Brilliant Work.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 April 1917, Page 1

Brilliant Work.

In Lens Attack. f (Australian & N.Z. Cable Atscciation and Reuter.) LONDON, April 16. Correspondents give a graphic description of the attack on Lens. It was evident on Friday that the enemy wore quitting the town at xneir speediest, but. Saturday’s events show ed that they still maintained a ring of strong machine-gun redoubts. Consequently, when the attackers in the south disappeared in a street near the Bois Frieauinont the utmost caution was necessary. They wriggled through back gardens until they reached another street behind the wood, which they attacked from the north. The German machine-gunners were nou-plusßod. Tho British meanwhile posT'd machine-guns which enabled them to snipe the entire crows from van tago points. The enemy on Sunday throw his entire weight on the inner defence in the desperate hope of checking the advance until the guns and stores were removed and the destruction of the mines completed. Everywhere the same methods were used which sought hamper pursuit. Further south, pioneers were exploding craters in the roads eastwards and blocking the" streets with debris of houses.

PFAUE &OVE. Austria Ready. Offer to Russia. AMSTERDAM, April 17. The Austrian Government hay authorised the publication of a statement practically amounting to a peace offer to Russia. The statement says: “The monarchy learns from the Russian Government’s manifesto of April 10th that Russia, like Austro-Hungary, desires an honourable peace without desiring domination over other peoples. Lt may therefore he stated that AustroHungary and Russia are similarly striving for a peace guaranteeing tue existence, honour and the possibility in development of belligerents States. ..The monarchy is convinced that its claims are not in conflict with titose of Russia. The latter has stated she is only lighting in defence of the freedom of her people. Russia is no longer compelled to fight for that ob]eou, and therefore it should not be difficult to establish aii understanding between the Central Powers and Russia, especially as the Autrian Emperor, in agreement with his Allied mouarchs, desires to live in future in peace a*.u friendship with the Russian people.

No Surprise. AMSTERDAM, Aprily 10. Reuter’s correspondent romaiks in connection with the pronouncement in favour of peace with Russia that it caused no surprise, as it was well understood that only a German, refusal to cooperate prevented the isyue of definite pence proposals on the occasion of tho recent meeting between the German and Austrian mouarchs. To-day’s declaration suggests that Austria is reachingg the end of her tether, and is seeking a sepfzxa.it? peace with Russia. AMSTERDOM, April 16. The resignation of -Count Marbnic, the Austrian Premier, on the grounds of ill-health, which is announced today, is probably connectable with the peace move.

A Reprisal Move. LONDON, April 16. The Admiralty lias announced that owing to German submarine attacks on hospital ships in direct and flagrant contravention of tiro Hague Convention a number of large squadrons of AngloFrench aeroplanes carried out a reprisal bombardment on the town of Fnburg on Saturday. Many bombs item dropped with good results. Despite many air lights, all our machines returned safely except three.

Social Democrats. AMSTERDAM, April 16. A new party called the Independent Social Democrats Party of Germany has been founded under the joint presidency of Haase and Ledebour to oppose Seheidmann’s Socialist Party ana the Government. m RUSSIA PETROGRAD, April 16. General BrussilolF. speaking at a banquet of the Duma deputies, appealed for national unity to defeat German miliilarism. He 'exhorted the army to support the Duma'. The political crisis centres in the personality of M. Kerensky, who is a Republican Socialist. Prince LuofF and Mm. Mil in noil 1 . T.odzianko and Gutclioff representing the patriotic moderate Liberals. M. Kerensky continually insists on the necessity of defeating the enemy, but has many enemies, including the extreme anarchial elements. It is impossible to pay what will happen if 51. Kerensky is forced to resign. Feed Prices LONDON, April 17. The Press Bureau anuouneics that Lord Devoiiport (British Food Controller) li'as decided to take over on April Bfttb all barley, except home gwown, which must not be kiln dried. The maximum price for home grown wheat has been fixed at 78s per quai ter of 4801bs, barley (except kilu-drieci) 60s per quarter of 4001bs, and oats at 00s per quarter of 3121b5. WASHINGTON. April 17. In Congress n bill is ready for introduction to allow the entry of half a million Chinese and Japanese farmers during the food production campaign. A fight over the measure is certain.