WAR NEWS.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 21 June 1917, Page 3

WAR NEWS.

MONDAY.

Qal» at two Points—Bullecourt aid Messiites — German Peace Offer to Russia—Japanese Warships Fight Submarines. Entire success attended British attacks at two points of the line. North-west of Bullecourt, where the Australians gained a footing on the second Hindenburg line, a further position was stormed, the enemy suffering heavily. South and east of Messines the recent victory was further exploited and the fighting extended over the canal which runs from Ypres south-east to Comines. A grave crisis has arisen in Spain. The army is demandingreforms, and is in complete control of the situation. It is authentically reported that Germany has indirectly submitted peace proposals to Russia on the basis of the formula "no annexations and no indemnities." An engagement between a flotilla of Japanese destroyers and enemy submarines in the Mediterranean is announced, one destroyer being damaged. Two Zeppelins attempted to raid England. One was brought down in flames.

TUESDAY (Jains near Messines—New Zealanders' Share — Russia wants Allied Conference—Trench Warfare in Palestine. The New Zealanders have been engaged in the minor operations east of Messines which have carried the British line nearer Warneton. There are signs of bewilderment on the part of the German command since the loss of Messines ridge, and the enemy appears to be undecided where to make the next stand.

The Portuguese troops which are now serving on the western front haye repulsed several German attacks recently.

The Russian Governmennt has suggested an allied conference with the object of revising war aim agreements, excluding from the conference the Pact of London, under which the allies agreed not to conclude peace separately.

Operations in Palestine are at present limited to trench warfare. The British have the advantage in artillery power, and the Turkish casualties are mounting daily in consequence.

WEDNESDAY ! i Gain in Champagne—British Trans- . port Torpedoed—Loss of 63 livet —Favourable events In Russia. ( The French have captured a system of trenches forming a salient in the Champagne on a front of 500 yards. The Germ- : ans made a strong local attack ■ on the positions which the British : captured near Monchv-le-Preux, ; east of Arras, a few days ago. The British transport Camer- - onian, formerly a Leyland steamer, of 5861 tons, was tor- ■ pedoed with a loss of 63 lives, including 52 military casualties. The internal crisis in Russia appears to be coming to a head. The serious financial and economic condition of the country is tending to consolidate the forces of law and order. The Government is taking more vigorous action against the German propaganda and to enforce discipline in the army. Mr Bonar Law states that the -British Government has a perfectly open mind on the question of air reprisals., and will take steps to prevent; raids like tfyose . of recast d.a.tes.

THURSDAY The Hour of Russia—Decisive events Expected — Allied Measures in Greece — Advance in Thessaly Completed. The French Minister for Munitions, who has been on a visit to Russia, anticipates military activity within a few weeks. A German newspaper quotes the Russian Minister for the Interior as having stated that the decisive hour of the revolution is at hand, and the next fortnight will reveal with whom the real power lies. The allies have completed the occupation of the portion of Thessaly, in the north of Greece, which they desire to control. Constantino has landed at an Albanian seaport, and proceeded to Switzerland. The British have made gains south of the Cojenl River and north of the Souciiez River. The French have repulsed a strong .counter-attack against their •recent gains in the Champagne.