FROM OTHER SOURCES.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 April 1918, Page 2

FROM OTHER SOURCES.

A FRENCH REPORT. ( ' LONDON March 29. A French communique states that ? our troops are continuing their successes and have carried Monchal by , storm. A violent engagement occurred at j Plessis Denojedes, all enemy attrokw against which failed before our in<mnf~ itable resistance. Prisoners state that a number .of bodies hare been found in this part of ' th© battlefield also 'in the region of Mont Didier which goes to confirm the enemy losses which are extremely heavy h which he has achieved no result. " North of Mont Didier, the FrancoBritish troops are victoriously holding the enemy on a line from the river Ancre to the front line of Lunelville through Sire, Bernare, Menzieres, Markelcave and Hamel. Our long guns caught and dispersed the enemy infantry columns and convoys on the Huon-Lafere road. There is moderate artillerying on the remainder of the front. french OPTIMISM. v ’PARIS March 29. M. Clemenceau stated: “It does not matter what convulsions occur during the next few days, the German plan has already failed. The battle is not yet finished; but the Germans won’t A obtain a road to the sea or to Paris. " M. Clemenceau’s confidence has ajycn the keynote- to a great waveTof optimism, which is swelling over Fratje Military experts' point out that the German offensive is coming to a standstill, without attaining its objectives. The Entente reserves are ready to strike, when and where required. The initiative of the next move rests with the Anglo-French. THE NEW ZEALANDERS.

NOW IN GREAT FETTLE. LONDON, March 30. Mr. Murdoch, writing on the 23rd says ‘‘the New Zealanders had a considerably harder winter than th© Australians, but stuck to it well. They hold a difficult southern sector at Passchendaele \Vhen the battlefield was covered in morasses and the mudfield was scarcely habitable even by soldiers. All the supplies of food, wire and munitions had to be laboriously hand carried for miles in Telays, whilst the wounded sometimes took ten hours to evacuate. The German artillerying was always heavy in order to embarass the work of pioneer labour companies, but gradually a network of roads, tracks and railways were spread ove rthose shattered districts. Their percentages of successes were naturally higher than the Australians, who were not getting any backlash of the blittle like the New Zealanders. I saw many units resting who .were the same sturdy solid, complexioned men who are mostly engrossed in inter-divi-sional rugby competitions. The division is now in great fettle and really anxious to moot the Bosches above the ground. It is known everywhere aa one of the hardest working and hardest fighting divisions in France and when they got hold of the trenches for a prolonged period, goes raiding, or

sniping. This angers the Bosches Headquarters Staff.

He sends fond greetings homeward on behalf of the men, as the New Zealanders deserve their countrymen’s calm confidence and unquestioning backing.

DASHING ARTILLERY WORK LONDON. March 3D. JA Mr. Rohinson writes: When th* Am Germans succeeded in crossing river in the rear of the British, the?) situation was momentarily serious, but troops faced round to the rear and gallantly drove back the enemy till the guns got away. The conduct of our gunners was full of miracles throughout. A battery of Horse Artillery In ~ advance was lost for three days and • had an amazing (experience. It was Jflj mostly in the rear of the German lines, and generally in action. Finally it found itself among a hard-pressed British unit, and helped to turn • the tide. V.

I Ono of the most dashing operations of tins week was a counter attack by • a scratch force of road workers, aigI nailers and other miscellaneous '*aits, j commanded by art!H«ry b%«rfc

