WESTERN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 8 September 1917, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

ARTILLERY ACTIVITY. LONDON, September 6. A French communique reports: '‘Our batteries in the Champagne are dominating the enemy artillery, which is particularly violent in sectors Butte Du Mesnil and Main dc Massiges. We vigoriously shelled the enemy front | lines, preventing any attack. ' ‘The enemy bombed Dunkirk, wounding civilians, French aeroplanes bombed an aerodrome, a railway station, and many bivouacs.” IN FLANDERS. BRITISH SUCCESSES REPORTED. LONDOIN, Sept. 7. Sir Douglas Haig reports: Heavy rain has fallen. We slightly advanced our posts south-west of Lens. We repulsed a counter-attack with considerable enemy casualties. The enemy twice attempted to raid eastward of Armentieres. In the second attempt they succeeded in entering our trenches, but were immediately driven out. We carried out local attacks on strong points northward of Frezenberg and made some progress. The enemy heavily shelled Armentieres. Hostile air raids on Tuesday night 37 German prisoners and 43 wounded. Wireless German official—English, local attacks north-east of Yp.res near Lens, failed. RAIDS AND COUNTER-ATTACKS. Received 9.45. LONDON, Sept 7. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—We rushed a hostile post westward of Tafata. We repulsed raids near Lens and Armentieres. Strong counter-at-tacks northward of Frezenberg against positions we gained yesterday compelled us to return to bur line. THE GERMAN STORY. LONDON, Sept. 0. A German official message says: "English attacks on the Ypres-Poc?-cappelle and Zonnebeke Roads and a French attack northward of Rheims failed. We downed fourteen airmen. We raided London, Southend, and Margate. One aeroplane is missing. The Russians continue their hasty retreat. We took 7630 prisoners, much booty and 180 guns.” BRITISH FOOD PROBLEM SUPPLYING BREAD AND FLOUR AT COST. GOVERNMENT’S ACTION. Received 8.45. NEW YORK, Sept 7. Lord Rhondda, in an interview, said England expects to spend forty million pounds annually to keep bread and flour prices reasonable. Since the British Government had controlled the wheat trade, it has sold wheat and flour practically at cost. FRENCH WAR AIMS. A STRAIGHT-OUT STATEMENT. PARIS, Sept 6. M. Ribot, speaking at a cemetery where lie many of the Marne heroes, said France was not fighting to conquer territory ? but wanted her own provinces which were • taken by an abuse of strength. “We will not compromise. This demand for the restitution of Alsace-Lorraine cannot be submitted to diplomatists for discussion. It is one of the first conditions for the establishment of the rights of nations. France does not ask for punitive damages, but Germany should be compelled to repair, the evil done to France.” CUTTING UP POLAND. AUSTRIA TAKES NINE-TENTHS. BERNE. Sept. 6. Following the failure of the Polish' kingdom, proclaimed in November, i Austria and Germany arc repartitioning the country. Germany takes onetenth of Russian Poland and Austria the remainder. The Emperor Kail will become King of Poland, including Galicia, and the dual monarchy becomes triple. The new Poland will have its own Government and Parliament but the army and foreign policy will be imperially controlled. The scheme renders the Poles liable to serve in the Austrian array, and also removes Gailician deputise from the Eeichsrath, assuring German predominance there.