WAR NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 April 1917, Page 1

WAR NEWS.

{Pan L’kesh Association. —Copt bight.] THE GREAT OFFENSIVE. Haig’s Report (Australian & N.Z. Cable Associa ion and Renter). LONDON, .'April 18. Sir Douglay Haig reports further progress northward of Gouzeacourt, near Havricoirt wood. Encounters occurred throughout the day westward of Lens, where we continue to press the enemy. Hostile attempts to drive hack our advanced troops failed. Much useful aeroplane work has boon carried out, despite tlio unfavourable weather. Three German machines were brought down damaged. In most cases the enemy avoided combat, rive of our machines are missing. LONDON, April 17. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—ln the neighbourhood of Epehy wo captured Tom 13ois farm. On the Lempire-Van-huile road we made progress along the spur north-eastwards of Epehy station. The weather is stormy. THE I&OfiCHY ATTACK. A German Debacle. LONDON, April 18. British headquarters reports Apm 17tli. —The Germans could not, have timed their effort to retake the village of Monchy at a more opportune time for us. At the very moment we wo'rc ready to advanco they were massing in two adjoining woods. Tlio advance (from Ithe South was beaten back before the enemy wore within 150 yards of our position. The Germans emerging from Vert Sart woods were caught in a bomoardment of shells which devestated the ranks. They gained our front trendies before the village after fierce hand to hand fighting. The British were then ordered te allow' the Bosches to enter a long narrow trench as thickly as they pleased. We then terribly infiladed the trench and they fled in disorder. They lost 2,000 in killed aldno.. One officer claims to have shot forty before the rest bolted . QFFIUAL NEWS. French Success. WELLINGTON, April 18 The High Commissioner reports from London under .date April 18th at p.m.: French Official. —To-day our action was extended east of Rlieims, attacking tlio enemy lines, between Pruuay, St. Hdla.ire and St. Soupplen road, and capturing the first German position on a fifteen kilometre front. South of Moronivellers, beyond this position, wo captured the enemy line, and solidly organised the heights on an eleven kilometre front from Mont Cornillete to Vudevincourt.

Wo captured the village of Auberive and a powerfully fortified salient on a front of three kilometres around the village. Enemy counter attacks at Mont Corn j lie to were smashed. On this part of the front wo took 1500 prisoners. A strong enemy, counter attack at Huthedbise farm we repulsed by fire and bayonet. A second violent onemy counter attack als-o fail 0(1. New reports show that the enemy employed nineteen divisions 'in the battle of April 16th between Soissons and ißhoims, where the prisoners taken now total over 11,000. German Report LONDON, April i». Wireless German official.—After their failure with Ineavy losses to break through otir lines on the Aisne, the French renewed their attacks. There hasi been bitter day-Jong fighting on both sides at Auberive and in Champagne. Hope for Peace BERNE, April 17 TJio Austrian newspapers declare that an honourable peace is certain and imminent Emperor Charles on Sunday attended the cathedral at Vienna- at a special peace service and solemnly vowed t@ build a. church of peace to the Virgin Mary, the Queen of Peace. Austria’s Offer. NEW YORK, April 17. The Tribune’s London correspondent says: Although there is no danger of Austria’s offer to Russia being entertained. tlie action is interpreted as the forerunner of the dismemberment of the Central Powers’ Alliance. Turkey and America. WASHINGTON, April 18 Turkey momentarily is expected to sever relations with the United States'. The Sultan opposes a severance, but the Young Turks are anxious to obey Germany’s orders and break off relations. LONDON, April 18. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Rome correspondent reports that it is reliably learned that Turkey has informed her Allies that the internal situation fa Turkey is intolerable. Bulgaria has offered Turkey advantages, hoping to prevent Turkey’s defection, otherwise Bulgara threatens to March on Constantinople. Other sources confirm Turkey's position as hopeless, and her rulers have resolved to avoid total dismemberment.