WESTERN ATTACK.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 December 1916, Page 5

WESTERN ATTACK.

THE SOMME CAMPAIGN. FIFTY BATTLES AND FIFTY ■ ■ VICTORIES, London, Deo. 1. A French communique says:—There is culm on the whole front. Our aircraft bombed factories at Thionville and bivouacs at Damvillers, Sir Douglas Haig reports that wc drove off an attempted raid north-east of Ntuve Cliappelle and entered the German I'nc at several places south of Armentieres. A. & >\Z. Cable Association and Reuter. Received Deo. 2, B'p.m. London, Dec. 2. General Sir Douglas Haig states: There has been heavy reciprocal shelling in the neighborhood of Gueudecourt and on both sides of the Ancre. There is considerable trench mortal- activity elsewhere. Paris, Dee. 2. A communique states: There is moderate artillery and trench gun activity. A correspondent at British Headquarters says that the Sommc battle, measured by the standard of previous wars, is really fifty battles and fifty victories. The Allies took SO,OOO prisoners—more than the fighting strength ot nine German divisions. Once in July and once towards the end of September, the German military machine was perilously near breaking down. We never expected to break it lure, but we lmve learned that it can be done. It is believed the capture of Beaumont Hainel was the most brilliant success in the Snniine offensive. Nothing is finer than the record of the overseas troops, including the extraordinarily successful fighting of the New Zealanders at Flers. ENEMY RAIDS REPULSED Received Dec. .'J, 3.5 p.m. London, Dee. 2. General Sir Douglas Haig reports: We repulsed two small raids which wore ati tempted after heavy trench mortaring in the Sonchez area. THE BELGIAN DEPORTATIONS. TOTAL NEARLY 100,000. New York, Doc. I. MM. Beyers and De Winrt, Belgian Ministers, have cabled to the Belgian Consul in the United States that deportations are continuing and that no distinction is made between the employed and unemployed. The deported will soon number iOO,OOO. They are gathered and transported with great brutality, Railwaymen arc especially sought for.* The Germans are multiplying requisitions for machinery and tools, tints, stopping industry and increasing the number of unemployed. When this incredible outrage is known civilisation will protest against the horrible crime to humanity. Amsterdam, Dec. 1. The Germans deported 35,000 people from the Hasselt mid Turnhout neighborhood in three days. TRENCH MORTARINfi. frPJOUS ENEMY BOMBARDMENT. Beceivod Dec. 3, 11.15 p.r.i, London, Doc. 3. General Sir Douglas llaig reports: Intermittent evening shelling took place at Autre. There has been considerable reciprocal trench mortaring at Ypres, Armenticres, and the Hohenzullcrn redoubt. Paris, Ddc. 3. A communique, states:—There lias been weak artillerying along the whole front, except to the right of the Mouse, where the enemy furiously bombarded in the Yaux region, BELGIANS ESCAPE DEPORTATION. Amsterdam, Dee. -2. Several Belgians escaped to Holland after they received deportation notices. The Geniia;i.-i have issued a proclamation, intimating that if the escapees fail to return, iheir wives and children will be taken instead.