THE WAR

Levin Daily Chronicle, 20 March 1917, Page 3

THE WAR

(Australia-New jle&l'-inc Cable Service" , BAPANME HAS FALLEN \ London, March 17. Headquarters announces that LBapaume has been taken. TOWN. WAS ABANDONED. London, March 18. Sir Douglas Haig reports:— , Bapaume was captured after stiff fighting with the German rearguards. The town was systematically pillaged by the enemy, who destroyed private houses and public buildings and carried off and 'burnt everything of value.

SIX-MULE FRONT. London, March 17.Sir Douglas Haig continues:— Our advance proceeded rapidly today astride the Somme and southward o fthe river. We entered the enemy's positions on a sixteen miles' front, and occupied- Fresnes, Lor.gny, Villiers, Carbonnel, Barleux, Eterprigny and La Maisonette northwards of the river. In addition to Rapauine we licXd Le Transloy, Rief Villers, Bihucourt, Acliiet le grant!, Achiet le Petit, Abl'ainville, Bucquoy, Essarts and also Quesnoy Farm, fifteen hundred yards north-eastward of the last named, and have gained the western and northwestern defences of Nonchyaubois. • We carried out successful raids eastward and northward of Arras, reaching the support line. TURKS HARD PESSED. London, March 17.

The right wing of General Maude's army is endeavouring to reach Ivhanikan ahead of the Turkish forces which are flying before the Russian advance from Kermanshah. If the Turkish retreat is cut off the Turks may surrender or be driven into the desert. TURKEY ALARMED. Athens, March 17. Diplomatic circles state that important councils in Constantinople Ihave decided at all costs to reorganise the defence of Asia Minor. They intend to -recall Turkish troops from Riga, Galicia, 'Macedonia and Rumania and employ them in the defence' of the Ottoman territory. The concentration of troops has already begun. iPracticcally the whole male population has been called to arms. GREAT FRENCH PUSH ! A French communique states: — Our detachments, continuing vigorously to press the enemy, progressed north of the Avre and between the Avre and the Oise on a front of more than four kilometers (2% miles). A German 'attack north-west of Berry au Bac was smashed by our fire.' Some enemy fractions which succeeded in entering a portion of our trenches were driven out immediately by the bayonet. We made substantial progress by means of grenades in the region west of Maison Champagne. • We'captured several portions of trenches. Lively artillery artivity continues throughout this sector and in the direction of Auherivo. A Brisk struggle has developed east of the Meuso in the region of Ferme dee Chiamboches. Several enemy attempts on our trenches were finally repulsed. After several advances and retirements the Germans sustained appreciable loses. We made several successful raids west of the Meuso and in Oheppy Wood, Bais le Pretre, and near the Re. menouvelle, west of Pont au Mousson, also at Sudelkopf, in Alsace. We took prisoners. ,

In numerous air figlits eight enemy aeroplanes were brought down.

GERMAN LINE CRACKS. London, March 18. A French communique states:— On the whole front between Andechy and the Oise the enemy, refusing battle, abandoned, under our pres. sure, the powerfully and scientifically fortified lines he occupied two years Our advance to-day continued rapidly. Patrols entered Roye, pursuing the enemy, who blew up the crossroads and streets. Enght hundred inhabitants whom the Germans had no time to remove received our troops with joy. We also occupied Lassigny, and reached and passed north-east thereof to the Roye-Noyon road at several points. The prisonei'6 taken during the pursuit are not yet counted. There is severe artillery fighting in the Champagne ond an the right of the Meuse. As a reprisal for the burning of JBapaume, a French aeroplane to-day bombed Frankfurt on Main. .London, March 17. Sir IDouglas Haig reports: Our advance northward of the Sommo continues. Nearly the whole

of St. Pierre Vaast Wood, also trcnches extending a thousand yards southward and' two thousand norlhwar and in our hands.

We beat off an attack north-ea6t of Gommecoiu't and carried out successful.

"ZEPP." BROUGHT DOWN. London, March '17. A French communique states: — At '5.30 in the morning Zeppelin L 39, which had flown over the region of Paris, was hit at a height of 3500 metres above Compeigne by our antiaircraft guns and fell on fire in the town gardens. All the crew perished. • .Neither the fall of the, airship nor the explosion of her bombs did any damage. Three Zeppelins participated' in the raid. They crossed our lines in cover uf darkness. Our aeroplanes drove them off and anti-aircraft guns picked them up over Compeigne where they dropped bombs, doing insignificant damage.

