WESTERN ATTACK.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 December 1917, Page 5

WESTERN ATTACK.

CHIHA.

I , ON THE CAMERA! FRONT. FORMIDABLE GERMAN FORCES. BUSY DIGGING COVER. Received Doc. 12, 10.40 p.m. . London, Dee. 11. Mr. Gibbs says there arc only patrol encounters on the Carabrai front. The enemy is busy digging cover opposite our new line. We have the advantage still within the deeply dug Hindonburg line, while the Germans are exposed to our artillery, which does not allow working parties to rest. T\yenty-seven German divisions are massed in the Cambrai seetor. All have been engflged in the fighting. The Germans arc displaying great aerial activity, bombing our dumps, depots, -niirl field works. We retaliate with great of fighting planes. AEROPLANES ACTIVE. BRITISH RAID ON GERMANY. Received Dee. 12, 10.5 p.m. London, Dec. 12. Sir Douglas Halg reports; We successfully raided westward of Hnlluch. A number of enemy raiding parties \\m repulsed southward of Armcntieres. Tht> enemy's aeroplanes were particu larly activo on Monday westward o< Cambrai. They roepatedly attacked our artillery and machine-gunners. Our aeroplanes dropped many bombs, and machine-gumied villagos, hutments and trcitehe», We, down«i five Germans, whilst three of our machines arc ingThis morning our machines, proceeded to Germany to bomb certain factories, but. found the onjqctives objured by clouds, but they bombed a large railway station north-east of Pirmosek A French communique states: There has been moderato reciprocal artillerying on the greater part of our front. MINOR OPERATIONS , London, Dec. 11. Tir Douglas Haig reports:—There was unusual aerial activity on both sides >esti.rday, particularly south of the Soiirpe and north of the Lys. We repulsed a raid east of Epehy and dispersed working parties on the Cambrai front, securing prisoners. ■

ITALY

POWERFUL REPULSED . IN'TFJfSE ABTILLEKY ACTIVITY. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc, and Reutef. Received Dec. \2, 7.50 p.m. ~ I/uidoi), Dec )] . Italian official: There has been artillery activity on the whole front, it being intense between the Brenta and the Piave. We sanguinarily repulsed a powerful attempt to retake positions, in the Caposile region. >'

A POTENT INCENTIVE TO WAR HUGE DEBTS WIPED Ol?i. Sydney, Dee. 12. Dr. Morrison points out that China's declaration of war wipoß out her treaty engagements under which she owed Germany £ 12,G00,000 and Austria £BOO,OOO, by way of indemnities in connection with the Hoxer trouble. China also recovers possession of the concession areas. China has already sent 80,000 coolie laborers to France and England. Practically the number of Chinese who win be sent to Europe is without limit. It is estimated that 800,000 could be despatched, subject to the transport .difficulties.