THE WAR.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 15 March 1917, Page 3

THE WAR.

MONDAY.

March on Bagdad—Russians Pressing the Turks — Village near Bapaume Taken—America to Arm Merchantmen.

The announcement of the fall of Bagdad is monentarily expected. It is considered probable that British cavalry have already entered the town and are sweeping north.

In co operation with the advance, the Rusians are pressing the Turks in Armenia and Persia, and everywhere gaining ground,

The village of Irlss, 4f miles west of Bapaume, his been captured by the British, together with neighbouring defences and a considerable nam hereof prisoners. The advance is on a front of over three miles.

German counter-attacks led to heavy fightings which was in favour of the French. Small attacks north of Verdun, have been repulsed by the French.

A British transpoit carrying South African natives for work in France was sunk by collision during a fog off the Isle of Wight. Over 600 natives were drowned.

Mr Wilson has decided on the immediate arming of American merchantmen, without waiting for the consent of Senate.

TUESDAY British in Bagdad—March up the Tigris — Turks' Final Stand — Roumanian Army Reorganised— Belgian Relief Steamer Sunk. The capture of Bagdad, which was foreshadowed in yesterday's cables, took ■ place on Sunday , and if- now officially announcod. Military critics assert that the B itish victory places the Turkish army in Persia in great danger, arid only precipitate rptreat will save it. The junction of thp British and tho Russian forces now at Hamadan, m Persia, is expected to be tho next development. The Roumanian, army has been reorganised, and incompetent officers weeded out. Everything has been done to prepare for a successful spring campaign, A Belgian relief steamer—the third since the beginning of February — has been sunk by a German submarine, which shelled the boats containing the survivors. Thirteen men have been landed, anl 30 are missing. Preparations for the arming of merchantmen are being completed in the American navy yards.

WEDNESDAY Success in Champagne — French Renew Attack—Russian Advance in Persia—Demoralisation of the Turks, Following up their recent success in the Champagne, the French delivered an attack on a front of 1500 yds west of Maisou de Cham pagne. They captured all the enemy trenches on that front, and also a ridge. Air fighting is continuous on the western frout.

After a visit to the New Zealand troops in France, Mr Walter Long, Secretary of State for tho Colonies, expressed his admiration of the fine physique and fitness of all ranks.

Ojn the fifteen da}'s that elaped between the'c.apture of Kut el-Amara and the capture of Bagdad, the British troops covered 110 miles in the face of the greatest weather difficulties. The final march of J 8 miles in intense he^t and through severe 4u3t stores was a brilliant achievement.

Th.c Russian,? have gained another success in the Hamadan regiou of Persia, and are pressing hard on the retreating Turks,

THURSDAY ' - - A^va^ce qn — Further Qevixmq Withdrawal—Behind last Defensive Line—French Attack in Balkans—Aerial Struo— 1 O £,>e on Western fi^nt. Another important withd^v^l has been made \$ t^e (Dferrqans on the | &uere. have abandoued their I main defences along the forward crest of the ridge west of Bapau,me on a front of 3^ miles. i 4 Qeru^im, communique states that the . French are attacking between I Oclirida and Like Presba, an. the j vVestern Macedonia, fwmfe, ; 4n A-iuortcan y.>port states that •60 Gorman subnau-in^s were de-* J stroyed from January 1 tv February I 15 ■ The French hold all their gains 'in the Champagne region, despite violent counter-attacks. The Greek Gvrv^rainont claims that it Ui\s sur/emdeieil a fny-tqev 91,000 ri%s, \o the aH\e^ thus leaving no I \\\ Greecio exuept I U»oae helcj by troops authorised to ! reinain.