AIRSHIP RAID. London, March 17. Official: Hostile airships attacked south-eastern counties yesterday and' dropped bombs on Kept. The raid is progressing. WESTGATE BOMBED. . The Press Bureau states:— Hostile aeroplanes at 5.30 in the morning dropped bombs on Westgate THere were no casulties and damage was slight. RETREAT ON 100 MILES FRONT. (Reuter Telegram). London, March 19.

Events on the western front are moving with 'bewildering rapidity. The well-known line 6on the map are changing hourly. There is no longer doubt that a serious breach has been made in Germany's wall of steel. The breach extends from Monacliy, southwest of Arras, to the Noyon Plateau, a-distance of about a hundred miles as the trenches go. All the German armies in this sector are falling back with the Anglo-French cavalry in pursuit towards the Belgian frontier.

Naturally there is no question of a general German collapse, but the retreat is certain to have a demoralizing influence on the harassed Germans, especially as the main direction of the I'Anglo-French offensive threatens the most vital part of the German line. Likewise it strikes at their communi-

catons. The Allies are now within eight miles of Saint Guentin and five miles from Carnbrai. THE GERMAN VERSION. (A.-N.Z. Cable Association.) London, March 19. A German official message states: — In the sections of territory we voluntarily evacuated between Arras and the Aisne there has only been fighting at a few points between our covering troops and the enemy's infantry and cavalry. There is more lively fighting; between Oclirida and Lake Preepa and northwards of Monastir. A decision has not been reached. STRENUOUS ACTIVITY. London, March 18.

lteliter's correspondent at the western headquarters says: "Favored by fine weather and the drying ground we are everywhere pressing the retiring Germans. The strenuous activity behind the lines eclipses the busiest days of the Somme offensive. The spirit of the troop is one of demonstrative enthii6iaejn.

(Received This Day 9.20 a.m.) AFFAIRS IN RUSSIA. Copenhagen, March 19. Three Russian commissions are visiting Finnish towns and appointing officials. Great meetings supported the new Government, hut expressed a wish for Home Rule in Finland. Petrograd, March 19. The streets on Sunday were crowded with people who were all t orderly. Palaces and public buildings were draped in red. Jews are enthusiastic concerning their chance of gaining full citizenship. It is reported that Moscow- workmen will resume employment. GERMANS IN CHINA. Tientsin, IMarch 19.

The German Minister has aeked for j an extension of time. Probably he j will leave on March 21st. The Okinese have occupied the German quarter at Tientsin without incident. A most enjoyable pairs Tourney (for patriotic purposes) was held at Shannon yesterday. fyevin and Foxton were represented as well as the local club. Mr Roach (president) briefly welcomed the visitors. The supervision of the tourney by Mr T. F. Gibson, club secretary, was thorough, and backed with fast greens' and warm weather the contests tproved highly enjoyable. A Levin pair (BawdenHarris and Pollock) won all four games they played, and now stand equal with one or two other pairs at the head of the contest. Details of the scores will appear in our next issue. ]S T . Z. HIGH COMMISSIONER'S REPORT. London, March 19The High Commissioner reports :— British Official Repoit: In yesterday morning's raid on Ramsgate the Germans sank a British destroyer. Eight of the crew were sav-

ed. The Germans escaped jin r the darkness. A second British destroyer was torpedoed, but not seriously damaged. A British merchant-maii was sunk in the North Downs.

