ENEMY REFUSING BATTLE.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 March 1917, Page 5

ENEMY REFUSING BATTLE.

CAVALRY IN TOUCH WITH UHLANS. WIDESPREAD DESTRUCTION. ' London, March 20. Mr. Philip Gibbs reports that the enemy is refusing battle and has retired further in the open country east of Bapaumc. Our cavalry patrols are in touch with the Uhlans on a line west of Cambrai and St. Quentln. The exact location is vague, as the movement continues. Our cavalry are moving cautiously between a large number of villages, which everywhere are burning. There was widespread destruction at Peronne and everything was done to impede pursuit. Bridges were destroyed and trees in the streets cut down, forming barricades. Houses were wantonly ignited and were burning lercely when the British entered.' Kew Y< >rk, March 20. _ Mr. Wood, Universal Press representative with the advancing French armies writes that French refugees state that the Germans hope, by shortening the West front, to release 30 divisions for strategy elsewhere. The recaptured territory i g a scene of wanton destruction, the devastation exceeding that of the orijrilnal German invasion. The Germans mined Roye, but were compelled to evacuate the town after firing only a few mints. Civilians wore hurled out of their beds. Craters 40 feet whlb and 30 feet deeD were blown in the principal street-

ADVANCE BECOMING MORE DIFFICULT. BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS. Received March 21, 5.5 p.m. London, March 20. . A French communique states:—There is little change. At night our advanced elements progressed slightly, and continue to maintain contact with the enemy. The advance becomes more difficult owing to the destruction of all means of communication and bad weather. The artillery struggle in the Champagne has ended. We heavily repulsed attacks between Avocourt Wood and Hill 304.