WESTERN FRONT.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 May 1918, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

THE AMERICAN ARMY. A COSMOPOLITAN FORCE. London, May 21. Mr. Perry Robinson, describing the American invasion of the Britisli front, says that the ranks contain everything from millionaires and professors to pugilists. There is enough theatrical talent to supply half a dozen theatres. No one iias ventured to count the number of nationalities. A pure-blooded Chinaman is on the staff, and Germans are everywhere. Many of the be3t noncoms, are Jews. All are fused in the magician's melting pot, the fire beneath which is pride in ''Old Glory." They have much to learn, but some know more than the average Tommy or Poilu. They have adopted the British rules and equipment.—Times.

THE TELL-TALE BAROMETER. ENEMY EXCHANGE FALLING DAILY. DAILY. Received May 22, 5.5 p.m. New York, May 21*. Th# Chicago Daily News Stockholm correspondent reports that judging by the foreign exchange rates the Germans have no prospect of breaking through on the West front. The German exchange had an upward trend at the beginning of the March offensive. Now it is several points lower than before the offensive, and is falling daily.—Press Association. THE FRENCH ADVANCE. A BRILLIANT SUCCESS. BRITISH LINE PUSHED FORWARD. Received May 22, 5.5 p.m. London, May 21. The United Press correspondent reports that the French attack on the Belgian border was brilliantly successful. They recaptured Locre, Hospice, Brulooze, and the entire wood southward of Brulooze, advancing their line some distance, and taking 500 prisoners, thus greatly improving their positions in the neighborhood of Mont Rouge and Scherpenberg.. The French casualties were light. They suddenly fell on the Germans along a front of between two and three miles north-east of the Merville-Lamotte road. The British advanced their line on a 600 yards front. Local fighting is developing.—Press Association. DASH OF RUSSIAN LEGION. FIGHTING BESIDE ZOUAVES. Received May 22, 8 p.m. Paris, May 21. The Russian Legion participated in the recent attack beside the Zouaves, and earned the highest praise for their dash and bravery.—Press Association.

AUSTRALIANS' SUCCESS. IMPORTANT GAINS. Received May 22, 8 p.m. London, May 21. Sir Douglas Haig congratulated the Australians on the complete success of their operations on May 19, which resulted in the capture of Villo sur Ancre and other gains.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc, and Reuter. A GERMAN "REQUEST." AUSTRIANS FOR WEST FRONT. Received May 22, 7.30 p.m. Rome, May 21. Tho Epoca states that at the Germans' request Austria is sending a newlyformed "army of manoeuvre" to the Western front.—Press Association. THRILLING EXPLOIT. AUSTRALL4N RAID AT VILLE SUR ANCRE. London, May 21. Mr. Giblw describes the Australians 1 capture rf Villo sur Ancre as a thrilling exploit similar to their recapture of Villers Bretonneux. Under a bright moon, parties, in face of fierce machine-gun find rifle fire, worked up each side of the village, the garrison of which bad beenjieavily strengthened. Following the creeping barrage through flooded ground, with the water in some places waist high, and smashing through entanglements, they bombed their way forward to their objective down sunken roads, driving the enemy before them. Then a third body advanced in the centre and cleared out the village, where there was much heavy fighting among the ruins, which wero strewn with dead Germans, the enemy defending themselves desperately. The Australians consolidated tho ground. This brilliant little success has increased the difficulties of the enemy in any attempt north of the village, as they must now come under enfilade lire. Many of the prisoners are young, spectacled, weedy lads. They were very hungry, as they had been separated from their rations for a long time, and eagerly accepted biscuits. One who, after he had surrendered, shot a scout corporal and tried to escape, was pun-shed by instant death. A machine-gunner, wearing an Iron Cross, fought so bravely that when sent back as a prisoner he was given a noto hoping that no one would take the cross from him. SURREY BATTALION'S SUCCESS. London, May 21. A Surrey battalion was successful in a local operation north-west of Merville. Our fire broke a counter-attack against tho new positions gained. We made a successful raid south-east of Arras. 1 The eaewv artillery la ftofcive.—Amoc,