IN THE WEST

Taranaki Daily News, 21 August 1915, Page 5

IN THE WEST

KITCHENER IN FRANCE, MORE CONFIDENT THAN EVER. Received August 20, 5.20 p.m. London, August 20. Lord Kitchener lias returned from a three clays' visit to the Western front. He is more confident than ever of final victory. RECEIVED WITH ENTHUSIASM. INCIDENTS OP THE VISIT. Received August 20, 10.20 p.m. Paris, August 20. Official: Lord Kitchener and M. Millerftiid together visited the West front, and spent Monday and Tuesdayi in inspecting the French army. On Wednesday they visited the British. They had a long interview with General Joffre, and discussed all questions concerning the Allied armies, and the most urgent problems were promptly sottled. They arrived at Bar-le-Duc on Tuesday evening, after an interesting visit to Woevre. The guard of honor consisted wholly of officers and soldiers recently decorated with the Legion of Honor, ttia Military Medal, and the .Croix de Guerre, ft was impossible to keep their visit a secret, and the inhabitants crowded round Lord Kitchener, who was wearing above two British orders, his French war medal of 1870.

Lord Kitchener said he did not conceal the joy he felt in the presence ot tin army wherein he had once fought. He was struck by the splendid bearing and discipline of the French troops. In reviewing the Algerians, Lord Kitchener, speaking in Arabic, assured them thiey could feel entirely confident of the Allies' final success. He was wildly cheered. M. Millerand conferred the Cross of the Commander of Legion of .Honor, on Major-General Yarde-Buller and Colonel -Fitzgerald, Lord Kitchener's aide-de-camps. ' When lie was reviewing-a division of French cavalry their General brought his sword to the salute. Lord Kitchener advanced smiling, and recognised General Baratier, a former member of the Marchand mission. He recalled Fashoda incidents, and inquired regarding Marchand, who is commanding elseWhore on the front. On the ev« of his departure, M. Millerand said: "The, repeated testimony of admiration and confidence you have given in the past two days, will be a recompense to and will encourage our armies, The enemy, after a year, no longer nurses illusions regarding a triumph, and is already manoeuvring among neutrals, and even belligerents, with a view to exciting 'pacific manifestations. Our armies and people and Parliament are more than ever resolved in agreement with our heroic and faithful Allies. We will only lay down our arms when the goal is reached, if the way is as long as the road to Tipperary." The prize will be a sufficiently valuable reeompense to us for all sorrows and difficulties, for the prize is the liberation of the world."

Replying in French to M. Millerand, Lord Kitchener said that after seeing for himself General Joffre's splendid army, he understood their successes. The mutual friendship uniting the two war Ministers would be still greater after this visit. Britain was resolved to the uttermost in her efforts to aid France, her faithful ally, and reach the goal. Lord Kitchener, M. Millerand, and Sir John French conferred and visited the British front. M. Millerand reviewed the troops, particularly the brigade of Guards, who made a picturesque spectacle in the clear twilight. The Guards were massed on an undulating pliteau by an old Flemish mill, over which the Anglo-French colors were flying. The English, Welsh, Scottish and Irish battalions marched past to the music of national airs, a fleet of aeroplanes circling overhead.

BRITAIN'S NEW MUNITIONS. SHELL TO CARRY 25 MILES. Received August 20, 8.40 p.m. New York, August 20. The Tribune publishes a statement, attributed to a recent arrival in England, to explain the delay of the British advance, to the etl'ect that Lord Kitchener is waiting to launch a great surprise, in the shape of new gum and a new type of shell which, it is believed, will revolutionise military operations, and make the path to Berlin more possible. The combined efl'ortß of British chemists have been directed to the invention of a shell which is unquestionably more powerful than any now in use. Finally a 17-inch gun has been produced to suit the purpose of a new shell, and experiments have proved successful. It is believed that the shell will carry 25 miles, and work havoc on a scale hitherto unprecedented, and the result may soon be apparent.

SLOWLY BUT SURELY, ANOTHER POINT GATXED. Paris, August 10. A communique states: —Our attack made us masters of the junction of the Bethunc-Arras and Ablain-Angres loads, where the German position formed a salient in our front line. We repulsed several enemy counter-attacks. Our artillery overcame the German butteries and 'bomb throwers near La Fontainc-aux-Oharmes. There has 'been violent and continuous fighting' at the li.njje summit. AVe captured another trench on the crest of Schratzaimell, taking a number of prisoners.