In the West

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 67, 22 March 1915, Page 8

In the West

CANADIANS IN THE TRENCHES. HIGH COMMISSIONER'S REPORT. The Premier lias received the following from the High Commissioner, London, 20th, 4.30 p.m. The Canadians are very proud to lie the first troops from the self-gov-erning Dominions to light for England, in Europe. J was permitted to visit that part of the lines where for some miles they hold the trenches against the enemy. We made the trip at midnight, when they were under desultory lire. The experience showed that the reputation of the Overseas troops is quite safe in their keeping. In the brisk lighting in which they have engaged, they have shown dash and steadiness not surpassed by any regular troops, ft is quite a mistake to suppose that this war does not give opportunities for resource in the men and younger officers, which was a feature of the Dominions' troops in South Africa. In these siege operations there is ceaseless call for vigilance, ingenuity, and markmnnshin from the individual soldier. The British holds the lowestiwiig arm wettest portion of the whole western line. There is the widest difference in how the trenches are kept, but the adaptable pioneering Canadians are accustomed to making the best of the harsh winter conditions here. They have .proved themselves masters at contriving subterranean comfort, and they are better fed than any army in the past. The British soldier in this war has few troubles, provided he can get sleep. In the Canadian trenches. I frequently heard happy soldiers snoring loudly as their mates kept watch, being quite unconscious of the crack of the rifle from the enemy's lines only two hundred yards away. When the Australians come to Europe, they will find Canada has set the standard high. The careless holiday spirit which was at timevs too much in evidence while the force was in England disappeared completely when the men came face to face with the uncompromising realities of the campaign.

A REPORT FROM BERLIN. t ———— Berlin, March 20. We raptured a group of houses at St. Eloi. We drove the French from Notre Dame de Lorette and captured tlieir trenches at Beausejoir. We repulsed attacks in Woevre and at Cambras, with heavy French losses. MISCELLANEOUS. London, March 20. The Mayor of Southport has received a letter from an officer in the Worcosstershires, giving a circumstantial' statement that the Germans shot a wounded British officer in the wire entanglements after Xeuve Cha.pelle. Ho says: "This is only one case of hundreds that I heard of during that aKack." - The German commander at Xeuve Chapelle has been removed. The Germans represent their losses at .six thousand. •aoiAiiag Nag iaKctig ctnv sarcix London, March 20.' Eight hundred and fifty-three Bristol barristers who enlisted hi France wore awarded the Legion of Honor.