THREAT AGAINST THE WEST. PALESTINE.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 December 1917, Page 2

THREAT AGAINST THE WEST.

PALESTINE.

(Received. This Day at 8.50. a.m.) WASHINGTON December 27. Moraht in the “Tageblatt” says Germany will attack a vulnerable spot on the west front with clenched fists . A hard blow will he our answer to England.

BRITISH PROGRESS,

TURKISH COMMISSARIAT FAILS.

| “REDXES’S” I'ELEGKAM.] , LONDON December 20. [Renter's correspondent at Headquarters in Palestine, telegraphing on Monday says: —■ “For the past week the troops have been engaged in local skirmishes on various parts of the line with the result that the front has been slightly advanced and straightened. “The most important section is north of Jaffa. Here Scottish infantry forced tho passage of the river Auja, in the face of heavy shelling, establish, ing a strong line 10 miles north of Jaffa, which is thus safeguarded from the menace of enemy’s long-distance shelling, especially along the roads of approach from the east. “The river Auja, after the Jordan Stream, gives the best supply of water in Palestine. However, it has a very short course through the coastal plain.

“Under the protection of heavy bombardments the Engineers threw bridges across tho Auja on the night of December, !200h. The enemy opposed the passage of troops with artillery and machine-guns, but their efforts failed even to delay our progress. “The Turkish positions north of the river were captured by a gallant rush vyhich yielded over 300 prisoners. To tho north-eastward we also pushed beyond the Jewish colony of Bulebdieh, which is the centre of a rich agricultural district; while east of Jerusalem, Welsh Cheshire and Home Counties troops made a further slight advance.

“Apart from the material advantages gained in this series of minor operations, we inflicted considerable losses on the enemy which have tended to lower his moral.

“The weather for the last ten days has been cold, with heavy rains.

“The Turkish commissariat seems to have failed, as prisoners complain ot the shortage of foodstuffs.”