WAR COUNCIL CONGRATULATES HAIG

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9794, 18 October 1917, Page 5

WAR COUNCIL CONGRATULATES HAIG

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. United Service Telegrams. (Received October 17, 5.5 p.iu.) LONDON, October 16. Mr Keith Murdoch states “Since Friday comparative quiet has reigned in the battlefio.d. Rifle flro is gradually diminishing as now positions are made secure. The Hun is licking his wounds and is not attempting counterattack. The weather is bright and drying.'’ Referring to the New Zealanders’ attack at Bellevue Spur Mr Murdoch says: —“They were held up despite tho most gallant efforts of the men and the heroic reconnoitring by their officers involving the death of three distinguished seniors.”

AIR AND LAND RAIDS BY BRITISH REPORTS BY SIR DOUGLAS HAIG. Australian and New Zealand Cable Association and Reuter. LONDON. October 15. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—The Irish troops successfully raided north-west of Bullecourt. There was considerable hostile artillery tiring during the night in tho neighbourhood of tho railway. (Received October 17, 9.15 p.m.) LONDON, October 17. Sir Douglas Haig reports;—Our patrols are active. They have brought in a few prisoners. There is considerable reciprocal artillery activity. The weather is clearer. There is much elfective counter-battery workThe South Midlanders raided trenches last night in the neighbourhood ol Roeux, and inflicted casualties. Another raid, northward of Lens, yielded us a few prisoners. . Our fire early this morning repulsed a strong raiding party south-west ol Aoheville. • Our aeroplanes yesterday used machine-guns on enemy infantry at low altitudes. They dropped two tons of bombs on a large dump at Courtrai and on other targets. They brought down five machines. Three of ours are missing.

SIR DOUGLAS HAIG’S ACHIEVEMENT IN FLANDERS WAR CABINET OFFERS HEARTIEST CONGRATULATIONS. Australian and New Zealand Cable Association and Reuter. (Received October 17, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON* October 16. The Press Bureau announces that Mr Lloyd George has sent the following message to Sir Douglas Haig:—- • “That the War Cabinet desire to congratulate you and your troops upon the achievements of the armies in Flanders in the great battles which have been raging since July 21st. Starting from positions in which every advantage rested with the enemy, and hampered by the most unfavourable weather, you and your men have, nevertheless, continuously driven the enemy back. Your skill, courage and pertinacity are commanding the grateful admiration of the peoples of the Empire and filling the enemy with alarm. “I desire to renew my personal assurance of confidence in your leadership and devotion to those you command.”

ANZACS MERRY AFTER THE BATTLE THEIR AFFLICTIONS LIGHTLY TREATED. Australian and' New Zealand Cable Association. (Received October 17, 7.13 p.m.) LONDON, October 16. Mr G. Gilmour, Anzac correspondent at the West front, writing from the Anzac Headquarters, states:—“Some of the Australians and New Zealanders wlho have just come back from, the front line tell how they slept in shell-holes, huddled on top of one another like puppies, as the only way to keep warm. It speaks volumes for the thoughtful car© of the commanders that many troops were provided with 'hot meals within a few yard's of the Huns. Thick, wholesome stew was carried up in thermos flasks packed in straw-lined cases. The pack mules couldn’t get up to the front, so tho hot rations were man-handled over the last stage of the journey. “After a night’s sloop in the rear the Anzacs were as merry as sandboys, and in such good spirits after their ordeal that they even stopped their baths or shaving in order to cheer passing aeroplanes, which were low enough to hear. Some of the British aviators replied with a ‘stunt’ overhead.” LONDON, October 16. Mr Gilmdur describes the nurses at the Anzacs’ advanced posts in the recent fighting regaining the lines. As the result, of their aid and daring work in recovering the wounded the Germans got very few Australian prisoners and practically no New Zealanders.

FURTHER WITHDRAWAL OF GERMANS FROM BROODSEiNDE United Service Telegram. (Received October 18, 1.15 a.m.) LONDON, October 17. Mr Percival Phillips writes that the only alteration in the German front since the battle has been a further withdrawal below Broodseinde. Our outposts are forcing the evacuation of nearly all the wooded slopes eastward of Nordenshook. The Australians are chiefly responsible for this work.

