ALSACE-LORRAINE CELEBRATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 March 1918, Page 5

ALSACE-LORRAINE CELEBRATION.

A GERMAN PRETENCE EXPOSED * THE REAL POSITION. ;' Aus. and NZ. Cable Assoc, aad Reuter,, ' Received March 3, 5.30' p.m. Park, March 2. The national Alsace-Lorraine eolebra- . tions at were an imposing ; ceremony. M. Pichon (Wrench tForeign ' Minister), on behalf of the Government, said that Baron Hurtling was pretend- ' ing that the annexation of AlsaceLorraine was carried out' in order'to reoecupy German territory which Franca had usurped. Ex-Empress Eugenie, how. ■ ever, hail just given the national v archives a letter from William J, dated' October 26, 1870, saying that Germany insisted on territorial concessions for , no other reason except to make surtf ' that the next war would find her-better prepared to meet the aggression which was certain to come directly France had ' regained her strength and secured allies. , M. Pichon also read a telegram dated' ' iTnly 31, Wl4, from Herr von Bothmana . ilollwcg to von Chcen, Die German Ambassador at Paris. This stated: "If lha French Government remain neutral, von Chocu must inform them thatas a guarantee of such neutrality we insist on France handing over the fortresses™ of Tmil and Verdun, which we will occupy and restore after the war. Germany •nust have a reply before four o'clock on Saturday afternoon." ENEMTf RAIDS <DRI\TSN OFF. Aus. and N.Z. Coble Assoc. and-Reuter. Recened March 3, 11.30 p.m. London, March 3, Sir Douglas TTaig reports great 'enemy raiding activity on the whole British front. All were drivi-n off after sharp lighting, with considerable enemy losses. The British air service has been active and has brought down four German machines. FURTHER DAMAGE AT NANOT. Aus. and NZ. Cable Assoc, and Router. Received March 3, 3.20 p.m. London, March 2. Seventeen German aeroplanes bombed doing Hindi damage and cauaing peveral fires. Ten were killed. AMERICANS RfHitSe STRONG , ATTACK. Australian Cable Association. Received March ?,, 5.20 p.m. ■ New York, March 2. The Americans completely Tcpulsed a strong German attack at St. Mihncl. There were ma-iy casualties on both sides. ' •'