UNITED PRESS REPORT.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 April 1918, Page 2

UNITED PRESS REPORT.

ANOTHER GREAT ATTACK

FROM T.YX TO NEUVE EGLISE LONDON. April 16.

The United Press reports that the Allies are rushing up important ret., forcements.

General Hindeuburg ; s attacking heavily along the Lys battlefront from near Mervillc to Xeuve Egliso. Baillon 1 was taken during the night, also the Revellsberg ridge. The enemy, after heavy trench mortar bombardment, attempted to storm positions on the eastern edge of Xeippo Forest. The attnekors forming the southern (lank were caught, under our shell-fire and failed to make progress. 'The northern flank developed an attack fiercely, hut was smashed before it reached its objectives, and was thrown back. The attack on Bailleul began early in the night, and was preceded by a terrific bombardment.

OUTLOOK FAVOURABLE. „ j London, April ie. Air. Hamilton Fyfo states that the position has been relieved since fresh troops replaced the tired battalions, The outlook is full of hope. The marvellous endurance of the troops has sustained us since the beginning of the critical phase on tho Bth of April. Their resistance is unparelleled in the history of the war. Jt is believed that our troops formed at one time a hollow square at Neuve Eglise, the enemy surrounding it except at one corner, where we hold the road leading to Dranourke. Here the King’s Royal Rifles very gallantly took up the line protecting the town, while a difficult retirement was carried out and staved off the enemy’s attempts to break through. The Clieshires and Wilts occupied a square after the withdrawal of the main body. TlTey dashed out and stopped the enemy and captured five machine-guns. We withdrew from Neuve Eglise voluntarily, because the situation was costing more than it was worth.

Then the enemy redoubled his efforts to capture Bailleul. They came on in enormous forces towards the high road between Bailleul and Aleteren, and were ordered to reach the road, no matter what .cost, with the intention of surrounding Bailleul. They did not fulfill their peremptory instructions, as the determined British infantry barred the way and broke every wave, and covering the ground with dead.

GERA lANS CONFER.

WASHINGTON, April 15.

•d vices from Berne state that Herr You Kiililmann (German Foreign Minister) lias gone to the General Heacl-qu-artefrs -to confer with Count' Vou Hurtling (the Chancellor)’. z HOTELS AS HOSPITALS. AMSTERDAM, April 15. The Germans have turned the five leading hotels in Brussels into hospitals. Similar measures have beejn taken at Liege and Antwerp. The number of wounded is thrice what was expected. * ON THE SOMME. Received, this day at 8.45 a.m. LONDON, April 16. The Daily Chronicle’s correspondent at French Headquarters, says Though there is no news of any large transference of Germans from the Somme to north, the pause on the Somme front is easily explained. Th e Allied forces and positions a recover strong for a surprise infantry attack, until more big guns .are brought up. Evidence exists that the artillery teams aro exhausted.

THE NEXT THRUST

BETWEEN LENS AND ARRAS.)

LONDON, April 15,

There are indications that the accord German thrust has lost its prime momentum. German generals are nowlooking for a third field for attack which will possibly come between •Lens and Arras. Meanwliile the enemy is continuing desperate fightiifiv ing, in the direction of Hazolbrouck. The loss of Neuve Engine is regrettable, as it v(is tho centre of bloody fighting, but the neighbouring highlands, Mont De-scats, Mont Rouge and Mont Kemmell are still in our possession, while the British infantry i> entrenched in the Forest of Nieppe and are holding up the German arrowhead just beyond Merville.

Officers and men alike are applauded for the manner in which they handled the Battle of Armentieres.

The Australians, New Zealanders; and Canadians hold the Tine against the enemy advance towards Amiens. Some Australian wonndeds are arriving in England from the battlefieldf of Dernacourt, south of the Somme and elsewhere. The bulk of the woundeds remain in hospitals in France. J There is great pressure of shipping for France, but the ships are not full returning.

Hazenbrouck plays a big part .in the battle near Armentieres, while Amiens plays a part in the battle at Picardy, Hazebrouck being on the artery connecting Calais with Ypres.

ANOTHER THRUST. LONDON, April 15. Reuter’s agent states that the enenn is held up around Neuve Eglise.' A great thrust is impending toward* Bailleul. ■ /

ALONE THEY DID’ IT.

PARIS, April 15

Maurice Barres, in tbo “Echo d« Paris” states that the French reserves which Sir Douglas Haig mentioned in his army orders, have duly reached the British front, but did not have, to go into action. Tile British redoubled their energy, and were able to beat off the attacks alone.

ALLIED COM MANDER-TN-CHT EF PARIS, April 15.

The French public are gratified at the extension ■of General Foch’s title to Commander-iu-Chief of the Allied Armies, with the widest powers of coordination on the Allied Front. The appointment is considered essential ,iu view of the successful launching of a jcouiiitar-oflensive, which only means the stopping of the enemy Inill-lil.« rushes. ViIOUTSPOKEN SPEECH. WE MUST WIN. Received, this day at 8.45 a.m. WASHINGTON, April 16. Mr Lansing in a speech here, said wo intend to fight until Mr Wilson‘s aim is achieved. Germany had appealed to force and we will meet force, with force. America, as the home of freedom, will do her pari, standing side bv side with the great democracies of the world. We look forward unafraid. We must win. and we will win. There can he no other end to this war.

GENERAL FOCFI’S COMMAND

WASHINGTON, April 16

The New York “Times” Paris correspondent says the question is being asked in many quarters, why General Foeh’s control is not extended to the Italian front. There is a consensus of opinion that Foch’s authority over the Allied Armies would be complete.

FIGHT FOR HANGARD. GREAT FRENCH DEFENCE. (Received This Day at 9.50. a.m.) LONDON, April 16. A French Headquarters correspondrcports one of the bitterest- engagements of the great battle was fought on Friday for Hangard. The position is of importance, on the. north road, Noyon to Amiens/ The Germans

thrice attacked, hoping to thrust a wedge between the Franco-British armies, and obtain the mastery of Amiens Road. The village was taken and retaken, again and again by the Germans, and rescued a second time by tho French, just in time to save the remnants of the garrison. In a great battle on the 4th of April, the village was gallantly held by a battalion against furious onslaughts. A hill dominating the village was captured by the Germans, and retaken by the French.

The Germans on the 9th fought their way into the village, after all night fighting, house to house, but were driven out on Friday. The Germans re-attacked and surrounded the village. The battalion commander fortified himself in a house and held out from eight in the morning until six in the evening, when he telegraphed to headquarters.—“ 'm, surrounded, still holding out, make haste.” llis last message read—“ Enemyn e my about to attack.” It was then six in the evening. few. minutes later, be and his men were taken prisoner. A counter-attack by the Franco. British was completely successful, and hundreds of Germans were captured, the French defenders, except two, being rescued.