ON THE FRENCH LINES LIVELY ARTILLERY DUELS CONTINUE. LONDON. October 16. A French communique states: —On the Aisne front the reciprocal artillery fire is less intense. On the left bank of the Meuse we repulsed an attack on. Hill 304. _ On the right bank the artillery duel is particularly lively north of the Caurieres Wood.

ENEMY RAIDS ON THE AISNE FRONT REPULSED Australian and New Zealand Cable Association and Reuter. (Received October 18, 1.15 a.m.) : LONDON, October 17. A French communique states: —After a lively bombardment several enemy raids were made on tho Aisne Lent, south of Countecon, and repulsed. A lively artillery duel is proceeding m the region of the plateau.

LIBELS ON MB LLOYO GEORGE

EAST AFRICA CAPTURE OF WINTGEN’S GUERILLA FORCE. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyrigbi Renter’s Telegrams. LONDON, October 16. Reuter’l* apedial correspondent in East Africa, telegraphing on October 10th, says he is non- permitted to state that the whole of Wintgen’s force, which was dispatched to the north on a guerilla raid some months ago, has been captured. Three of the leadens, who took command after Wintgen’s surrender, have been taken prisoner. The force was strong and well-equipped with machine-guns, ammunition, and supplies. AN AIR MINISTRY TO BE ESTABLISHED IN BRITAIN. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright Reuter's Telegrams. (.Received October 17, 7.35 p.m.) LONDON, October 16. In the House of Commons Mr Bonar Law announced that a scheme for constituting an Air Ministry will shortly bo introduced. Meanwhile General Smuts will continue to supervise air matters.

ACTIONS SETTLED IN HIGH COURT. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Reuter’s Telegrams. (Received October 17, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, October 16. In the High Court libel notions by Mr Lloyd. George against the Exchange Telegraph Company, the “Westminster Gazette” and “Star” wore settled, the defendants apologising and paying costs. The case arose ont of the publication of a paragraph issued by tho Exchange Telegraph Company alleging that Mr Lloyd George left Downing street for the country when it was known that raiders were approaching. The plaintiff contended that this implied personal cowardice. He explained that he left London with the military and naval leaders to attend a conference with the French war chiefs. All the defendants disclaimed any imputation on AD Lloyd George’s character.

NAVAL OPERATIONS IN THE BALiIC FIGHTING IN GULF OF FINLAND ENEMY develops success at OESEL IS!.AMD, By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. Australian and New Zealand Cable Association and Reuter. (Received October 17, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON. October 16. A wireless Russian official message states:—A Gorman dreadnought shelled our patrol squadron oil Soelasand (? Aland Island, and damaged ono torpedo' boat. Subsequently twelve German torpedo boa.s ui tin. luwest opo penotmed Soelasand and engaged the patrol squadron and sauu a vessel already damaged. The bulk of the. crew were saved. Wo sank an enemy torpedo boat and others ot our warships apptaru e, the enemy turned back. Unr fleet commander lestifles to the good flung and stubborn spirit of our crews. , ~ . Eye-witnesses state that two German torpedo boats wcio sunk and two dam The d Germans have been reinforced and continue to develop their success at Oesel Island. They are endear curing to capture the batteries at Geiel. which covers the entrance to the Gulf of Riga. GERMAN STATEMENT OF THE POSITION Australian and New Zealand Cable Associati nn d^ R eu jq A wireless German official message states:—We are in possession of the main portion of Oosel Island. The Russians are isolated on the bwovbq I «u»sula. but are still desperately resisting. Only portions of the enemy on mo oast and on the coast escaped m the direction of Moon Isututi W o took 340 U prisoners and captured thirty guns and some aoioplauoa. t occupied tho islands of Runo and Abroa. , _ A . (Received October It, t.SO P-t 1 -) LONDON, October 16. A later German wireless official message says:—Wo took a further 1100 prisoners on. the Sworbo. Peninsula. WAR MATERIAL FOR FINNS TO ASSIST ON ATTACK ON PETROGRAD. Australian and Now Zealand Cable Association(Received October 17, 7.35 p.m.) STOCKHOLM, October 18. German submarines have been seen on the coast of I inland delivering arms and other war material to> tho Finns to assist m an attack upon 1 etrocrad There is evidence that a German arms depot has been established on the Swedish coast. Swedish Customs officers found a cargo and arms on a Finnish yacht. The Finlanders dfovo back tho officers with revolvers and sailed away.