WAR NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 May 1917, Page 1

WAR NEWS.

{Pas Pbess Association. —Coptbight.] , ITALY’S OFFENSIVE.

taking Progress. (Australian- & N.Z. Cable Associatfo n and Reuter.) LONDON 1 , May \ Italian official:—Our vigorous offensive on the Julian front has been resolutely continued. Our infantry .established themselves on the Jieights of the Eastern bank of ''the Isbnzo northward of Goripia which had been transferred into a formidable fortified position. On the left wjng our columns forced the passage of the river and captured bombers in the village. We captured in centres the heights northeast ‘of Plava and stormed' the villages of Zagora and Meagomild and carried the crests at Mountcucco, and Mount Odice. . ... . i Our right wing progressed considerably on the. steep slopes of , Mount Santo. 4 Fierce counter-attacks were repulsed. - • We conquered eastward of Gorizia strongly fortified heights. Northward of Livoir"insistent counter-attacks were beaten off. The prisoners captured total 2375. We also took a mountain battery and much war material. German Food. [rEUTEB’s SERVICE. —COPVBIGHT.] LONDON, May 16. The pres'3 bureau announces that German Divisional Orders captured on the West front says*.—Rations for the troops aro ample, but warns relatives not to send them food as there is already a shortage in the interior. America’s Navy. ' j LONDON ;May 16 The Admiralty reports that a flotilla’ of United States destroyers under Rear Admiral Sims has arrived to cooperate with the British Navy in prosecuting the Allied cause. This addition to our. navy, is of the greatest value and advantage. BRITISH REPORT, ; Heavy Fighting, v (Australian & N.Z. Cable A seooiation t and Reuter), LONDON, May lv. Sir Douglas Haig reports: —After a heavy bombardment on both banks ua jtlie Soarße/(the enemy launched a powerful couniter-attack early this morning between Gavrelle "■ and the river.' , The enemy pressed forward under the destructive fire of our. artillery and machine guns. , The enemy for a , short period uy weight of numbers forced us bacic from ;our forward positions, but mu’ immediate counter a tack regained all the ground inflicting - exceptionally heavy- losses and taking a number of prisoners. We have progressed on the Hfndenburg line jiortlieastward of Bulecourt and reoulsed a raid southeastward of Ypres. . ’. -

French Report - [EiCTEIt’S SERVICE. COPYRIGHT. 1 • LONDON, May 17. French communique:—The Germans, during the day continued their attacks north-west of Lafeux mill as far as the iSoissons-T.l’.on railway, but were sanguinarily defeated, despite Jill® strength of their offensives- and too violence of their attacks. We ibitilio):ltly counter-attacked at. some points where the line was momentarily bent, recovering the whole of 'jhe lost ground, > - .■ The Germans lost heavily in attempting to arrest our progress by fresh attacks which were shattered by our curtain of machine gun fire. At Salonika \ (Australia & N.Z. Cable Association) LONDON,* May 16 British Salonika official.—We ad vailed our line south-west" of Erastali on a front of five thousand'yards by a depth iff five liundred yards'and.consolidated the positions. " ' _ : We occupied the village of Kjupri on the Struma front and captured advanced trenches south-west of Erknjo for a length of three thousand yards. Our casualties were slight. Strike Deputation. [REUTER’S SERVICE.—COPYRIGHT.) LONDON, May 16. Official.—Dr, Addison (Under-Secret-ary for Munitions), declined'to receive a deputation of strikers' unless aecom- . panied ,by Trades Union executives, and at, the latter’s request. In Africa. LONDON, May 16 Official.—General Van do Venter lias succeeded General Hoskins in the East African command. IN RUSSIA PETR OG RAD, May 17 'Pile immediate cause of M. Miliuk off’s resignation was a difference in views between himself and the Provisional Government on the question of the reorganisation of the Cabinet.

