THE WAR. A FEARFUL BATTLE. AMERICA’S WELCOME

Hokitika Guardian, 26 April 1917, Page 2

THE WAR.

A FEARFUL BATTLE.

AMERICA’S WELCOME

(Per United Press Association)

Raging Around Monchy.

Enormous Slaughter.

(United Service, Copyright.)

(Received April 20, 9.5 3.tr.) London, April 25

Mr Beach Thomas reports that terrible encounters rsge across bare, undulating country beyond Airaa. The troops with marching and charging marceavres, sro fighting in the open. The Germans have never used a greater number of iroopß in counter attacks.

Monchy was the centre of theetorm of Monday’s counter attacks.

Sartwood and Veitwood were shattered and broken by the terrific concentration of British heavy artillery.

Thß miserable remnants of the Gar* mans in Sartwood did not date debouch, but the Germans in Vert wood persisted, despite the bloodiest of losses.

They succeeded in driving us back a few hundred yards, but later we reattacked and forced the German storming party from the most important place?, while the enemy emptied Bhells into Moncby, blowing up the village till only a few'abeieton houses remained.

We captured Gavrelle Village after a slight resistance. The Germans surrendered easily, but immediately afterwarrds hurled away masses of fresh troops in vain attempts to recapture it.

Two battalions were unable to face the shell Are and bolted across the open, where a creeping barrage almost annihilated them.

The sternest fighting was at Guemappe. Fierce counter attacks temporarily drove us back. Subsequently a renewed battle restored the village to us. We found every cellar blown to pieces by shellfire.

The Germans have never lost more men since the Battle of Somme. Their shell-fire fatalities were unusually high. The fightiug continues fiercely, the Germans bringing Guards another picked troops and their massed batteries are pouring shells into Scarpa River to arrest our advance, The battle fronts are without definition. There are no straight continuous lines or regular treuches. The enemy are endeavoring to conceal their losses by removing or concealing the dead. v

Orders were found on captured raeu at Dduaumont from German commandants of certain villages, demanding more French civilian work? ers, which proves that slave labor is definitely incorporated in the German Army aystem.

GENERAL HAIG S REPORT

Still Progressing

Wellington, April 25

The High Commissioner reports, London, April 25, at 12.50 p.m;— General Haig reports that eastward of Having Wood we captured Bilhem, northwards of Freecault.

Thsra was fighting early this morning along the fron J t between Cojeul and Scarpe. We progressed and mado our gains secure.

The number of prisoners since Monday is 3,029 including 56 officers. The High Commissioner London, 25th April, at 3.15 p.m. - French official —In the region of Aisne we made progress southward of CBrnyonlaonnus, piisoneriog some.

A German attack, after violent bombardment in the environs Of Hurtebise and the plateau of Vanclero, was stopped dead by our fire. In Champagne likewise we progressed.

A Peace Feeler

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter),

London, April 25

The Daily Chronicle’s Amsterdam correspondent atateo the “ Vorwaerts ” in an article, insists that Germany must strive towards a lasting peace, by abandoning the idea of annexations and indemnities.

It is noteworthy that Count Hollweg ofteu uses the “ Vorw arts ” to forward biß ideas. Therefore, it is possible this article indicates, even if vaguely, that Germany is inclined to climb down further.

in the Air

Rotterdam, April 25 Two German aeroplane?, Dorth of Seebrugge were brought down by drifcish airships cabled on 23rd, with light men in the car.

Allies’ Aims.

(Received April 26, at 9 a,m.) Washington. April 25 Hon A. J. Balfour has made a statement that the Allies did not desire to induce Uuited States tj enter an entangling alliance abroad. United

to induce Uuited Stateß to enter an entangling alliance abroad. United States of its own free will bad entered the struggle, not with any hope of gaio, but because she was convinced the interests of mankind demanded it. Tkeie could b 9 no more fallacious policy for the Allies than to base the notions upon such shallow consideration as territorial gain.

Britain’s Food.

London, April 24

In the Common*), Mr Protnero, in moving the second reading of the Corn Production Bill, on lines cabled on the 23rd February, emphasised the necessity of greater independence from foreign supplies. They.must make rural life more attractive. Eighty-two per cent was their requirements for five years, the remainder coaid be made np by economies, fn order to get to this result, it was necessary to increase the arable land from nineteen to twenty-seven million acres and a farther quarter of a millioa men will be required on the land in Britain He added that there were 330,000 acres in corn and potatoes this year in Ireland and they wanted 700,000. Hon Runciman complained that the measure was controversial, as it was intended to lay a permanent foundation for an agricultural policy.

Justified

(Received April 26, at 9.50 a.m.) London, April 25

la the House of Lords, Lord Derby Baid the prohibition of the “Nation’s" foreign- circulation was absolutely justified and the order would not be rescinded.

Food Supply.

London, April 25

In the Commons, the debate on the Corn Production Bill showed a strong Liberal opposition to tha proposal to guarantee minimum prises to farmers.

The Nationalists support the Government.

Hon Ruuciman Baid the national security would be better achieved by storing wheat in national granaries and holding three years’ consumption.

It ib reported the authorities are reducing the bread ration in the Army owing to the shortage of wheat aud flour. The meat ration will ba correspondingly increased. Stocks of meat were recently raised by the/eystem of meatless days.

Attack Suggested

London, April 25

Lord Calthorpe proposes that Allied aeroplanes drop fire balls in the Rhine Valley and Hungarian Plains, as crops of wheat are like tinder when ripe. The apparatus for experiments must be made immediately. The rye harvest in Germany is at the beginning of dune.

Work of Mission

(Australian &N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter.)

(Received April 26, at 11.55 am) Washington, April 25

Washington is preparing a cordial reception for General Joffre and party. The cruiser whereon he came was met by American destroyers. A member of the Commission says the purpo.*o is to extend the principle of Allies’ Conferences, which have been held in verious capitals, to America.

They will consider military, economic and financial questions.

The French Cabinet has each confidence in M. Viviani that they did not give him written instruction?. General Joffre is prepared to explain the exact military situation, and presumably to indicate wherein Amerioa can best help. The Commission is prepared to discuss an Expeditionei-y Faroe for

Europe. Mr Viviani said we agree with the great nation of the firet democracy in the worjd, wherewith France shares in its ideals.

American Assistance

Washington, April 25

United States will loan the British 200 million dollars immediately out of 256 millions just raised. It is expected to be the first issue of a loan of two billions, giving subscribers four months to pay the bonds instalments. Government is considering financial advances to Italy and Russia.

French Mission Arrives

(Received April 26, at 11,45 a,m.) Washington, April 25

General Joffre and M. Viviaoi arrived aboard the Presidential yacht and were greeted by bands and crowds. Mr Lansing met General. Joffre on the deck of the Mayfijwer. The cordiality of tha greeting wat notable.

Helping Britain

Washington, April 25

Without even a Treasury warrant, Amerioa is lending Britain forty million sterling. It was formally handed to Sir Spring Rica.

Strong Buigar Measures

(United Service—Copyright.)

Berne. April 25 Twenty thousand Serbians have revolted in Nish, Kravia and Lekovatz districts, against Bulgarian measures for compulsory recruitiug. The leader, Kostae, escaped to the mountains with J. 5.00 follower?, The remainder of the insurgents were subsequently Exterminated or imprisoned,