TENT DAY’S OPERATIONS. LONDON Ma*ch 31 , Renter’s eorrespendent writing fr tie British front 'after ten days of b tie, says ffe can regard the situati with more confidence. During the 1: few days the German progress in fre of the British armies have been alm< trifling. Except for a determined f tack, with the object of capturing A ras and turning our flank in that < rection, the Germans attempted no op rations oh a large scale and in the we in the majority of minor encounte wo had much the better of the exchanf this being conspicuously true of tl area from Arras to Albert, and abov the An ere. The Germans repeated! made vicious drives to capture low ' strategical positions. HYny great- thoi losses were during the whole ten day.it is impossible to compute. The Ger mans have now put into the erueibl' of the battle, over eighty division of infantry and all bav© been more less unmercifully hammered. 7 Within the last few days comparative, ly few new German divisions have been thrust into line , which probably meansthat the enemy are preparing a second great blow which may Fall at any time, with all its tremendous might that was behind the Germans first blow To-day we stopped unshaken acre.-., their path, seven divisions of good troops who tried to take Arras and failed. The decisive to check the Oman advance on Arras is important, for it further delays the enemy plan of campaign. GERMANS EXHAUSTED. AFTER YESTERDAY’S DEFEAT ■ A NOTABLE ADVANCE. I" AOS HUMAN A N.E. CABT.73 AtsSrtClAll-' A Bitnt.] (Received This Day at 12.30. a.ro.) LONDON, April 1. A French communique says the Germans exhausted with yesterday’s • bloody defeat, confined themselves to violent local attacks. The only success scored north of Moronil was in the region of \Hongardeu Sonterro, where they gained a footing after a desperate struggle between Moreuil and Lassigney. We recaptured them yesterday evening at Yencourt and I.emonchel. To-day we notably advanced in the region of Orviellers after heavy fighting. On the Oise front, an enemy assaulting detachment, which crossed the river near Chauny, tried to establish a bridgehead on the left hank, .but was ontirely annihHinted or pri. sanered. Long range gUns destroyed an en- 1 omy train. There was heavy artillerving elsewhere. / 1 t GERMAN ACTIVITY: LONDON, March-31. ; TllfiPA in a/vfcivif.xr f.lio

-i nere is dense activity benind tr German lines, apparently’ a wholesa! .exchange of divisions. There ai many signs wich indicated that Iti Germans’ celebration of Easter wi take the form of a powerful trust t( r wards Amiens by tho most dim '.route. . It is not expected that the Allie commanders will take the Initiativ until this new strong effort is.broker BRITISH REINFORCED. PARIS, March 31. The official commentator states tha the Allies are securing more favorabl conditions for a defensive. The Thin und Fifth British armies have been en tifel.v reconstituted with fresh rcser ves. ■ A BRILLIANT FEAT. LONDON, 'March 30. The intervention of certain Austra lian brigades on the Ancre on Weil nesday is recognised everywhere aj one of the most brilliant achievement' of an armed mass. By a heroic effort the troops arrived on Tuesday and immediately took up positions The next day they delivered a dash ing attack from the southern bank oi the river. The Germans were knocked back five miles and the villages ol Malancourt and Chipilly captured The -ground between the Ancre anc the Somme was cleared, and the -Australians held up the Germans’ mosl direct towards Amiens foe two days and covered themselves with laurels. centrals JUBILIATING. BERNE March 31. The Vienna “Reichpost’’ states that political circles in Vienna and Berlin consider the Central Powers political object . has already been reached on the Western Front, though the military result is not yet decided. The German success must convince the Entente that the latter cannot destroy German militarism. Therefore, the retirement of Hon. Lloyd George and M. Clemen, ceau is evident. The. “Reiohs Post” admits that the Entente counter-offens-ive has yet to come. It remains to be seen whether the German plan for separating the Anglo-French Amies will succeed. GENERALISSIMO FOCH. MUCH NEWSPAPER CRITICISM. LONDON March 30. The “Daily Chronicle” statse that General Foch has been appointed Generalissimo on the West Front, in con. formity with Sir Douglas Haigs and General Petain’s wishes. 1 'The “Chronicle” adds that General FocH’s appointment is no reflection on General Petain, but it is inevitable. It is the outcome of the military situation, and has emanated from the soldiers themselves. The unity of command is vital and necessary. The Allies have Buffered sadly through lack of co-ordination. General Foche claims are indisputable. The “Daily News protests against the appointment as it will be full of daggers and frictions. An army' can defeat under its own chiefs but not under a foreig ngeneral. GENERAL FOCH’S POWERS. LONDON March 31. The “Star*’ states: Sir Douglas Haig retains his powers uncurtailed. General Foch co-ordinates, but doef not possess executive control over both armies, KING TN FRANCE. LONDON, March 81. The Anglo-French re-captured More, ine, with the utmost, dash. The en. emy’s losses in killed and prisoner: were severe. The enemy firmly hold? the Lassigny district. The King went to the West froni on the 28th and returned to-day.

1 plan of campaign. LONDON, April 1. i Reuter's correspondent says Frenc ■ captures include maps issued to office! j and sub-officers, detailing the Geruia 1 | plan of attack. On the backs of th. ! ni,l P s are reports prepared of an nd J vance corresponding to the anticipate! j stages of the attack. These reports were to be gent to th< rear, as each successive objective wa: reached. The progress of the infantrj " ns calculated at two hundred, metre* l>er minute, which is twice the rate allowed in previous offensives. On reaching the open country they were to advance by moans of heaVy blows, in ra:>. succession, in order to bring about a local retirement. The moment our troops fell back, the Germans would follow, thus threatening the units which had not retired, which would then ho subjected to a fresh frontal attack. German cavalry are repeatedly reported in Ilam, Nosle and I’eronne district but their numbers never exceeded a regiment, and are used chiefly for the conveyance of information and supports for infantry at advance posts. german wounded.

