FRENCH OPINION.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 March 1918, Page 5

FRENCH OPINION.

GERMAN PLAN TO ATTACK LEFT WING. Received March 2-1, 0.0 p.m. Paris, March 23. Tn the Chamber of Deputies, the Prime Minister (M. Clemonceau) stated that the Allied stall's have every reason to be satisfied with the results of the first great attack. He was extremely pleased with the results. Some of the newspapers opine that the enemy contemplates, after fixing the British reserves on the front attucked, to make a massive attack on the AngloDclgian left wing, in the direction of Calais, between the Yser and the Arras, thus directly threatening Britain, but the Allies everywhere are prepared. OVER 80,000 GERMAN FIRST HAY LOSSES. Received Marcli 24, 5.5 p.m. Times Service. London, March 23. It is reliably estimated that the German losses on the first day were eighty thousand. THE, KAISER PRESENT. BULGARIANS AND AUSTRIAN'S HELPING. United Service. Received March 24, 5.5 p.m, London, March 23. The Kaiser, accompanied by Generals Hindcnburg and Ludendorff, is anxiously watching the progress of the lighting. The Bulgarians are arriving continuously, and act as reserves. General von Stelner recently promised General Hindcnburg that the Austrians would concentrate on the eastern French front when the offensive against the British was begun.

ACTIVITY ON FRENCH FRONT. FRENCH OFFICIAL REPORTS. ! Received March 24, 5.5 p.m. London, March 23. A French communique states: We repulsed strong enemy coups de main south I of the Juvincourt sector, at Godat, north of Courcy and north of the Aisne. At the two hijt named points the enemy detachments were driven out of their advanced elements, after lively fighting, in which the enemy suffered appreciable losses. An enemy attempt west of Mont Cornillet, in the Champagne district, also failed. There was lively artillerying in the region of Monts, some points to the* right of the Meuse and the Woevre. A later report states: Artillery was active early in the day, and became more violent in the afternoon, particularly north of the Chemin des Dames, and the regions of Courcy and Pompelle, in the Champagne, and south of Moronsvillers. There were three enemy coups de main north of Louvain and east of Teton. 16,000 MEN AND 200 GUNS. GERMANS CLAIM TO HAVE CAPTURED. Received March 24, 5.5 p.m. London, March 23. A wireless German official states: The strong artillery duel continued in Belgian and French Flanders. Reconnoitring detachments penetrated frequently the enemy lines. We attacked the Eng" lish positions south-east of Arras as far as La Fere. Our infantry stormed in broad daylight sectors and everywhere captured the first lines. The firing duel increased in intensity on both sides at Rhcims and in the Champagne. Prisoners were brought in from many sectors. We continued the destruction of infantry positions and batteries before Verdun.

A later report states that yesterday's successes between Arras and La Fere were, extended.

Sixteen thousand prisoners and two hundred guns have so far been reported. Yesterday morning our torpedoers bombarded Dunkirk's military works and the Bray dunes, and fired eight hundred shots at the barracks and camps near Depanne. The coastal batteries replied without result.

On the return journey our vessels had a firing engagement with enemy destroyers, which retired when hit. Our forces which participated suffered no damage. Two of our small outpost vessels did not return.

FIRST STAGE OF BATTLE. 15,000 PRISONERS AND 400 GUNS. FURTHER GERMAN REPORTS. Received March 24, 5.5 p.m. London, March 23. Wireless German official: We stormed the heights north and north-west of Croiselles. We penetrated the second position between Fontaine les Croisilles and Woeuvrcs. We captured Vaul Vraueourt and Morchies, also the heights westward of Gouzeaucourt, Hendicourt and Villersfeucon. We stormed Roisel and Marquaix, encircled the Epehy heights from north and south, drove back counterattacks and stormed the heights north of Vcrmand. The enemy evacuated positions south-west of Cambrai. We pursued. across Demicourt, Flesquircres and Ribecourt. We crossed the heights of Savy Roupy. We also broke through the enemy lines south of the Soiame, and drove the enemy over the Crozat Canal. The Jaegars crossed the Oise and stormed the heights west of La Fere. We have so far taken 15,000 prisoners and captured 400 guns and 300 machine guns. A later message says: The first stage of the great battle has ended. We won engagements near Monchy, Cr.ir:hr;ii, St. Quentin and La Fere. A part of the English r.rfiiy has been beat - en. We are fighting approximately on a line north-east of Bapauiue and Hun.