CONSIDERABLE FRENCH ADVANCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 April 1917, Page 5

CONSIDERABLE FRENCH ADVANCE.

COUNTER-ATTACKS SMASHED. Eeceived April 1, 11 p.m. London, March 3i. A French communique states tfiat south of Ailctte, we successfully attackcd the enemy's position at different! joints of the front from Xcuville-sur-Wargival to Vrcgny, making a considerable advance and brilliantly carrying an important point at Dapuia, despite an electric defence. Our machine-gun fire and barrage smashed, with'very serious enemy losses, live violent night counterattacks against the position which we recaptured yesterday west of Maison 1 da Champagne. ',

THE GERMAN REPORT. Admiralty, per Wireless Press. ;• Received April 1, 11.30 p.m. ;■' London, April 1. A German official report states that a British night advance on both sides' of the J.oos failed. The Britfsb attacks-, on both sides of the Peronnefiiiß high road. We repulsed an attack near Metz-cn-Countre, but further south ho> reached Hendicourt and St. Emali'e. We inflicted heavy losses in. engagements with the French north of Spissons. After stubborn fighting southward of Ripont the French penetrated the centre portion of our trenches, but were ejected in a few hours.

A QUIET DAY. London, Xlaroh 30. A French communique states that nothing has happened .except lively grejinding in the sector of Maison-de-Chani-pagne. • > SWEDEN. NEW CABINET'S POLICY. Rcuter Service. Received April \. 5.5 p.m. ' Stockholm, Mart* 31. A now Cabinet has been formed. Senator Swartz, the Premier, in a statement of his policy, said that his first duty would be to continue an impartial neutrality. FURTHER PROTEST TO GERMANY. Received April 1, 5.5 p.m. Christianla, March 31. , The Government has protested against the German blockade. AUSTRALIA.

THE FEDERAL ELECTION. London, March 30., Senator GTant has cabled to Mr, Ramsay Mac Donald that the Commonwealth Government is marking soldiers' ballot papers "ministerialist" and/'opposition." He asks Mr. Mac Donald to)tell the', soldiers that "opposition" means Labor Party. FEDERAL NOTE ISSUE. Melbourne, March 31. The note issue amounts to £47,303.500 and the gold, reserve to £15,988,013. MEDALS FOR SOLDIERS'' RELATIVES. ~ Melbourne, March 31. The Federal Government is issuing n medal to the wife or nearest relative of men who have enlisted for service abroad as a recognition of women's sacrifices. THE ELECTIONS. Received April 1, 11 p.m. Sydney, April 1. As the result of the second ballot, Edden (Nationalist) secured the Kahiba'.i seat. Bavin (Nationalist) created a surprise by winning the Gordon scat.',

EGYPT. , THE PALESTINE ADVANCE. BRITISH INTENTIONS. v London, March 30. The newspapers are giving prominence to the rout of 20,000 Turks in Palestine. They describe the new crusade as likely to remilt in driving the Turks out of Palestine during the summer, General Murray is building a railway as he advances along the sea coast and the fleet is protecting the army's flanks. Already the Turkish position on the Beersheba railway is untenable. Newspapers suggest that Britain is likely to hold this flffrf miles wide highway into Egypt after the war and to allow Jews to return to Palestine.

SHIPBUILDING AT HONG KONG. A LARGE LINER LAUNCHED. AMPLE SKILLED LABOR AVAILABLE. AußtraVnw-N.Z. Cable Association Hongkong, March 30. The liner Autolycus (8000 tons) has been launched. It is the biggest merchantman constructed in the Empire outside Britain. The speeches at the ceremony dwelt upon the shipbuilding facilities at Hongkong, where there was an ample supply, of skilled Chinese labor.