(Received. Thin Dn.v at 8.00. a m.' AMSTERDAM, March 31, Trains laden with wounded, drlppi ivith blood } are ceaselessly passing 1 vards Germany. The hospital trai ire insufficient, and many goods va lave been utilised. The “Tageblatt’’ admits that tl British gunners fought to the last, ii ng ease shot which has not been us< inee 1871. GERMANS ADVANCING VANCOUVER, March 30. A I-ondon message states that tl lermans have reached Marcel, twelv dies from Esganieno. The Britis ist Mesnieres. A SECOND OFFENSIVE. LONDON. March 31. The new German offensive has bee unehed south of the Somme. Th reach are resisting gallantly. 70 MILE FRONT. 'LONDON, March 31st. The battle line covers seventh iles. The general feeling in Lon' n and Paris is that the Germans ve virtually lost. THE kING’S VXSTT. LONDON, April 1. Extraordinary enthusiasm marked the ng’s visit to the front. Everytere the peasants, British and Poillu idly cheered his Majesty. The visit s arranged at a couple of hours’ ice. lis Majesty remarked that he would f to see those fellows over there and ke their hands.

During the visit he saw two New Zealand battalions, and talked to many of them.

GERMAN ATTACK SMASHED. NORTH OF MONT DIDIER. LONDON, April 1. German attacks on the outskirts of Albert and north of Mont Didier were smashed. The Germans failed to capture Orivosnes sifter fierce fighting. THREAT AGAINST ITALY. WASHINGTON April 1. Official reports from Rome state the situation is becoming tenser on the Italian front. The enemy are bringing new divisions from the Italian front Italian aviators report great movements of Austrian troops at Val Lugana.

i Everything indicates the AustroGermans will make a big </Fort to break through the mountainous zone to the Italian plains.

CONFIDENT OF VICTOR!. NEW YORK, March 31. Lord Reading in the course of a speech, said if the British line holds Germany won’t have gained anything vital. He believed tile present battle would prove one of the most glorious chapters in the history of the British Army. Britain has no doubt as to the result. We are unshaken in our faith. We are determined, come what may and we shall fight till victory is achieved.

DRIVE FIGURES. WASHINGTON March 31. The “Now York Times correspondent adds that Allied mission in Washington 'believe the German drive is nearly spent. The estimate of British killed missing and prisoners is about ten thousand. The Germans employed 1,250,000 men in the drive whereof it is estimated only 250 thousand are effective for immediate fighting, the rest being killed, wounded, prisonered, or worn out troops.

THE FIGHTING REVIEWED. LONDON, April 1. Mr. Robinson, reviewing the fighting says the thick mists on the first day, were one of the most important features, enabling the Gormans in many parts, to approach closely unobserved, after which their mere weight of masses, despite the swathes slain, ruptured our line. Ulster divisions at St. Quentin were almost surrounded before the new in. fantry movement had begun, but the luck was not all on one side, as separate enemy massed attackers, attacked each other in confusion. Mr. Robinson tributes the work of the airmen, working to the limits of human endurance. The air force has ceased to be an auxiliary arm, and has become one of the major striking forces. He adds that the German success has fallen far short of expectations. It was intended to make 190,000 yards advance on the first day. The naval division were promised a clean walk through in essentials. However, the great coup failed, but I have no desire to minimise the gravity of the situation. Another great blow is maturing. About half the German western strength has been through the furnace. The losses total a quarter of a million infantrymen. These divisions ®rc not irreparably shattered, and will soon bo good enough for mantling the quieter sectors or to engage in later phases of the battle. The clouds may be black hut the spiris of our men, are as fine as ever. Everywhere the officers are ready to bet any odds that Germanv cannot break them.

FRENCH WORK. LONDON, April 1

Mr. Campbell writes the French seventy-fives in the battle of Montdidier literally annihilated many enemy formations. Several .'divisions who were withdrawn exhausted, after the first day’s battle have already reappeared. Wo are far from the and of the German masses. No Austrians have yet been identified. Civilians have evacuated Amiens bud Cctnpiejns,