IN THE WEST

Taranaki Daily News, 27 September 1915, Page 5

IN THE WEST

DETERMINED ALLIED OFFENSIVE. GERMANS REPORT HAVING REPULSED IT. Received Sept. 27, 12.40 a.m. Amsterdam, Sept. 20. A German communique states:— Along the entire front from the sea to the Vosges, the enemy's Are increased, being especially violent eastward of Ypres, between La Bassee canal and Arras, and from the Champagne to the Argonne. After severe' artillery preparation, lasting at some points for fifty hours, the expected attack began, the British attacking between the Ypres, Roulers, and Confines railways. Their attack on the northern wing was repulsed after hand to hand fighting in front of and in our positions. They further attacked north-east and south-east of Armentieres and northward of La Bassee canal.

It is only now known that on the evening of the 23rd the French penetrated our battered trenches near Souchez. We ejected them on Friday, again repulsing them n?ar Souchez, and on both sides of Neuville. From Prosnes in the Champagne to the Argonne the French attacked, but at most points were repulsed, partly by our strong artillery, and partly by infantry and machine gun fire. The retreating enemy colunjns suffered considerably from heavy artillery and machine gun fire. Hand to hand fighting con- | tinuea at some points on the front.

ARTILLERY STILL ACTIVE. FIELD-MARSHAL'S REPORT, Received Sept. 26, 4 .p.m. London, Sept. 25. Sir John French reports:—During the past three days hostile artillery ha 3 been continually active on oiir front, and we effectively replied to the bombardment. There was some mining activity unimportant results. Our aircraft yesterday carried out a successful raid on German communications at Valenciennes, hitting a train and cutting the line in several places.

WAKING UP. THE COAST BOMBARDED. . PROGRESS IN NORTHERN PRANCE. Received Sept. 27, 12.15 a.m. Paris, Sept. 28. A communique states:—On the Belgian coast our batteries co-operated with the British fleet in the bombardment of the German positions at Westende and Middelkerke. British troops successfully attacked the enemy westward of Loosand Aulluch.

A vigorous Anglo-French attack northward of Arras gave us a footing at several points in the enemy lines, while in the Champagne district, after a new and very violent bombardment of trenches, shelters, blockhouses, and batteries, our infantry began ail assault on the German lines between Suippe and the Aisne, The first of the enemy's positions were occupied along almost the whole front of attack. Our progress continues. ZEEBRUGGE . BOMBARbED. Received Sept. 27, 12.5 a.m. Amsterdam, Sept. 25. Three British warships at daybreak heavily bombarded Zeebrugge. BIG FLEET AT WORK. Received Sept. 27, 12.15 a.m. Amsterdam, Sept. 28. The Handelblad's Zeeland correspondent states that five large and twentyfive small British vessels bombarded Zeebrugge, though only two big warships used what were apparently twenty-eight centimetre guns. The Germans tardily replied with lighter guns. A big column of smoke rose at Zeebrugge. The English apparently used light guns against the submarines, as tl:c shots did not reach the coast. A German aeroplane occasionally hovered near, the fleet, and a captive balloon ascended from Zeebrugge. > The fleet steamed off at 10.30 o'clock. RECEXT ZEEBRUGGE BOMBARD- / MENT. Received Sept. 20, 3.35 p.m. Amsterdam, Sept. 25. The objective of the bombardment at Zeebrugge was German submarines that are being built in the inner harbor. The result is unknown. The Are of the German batteries was feeble. -MORE BOLTS FROM THE BLUE. Received Sept. 20, 3.35 p.m. Paris, Sept. 20. A communique reports:—An air flotilla dropped .forty bombs on the Sablons station at Metz.

RELIGION ON THE BATTLEFIELD, A REGRETTABLE ACTION. "SHIBBOLETH FOR REALITY." Received Sept. 27, 12.10 a.m. London. Sept. 25. Mr. Lauchlan Mac Lean Watt, in an article in the Scotsman, says that hitherto it has been the custom in the great camp in Northern France to hold a united parade service of all creeds under the guidance of Presbyterian and Anglican chaplains, and there was no attempt made at proselytizing. When an Angli-. can removed. elsewhere to the front a Presbyterian continued the services until another Anglican came. Bishop Gwynne, who was recently appointed to supervise the Anglican chaplains, has now intimated that the joint service must cease, and that Anglican' soldiers must onlv attend Anglican services. Mr. Watt continues: It is impossible that the great mass of Anglicans will approve of this bitterness. Elsewhere in a hospital, where a wounded Scotsman was lying, a chaplain came in to give communion to the stricken, and said with a light smile, "You're out of it, Jock, I can't give it to you." Mr. Watt adds: How the stricken Christ must have felt his wounds burst forth again! Churchmen are playing a most dangerous" game at this moment of supreme sacrifice if they persist in putting forward a shibboleth for reality,