m THE COMMONS. A Ptace Discuss on. Lord Cecil's Foil ted ness. (A us'rahao & N.Z Cable Asaoamtirn \ ' and Reuter) LONDON, May 16. In tlio House of Commons during the Tlii. d Reading .Oeb*ie V n the Consolidation Fund Bill, Mr Philip Snowden mo’-ed a motion “welcoming the llussian Government’s repudiation of Imperialistic conquest, expansion, indemnity, or aggrandisement, and calling upon Britain to join her Allies in restating the terms of war settlement.’’ Mr Snowden declared that Britain must come into line . with the r.ew democratic policy of (Russia, which was cor.cenjtra'ting towards peace, • thus voicing the -desire of all . belligerents. .The, democracies-and Socialists of: the various countries adopted the same attitude.-- .The . revolution - would not be co. lined to Russia." It would come 10 every country and people. One cf the lAllied countries was onr the, verge of. a revolution. The Allied diplomacy was following undemocratic methods. It had welded the German classes to-Y getlier. The Government ought to regard the Socialist Confeijencc at StocKliolm as a hcqvcn _sentf t mcans of extricating themselves from an awful position. ■ : ' .. ' / Mr Lees Smith, in seconding tne motion, said it would do no , harm to enter into negotiations.. Mr. Ramsay McDonald urged the getting into confidential communication with the Russian Workmen’s Council ito see if wc could establish sympathy. . , 7‘We are,” lie said, “facing the grave danger of Russia making a separate peace.” Lord Robert Cecil, in replying, saia the Allies would adhere to their original: war aims. Any peace made must justify our • sacrifice. The Allies did not desire political annexations, hut emancipating all enthralled people. It was impossible for the Allies ito negotiate with Germany at the present moment. What did the plan of “no annexation” mean. Arabia had declared her independence of Turkey, and it was proposed again to place ’Arabia under Turkey’s rule. Then there had been the terrible slaughter of Armenians’-and similar atrocities in Palestine, and ill'the Germa'n Colonies of Africa Tfritain would not have, gone to war to rescue natives from this misrule, but having rescued them, should, we hand them back to Germany if our war was successful ? Such an action would be abhorrent. Witlpn these limits Britain did not oppose the policy suggested in the phrase “no annexation.’” Everyone was agreed regarding the position in. Poland, the Italian Irredenta, and Alsace and Lorraine. Ais regards “no indemnities,” what about Belgium? ,-V Mr Snowden: We have repeatedly stated that is is essential that any settlement must provide for the restoration of Belgium, independence and reparation for damage.. Lord Robert Cecil: Does that cover Serbia. What about reparation for tlie peaceful merchant vessels sunk? He certainly was not prepared to wile out reparation. It would. be ludicrous to enter into any< with Germany ,-bill the spirit characterising Herr von Bothnia tin Hollweg’s speech was exorcised. In order to ensure u a durable peace we must give* our attentions to the emancipation of enthralled peoples, and possibly demand the retention of strategic positions as . safeguards for the future. He did not believe there was any difference 'of opinion between England and Russian democracy regarding the war aims. If the Government can -secure h peace based on justice, chivalry and respect for ', obligations, aii-d respect for the weak, they would gladly co-operate wiitli any members of the House m erecting barriers against the recurrence of a devastating war? SHIPPmuToSSES. A Decreased List , - f [REUTER’S SERVICE. —COPYRIGHT. 1 LONDON, May 16 '• Tlie Admiralty has issued the following return, iin connection with the : submarine blockade for the past week" Arrivals ’ .7.......' ' 2568 Bailings '. 2562 SINKINGS. Over 1,600 tons 18 Under 1600 toils . 5 - Unsucessfully attacked ' 19 Fishing boats sunk 8The figures for the previous ' week and the aggregates for the past thirteen weeks are as follows: Last Thirteen . Week _ Weeks Arrivals 2374 28,404 Sailings .Al: ; ' 2499 29,143 SINKINGS. Over 1600 tons ‘ 24 249 “Under 1600 tons 22 113 Unsuccessfully attacked 34 222 Fishing boats sunk ... 16 101 ITALY’S LOSSES. . Alto Smaller. LONDON, May 16,. An Italian official message gives ui» following return in connexion with the submarine blockade foi| the week ending May 13th. The figures‘for last week being given in parenthesis: Arrivals 580 ... (464) Sailings 562 ... (430) teamei’s Sunk 4 ... /(7) Sailors sunk 7 ... (8). Venereal Disease ; jr- LONDON May 16/ Sir William Olser during a lecture said the most recent figures show that there had been 98,000 cases of veneral disease in the British army. Public opinion was thoroughly aroused at the serious nature of tlie ravages of the disease.