In the West

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 70, 25 March 1915, Page 5

In the West

SIR JOHN FRENCH’S FINE OPTIMISM. ••definite victory awaits US.” London, March 24. Sir John French’s Havas interview concludes: “I myself and all those with me are convinced that at the end of three hard mouths of war definite victory awaits, us.” BIG BATTLE IMMINENT ON YSER. United Press Association. Amsterdam, March 24. All the German guns at West Chapelle were transferred to the Yser. A big battle is imminent. People living near the railways have been ordered to leave* DAILY MAIL’S DOLEFUL TONE. London, March 24. The Daily Mail declares that Austria and Germany together have at least six million men available. The Allies’ losses at Neuve Chapelle provide a gauge of the stupendous effort required to force the enemy out of Belgium and France. Conscription alone will supply the men necessary to fill the gaps in the enemy lines.” The Daily Graphic declares that “when viewed in perspective a few months hence Neuve Chapelle will appear but a minor struggle in the terrific conflict. We must steel ourselves for casualty lists of far more lamentable proportions. The time is surely approaching when, if the nation does not dispel the unreality with which in considerable part it continues to view the crisis, it will receive a harrowing shock. Desperately sad days are coming, and it behoves everyone to strengthen the position by feeling that each is doing his part,”

MISCELLANEOUS. London, March 24. In a continuation of Sir John French’s official review he pays a tribute to the tenacity and brilliancy with which the British maintained their positions on the Aisne. The German efforts to outflank them were assisted by the concentric form of their front, which shortened the length of their transports. Finally they brought up eighteen new army corps in an effort to pierce the Allies’ left. They wore, however, defeated, and the barrier which General Jeff re desired was finally established on November loth. Amsterdam, March 24. Seventeen Belgians, mostly young peasants, were shot to-day at the Ghent barracks.' A German courtmartial found them guilty of espionage, but offered them their lives on certain conditions, which all, with one exception, refused. Paris, March 24. Official: The Germans sprinkled our trenches at Vauquois with burning liquid and the occupants withdrew. We Carried a line of trenches at Hart-mann-Sweilerkopf.