EFFECT OF THE ADVANCE.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 23 March 1917, Page 5

EFFECT OF THE ADVANCE.

'L&_«}2o,ooo RESIDENTS LIBERATED. , PARIS, March 21. ‘The. adv:lnc'c has liberated 20-,000 residents. There is intense indignafion at the German vandalism, especially destruction of historic remains of the Chateau Oaucy, and violent denunciations of the abductions from Noyon. Mauldce Maeterlinck and others urge reprisals and the destruction of German towns whexlevcr the enemy violates Francc-, Alsace, or Belgium.

THE ENEMY'S PLAN. LONDON, March 21. The special correspondent of the Central News says: —The real nature of the German move in the West is slowly becoming apparent. The first object is a new front south of Lille, giving a more southerly aspect. Military experts favour the theory that there will be still more extensive straightening of the line, with a fresh German effort in Flanders, but it is unlikely they will sacrifice the advantages which possession of the railheads at Laon and Montmedy confers. The nerve centre of the enemy's present operations is between Maubeuc and Namur. If the Germans succeed in shortening the line between Millie and Metz, while retaining the "trunk nailway through Valenciennes and Mezeres, they will outomatically create a strategic reserve, which will be employed -upon the favourite principal ot the shuttle. SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S REPOST. BRITISH ADVANCING RAPIDLY. LONDON, March 21. Sir Douglas Haig reports: We advanced rapidly south-eastward of Peronne, reaching points ten miles eastward of the Somme. We occupied another forty villages in this area. The enemy is developing considerable resistance at a number of places between Nurlu and Arras, but theirs rearguards have been steadily expelled from their positions. Our progress continues. We carried out successful raids eastward of Auras and north-eastward of Nuvillc St. Vaast. We repulsed a raiding party eastward of the latter place. The enemy blew’ up a mine south-east-ward of Yprcs, damaging his own trenches. the veedun struggle. FRENCH AGAIN ATTACK. ■^o French official message says: "We penetrated the German trenches north of Chambrettcs Fanm. on the right bank of the Meuse.

GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT. LONDON, March 22. A German wireless official report says: Apart from engagements on the Somme and the Oise, there have been no events of importance. WEATHER STILL SQUALLY. LONDON, March 21. A Headquarters correspondent reports that the weather continues squally, but the ground remains practicable for the movements of horse, foot, and guns. The enemy is falling back faster in the vicinity of Ham, but northwards the retirement is more stubborn, the advancing troops being frequently faced with machine-guns. It appears that the pivot of the great German swing has now reached Arras, while to the south of Pesonne our patrols are seven miles east of the river. CARRIED OUT UNKNOWN TO THE ALLIES. AMSTERDAM, March 21. A semi-official Berlin telegram says the German withdrawal was, carried out unknown to the Allies. Peronne w r as evacuated on the night of the thirteenth, and occupied on the evening of the seventeenth. It adds: Everything serviceable to TTTe ’enemy was destroyed, though the greatest consideration was paid to the inhabitants of the evacuated districts. The operations were conducted like peace manoeuvres, and apart from some men who lost their way in the wide terrain, we had no losses. EJECTING THE HUNS. LONDON, March 22. The High Commissioner cables: — French Official. —Northwards of Fc.ngnier wc improved car position. Eastward of St. Quentin wo ejected the enemy from several important points; we also occupied several villages, despite the enemy’s resistance, in the reI gion of Vregency.

WHAT THE FRENCH ARE DOING-. LONDON, March 22. The High Commissioner reports:—— French ofiieial.—At north Ham the situation is unchanged. Our light elements are resting. -We maintain contact with the enemy between Roupy and St. I Quentin. Eastv.'al'ds «of Ham we forced a passage on the Somme Canal at two ‘points. and cleared the banks north and east. of the Canal, throwing back the enemy to the borders of Clasters and Montescourt. The greater part of ‘ the villages in front ofgour lines in the lregion of Saint Quentin are in flames. We progressed north of Tergnier. The Denenly, who occupied in force the east bank at Croxat Ailette, efi’c-cted a lively {bombardment of our lines. In the region of North ¢E‘»oissons we made considerable progress. The greater pant of ’the conquered villages are entirely destroyed. East of the Meuse sevenal I enemy attacks failed befdre our fire. BIG GERIWAN OFFENSIVE IN‘ APRIL. _ Received 10, T I:7EW YORK, Maneh 22. ‘ The lVew Stork Times’ Hague corres-; gpondent learns from confidential Gei-.i tman sources that Germany intends a great offensive on a certain to begin} on 'Apnil sth. - '*-—-‘T