WAR NEWS.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 203, 3 October 1916, Page 3

WAR NEWS.

SURVEY OF THE BATTLE. WAR CORRESPONDENT'S VIEWS. BRITISH NOW OCCUPY COMMANDING POSITIONS. LONDON, October 1. The lull on tlie Anglo-Prencn fronts afforded an opportunity to correspondents to make a general survey of the battle. Mr Ashmead-Bartlett of the Daily Telegraph, who is visiting the Prencli front, says:—The guns only cease fire when seeking a fresh objective. Their piles of shells never seem to diminish, whereas the Germans have to save ammunition. The French command of the air is so complete that it no longer needs to conceal their guns. The German artillery has been fighting in almost complete blindness since the Germans lost the high ground at Peronne. Many high explosives fall into the Somme River, throwing up mountains of mud—the German replying barrages against Anglo-French assaults. Mr Philip Gibbs, on the Britisli front, insists on the importance of the continuance of fine weather. Mist prevents the aviators' reports, and the enemy are able to mass troops for counter-attacks. Since our capture of the ridge the Germans have been unable to move infantry, guns, or transport in daylight. The Germans on tne Ancre and Somme now Know the torture of living always under great guns. Other correspondents state that tne prisoners on the British front on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday are 6000. The tally is still incomplete. We are pushing forward north or Flers, clearing the enemy out of the most formidable positions, including sunken roads and trenches, which in the earlier stages of the battle wouic have' cost long delay and many lives, but the enemy's resistance seems to have lost its strength. We have taken miles of trenches at incomprehensibly little cost. JOFFRE CONGRATULATES HAIG. SURE GUARANTEE OF FINAL VICTORY. LONDON, October *. Joffre sent a message to Sir Douglas Haig congratulating him on the brilliant successes of the British on the 15th and 16th. These, he said, are a sure guarantee of final victory over the, enemy, whose physical and moral forces have already been severely shaken. FRENCH CRITICISM. NAIL STRUCK ON THE HEAD. PARIS, October 1. M. Pichon describes Count Von Hollweg's speech as a demonstration of weariness, anxiety and impotence. N The Petit Parisien says the speech admits in the most formal and clear manner the cruel embarrassment the leaders of German strategy find tnemselves, and wherein their armies, little by little, are being reduced to the unenviable position of the world's laughing stock.

GERMAN PRINCE'S OPINION. ANOTHER YEAR'S WAR. AMSTERDAM, October 1. The Crown Prince Rupprecht of Bavaria, speaking to the Tageblatt's correspondent, said: I cannot predict the future turn of events, but we need not worry. All precautions have been taken. We can count on a very long offensive, based on a prodigious use of ammunition. Our troops have done; wonders, but the enemy, too, are verystrong. I am sure the enemy Avishes to reach a decision in 1916, but they will fail. They will have to fight another winter. GRECIAN AFFAIRS. LONDON, October 1. M. Michelidaku formerly Minister under Skouloudis, has been arrestee at Crete for organising armed opposition to the revolution. ATHENS, October 1. Order has been restored and tne new administration established in all provinces in Crete except Heraklion, where some unrest still prevails. At a religious service at Canea Cathedral, B'ishop Honour, the new Government bishop, in a prayer invoked the Almighty to rid the King of all bad counsellors and inspire him to follow the path of duty, which was the only way to national salvation. ROME, October 1. During conflicts in Crete between Venizelists and anti-Venizelists, several Germanophile agents were kille<s. Gounarist Deputies have constituted a corps of guardians to the royal family. Constantine has asked to be put m telegraphic communication with the Kaiser.