BATTLE CONTINUES WITH GREAT VIOLENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 March 1918, Page 5

BATTLE CONTINUES WITH GREAT VIOLENCE.

ENEMY BEING DRIVEN BACK. BRITISH COUXTER-'ATTACKS. Aits, and X.Z. C*aMe Assoc, and Reuter. Received March 2fi, 3.5 pm. London, March 25. Sir Douglas Haig reports: The battle continues with great violence along the whole front. We heavily repulsed powerful attacks yesterday morning and last evening northward 'of Bapaumc. The Germans only at one point reached our trenches, from whence they were immediately thrown out. Our lire stopped attacks elsewhere before reaching our positions. The enemy is being driven back with great loss. Freeh hostile attacks developed last night and this morning in this neighborhood, also south-west of Bapaume. Our counter-attacks south-west of Pcronne drove back enemy parties, who had to cross the river between Licourt and Brie. ■ | BRITISH LOSSES HEAVY. TIRED MEX BEAT IFF TERRIFIC • ASSAULTS. GERMAIN'S GAIN AT COURCELETTE. Received March 26, 5.5 p.m. London, March 25. The British losses of material are heavy, including tanks and troops, though the tired men are fighting splendidly. On the Wancourt front the British held fast. They have -beaten off terrific German assaults with complete success. The Germans have made gains in the direction of Courcelette. THE FINANCIAL BAROMETER. FEELING OF .QUIET CONFIDENCE IN LONDON. Received March 26, 5.5 p.m. Reuter Service. London, March 25. Tfio Stock Exchange opened with a feeling of quiet confidence. The offerings of leading securities were readily absorbed. Quotations now show only a slight decline, Consols being quoted at £5-1 5s and war loans at £93 15s. THK BLACKEST SHADOWS LIFTING. London, Mdrcli 25, Mr. Gibbs says: It seems it is certain now that our armies are able to control the situation within the limits of safety, though our losses will enevitably be severe, and the situation requires all our abilities, strategy and generalship. Our armies are holding good lines, and the blackest shadows are beginning to lift. The weather is hot and 'brilliant. I saw the Poilus ready for action southward, magnificent looking men, hard ancLljronzed with the heat. They were in the best spirits. An officer said: "We shall biff the Germans as on the Marne." The Poilus are delighted at the calm cheerful way the Britishers behaved in the crisis. COMMENTS AND CRITICISM London, March 25. Even if the German claim of prisoners and guns captured is true it does not justify despondency on our part or jubilation on the part of the enemy. We don't hear of any division being cut, off. All accounts suggest that the Germans are bleeding at the main arteries. The Kaiser has apparently announced the end of the first stage of the battle, because the Gernmns want breathing time. Mr. Hilaire Belloo expresses the opinion that the German infantry losses arc the cause of the hesitation apparent in Saturday's fighting. The Prussian system demands very heavy losses at the outset. They work upon such losses, but everything depends on their relation to the results achieved. Lord Sydenham points out that the German object is to cut off the British from the French, hence the heaviest attack is on our right. Such a gigantic effort, entailing immense loss, cannot be prolonged for many days. Other experts similarly insist that the ambitious strategy of Hindenburg and Ludendorff is seeking to separate the defences of Channel ports from the defences of Paris. If this end is attained it would justify big German losses but the resources of the Allies might he able to frustrate the scheme. If the enemv secure Bapaume there will he the formidable Pozieres ridge behind. Before that is taken the German losses will cause even Hindenburg disquietude. The fighting round Guiorke Wood recalls Delville Wood in 1010, where the I South Africans and Scots were also ! fighting. The Germans again and again managed to roach the borders of the | Wood hut were always thrust hack. The chief disappointment is the withdrawal from Monchy, which was the Kg prize of the battle of Arras, otherwise the line north is well maintainedParis, March 25. The newspapers are full of confidence. The outstanding feature of the battle is the destruction of the enemy power to counter-attack. The Germans arc throwing themselves recklessly into the gulf of destruction. The Matin states that in the defensive the employment of the reserve must necessarily bo delayed. This is the reason for the withdrawal of the British. ENEMY DRIVEN ACROSS SOMME. London, March 25. The British have driven back the Germans across the Sommc in the Licourt neighborhood and are clearing the right bank. The British are fiercely engaged at Ham and Ncslu. The French are fighting north of Bapaume,