WAR NEWS.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 12 April 1917, Page 3

WAR NEWS.

MONDAY. America's War Action — German Shipping Seized — Breach with Austria. The declaration of war by the United States against Germany was signed by Mr Wilson on Good Friday. The mobilisation of the navy has been ordered. It affects 361 ships, including 12 first line and 25 second line battleships. German shipping comprising 630,000 tons has been seized, according to an official explanation, " for the protection of the ships themselves and of adjoining property. Two thousand sailors have been interned. a jj|^ireach of diplomatic relations'" between Austria and the United States has followed the letter's declaration of war against /Germany. Authority is being sought by the President of Cuba to declare war against Germany and to place 10,000 men at the disposal of the United States. It is exjpected that Brazil will also declare war, and Bolivia may follow her example.

TUESDAY Aerial Activity—Fight for Command of Air—German Destroyer Sunk —American Loan to Allies. A remarkable development in aviation is reported from the western front' During the past few days, British aviators have ranged over the country miles beyond the fighting fronts, attacking the enemy's communications, depots, and forces, and photographing his positions. Other operations on the other western fronts have been principally in the nature of raiding expeditons by both British and French. Two German destroyers were torpedoed off Zeebrugge during the, night of Saturday-Sunday. One was sunk, and the other severely damaged. British seaplanes bombed the Zeebrugge mole, and naval and military machines attacked ammunition dumps at Ghent and Bruges. The United States Congress is to be asked to authorise a loan of £1,000,000,000, of which it is proposed to advance £600,000,000 to the allies at the same rate of interest as the money is raised in America. The balance of the loan will be utilised for America's war purposes,

WEDNESDAY British Offensive — Forestalling German Plans — Three miles of Ground Won — 6000 Prisoners Taken. A new offensive in Artois was launched by Sir Douglas Haig on a front of about 13 miles between Lens and Arras on Monday. The enemy's lines were everywhere 'penetrated on a front of over 10 miles. The advance is continuing, and the Canadians oaptured the famous Yimy Ridge A network of trenohes and fortified localities east r of Arras and south of Lens were oaptured, and father positions were gained subsequently. Vigorous artillery actions are reported from the French front. The bombardment of Rheims has been continued, and more civilians have been killed. Following the rupture of relations between Austria and ; tt|e tjnited Spates, all Austrian in, American waters have been seized.

THURSDAY British Advance—Five miles beyond jLArrgH- Canadians on L,ens, Rqilmodel of Tanks used, iSast of Arras the line has been carried forward two miles beyond the points" reached on Monday, and are now five miles east of Arras, between the River Scarfe and the Cambrai road. In the northern sector the sotithern end} of the Yimy heights jiqiije^ij ei(tir.e : ly. cleared of the enemy) and the Canadians now Hold.'iFarbus "Village, below the heights and an the Arras-Lens railway. Over 11,000 prisoners have been taken, including 235 officers; oyer 100 guns and other booty.The tanks of last September have been displaced by a faster type, which move in battalions instead of singly. The capture QlXltipr ridp;e>ky the Qanad/iaij* [s described as the greatest British victory of the war, A report published in New York states that since the beginning of unrestricted warfare on February 1, Britain has destroyed subniarin.es at. the average rate of