ALLIES PROGRESS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 193, 23 April 1915, Page 5

ALLIES PROGRESS.

AUTUMN AND ..WINTER CAM- :'*<.:■•;-..-,.. '-■ "" PAI6NS, / GERMANS SQUEEZED OUT. . (Times and Sydney Sun .Cables). (Reed 5.45 pjn.) , ' LONDON, April 22. A correspondent, who has been touring eastern France writes: The net result of ttoa autumn and winter campaigns is that the Germans have lost their initial advantage of attack, and are instead acting on defensive, their lines being besieged by the Allies. Frontal attacks at St. Mihiel would have meant a huge loss of life, because the Germans have installed a number of Austrian big guns, commanding a radius of ten miles. Consequently the Allies chose, the alternative of squeezing out th e enemy on each side of the angle between Fresnes, to Mihiel, and Font a Mousson simultaneously, gradually approaching the two vital positions within the angle, Bigneulles and Troueedespada. It wa s rumoured on Saturday that the Germans had altogether evacuated St. Mihiel, but until they hav e abandoned Camp des Romains .it will be impossible for the French to occupy the town, which is dominated by forts. It seems to be certain that thia German s have begun to withdraw heir heavy guns from Camp dee Romains. Further north, the French gained ground along both roads which run between Verdun and Metz. The prospects at Verdun, the Meuse, and the Moselle have taken a decided turn in favour of the Allies. i GREAT AERIAL FIGHT. A TWO HOURS' CONTESTLONDON April 21. The Chronicle's Geneva- correspondent states that there was a two hours' aerial fight yesterday along the Rhine near Instein. Four Freneh aviators were attacked by superior forces and retreated, but were reinforced and pursued the Germans. Later, two Zeppelins joined in the fight. The result is unknown.

TURKISH LOSSES. DISORGANISED RETREAT. LONDON, April 22. Official: The Turkish losses at Shaiba are estimated at 2,500. The Turks are everywhere in disorganised retreat, both by road and river. Twelve Arab craft were overtaken and sunk, and 515 prisoners were brought to Basra. Our advanced cavalry occupied Nakhailab. There is no enemy nearer than Rattavi. 18 miles north-wost of Nakhailph. RAID BY AFGHAN TRIBE. BRITISH CASUALTIES TOTAL 70. LONDON, April 22. Th* fighting near Shabkadr was severe, and lasted for several hours. The enemy suffered heavily, and retired to the hills. They are reported to have dispersed. Our losses were 70 killed and wounded. SAVED BY THE NAVY. MUST TRUST THE ADMIRALTY. (Reed. 10.15 a,m,) A naval expert says: We were once very near invasion, but the navy saved us. Never a word appeared in the newspapers. If it should happen that we lose several Dreadnoughts we must trust the Admiralty. POLAND'S PITIFUL CONDITION. FRIGHTFUL DEVASTATION. (Times and Sydney Sun Cables). (Reed. 5.45 p.m.) LONDON, April 22. The unemployment and starving increase daily in. Poland, and the misery exxeeds the official method of relief, some 5500 villages have been devastated and pillaged, and a thousand utterly destroyed. Five hundred towns have been partially or entirely destroyed. Agriculture has lost heavily, both the small farmers and the larger proprietors suffering tremendous losses. GERMAN AIR-SHED BOMBED. LONDON, April 22. A bold and successful attempt vrns made on the enemy's airship shed at Ghent, and the damage must be considerable. KING'S EQUERRY KILLED IN ACTION. (Reed 5.45 p.m.) LONDON, April 22. Lord Crichton, the King's equerry, who \va s supposed to be'a prisoner in Germany, was killed in action. TRIBUTE TO COLONIALS. LONDON. April 22. The Daily Telegraph's Cairo correspondent says tli" Colonial? have developed faster and better than their best friends hoped. Their military sfSciency is nmv reckoned high. Th°y loifttfss ski!! and t'oimw;e of- n fci«xlj p--