WESTERN ATTACK.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 October 1917, Page 5

WESTERN ATTACK.

I ■ ■- : ■> FURTHER PROGRESS. FRENCH RECOVER SEVERAL ! VILLAGES. Received Oct. 29, 8 p.m. i j London, Oct. 28. Sir Douglas Haig reports: Wo improved our positions slightly at night time in the neighborhood of the Ypresjßoulers railway. The Belgians on. Friday night engaged in a successful raid northward of Dixmude, and yesterday, jointly with the French, crossed the inundations and occupied Merck) peninsula, in the neighborhood of Vijfhvezon. A French communique states: The attack in Belgium began at 5.15 in the morning and was completely successful. The French on tooth sides of the YpresDixmude road carried all the enemy positions on a front of four kilometres to an 'average depth of two kilometres. Despite the stubborn resistance we reached the western border of Houthulst forest, and carried the villages of Verdreudesmis, Ashoot, Merken, and Kippe, also j numerous solidly fortified farms. The enemy, experienced the heaviest losses. We made fresh progress on the Aisne front from Chevrigny and occupied iFroinment farm.

FRENCH PROGRESS CONTINUED. SOME SMALL ISLANDS CAPTURED. Received Oct. 29, 1.55 p.m. London, Oct. 29. A French communique states: We continued our progress in Belgium on our left. In the peninsula of Luighem we captured some small islands and took 200 prisoners.

, THE AMERICANS' PART. GREAT ENTHUSIASM DISPLAYED. New York, Oct. 28. It is reported that some "battalions of the American army are now in the front line trenches and that the American artillery is shelling the Germans. According to other advices, American headquarters in France announce that the troops have been sent to a quiet sector on the French front for continuation of their training and will form a nucleus of groups for the instruction of later contingents arriving from America. The troops are satisfactorily adapting themselves to the new conditions. New York, Oct. 20.

The United Press correspondent at American headquarters reports that the Sammies are fighting alongside the Poilus. The greatest camaraderie exists. The infantry restlessly awaited orders to advance from the village and marched through the streets at nightfall, some singing "Tipperary" in an undertone. The Americans display the, greatest enthusiasm. The first shellcase used by a battery has been sent to President Wilson. ' i

Washington, Oat. 28. The troops are in the trenches for observation and training. It cannot be regarded as the real beginning of American participation in the fighting. They will later be replaced by other contingents in order to accustom the whole of the troops to the conditions of the trenches and danger zone and the shock of shell-fire! HUN BRUTALITY TO BELGIANS. Amsterdam, Oct. 28. Brutality towards the defenceless Belgians is growing steadily worse. Men dare not appear in the streets lest they should be impressed for work at the front. Prominent persons disappear daily; they depart and do not return. Thousands are forced to work under artillery and aeroplane fire. Their mutilated bodies pre sent home for burial. The Germans describe them as England's helpless vietimß, whereas they are I compelled to work in the firing line.