In the West.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 86, 17 March 1916, Page 5

In the West.

A VISIT TO HOLLAND. THE INTERNMENT AND REFUGEE CAMPS. FEEDING THE POPULACE, [Unitku Prem Association.] (Received 9 a.m.) London, March ] f 3. Sir B. R. Wise and Mr H. Pratten (Australia) officially visited Holland and inspected the internment and refugee camps. They found evidence of great activity in provisioning Belgium by organisations working through Hoover, the Commissioner. One and a-half million destitute Belgians are receiving gifts of foodstuffs and clothing, and five and a-half million are able to purchase through the Commission. Vessels are constantly arriving at Rotterdam with foodstuffs, whence an admirable' organisation distributes it through the States. There is strong opinion in Holland that the conditions of life in Germany is rapidly becoming worse. The reports of the shortage of food and riots and shootings of the populace are correct. Even proGerman Hollanders expect the war will result only in stalemate. ' THE FRENCH LOSSES. London, March 15. There is the best authority for stating that the total French losses at Verdun were less than twelve thousand, while only eighty-four pieces oi artillery were abandoned, after being '•endered useless.

OFFICIAL NEWS.

High Commissioner reports:— London, March 16 (4.15 p.m.) In the region of Verdun, no infantry action has been reported. Til? French artillery violently bombarled the region west of Douamnont, where the enemy is digging in. In the Woevre, the French bombarded sevi oral supply columns. A GERMAN RHPORT. Amsterdam, Xforch. 15. A Berlin communique says: We blew up advanced British positions at' Nenve Chapelle. Sitesian troops, with a strong swinging onslaught, pushed: forward our lines west of Crow's Wood, and four French counter-attacks proved unsuccessful, with very considerable losses. SUCCESSFUL AERIAL RAID. London, March 16. Sir Douglas Haig reports having carried out a small raid south of Yerlorenhoek with satisfactory results. Considerable aerial activity has been exhiuitedj many combats taking place. FRENCH WAR COSTS. London, March 15. The French Budget shows that the military expenditure since the beginning of the war is:—Army, 35,000,000,000 francs; navy, 1,400,000.000 francs. France is spending daily 37,000,000 francs.

BOMBARDMENT AT VERDUN. ENEMY CONSTRUCTING NEW WORKS. (Received 11;20 a.m.) Paris, March 16. A communique states: The bombardment is of varying intensity at Verdun. We bombarded tbe enemy constructing new works west of Douaumont.