The Western Front

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 254, 6 April 1915, Page 5

The Western Front

A REVIEW OF OPERATIONS,

FRANCE'S WHOLE STRENGTH AT

THE FRONT.

Received 5, 7.50 n.m

London, April 4. The Press Bureau publishes a report of the British "Observer" reviewing the French offensive. General Joffre on March 24 inspected the French troops who had been through the whole of the fighting, and permitted Russian, British, Belgian, Serbian and Japanese officers to accompany him. One was impressed by the character written on the faces of the rank and file. It was impossibel, after seeing these men, to feel that the war was an unmixed evil, for a nation accepting it as the French had done showed a pride in the war and a certain chivalry which not all the modern machinery and explosives can stamp out. There is an idea in manyi circles, tliat was until recently quite eeneral in the -British army, that the French had a number of army corps or divisions somewhere in the background ready to be thrown into the fight when the great day of victory was at hand. The idea should be dismissed. The army corps of France are fighting, and all that her reserves will enable them to do is to keep fighting hard as long as the war continues. "He laughs best who laughs last"; and it will be found that as the French army was the first to begin the fighting it will be the last to stop.

A CHANGE OF FRONT,

FRESH GERMAN TROOPS.

HEAVY ARTILLERY IN BELGIUM.

Received April 5, 9 p.m. London, April 1. Fresh German troops have been concentrated near the Dutch frontier. The German staff lias been transferred to Ecloo.

These movements are interpreted in some quarters as foreshadowing a change of front, inasmuch as the vicinity of the toast is les3 secure.

Heavy gunfire was audible from Dixmude throughout Saturday.

UNCEASING FIRE,

IRISH WITH THE COLORS.

APPALLING ACCURACY OF FRENCH ARTILLERY.

ENEMY FLEES,. DEMORALISED.

Received April i>, 7 p.m. Paris, April 4. The French ''Eye-witness," describing the capture of Hartmann's Weilerkopf, says: "Our artillery swept the German position at the summit for four hours unceasingly, and with appalling accuracy. The bodies of the Germans wire hurled from the trenches, and trees mown down. Shells made large craters in the position and chaotic cries of agony came from the wrecked German shelters. Their ammunition stores exploded, and the enemy fled, demoralised.

AX IMPORTANT ADVANCE.

neat;int; the German base.

Received April 8, 1.5 a.m. Paris, April 5. Official: We progressed in Woevrc, and captured the village of Regnieviile. This brings the French within four miles of Thianconrt, on the German main li:ie of communication from Metz to Saivmisel.

THE SOUTHERN OPERATIONS. BR 11M iE - BUILDINU ON THE RHINE. Received April 5, 7 p.m. Basel. April 4. It is reported that the Hermans aie hastily building many additional bridges over the Rhine at close intervals.

Received April fi. 12.25 a.m. London, April !>. Mr. Redmond, at Phoenix Park, Dublin, reviewed 25,000 National volunteers from all parts of Ireland. He stated that 25,ft00 National and a similar number of Ulster volunteers were serving with the colors,