WESTERN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, 18 December 1917, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

ALLIES STILL HOLD THE INIATIYE

WASHINGTON, December 16

Mr Baker, in a communique referring to German concentrations on the West front, declares that the enemy has gained no permanent strategic advantage. No element of the situation shows that the Western initiative is passing to Germany. Germany realises the danger of her waning influence in the East, following the British victory in Palestine, and is more anxious than ever to conclude a speedy peace before the war map is less favourable. The British air raids have concreteely brought the war to the German people, whose discontent is heightened.

VON TIRPITZ’S VISIONS

AMSTERDAM, Dec. 16

Admiral von Tirpitz, speaking in Berlin repudiated the idea of a conciliatory peace. Referring to the construction of the Channel Tunnel, he said it would be necessary for Germany to retain Antwerp, Ostend, and Zcebrugge and to take Calais and Boulogne. Germany would not part wdth Flanders. She must also retain Bricy and Longwy. She knew how to impose such conditions upon her enemies as wmuld guarantee Germany all the raw materials she wms now lacking.

FLANDERS FIGHTING. SIR DOUGLAS HAIG’S REPORT. EONDUN, Dec 17. Sir Douglas Haig reports: We drove off an attack west of Villers Guislain. We repulsed a bombing attack north of La Wacquerie. We slightly improved our position east of Avion. We repulsed a raid south of Armentieres. There has been mutual artillery activity south',of the Scarpe, and increased hostile artillery fire north of Langemarck GERMAN COMMUNIQUE. LONDON, Dec 16. Wireless German official: We advanced our lines to the park at Poelderhoek chateau. English attacks at MoncTTy and Bullecourt failed. ANGLO-FRENCH REPULSE ATTACKS. LONDON, Dec 16. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—We completely repulsed a local attack west-ward of Bullecourt. We made a successful rat’d northward of Bullecourt. Local fighting in the neighbourhood of Polderhoek chateau caused no change in the situation thereabouts.

There is considerable artillery activity in the neighbourhood of Hargicourt and Flesquieres, between Gavrelle and Lens, and at Passchendaele. A French communique states; —A German attack was repulsed in the Chaume Wood.

FRENCH COMMUNyQUE. LONDON, Dec 16. French communique.—There is fairly great reciprocal artillery activity between the and the Oise, and on the right bank of the Meuth, notably in the sector les Chambrettes. “NOTHING TO REPORT.” HAIG’S BRIEF MESSAGE. Received 11.40. LONDON, Dec 17. Sir Douglas Haig wired last-fright: “Nothing to report,” NEW ZEALANDERS DECORATED. MILITARY HONOURS AWARDED. Received 11.40. LONDON, Dec 17. A bar to D.S.O. tvas awarded to Major R. C. Wietres; bars to military crosses to Capt. R. Purdy, Lieut. G. R. Park; military crosses were awarded to Captains, H. R_ J r ones, P. W. Lumsden, J. Neghie, B. McLeod, S. Rhind, S. Serpell, L. J. Taylor, and to Lieuts R. E. Andrew, R. H. Baxter, G. Brown, C. A. Dickson, J. C. McLean, E. G. Norman, and to Lieut-Chapll H. Clark; to Second-Lieuts. R. E. Bibby, A. Bougard, L. Morritzen and S. E. Senior,