WESTERN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 14 June 1917, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

BRITISH ADVANCE AT MESSINES.

The High Commissioner reports: LONDON, June 12.

British official: We gained further ground to-day north-east of Messines, on a front of nearly two miles, occupying the hamlet of Gapaard. We also advanced our line slightly early this morning astride of the 'Souchez River.

BRITISH PUSHING ON.

LONDON, June 13

Sir Douglas Haig reports: We gained further ground eastward and northeastward of Messines on a front of nearly two miles. We occupied the hamlet of Capaard. We also advanced our line slightly astride the Souchez river.

There is considerable artillery activity north-eastward of ouzeau-court and northward of the Scarpe. In the neighbourhood of Lens and Ypres our aeroplanes yesterday did useful work despite unfavourable weather. BELGIAN DEPORTATIONS. RESUMED BY GERMANY. LONDON, June 12. Despite German promises to the Pope that Belgian deportations would be abandoned, wholesale slave-raiding has been revived. On the pretext of auxiliary service, the Germans are transporting boys, old men and women for work in the Flanders war zone. Mons has been ordered to provide 16,000 war labourers. Liege and other towns have been similarily requisitioned. The military authorities are revivnig terrorism and brutality, inflicting heavy fines and severe punishments for any evasion. RUSSIA FRENCH REPLY TO RUSSIA. Received 9.15. . ?■■- • % !.' PETROGRAD, June 13. The French reply to the Russian' proclamation of Bth April has been published. It says France, replying to the sentiments of its old and loyal ally, rejoices to be in full community of ideas with the Russian Government and people on the subject of the war. France does not dream of oppressing any people, but is resolved that the oppression so long weighing on the world shall be destroyed and authors of the crime punished. France was forced to fight in defence of her liberty, and means to secure the release and return of the provinces of Alsace and Lorraine. She will fight with her allies till their territorial rights of independence are restored, full indemnities for the inhuman ravages paid, and indispensable guarantees against a recurrence of the horrors obtained.

BRITAIN'S WAR AIMS.

OFFICIAL REPLY TO RUSSIA

LONDON, June 12.

His Majesty's Government's reply to the Russian Note regarding the Allied war aims states: "We heartily concur in the sentiment of the proclamation to ! the Russian people, which declared that free Russia does not purpose to dominate other peoples or deprive them of , their national patrimony, <or forcibly occupy foreign territory. The reply proceeds: Britain did not enter the war as a war of conquest and is not continuing for any such subject. Her purpose at the outset was to defend her existence and enforce respect for international engagements. Another object has now been added: the liberation of populations oppressed by enemy tyranny. The Government heartily rejoice at free Russia's intentions of liberating Poland —not only the Poland which the old Russian autocracy ruled, but equally that within the dominion of the Germanic empires. The British democracy wish Russia Godspeed in this enterprise. Beyond everything she must seek a settlement which shall secure the happiness and contentment of the peoples and take away ail legitimate causes of future war.

The British Government heartily endorse the Russia acceptance and approval of the principles laid down in President Wilson's historic message to Congress. These are the aims for which the British peoples are fighting. They are the principles whereby their war policy is well guided. The British Government believe, broadly speaking, in agreements between the Allies conformable with these standards, but if the Russian Government desire, they, with the Allies, are quite ready to examine, and, if necessary, revise tliesc agreements.

BONAR LAW'S SON A PRISONER.

Received 11.55. LONDON, June 13

T-he Vatican confirms the report that Mr. B'onar Law's son is a prison*r in Turkey. . ■*