WAR NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 April 1917, Page 1

WAR NEWS.

fPiSR PEESS ASSOCIATION. C'OPYUIQHT.] IN IKE WEST. Official Report WELLINGTON, April 14. Tho High Commissioner reports from London on April 13tli at 11.45 p.m.A British official report says tuat tho area of active operations was extended to-day northwards and cab«, and north of Vimy ridge. We pressed back tho enemy on the whole front north of the Scarpe and to the south of Loos. Wo seized the villages of Baillcul, W'illerval, Viimy, Paitvimv, Givenchy. En Coliello, and Angies, gathering a footing in the enemy trenches northcast of Lons. In this area we captured prisoners and guns. South of the Arras and Cnmorni road wo captured Wancourt Tower on the spur east of Wancourt, advancing astride of Ilindijaburg’s line to point seven miles south-east of Arras, and further progressing on the high ground east of Leverguer and Tarvmc4)urt despite the bad weather. The prisoners taken since the commencement of operations on April 9tb now exceed 13,0*90 including 385 officers.

Another Report WELLINGTON, April I«. The High Commissioner reports from London on April 14th at 1.20 p.m.:— A British official message reports that the village of Fayet north-west of it. Quentin was carried during the night. After a sharp fight on the high ground east of Lcvcrguir wo captured important portions of Ascension rarrn and Grand Priel farm. We also made progress north of tho Bapaume-Carnbrni road towards St- Quentin. Northwards of the Scarpe, after constant pressure, we compelled the enemy to yield further ground. AVo seized Vlmy station, Lachaudiere and positions of Fosse No. 6 and Buquet mill, between Givenchy, F.ii Gohello and Angres. The guns taken in tltis area include four Bineh howitzers. Tho ground gained in recent opciations now links up with the position gained in the battle of Loos, and includes Double Grassier. An attempted enemy raid during the night eastward of Loos was driven off. details (Australian & N y -. Cable Association). PARIS, April 13. Air. Wood, the correspondent, giving details, states that the French have readied the suburbs of St. Quentin. He asserts that the capture of 'St. Cobain and St. Quentin, according to French strategists, means the breaking of the Hindenburg line. The Germans are believed to be engaged in sacking St. Quentin, and there are nia’nv fires. Prisoners assert that Prince Eitel Frcidcrieh ordered the town’s destruction. French Report. LONDON, April 13. A French communique states: We attacked this morning the German position south of St Quentin, ami despite the the enemy’s desperate resistance we carried several lines of trenches between the Somme, Lahore and St. Quentin road. Our advanced elements progressed progressed south of the Aisc and eastward of CoureylaTolle, and captured prisoners and material. There is an artillery struggle in the Aisne region and in Champagne. Two enemy coup do mains in the A r erdtin region failed under our fire.

South Africans’ Part

• LONDON, April 18

Air Phillip Gibbs, in his despatch, gives prominence to the South A£rL> cans’ share in Alonday’s attack. 7

“The Colonials,” he sa.vs “ charged ahead of their men and coptured the first line without casualties, and afterwards fought the wicked machine gun fife and gathered in hundreds of prisoners and many guns, including s,a inch howitzers and a vast haul of. ammunition.

“They then reversed the guns upon the enemy. Ist was a triumph for the South Africans, revenging the tragic episode of Devilles Wood.

Further Retreat

LONDON, April 14

There are indications that the German retreat is extending. Fires have been observed at Lens. PARIS.. April 14. A French communique reports:—

South of St. Quentin ire continued to bombard the German positions . between the Somme and the Oise.

There is great mutual artillery activity in the Champagne region where we effected numerous reconnaissances.

Kindenburg Alarmed

LONDON, April 13,

The “Daily Telegraph’s” Rotterdam correspondent states that Marshall Von Hindnburg is alarmed at the threat against his muoligvauntod line, and lias hastened to the DVestorn front where lie stayed two He attributes the disaster to divisional generals and refuses to admit that lie under-estimated British prowess.

Kew Zealanders

WELLINGTON. April 13. (Special from the official War correspondent Mr. Malcom Ross.) April 10 Beyond occasional reciprocal shellio" of trenches and counter-battery work there is stall no fighting on our front. Aerial activity has increased and daring tlights and splendid feats are almost daily accomplished in our new fast planes.

