WESTERN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 19 July 1917, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

THE CHAMPAGNE BATTLE. GERMANS OVERWHELMINGLY DEFEATED. PARIS, July 17, Marcel Hutin writes: Scarcely ever was a German attack made with, such wealth of troops and determination a« that of the 15th inst. Our fire literally cut to pieces three waves of assault, while the subsequent hand-to-hand fighting was such that the Gorman defeat was overwhelming.

THE FRENCH REPORT. LONDON, July 17. French communique.—The Germans re-attacked Teton. The assaulting waves were smashed. We entirely maintained our gains of the 14th. After an attack in the morning' west of Hill 304, we entirely recaptured all the positions which remained in the hands of the Germans after actions of June 28th and June 29th. FRENCH RETAIN GROUND. LONDON, July 18. In Champagne the enemy renewed attacks north of Teton and regained a footing in certain points which we captured on the 14th inst. An artillery duel continued violently at Mont Haul, where we are organising the captured ground. BRILLIANT SUCCESS OF .FRENCH. AT VERDUN. LONDON, July IS.

• French communique: The operations we carried out on the left bank of the Meuse, west of Hill 304, developed .with full success. After heavy artillery preparation, the troops with irresistble dash, attacked on a front of 2500 metres on both sides of the Esnemalancourt Road. The whole of the first German line, which was an elaborately organised defence, fell into our hands. Shortly afterwards the second enemy line, after desperate fighting, wherein our troops manifested splendid keenness, was also carried. The advance attained a kilometre in depth. The lino of this advance runs from the southeastern corner of Avocourt Wood to the western slopes of Hill 304, passing through Canar Wood. Our fire annihilated several counter-attacks during the afternoon. The enemy suffered heavily.

GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT. LONDON, July 17. Wireless German official.—We repulsed an English attack at Lombardzyde. English reconnoitring advances at Mossines, Hulluch, Gavrelle and Bullecourt. and northward of St. Quenlin failed.

We captured a further piece of French trench at Counteon, Enemy attacks between Malval farm and Cerny, southward of Bois Soulains, failed.

We drove out the French who remained in our old positions at PoehImount.

We downed five aeroplanes and four balloons.

There has been lively fighting at Riga, Dunaburg and Smorgon and in the wood lands northward of Kalusz. The Russians evacuated Kalusz and retreated to the south bank of the Lomica. FRENCH CAPTURES RETAINED. SANGUINARY GERMAN LOSSES. The High Commissioner reports: LONDON, July 18. French official.—On the left bank of the Meuse, after violent bombardments, the Germans counter-attacked several times the positions we captured at Avoeourt Wood as far as the slopes to west of Hill 304. ATT the efforts were broken with sanguinary losses to the enemy, and without ceding a scrap of ground.

SECOND TRENCH ARMY’S EXPLOITS. GERMANS HEAVILY ATTACKED, Received 11.45 a.m. PARIS, July 18. The ‘French second army has dealt a fine blow at Avocourt Sector, where the Germans for the last three weeks, after numerous attacks, succeeded two or three times in biting into the French trenches. The French refrained from attack awaiting a favourable opportunity. Yesterday formidable artillerying completely crushed the German trenches, and the infantry rushed through to the enemy’s supporting, positions, where, sheltered from artillery fire, the Germans at bay fought stubbornly. Those refusing to surrender were killed and the rest surrendered. The French gained at the end of the battle an advance of of one kilometre on two and a half kilometre front.

HUNS ON THEIR TOES. LIKE STARTLED RAB'BITS. NEW YORK, July 17. The United Press Association’s correspondent at British Field Headquarters on the western front says: “The nerves are fraying. The Boches’ numerous ‘jumpy little attacks’ everywhere indicate a fear similar to that of a startled jack-rabbit, while their actions indicate that the Huns are ‘on their toes’ .owing to the uneasy feeling that ‘something is impending somewhere.’ “The Germans are * making .desperate efforts to regain air mastery, and everywhere very heavy air battles are reported. The Boches attacked five balloons and set one afire. British airmen downed a German sausage balloon.

A LOCAL OPERATION. LONDON, July 18. The High Commissioner cables: Sir Douglas Haig reports: Eastward of Monchy-le-Preux there was local fighting during the night, whicTT resulted in a further gain of ground and the taking of a few r prisoners.

GREECE. KING ALEXANDER COMPLAISANT Received 9.5. LONDON, July IS. It is reported in Athens that King Alexander has jdelded 'to Vcnizelois. demand for a convocation of the 1915 Chamber. GERMANY'S INTERNAL TROUBLES. NEW CHANCELLOR MERELY .A STOP GAP. LUDENDORF TO BECOME MILITARY DICTATOR.

Received 8.45 a.m. NEW YORK, July 18.

The New York World’s correspondent states the appointment of Dr. Michaelis is merely regarded as a stop gap till the psychological moment arrives for Ludendorff to become military dictator. It is believed Ludendorff will eventually command the state and army as the ruthless champion of autocracy.

HOLLWEG’S RESIGNATION REGRETTED.

AMSTERDAM, July 17,

A Vienna message states ■ that the Premier addressing the Constitution Committee promised that the problem of giving equal rights to all Austrian nationalities would be solved by constitutional methods.

Another message states that Herr von Bethmann-Hollweg’s (resignation is generally regretted in Austria. The “Tageblatt” states that it was solely owing to the conviction that Herr Von Bethmann-Holhveg was ready for peace that the German annexationists did not disturb AustroGerman relations. AN HONOUR DECLINED. The “Neuezuricfyer Zeltung’s Berlin correspondent says that the Kaiser first offered the Chancellorship to the Bavarian Premier (Herr Herding) who declined it reasons.

AUSTRIAN AFFAIRS. AUSTRIAN PEACE MOVEMENT. LONDON, July 18. The Daily Telegraph’s Milan correspondent says that peace debates are raging throughout Austria-Hungary. B'aron Beck, speaking in the Chamber, said all Hungary desired peace. M. Karolye said: We are prepared for a peace without annexations. That will be Germany’s aim if she adopts Parliamentary Government. TURKISH AFFAIRS. THE TURKISH CRISIS. TALAAT WANTS SEPARATE PEACE. ROME, July 17. Ecclesiastical sources in Turkey report that Talaat Pasha’s resignation is dut to his conviction that only a separate peace can save Turkey. The food shortage is unbearable. The army bread ration is now four ounces. BRITISH POLITICS CABINET CHANGES. LONDON, July 17. Official.—Sir Edward Carson has been appointed to the War Cabinet without portfolio. Dr. Addison has been appointed Minister of Reconstruction without portfolio; the Right-Hon. E. S. Montagu, Minister for India; Mr. Winston Churchill, Minister of Munitions, and Mr. Erie Geddes, First Lord of the Admiralty.