Heceived This Day 9.5 a.m. BAUPAUME. London, March 19. The Morning Post says that nowhere in the reconquered territory did the British encounter effective opposition or serious delay. The new British front swung round with almost startling speed; and was still advancing on Sunday night beyond villages which the day before were well ahead of the battle front. British cavalry went through the the breach at Achiet-Leg-' rant on Saturday, and evacuated at nightfall miles beyond the limit of the British bombardment in the Somme battle. Germans at Baupaume maintained a semblance of resistance until the infantry charged up the slopes outside the town. The defenders then scampered away, and at the same time the German cavalry, which had hoveled about the fields beyond Bapaume escaped. Russian successes. (iteecived This Day 11.55 a.m.) (A.-N.Z. and Renter Service) London, March 19. A wireless Russian message (official) runs: — We dislodged the Turks from a nuinu,.,. 0 f positions. Returning towards V"' .shevin, we occupied HarunaibadSyuth, west of Skermanshah . THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION. (United Service.) London, March 19. A Stockholm message states that the Russian crowd felt animosity against Ritting (Minister for Agriculture) who was killed during the revolution. (Times Service). Petrograd, March '19. The Procurator of the Holy Synod ha 6 ordered the removal of the Imperial chair, thus symbolizing the abolition of Caesaropapism.

iverensky has abolished the title of Excellency and the new 'Ministers will be called Mister. (Home Rule Commissions will <be established throughout Russia, installing a. colossal scheme of reorganization. The elections probably will be postponed until after the war, with a political censorship of all newspapers displaying a much greater freedom than aforetime. Socialists and soldiers are publishing new journals. The newspapers are unanimously patriotic, and urge that with the blessing of freedom obtained at such slight cost of life the nation will be consolidated by fighting her hereditary enemies who eagerly are" watching to strike a blow at Russia. The correspondent adds that Russia has acclaimed the new regime so joyfully that it is ridiculous to talk about restoration of autocracy. The extremists probably will agree to support the Duma until a gigantic general election is organized. ' An interesting episode occurred on ■Friday when Ministers went to Prince Michael's palace. Prince Michael said he would not hesitate to accept or reject the throne if convinced that the good of Russia would be served thereby. Ministers were not unanimous; therefore he thought it''best to abdicate, handing over supreme power to the Duma's Government. (Received This 'Day 11.35 a.m.) GERMAN SHIPS IN U.S.A. Washngton, March 19.

The State Department has 'been informed that eleven German ships are at 'Sanasaiilia, California, ready to dash to sea in the event of war being declared by the United States. A GERMAN ACCOUNT. CA.-N.Z. and Reuter Service.) London, March 19. A German official report states that Zeppelin on Friday night dropped bomlbs on London and the South-east-ern Counties and returned safely, despite a furious fire from defensive guns The British airmen were unable to approach the airships. "London was distinctly visible. Nothing is known in London to confirm the above account.

RUSSIAN REVOLUTION. | (Times Service). Petrograd, March 19. Delay in restoring normal conditions is due to interference by a committee of Labor deputies. Wild, disorderly meetings are being assembled by them daily- They are hoping to retain their hold on the soldiers and lower classes. Some students of both sexes are blindly co-operating in anarchistic propaganda. The demagogue element realizes that it soon will lose the power it has temporarily usurped, and it now is fighting tooth-and-nail against sober influences. It is spreading the wildest rumors, and repeatedly has told how the German nation has risen against its.rulers; that the Ivaiser lias been slain; and that a deputation #s coming to inaugurate an—era of universal brotherhood. The object of the rumors is to impress the .masse® that the war has ended and that the nation need no longer consider the war situation. There is already. a reaction among the workers, the majority being anxious to resume their vocations. There is reasonable hope that the excesses of the anarchist propaganda will rebound against the authors.^ SAMUEL'S POCKET SUFFERS. (Reuter Service). Washington, March 19. American export trade has' dropped

50 million sterling since the submarine blockade began. (Received This Day 12.10 p.m.) THE MEN WHO DOME BEHIND. Petrograd, March 19. The Daily Telegraph's correspondent at Petrograd states that cautious deputies who have not been near the Duma since Monday returned on Saturday, looking greatly relieved. LATE NEWS FROM RUSSIA. Ihe Socialist parties suppressed under the old order are being .rapidly reorganized. The manner in which the Czar abdicated .has softened the general bitterness against the' Crown, but the resentment against the Empress remains strong. All executive legislative power now is concentrated in the Provisional Government. The Czar had appointed 'Prince Lvoff President of the Council of Ministers just before the abdication. News from the provinces is reassuring. The revolution in-Moscow passed off like a holiday. NWs from NislinL Novgorod, Ivarkoff, Minsk and other centres is equally cheering. councils everywhere have taken over authority.