WESTERN ATTACK.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 January 1917, Page 5

WESTERN ATTACK.

ENEMY TRENCHES ENTERED. "IT GERMAN ATTACK FAILS. A. & N.Z. Cable Association and Reuters Received Jan. 2, 8.30 p.m. London, .lan. 2 Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig reports: Patrols entered enemy trenches at several places eastward of Ar.nentiercs. Knemy artillery was more active north of the Ancre. There has been reciprocal artillery ing elsewhere. A French communique states: On the right of the Meuse a strong enemy coup do main east, of Dc«chnmbrcttes completely failed. It is relatively quiet elsewhere. THE FRENCH FRONT. . WAITING FOR THE T>.\.\ OF LIBERATION. Times Service. Londoi\ Jan. 1. A correspondent with the French army says the troops hoUinc the lines from Vosges to Alsace, v.ithin about twenty miles of the Rhine, are waiting the moment when they wi'-i descend on the flank and rear of the Germans falling back upon the Rhine ami Strasburg, If the Germans commit the mad folly ot trviiur desperately to find another wjj into France, and behind P.clfort thrni -■ ; Switzerland, so much the worse for them. The Germans opposing them arc dispirited. The French could advance if they wanted, and bombart many Alsatian' (owns, but they are waiting for *omc(hin<r liia""v and arc '• , " | ' ,v ' ' cupied Alsai-ian territory with kindness and sympathy. Consequently they are much beloved. A FINAL EFFORT. TO REACH CALAIS. London, Jan. J. The Daily Hail's Amsterdam correspondent says it is reporter 1 , from the frontier that. Germany is transporting guns and material through Belgium westward. Ge:man spies in Holland are spreading a retort now tha- the winter campaign has exhausted Russia's reserves of men and ammunition, and that Marshal von Himlenbuvg is preparing for a final effort to clear the way to Calais.

PORTUGUESE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE. OFFICERS ARRIVE IN PARIS. Received Jan. 2, 8.30 p.m. ' Paris, .Tan. 1. Portuguese officers have arrived, including ~ Commandant Robert Baptistu, Chief of Staff of the expeditionary army, which General Taragninc. commands. Aviators and medical officers have also arrived. General headquarters have been established at the Portuguese Legation. VICTORIA CROSS HERO. London, December 31, Captain William Bloomfield, of the South African Scouts Cuvps, has been awarded the Victoria, Cross. His force was attacked about the isolated outllanks'of their position and were proceeding to a new position and removing the wounded. One of these, a corporal, was forgotten, and Captain Bloomlield determined himself to rescue him. He carried the corporal on his back for four hundred yards in the open under heavy machine-gun and rifle fire to safety. THE EXD NOT IX SIGHT. London, January 1. Lord Ciirzon, in a New Year message to the Primrose League, says it is impossible to say that the end is in eight. It seems likely we must continue well into another year, perhaps longer. It is a tragedy that is turning the world into hell and wrecking the brightest promise of nations. An inconclusive war, a patched up peace, would mean not merely immediate humiliation but ultimate destruction.

POINCAIREVS CONFIDENCE IN VICTORY. Paris, December 31. In greetings to the King of Italy, President Poincaire said: ''The New Year will assure victory for tlie Allies." HUN BARBARITY TO DEPORTEES. Received Jan. 3, 12.30 a.m. Paris, Jan. 2. Repatriated Belgians narrate that the Germans punish .slave-raid victims who refuse to work by placing them for several hours in a, long box like an upstanding coffin, where it is impossible to move. The victims are afterwards put into a cell for a time, and then returned to the box. This is done alternately until they are willing to obey.