The Western Front

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 199, 1 February 1915, Page 5

The Western Front

ALLIES' STEADY ADVANCE. BELGIAN ARTILLERY HELPFUL. THE KAISER'S DECREE. AND WHAT CAME OF IT. GAINS MAINTAINED. FIFTEEN ATTACKS REPULSED. Received ], 12.33 a.m. Paris, January. 31. Official: T!ii' Allies have consolidated the extended bridge-hea<l at Nieuport. The daily advance is small owing to the gales and the impossibility of digging dee-) trenches in the sand near the sea. Tlie Belgian artillery is giving remarkable support. After recounting the lighting at Guiverchy and Blugay, a statement narrates th?.t the Kaiser decreed that the l-'rench :1111st be driven from Laborsells, in order to celebrate the anniversary of the foundation of the German Empire, and promising 700 marks to the soldier driving back the French maeluue-guns. The only result was that nine German attacks were repulsed. The prisoners admit that we mastered their artillery, both in numbers and in efficiency of shells. We have maintained and consolidated all our gains at Prunay, Soain, Perthes, Beausejour, and Massiges. Mmi and snow have hampered our artillery. Our determined commander will not push the French advantages further. We recently Tcpidsed fiftren attacks at Argonne, ami obtained an important success at I'ois-le-Pretre. but were unable to maintain them entirely, though the German line was seriously broken. A Cerman general was killed. . THE FIGHT AT GUINCKY. GERMANS SUFFER HEAVILY. Received 1, 12.25 a.m. London, January 31. The Press Bureau reports that the Germans left 20(1 dead iii front of the British trenches at Guinebv. The British casualties were small. THE BIRTHDAY ATTACK. NEUTRALS LEAVE ALSACE. Times and Sydney Sun .Services London, January 20. A correspondent in Northern France says that Monday's attack on Betlume vas so furious that- it probably constituted the famou, birthday present to the Kaiser. Our men retired slightly, but strong counter-attacks forced the Germans to withdraw, with the loss of many prisoners, killed and wounded. The enemy casualties are estimated at two thousand. 'A proclamation has been issued in Alsace ordering neutrals to leave Upper Alsace between February 1 and 10. av.d enjoining them- to spend a fortnight on the right bank of the Rhine before crossing the frontier, otherwise they will be liable to a year's imprison- ' ment. Fresh Cerman troops are entering Alsace.

KAISER WATCHES A ROUT. INSTEAD 01' A OKlttlAX TRIUMPH. Paris, January 2!). The Kaiser, oarlv in tlic week, witnessed a fierce attack on Blagny. The French withstood a shower of grenades but yielded to the German bayonets and trench after trench was taken. The Germans exultingly paraded four abreast into the suburbs of Arras, but their triumph was Hs>rt -lived. The French territorial {runners ceased to retreat, fortified a wrecked factory and opened a murderous fire with cannon and machine-guns. Tin: nearest Hermans were overwhelmed, others dropped their weapons, lied and demoralised the rest. The French recovered all tile lost ground. Tile Kaiser, on a while horse, capaiisoned in purple, angrily stepped into a motor-car and went to Lille.

GERMANS REPULSED. heavy losses at rsuixcnsr. DUNKIRK BOM RED. Ri'eeivcd :;i, 4.:;o p.ie I*;( ri-j, January ::<l. Cllieial: The liritish lit Guincby lepulsed three battalions, inflicting heavy losses. Iteceivd 31, 3 p.m. Paris', January 30. <>l;:eial: Tlie H.rman attempts to cress the Aisne a'„ two points eastward of Soissons failed. A'i-itors at iiigM-time bombed Dun'■:!ri.. kiliini; and wounding several. L>!h"j\ liilY OK <;HUMAN' KXIT.OSIVES. Received 1 12.-25 a.m. Paris, January 31. Pegoud, when reconnoitring at ArtoK discovered an inmortant depot, of German c\-;ilo'-'Ves. lie went, io lb" J'Yollch lines and s"cnre<! • •-■iplos;-, s mid Jwnlis. and returned to t'n: deiot. v.' In' dropped nine bomb", everyone oi which I hit. The suec<'--!ve <.~-de- : ons were so terrific that Pegoud had Hv ereatvft diilieiilty ir. keeping liis Valance, but fie escaped uninjured.