IN THE WEST

Hokitika Guardian, 2 April 1917, Page 1

IN THE WEST

A British capture. * ( Australian & N Z. Cable and Rtufer.) LONDON, INlarcli 30. TJic British lsavo captured Ruylcourt, and our infantry have contacted with the new German line in the Aisno to St. Quentin region. Spy Caught. LONDON, March hi. A German spy was caught in the British lines with microbes for spreading disease among horses. fir* Uncertainly. LONDON, March 31. Mr Simms the United Press correspondent says, our British officers believe that the Germans are uncertain of their ability to hold the Ilindenburg Jiine. Liberated French civlians report that the Kaiser’s troops are greatly dissatisfied with domestic affairs describing the conditions in the interior of Germany as similar to those preceding the Russian revolution. They say that the German soldiers arc-treated like dogs by the officers while the people at' home are treated like cattle. The German Retreat. LONDON, March oi. Mr llcwart, at Leicester, said that General Sir William Robertson had authorised him to say that the German retreat was entirely involuntary, and any c-onltrary assertion was not' only inconsistent with the manifest facts, bu* was singularly unjust to the valour and daring of our gallant troops.

tierman Report LONDON, March 31 Wireless German Official: Four Canadian attacks eastward of Neuville St. Vaast were repulsed. Our, rearguards withdrew before strong English forces from both sides of the Per-rone-Finy high read to the line Ruyao-lcourt-Sorel. We repulsed French attacks north-weslt of Soisons, inflicting losses. A French communique states: There way nothing except lively grenading in the sector of Maisons de Champagne. Official Report WELLINGTON, April 1. The High Commissioner reports London March 30 at 9.10. p.m.:— British official.—We have occupied the villages of Ruyaulcourt, Sbrellegrand, and Fins. Wo also gained ground after some sharp fighting in the neighbourhood of Heudicourt. A hostile attack on our positions south of Neuville Sur Jonval was repelled with' losses. 'l’he High Commissioners report from London March 31st. .March 1917: Tho British occupied Hendicourt and St. Emile completing our further advance about a mile over a seven-mile front . Wo have also taken Vermand, Martivelle and Sovecourt. Prench Report LONDON, March 31. French official.—Southwards of Ailotto wo successfully attacked several points on tho Neuville Sur Margival Vregny front making important progress eastwards of that line, and capturing brilliantly several points of vantage despite energetic resistance. In the Champagne the Germans made multiplied attempts to re-capture positions taken yesterday westwards of Maisons on five successive nights. These counter-attacks wore broken by our machine guns, and artillery with heavy enemy losses. A French communique says that north of tho Sommo and the Oise their was reciprocal vig®rous artillerying. Our first lines northeast of Soissons progressed in the Veregnymargivac sector. Our vigorous counter-attack west of Maison dc Champagne enabled us to eject the enemy from the trendies in which ho had obtained a footing on the twenty-eighth. A Belgian Report. LONDON, March 31. Wireless Belgian official.—-A Belgian detachment penetrated the first line at Stcenstraat Ridge after a lively fight-, with severe enemy Josses and some prisonered. Military Service(Australia A N.Z. Cable Association.)

LONDON, March 30. The Hoiiso of Commons in committee discussed the Military Service Lilli. , The Government declined to exempt all agricultural workers but Mr. Bonar Law said that the food production was at least as important as gcttin, soldiersl, agriculture, would receive special consideration. Several members strongly denounced re-examination discharged men especially those incapaciated on active service. Messrs .McKenna and Churchill disputed the Government’s figures as to the probable result of re-examination. They considered that the Government had been over-optimistic . Mr. Macpherson promised complete estimates. LONDON, March 20. In the House of Commons the lion Mr. Ho cl go- withdrew, his amendment and the Military Service, Bill was reuu a second time by 178 To IS.