THE WESTERN FRONT.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 November 1917, Page 2

THE WESTERN FRONT.

AT BREAKING POINT, GERMAN LINE IN FLANDERS _ PREPARING FOR RETREAT. TAUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION] LONDON Nov. 15. A Headquarters corresponuent reports that Prince Rupprecht has exhausted ninety-one divisions in defending Passcliendaele Ridge, and uespite the terrific wastage, he doubts his ability to retain his hold on the northern edge. Captured officers state that the High Command fears it will he forced to fall back several miles. German newspapers are preparing the public for the move. Captured documents prove that General Hindenburg attached greater importance to Flanders than to the Somme retreat. The lateral railways northward of Routers are already useless. The total divisions knocked out by the Franco-British this year exceed throe hundred. Germany’s vanishing man power is proved by the calling up of the 1920 class. NO JAPANESE ARMY. FOR WESTERN FRONT. TOKIO, Nov. 15th. General Ossima, interviewed re the proposal to despatch a Japanese army to Europe, said it was impracticable. The smallest useful force would he twenty divisions requiring two million < tons of shipping which was unprocurable.

FRENCH REPORT. f AUSTRALIAN & N.Z.' CABLE ASSOCIATION & REUTER.] LONDON, November 15. A French communique states: Eight enemy aeroplanes were downed. Our machines bombed enemy depots and cantonments in the region of Mulhouse. Germans bombed the region of Calais, where a number of civilians fell victims.

AMERICANS AT WORK. Washington November is. Dispatches from France state that in the recent bombardments German shells killed and wounded a few more Americans in the French line they were holding.