THE WESTERN FRONT

Hokitika Guardian, 9 March 1918, Page 3

THE WESTERN FRONT

[per PRESS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.] ALSACE ANDLORRAINE. PARIS, March 2. National Alsace-Lorraine celebrations at Sorbonne were an imposing ceremony. M. Piclion, on behalf ot the Government said that Herr Hertling was pretending that the annexation of Alsace and Lorraine was carried out in order to reoccupy German territory which France usurped. I lie ex-Empress Eugenie, however, bad just given the national archives with a. letter from William 'l, dated October 26th 1870, saying that Germany insists on territorial concessions for no other reason, except to make sure that the next war will find her better prepare to meet the aggression which was certain to come directly if France regained her strength and secured Allies. M. Piclion also read a. telegram, dated July 31st, 1914 from Count Hollweg to von Choen, German Ambassador in Paris. This stated that if the French Government remain neutral von Choen must inform them that as a’ guarantee of such neutrality, we in- i sist on the French handing over the fortresses of Toul and Verdun, which j we will occupy and restore after the war. Germany must have a reply before four o’clock on Saturday afternoon.

VIOLENT BOM BAKDMELVIS. LONDON March 7. A French communique reports fairly ‘’violent bombardments in various sectors.. RAID ENTERS TRENCHER. rAUSTRALIAN it N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION it REUTER.] fßeceived This Day at 9.30. a.m.) LONDON March 8. General Ilaig reports after artillcrying the enemy in a fog raided our advanced nosts north-westward of La Bassee and entered one. We repulsed the raiders. The enemy is artillerying at Cambrai and Versailles, Armentieros and Tpres.