In the West.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 33, 13 May 1916, Page 5

In the West.

- —~— OFFICIAL hews. ear(A y■ s uusucuv . ssf u l EFFORTS. The High Commissioner reports: On the left bank of the Meuse, there is intense artillery activity in the Avocourt Wood sector. Jn tile Mort Homme region, the Germans vainly attempted in the course of the night to dislodge us from the positions conquered on Wednesday on the western slopes, and wore repulsed by fire. On the right hank, there was bombardment in th’e region of Douaumont and Vaux. GENERAL jOFFRE’S WARNING. Paris, May 12. Official: General Joffre, on February 24th, gave warning that any officer orleriug a retirement at Verdun would ie court-martialled. GENERAL HAIGS REPORT. London, May 12. General Sir Douglas Haig reports: The enemy unsuccessfully' attempted to raid our trenches near Ovillers on Wedicsday night. A severe mutual bombardment developed at - Hohenzollern redoubt on Thursday afternoon. “NO THOUGHT OF PEACE.” London, May 10. In the House of,Commons, Mr Herbert Samuel said: “There can bo no ohought of peace until we have beaten che' Germans. The question of settlement we leave to our children. I believe that the struggle at Verdun was ue of the decisive battles of the world, 1 the,outcome will be the final reJv se of Germany’s terrific effort.” SWITZERLAND SEQUESTRATES ALL METALS. (Received 9.50 a.in.) Berne. May 12. f The Federal Council has sequestrated all metals. ’ ‘ : . UNSUCCESSFUL NIGHT ATTACK. I (Received 11.10 a.m.) >■; ,4 ■(! r ; .t ... ,1 Paris ,v May 12. A communique states: The Germans during the „night twice vainly attempted'to recastui’o cur positions on tjig western slopes of Mort Homme. fHE ANZACS. | FLANDERS BETTER THAN GALLIPOLI. Jt i London, May 11.

Another hatch of Anzacs have arrived in London Their cheery, optimistic .-is All ■ agree they are happily conditioned in Flanders. -The Flemings are kindly, but rapacious. The conditions are infinitely better than at Gallipoli,; there being excellent food, good sc ft bread and stews daily. Their trench 'equipment includes thigh boots and helmets, and many carry tri-lingual dictionaries and hope to use, the German section later. The men declare That the machineguns recently' caught -a German detachment in the open road. Airmen reported that the shooting of the Australasians was excellent, and it is believed that their artillery was effective during the attack. The Anzacs are specially interested in the British anti-aircraft shooting. They state that one gunner had repulsed scores of German machines. Several units were east of the Suez Canal, awaiting the Turks, when the order came for F ranee. The New Zealanders, who were the last arrivals in France, entered the front trenches at an important point on the British front a few days ago, being well.supported by artillery, They have ohly had minor bouts with the Germans, and expect, as they are new to lids type of fighting, to be favored with some special German “frightfu - ness,” hut they are prepared for any

emergency. A Sow Zealander, -who is on inrlough said: “We shall be all right. If you hear the Germans have captured any blank town you will know that all the New Zealanders have been taken prisoner.” The Anzac equipment is likely ro undergo a change, and the “smasher” tunics will disappear. Some of the men have already received “Tommy clothes and gumboots, which arc greatly appreciated, not only owing to the Flanders mud, but they are also useful to cook dinners in. •It is difficult to improve on the high spirits of the men on furlough, who have intentions of making the best of their stay in London. The reception preparations have been improved, and charabancs provided to drive them to their sleeping quarters, instead of expensive taxicabs. Several hundred theatre tickets are distributed daily at the Anzac Buffet, where the inquiry bureau gives advice of the conditions 1 0 f lodgings in all cities in England. SUGGESTED ARMY OF ANZACS. The Evening Standard, in publishing hm article headed, “The Anzac as a 'Fighter. How will he fare in France. ' stresses the fact that the Turks feared itho Anzacs more than any other soldiers,because of their dogged determination, which was backed by a coo

clear brain. Britishers fight because their King and country called; the Australasian ’ fight in a different spirit, with a grim, , Lntloss ferocity, ever thinking of their dead companions, whom they fought witii fury to avenge. The article endorses the suggestion of the formation of an Ansae Army, under command of General Birdwook. The paper describes it as a happy idea, which would fire Australia and New Zealand to the utmost enthusiasm. ANZACS GROW IN POPULARITY. JUST THE FELLOWS ! VILLAGE MAIDENS CHARMED! i THEIR NEW SURROUNDINGS. (Received 10.35 a.m.) London, May 12. The correspondent at British Headquarters states; Never first British Expeditions it force secretly entered France, has there been a less ohstrusive entry than that of the Anzacs, but already tliey have accomplished a record of quick popularity with the country folk among whom they billeted.' Apart from their claims to admiration owing to their physique and coquettish style of hats —which have a particular charm for the village maiden! —the Anzacs appeal to the inhabitants’ hearts because they have travelled thousands of miles to fight for them, i The Anzacs now know that the Germans are tougher customers than ' Ibraham and Abdul; and on his side, the Bosche, doubtless, has conceived a much enhanced respect for 'the Anzacs. All the German attempts to shake the Anzacs’ spirits by alternately cajoling and strafing them I have ended distinctly in favour of the Anzacs. | Already the Maori warriors are parabled among the children for their (good humor and liberality at the (chocolate shops. It is a real study in telepathy to observe how thoroughly the soldiers and youngsters understand one another. Despite their linguistic short comings, the Anzacs are unanimous that they are having a good , time amongst-real people. It; is said that the New Zealanders are contrasting their present existence with their experience when pent upon acres of baked Turkish' kbiL .. S V ; General Birdwood, who incessantly ■moves about, gives the impression that ihe really knows all his men individually. ‘.D:. .V. DISPATCH FROM MR MALCOLM ROSS. , The following special message has ibeen received from the New Zealand war correspondent (Mr Malcolm Ross) Headquarters (France), May 7.

“Not long ago, when the German Chancellor was stating in the Reichstag (April 5) that the Dardanelles undertaking was a failure, he little dreamt Anzac Army Corps had .already'.landed in France, well equipped, and in the pink of condition, and eager for , their first clash of arms with the real ■ enemy. Yet such was the case. Even while he was speaking, men from the Ist. Battalion were marching to the front line. ‘ ‘All along the route from the port of disembarkation the Anzacs received a cordial welcome from the French people. Women from the Red Cross and others met them at wayside stations with coffee, cakes, and fruit. From Ithe dripping dug-outs of Gallipoli and Ithe hot wiud-swept sands of Egypt to the comfortable billets and the springtime rural scenes of France is a great hut delightful change, and the troops are thoroughly interested in their new surroundings. Their behaviour so far lias been highly satisfactory. Billeted in villages and farmhouses, they quickly got on friendly terms with the people; and it is no uncommon sight to see some big overseas warrior nursing a baby, or with one or two peasant youngsters inarching proudly by T his side.

“All the arrangements made by the British army worked excellently, and both officers and men are loud in their praise of them. On all hands the British and overseas'troops are fraternising. Everything augurs well for a successful . campaign.

“The French people are wonderfully calm and optimistic, and consider that the Germans are already beaten, though none can predict when the end will come.”