WESTERN FRONT.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 February 1918, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

ARTILLERY *UEL. UN FRENCH FRONT, Aus, and NZ. Cable Assoc, and Renter. Received Feb. M, <>: i:> p.m. London, Feb. 25. A French communique states: The artillery duel has continued most lively in ti'.e region of Talmre, Champagne, ami the sectors north and south oi Dollar, in upper Alsace. AERODROMES BOMI.IED. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc, and Router. Received Feb. 2lf, S.;iO p.m. London, Feb. 23. Sir Douglas Haig reports: Hostile artillery is. active, particularly on the Sonchez river. We bombed three aerodromes in the Lys valley. All our machines returned. ENEMY ARTILLERY ACTIVE. London,* Feb, 23. Sir Douglas Halg reports hostile artillery activity south-westward of Caihbrai and in the Messines sector. TREMENDOUS GERMAN 'PREPARATIONS. i London, Feb. 25. i Mr. Pirrio Robinson writes that the indications or an early offensive include reports that all Germans on furlough have been ordered to return not later than February 28. Thereafter no leave will be granted for three monthsThe reports may bo a form of camouflage, i'ouL the soldiers themselves believe them. Meantime tremendous enemy preparations are going on, MORE HON OUTRAGES. Paris, Feb, 25. The newspaper L'Hoiume Libre states that a thousand hostages, selected from Prominent French people, including refined girls, were taken from their home* and sent to the Holzminden Camp, as a reprisal for the air raids, and exposed to scandalous treatment. When Wiirty girls refused to make sacks for the enemy they were locked up without proper food or light for over a mouth. Their mattresses, bed clothes, even their woollen underclothing, were taken, and they were only released when the Spanish inspector arrived to visit the camp. The Germans made an effort to hide the outrage, but the Spaniard learnt tlie facts. SUCCESSFUL RAID BY AMERICANS. Received Feb. 26, 5.5 p.m. i Paris, Feb. 25. Tho Americans raided tho German .trenches and captured 22 prisoners and a machine-gun.