IN THE WEST.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 April 1916, Page 5

IN THE WEST.

GERMANS CRUSHING j DEFEAT. AT MORT HOMME. APPALLING LOSSES. LIQUID FIRE NO AVAIL. Received April 24, 8.50 p.m. Paris, April 24. Desperate attacks on Mort Homme on ■Saturday ended in a crushing defeat of tbo Crown Prince's array, The latter ordered Mort Homme to he captured at any cost, and three attacks ivere hurled against the position, with a fourth against Caurettes Wood, as a di■version.

The first attack on Mort Homme was made in a heavy rainstorm. The Germans, pushing forward with Wind courage, rushed the trenches on the northern nlope, hut a counter-attack drove them out. -

In the attack on Caurettes Wood the •>rmans squirted blazing liquid over the Tiench, but the later were unshaken, and although torrents of fire swept over their trenches they stood their ground. Machine-guns poured a terrific hail into v ,he masses of advancing Germans, causing them finally to retire after appalling

!osses. It is reported that the Silesians lost forty per cent, of effectives.

A BRAVE FRENCH NUN. DECORATED BY THE BRITISH. Received April 24, 9.50 p.m. London, April 23. General Rawlinson. in France, invested a French nun, Sister Marie Degrand, with <\he order of Saint John of Jerusalem. Sister Marie was head of a convent nt Amiens during the German occupation of 1914, prior to which the British abandoned rifles, stores, and a flag. Sister Marie hid the stores in cellars and attics, buried the rifles in the garden, and entrusted the flag to an English nun, defying the German edict that threatened concealment with death. AH the property was recovered. '

OPPOSITE THE BRITISH. A BIG GERMAN FORCE. AWAITING THE BRITISH 'TOSH." Received April 24, 7.10 p.m. London, April 23. Correspondents with the British headquarters point out that the four German iUiacks upon the Ypres salient are inditiitive of the growing fierceness of the fighting during March and April, but are not necessarily preliminary to a big German offensive. They are proof, however, lhat they feel compelled to confront the liritish line with a strong force, regarding a British push as imminent, though ihe enemy do not lare to detach from Vhe other" fronts forces necessary for a big German offensive. They keep the British active in the districts where the ground is most difficult. The purpose of the British fighting at Ypres is to kill Germans, as a, definite objective apart from the killing incidental to the carrying out of the general plans.

ITALY UNABLE TO SEND TROOPfe.

Times and Sydney Sun Services. Received April 24, 7.10 p.m. London, April 23. The Times' correspondent at Rome says that Italian newspapers, commenting on Mr. Sydney Low's published suggestion that Italy should send half a million troops to the West front, states that there are excellent military reasons why Italy is unable to afford men. UNDELIVERED LETTERS. Amsterdam, April 23. Many saeksful of letters and newspaper* are lying at Bej'ne and are not delivered to the Germans on the Western front, in pursuance of a military order which is interpreted that nothing shall be allowed to reach the soldiers that is calculated to damp their spirits. HOLLAND SAYS IT IS HUNS' LAST BLOW. Paris, March fl. I It is reported her e to be the unanimous opinion of business people in Holland that Germany is striking her last blow and must carry it off or go under. Neutrals just come from Germany report that there is very real want anl a feeling of anxiety all over the country. The financial position is serious, and many hanks are in severe straits. As regards the shortage of food, the following remarkable instance is related bv the brother of a neutral monarch. He lias returned to Paris from Berlin and says it is impossible to obtain a decent dinner in the German capital. Having tried the hotels and restaurants, he went to his own legation, hut found the food there no better. FRANCE. THE ECONOMIC CONFERENCE. Paris, April 23. M. Briand, in the Chamber of Deputies, said that the intor-Parliamentary Economic Conference was unofficial and notbinding on Parliament or the Government. The latter's offer of hospitality was cordially welcomed. CROWDS TRAVELLING AT EASTER. CHECK BAGGAGE THROUGH US. At Easter time there will be the usual 1 crush on the trains. You know what ' that means for those who try to look 1 after their baggage—discomfort, onx- ' iety, worry. Be well advised, and ' check your baggage through us. We collect, check, deliver. But notify us 1 early, and obtain your tickets at our ■ office.—The New Zealand Express Co., LW.