THE WAR.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 5 April 1917, Page 3

THE WAR.

MONDAY. The New German Line—Retirement Involuntary — French Establish Contact — Village* Won by the British. The British have captured another seven villages, the principal being Hendicourt, ten miles east of Combles ; Ruyaulcourt, 8 miles east of Bapaume ; and Vermajid, 11 miles south-east of Peronne. The French infantry are in contact with the new German line from the Aisne to near St. Quentin. The French have recaptured the trenches lost in the Champagne a few days ago. The Germans made five attempts to win them back again, but each was broken by machine!^guns and artillery. The British forces in Mesopotamia have reached points 36 miles west and 35 miles north of Bagdad. At the latter point they face the remnants of the army defeated at Kut-el-Amara, together with the Turkish reinforcements which have arrived.

TUESDAY Closing on St. Quentln—The British Advance —French Gain Positions— Otakl's Fight with the Moewe. The British are within three miles of St. Quentin. The town is now threatened, by the British from the west and the French from the south. On the French front the enemy has been driven out of several systems of trenches and strong points east of Neuville-sur-Margival. During March, the British captured 1239 prisoners, making a total since January 1 of 4600. An account of the engagement between the Otaki and the Moewe has been given by the commander of the raider in an interview in Berlin. He states that the Moewe developed a troublesome leak, and the fire caused by the Otaki's shells was so serious that most of the crew were burned, seven succumbing to their injuries.

Reports from America state that Mr Wilson has definitely decided to declare war. It is expected that relations with Austria will be broken off simultaneously.

WEDNESDAY Mr Wilson Urges War—Co-operation with Allies — American Armed Ship Sunk—British Two Miles from St. Quentin. The President of the United States has advised Congress to accept the status of a belligerent against Germany, and to take the requisite steps to bring her to terms. He suggests the immediate raising of 500,000 men on the principle of universal service. Mr Wilson said that war with Germany, would involve practical co~pperation with the peoples now fighting Germany, including liberal financial credits. ! An American armed merchantman has been sunk by a sub" marine. The British, who are approach" ing St. Quentin from the northwest, are within two miles of the town, and the French are four miles to the south-east, where they have discovered a stronglyfortified German line. Some of the.St. Quentin forts have been evacuated. It is stated that the Germans are using a new aeroplane of wonderful capacity for quick and great ascension,' but the new British aeroplane is expected to be a satisfactory answer to it.