THE WAR.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 April 1917, Page 2

THE WAR.

(Par United Press Association) IMSSING OF 7 TROOPS, !OQ,OOO Gorman Casualties. [REUTER’S SERVICE, —COPYRIGHT.) LonDv,*, April 17

A Pars semi-official report says the Germans have massed at least 20 divisions and all available batteries on the Soiasons-Rheim front. Our advance reached a depth of three to four kilometres. Altogether the Allies have placed hora do combat 100,000 Germans in eight days. Deputy Kerdian proceeds with the High Command Jo United States with plenaiy power to co-ordinate all technical measures of co-ordination. HAIG’S REPORT Further Progress Wellington, April 18 The High Commissioner reporlp, London, 19th April, at 12.45 p.m. > General Haig reports at night we progressed southeaatwarda and eastwards of Epehy. This morning we captured Yillers aud Gnislnn, prisonerieg some. We also improved our position at Lagnicourt. Heavy rain fall. Official Report. Wellington, April 19 The High Commissioner reports London, April 12, at 3.55 p.m;— A French official reports from Soissons to Auberive westward, a brilliant action has resulted in the capture of Chavonne and Chevy villages.

Northward all ground has been carried as far as tha outskirts of Braye-sn-Leonnaise. In the sector of Yille-Auxßoise several fortified works have been captured ; also a whole wood eastward. In tbe Champagne three enemy counter-attacks in the region of Mort Cornillet were stopped dead by our fire with bloody losses to the enemy. The enemy are withdrawing behind the position of his heavy and field artillery. Nothwitbstanding this we captured twelve cannons, including three heavy pieces, chiefly on the Champagne froDt. The total un wounded prisoners since Tuc-edny are now over 14,000. German Atrocities. (Received April 19, at 8.50 a.m.) Paris, April 18 The Commission investigating German atrocities in reconquered France reports systematic methods to reduce the citizens to servitude. Women and girls were raped, horaep, town industries, trees and implements were destroyed, with the evident object of inspiring terror, la some places they wrecked, beds, chests and everything available was carried away. LoathBome, unprintable acts were done to tbe altars in Home churches. Gapt Bean Explains. Sydney, April 19 Capt Bean, referring to the Germans extravagant claims of captures at Lagnicourb, says tha Garmans for some reason are intensely anxious to effect opinion in Australia at this juncture, and is expressing a clumsy sympathy with the Australians. They eagerly seize published letters written during the Somme winter, in order to make it appear that the Australians are anxious to desert the Allies.

French Report. London, April 18 A French communique states in the region south of St Quentin there has been very great mutual artillery activity. South of Oise and east of lower Cruck Forest there has been numerous patrol engagements. Between Soissona and Anrerive we carried out night operations in detail securing us considerable advantages. To the west a brilliant action gave us the village of Cravonna end complete possession of Chivy.

North-east of these places wa carried the whole of the ground as faraa the approaches to Brayeen and Laonois, into which our patrols have penetrated. In the sector of Yilleanx-Loise, which we captured, we took several fortified works ; also the woods east thereof. In Champagne district, counter attacks on oar positions on both sides of Mont Cormillet were stopped short by our fire, which icsulted in bloody euemy losses. The artiiLry daei is violent on a great part of our attacking front. The enemy had withdrawn his he.tvy and field artillery to the resr. Wa captured twelve guns, including three heavier and a consdierable quan” tity of machine guns and numerous trench engines. We prieonered 14,000 since April 16tb. . Haig’s Report [REUTER’S SERVICE. COPYRIGHT.] (Received Apriljl9, at 12.50 p.m.) London, April 18 General Haig reports we progressed southeastward and/astward of Epehy. We captur'd Vellers Guislaia village and improved our position in the neighbourSool of Lagnicourt. It is raining.