WESTERN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 1 June 1917, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

RAIDERS REPULSED. The High Commissioner reports as follows: LONDON. May 31. Sir Douglas Haig reports: South of Armenticres hostile raiders were driven off early this morning. Wo made a few prisoners in the neighbourhood of Bullecourt. To the right of the Scarpe there was considerable artillery actions on both sides during the night GERMANS PREDICT EARLY RE" SUMPTION. LONDON, May 31. The German press predicts an early renewal of heavy fighting on the West Front. ACTIVITY NEAR ST. QUENTIN. I LONDON, May 31. French communique.—Both artilleries continued most actively in the neighbourhood of St. Quentin. In Champagne, batteries silenced a heavy bombardment of our trenches on Monthant Casque. STUBBORN GERMAN ATTACKS REPULSED WITH HEAVY LOSS The High Commissioner reports: LONDON, mV A French official report states: In the Champagne the enemy at several a violent bombardment with, poison points attempted attacks preceded by shells and heavy guns north-east of Aubcrive.and Mont Blond. The attempts were arrested by our fire. The German effort was particularly strong at Casque Monthaut. It was four times repeated with extreme stubborness. Fighting began at two o’clock yesterday morning, and was prolonged until to-day, and was broken by fir e and with the bayonet. The enem- - of assault were thrown back in disorder, vfith heavy loss, but north-east of Monthaut small parties of the enemy were successful in securing some advanced elements.

AUSTRIAN AFFAIRS

MEETING OF THE REICHSRA'IH

ZURICH, May 31

A wireless states that the Reichsrath met for the first time since the war. The oldest deputy presided, pending the election of a president. Many members were absent, thirtyfive undergoing imprisonment for, political offences. Tributes were paid to the memory of Franz Josef. This was followed by a formal demonstration of loyalty to the Emperor Carl. Prince Windisc-hgraetz presided over the House of Peers.

GENERAL CABLES CHINESE AFFAIRS. Received 8.45. PEKIN, May Si. Military governors in several 'provinces have declared their independence, and demanded the dissolution of Parliament. SCARCITY OF BEER. INDUSTRIAL DISSATISFACTION. Received 9.15 . LONDON, May 31. Owing to the industrial dissatisfaction at the scarcity and high price of beer the Government presently sanctions an increased output of reduced gravity. TOBACCO IN ENGLAND. LONDON, May 31. The Board of Trade is assuming control of tobacco and prohibits dealings therein except as authorised. It fixes the wholesale and retail ifFices on June Ist.

MR. CHURCHILL’S MOVEMENTS

Received 11.55,

LONDON, May 31

The Daily Chronicle states that Mr. Churchill, who recently visited the West front, is now in Paris as a guest of the French military authorities. He was recently offered an important post by the Home Government. LABOUR TROUBLES. STRIKES IN FRANCE. SPREADING RAPIDLY. Received 5.45. PARIS, May 31. Strikes are spreading rapidly, and now affect metal trades and other industries connected with the war. There arc many foreigners among- the ringleaders.

BACK TO BERLIN GERMANS’ GRANITE WALL THE FRONT THAT MOVES—BACKWARDS. (Issued by War Office.) All through the winter the Germans have vociferously proclaimed the invulnerability of their line in the West. The kyeuote was given by the Imperial Chancellor, who, speaking in the Prussian Hcrrenhaus on December ,12th dedal ed ihe V est- front stands. It not only stands, but is equipped with greater reserves of men and material than was previously the case.”

. Herr von Bcthmann-Hollwcg was soon supported by the even more authorita five voice of Marshal von Hindenbnrg, who informed Mr. von Wiegand, that if France and England insisted upon sacrifices “they might bite the granite of our wall in the West.” These assurances were taken up and widely repeated throughout the Press, and the German public felt certain that whatever might happen elsewhere the lino in the West would hold firm. And /yet, less than three months after these confident assertions were uttered, and the granite wall has been demolished, and the Western front has recoiled.

It has been' suggested that this rqtreat is a voluntary one, but it would hardly appear probable that after erecting a granite wall, after massing, in the Chancellor’s words, “greater reserves of men and material than was previously the case, ” the Germans would abandon so much French territory unless under compulsion. Certainly, the troopscan" hardly have enjoyed relinquishing miles upon miles of trenches which they had ■ constructed with infinite labour, and giving up the colossal timbered and concreted dugouts which had been expected to shelter them till the fine weather came. They have abandoned, all these under compulsion, and if their lino remains unbroken, it is because they did not dare to expose it to a shock which they knew it could not resist

„ They are now endeavouring to console themselves by .widespread rejoicings at the comparative success with which they have executed their retirement, but’ this exultation is somewhat misplaced Having regard to the .conditions under whiph' modern war is waged, and in particular to the power which a single machine-gun possesses of holding up advance, a retirement from one entrenched position to another is net a particularly operation when performed by a reasonably intelligent staff.

The German withdrawal is, after all, child's play compared to the evacuation of Gallipoli. But though the German press may exult in the knowledge, that their retirement has been carried out “according to plan,-’ yet the fact remains that Hindenburg has not succeeded iu extricating himself from liig difficulties. Though his new line is no doubt of considerable strength, ,yet the force which has driven him from his previous .position is still in existence and is following him closely. ...It will soon be in a position to strike again, and then Hindenburg will be compelled to decide whether he Avill await an impact which may prove disastous to his army, or whether he will move once more—-in the direction of Berlin.