IN THE WEST.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 March 1916, Page 5

IN THE WEST.

THE VERDUN DEJFEaT, DEPRESSES GEKMAKV. Geneva, March 29. Advices from Berlin state that the Verdun defeat lias had a disastrous effect on public opinion. The Bavarian Staats-Zeitung denounces tin; sinister agitation which is undermining the confidence in the Government, and recommends the publication of the approximate losses on both sides at Verdun with the view of proving- the baselessness of the rumors. A GERMAN REPORT* OF IMAGINATIVE SUCCESSES. London, March 22. A German wireless message states that artillery battles on both sides of the Mouse continue with great violence. The French attempted at Seppois to retrieve the check they received on February 13, but wero repulsed with sanguinary losses. Three enemy aeroplanes were put out of action north of Verdun. Two fell behind our front and the third was on fire behind the enemy lines. The airman Boelke brought down las thirteenth enemy plane. LITTLE CHANGS, London, March 22. A French communique says: Operations in the Meuse district were confined, to a lively artillery duel westward of the river and an intense bombardment eastward. GERMAN ATTACKS FAIL. Received March 23, 8.15 p.m. Paris, March 23. A communique says that after a daylong bombardment there were several German attacks between Avacourt Wood and Malancourt village. All attempts to debouch from Die wood failed, but the enemy gained a footing on Hancourt Hill, south-east of Malancourt.

A COSTLY STRUGGLE. RESUMPTION OF OFFENSIVE PROBABLE. Times and Sydney Sun Services. London, March 22. The Times' correspondent in Paris says that the German failure has been costly. The isolated attack at Pepper Hill suggests that the Verdun plan has been temporarily reduced to incoherence, but it is thought the enemy will resume the struggle at the earliest possible moment. Meanwhile it is hardly neeesasry to point out the importance of the check sustained, which is leaving the French lines stronger than Other Paris reports also predict an early resumption of the oll'ensive, There are political reasons tor another desperate effort to pierce the French line in order to bolster up the new loan.

ON THE MEUSE. OFFICIAL REPORTS. LIVELY ARTILLERY WORK. Wellington, March 23. The High Commissioner report-; under date March 22: West of the Meuse there was a very lively artillery duel in the region of Malancourt, Esnes and Hill 304. It was particularly violent on the Mamelon d'Haucort. East of the Meuse there was an intense bombardment in the region of Vaux and Damloup. There was no infantry action during the course of tlie night. The -night was calm on the rest ef the front. Wellington, Last Night. The High Commissioner reports from London under date March 23, 2.5 a.m.: West of the Meuse, after a violent bombardment throughout the whole day. the Germans launched several attacks on the peak of Avccourt Wood and the village of Malancourt. All attempts to emerge from Avecourt Wood were stopped by our curtain of infantry fire. The Germans gained a small footing on a small summit at Haucourt. There has been intense bombardment in the region of Douaumont and Vaux. LORD NORTHCLIFFE. VISITS RHEIMS. Times and Sydney Sim Services. London, March 22. Lord Northcliffe, in an article describing the stricken city of Rheims, says that quite a number of people of all classes remain—the old men and women whom one associates with the war seated in the doorways of such houses as are not closed or in ruins. Here and there whole streets are closed. There is no lack of excellent food, and the people seem quite undisturbed by the continual murmur of cannon. Almost everyone carries a gas mask; the men keep theirs in tin cases slung to to the wrist, and the women keep theirs in bags. Lord Northcliffe explored tho champagne caves. The vintage for 1015 is believed to be the best since WOO. In the caves thousands of'women are busy filling and turning acres of bottles in wonderful subterranean highways.