Haig’s Report (Australian & N.Z. C ibis? A. socifuion and Eeaun). LONDON, April 13. Sir Douglas Haig reports as follows: Yesterday we brought down five hostile aeroplanes. Three of our machines are missing. Since April Dtli we have taken prisoner 13,000, whereof 255 are officers, and captured 166 guns, whereof eight are eight ineliers, 108 field guns and howitzers, 84 trench mortars, and 250 machine guns in addition to many guns that were demolished and buried. Sir Douglas Haig reports: AVe attacked last night between St. Quentin and Cambrai. After sharp fighting we aptured the enemy’s positions on a wide front northward of Hargicourt to to Aletzencoutre. AVe now bold Sart Farm, Gauche. AVood, Gouzpaucourt village, and Gonzeaueomt AA r ood. AA 7 c successfully raided at night south-west-ward of Loos. Our machine-guns stopped a raid in the neighbourhood of Boegstreet. usrman Report LONDON, April 13. A German official message says: Our counter-thrusts balanced the strong British attacks against Angres, Givenchy and En Goldie. AA r c twice repulsed attacks from the Arras-Gavello road to the Scarpe, ana ' repulsed several attacks, including cavalry south-eastward of Arras. French attacks southward of St. Quentin failed. I6nDON, April 14tth. A wireless German official reports a pause in the fighting yesterday northeastward of Arras and the Searfo. Further southward of Cronselles and Bulleeourt, after violent artillerying, tho British vainly attacked several times, but our after-trust inflicted considerable enemy losses. Strong enemy.--attacks failed against our St. Quentin positions. For the past week the heart of St. Quentin has been violently bombarded. The palace of Justice, Cathedral and Town Hall have boon seriously da m aged Both artilleries arc fighting at full strength at Soissoiis, llheims, and in western Chamjagnc. The-enemy lost on the A\ T est Front on Thursday 11 aeroplanes and on Friday 24. Peace Overtures AAIA SUING TON, April 14. Officials believe that the Bulgarian overtures for pence are genuine, though informal, and are designed to act as feelers for the Central Powers. Allied diplomats think that n vulgarian agress to a separate peace Turkey will follow suit. Russian Report. LONDON, April 13. A wireless Russian official message reports that in the region of Ovzierke tho enemy attacked and occupied our positions hut a counter attack drove them oul. • In the region of Bogarodshany follow ing a damagelo.ss gas attack the Austrians were bombarded and disorder was noticed in the enemy first trenches. Part of the Austrians retired and the remainder attempted to approach under white flags hut wore subjected to the fire of tlieir own artillery and fled back.

ENTRY

Bus ia’s Traitors (Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.) PARIS April 14. General Ilic.su the chief of tho Roumanian staff has revealed how the .Sturm er Government deliberately pushed Rou" mania into the war and then abandons her hoping to finish the war when Roumnnia was invadul to the Scrctli, by proclaiming that the triumph of the Central Empires in Roumania necessitated. a separate peace Stunner hoped that peace would be duo to a defeat which was not a Russian defeat which would not shake his power or the Czar’s. Having thrust Roumania into the arena Stunner held back four army corps and even stopped British and French' consignments of munitions. Trains loaded with guns and aeroplanes were afterwards discovered at sidings and stations between Jassy and Petrograd. Tho railway employees everywhere explained that the trains wore held up under Government orders. ltoummnnia’s intervention was particularly desired by Germany as the Hungarians and Bulgars were weary of the war and the Roumanian peril was necessary in order to destroy their tendency towards independency. Berlin chose in August for Ruma|nia’s intervention, Stunner being tile mouthpiece of the German wall.

Coming Offensive (Australia & N.Z. Cable Association) PETROGRAD. April 13. A captured German Army order recalling officers from leave is regarded as indicating, that a German offensive is imminent against the junction of the Russian northern and Western fronts. BERNE, APril 13'. ‘ Military writers are of the opinion that the entry of 'America will result in an aggressive sea policy against GormrAiy with th'e idea of ultimately landing troops on the German coast, thus involving a tremendous battle, completely outdoing Gallipoli. In Mesopotamia. WELLINGTON, April 14i Tho High Commissioner reports from London on April 11th at 5.40 p.m.: A Mesopotamia official message reports that the enemy were driven from an advanced position near Ghalujoh and Deltawar on Wednesday. On Thursday the enemy withdrew northeastwards in tho direction.of tsuruiji.sk. During Friday we followed the Turks who are falling back towards 'Pelutobne. The enemy suffered heavy losses wmn> ours werie equhl Jo Alieir number, killed.