WESTERN ATTACK.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 May 1917, Page 5

WESTERN ATTACK.

HINDENBURG'S INSPIRING ' PRESENCE. VISIT TO FRENCH FRONT. CONCERNED AT LOSS OF POSITIONS. FRENCH WEARING DOWN ONSLAUGHTS*. Received May 24, 8 p.m. Paris, May 21, Correspondents at Frencfi headquarters state that von Hindenburg has been visiting the French sector of the battlefront, and that he directly inspired the offensive, both on the wing at the Aisne and at the Champagne. Apparently he was much concerned at the French capturing important observation positions. Enemy assaults made on Sturmcopen were of the stoutest quality. The French, 1 however, are well prepared, and are gradually wearing down the onslaughts. RHEIMS CATHEDRAL DOOMED. THE EDIFICE TOTTERING. Received May 24, 11 p.m. Paris, May 24. The Belgian Government has received information that the Germans have renewed the deportation of able-bodied men. Since the beginning of May 3000 men have been forcibly removed from Brussels. A Government expert - reports that Rheims Cathedral will probably collapse. The edifice is tottering. The central transept has suffered severely from the bombardment in recent days. Thousands of shells have been hurled into the eitv daily. Over half the members of the Aire brigade have been killed or wounded. Almost all civilians have evacuated the city. Thousands remained f'nee early in the war, sending their children daily in gas masks to underground schools. A great, underground city existed, wherein manifold activities, municipal and otherwise, were conducted. Now all is changed under the systematic Hun bombardment. THE HINDENBURG LINE. BRITISH GAIN'S EXTENDING. London, 'May 23. Correspondents at the British front state that wo aro slowly increasing the ground won along the Hindenburg line around Bullecourt. Wo are extending our gains by tunnelling under the enemy's support lines, and they are threatening to retreat to the next section of the German defences. Reinforcements are being heavily punished while moving across the open on the left of Bullecourt. Many prisoners are 'being dug out of the ruins of the Hindenburg line near Fontaine. They describe the awful tension of awaiting the attack when the bombardment commenced. , COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF'S GREETINGS TO THE ANZACS. Received May 25, 1 a.m. London, May 24. j Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig has (sent his greetings and admiration to the valorous Anzacs. BAD WEATHER CAUSES A LU.LL. Received May it, 5.5 p.m. London, May 23. Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig reports: Nothing of special interest has occurred. There has been less aerial activity, owing to the unfavorable weather, GERMAN MESSAGE. London, May 23. A wireless German official message states: We repulsed several English advances at Hulluch and Bullecourt. Strong Frencli attacks at the La Villeoux Bois failed.