by Mr Bouar Law in the House of Commons the strike at Barrow, cabled on 24th, is not over, but tlic offer sun remains open.

He added that iflm Government viewed the interruption in the production of munitions with the utmost gravity, and the stoppage ol work when o/ther methods of settlement were open coma not be too strongly depreciated. Gift Aeroplanes. LONDON, March 26. - British subjects in the Dutch East Indies have sent £6815 sterling to the Overseas Club to purchase two aeroplanes. Overseas residents have now paid for ninety-five units of the Imperial aircraft flotilla formed by the Overseas Club. The *ppam WASHINGTON, March 26. The Court ordered the immediate 'transfer of the Appajn to its former owners. Greek Protest ATHENS, March 26.

The Greek Government protested against the Italian occupation of the ,Tallinn district,