WESTERN FRONT.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 June 1918, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

OFFENSIVE RENEWED. Paris the Objective, London, June 9. The Germans have launched a great attack between Noyon and Montdidier. The battle is progressing.—Times. Reuter reports that the enemy gains in the new offensive are confined to the advanced zone. The objective of the advance is Paris, Eeuter's 'Paris correspondent reports that a committee has been appointed under the Minister of War for the defence of the capital. It is charged with the formation of an entrenched camp General Dubail, Military Governor, has been appointed president of the committee.—Reuter. GERMAN ATTACKS. French Bravely Resisting. Received June 10, 8.55 p.m. London, June 9 (5 p.m.). A French communique states: The Germans launched an attack at midnight with violent artillery preparation, from the'region north of Montdidier to east of the Oise. Our batteries immediately intensified their counter-fire. At 4.30 a.m. the enemy attacked between Montdidier and Noyon, we resisting with magnificent bravery in our cover zone. The battle is now progressing.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc, and Reuter. FRENCH RESTORE THE LINE. A Daring Exploit. Received June 10, 9.15 p.m. London, June 9. British headquarters reports: The success the Bavarians scored by rushing the Locre hospice was of short duration. On the morning of the Bth the French counterattacked and swept them back and completely restored the line from Scherpen'berg to Mont Rouge. A most daring exploit is reported. Three of our men crept into St. Razeele and returned with the> garrison of nine and a machine-gun.—Times Service.

GERMANS GAIN TWO MILES On 20 Miles Front. Advance Checked by French. Received June 10, 8.15 p.m. London, June 9. The Germans gained two miles on a front of twenty miles on the MontdidierNoyon line. The French have checked the advance after heavy fighting.—Press Association, Received June 10, 5.5 pjn. London, June 8 (9.30 p.m.) Mr. Tunibull writes: A tremendous gas-shelling preceded the attack along a 25 miles front.—United Service. AN ACT OF FORESIGHT. Capital to be Kept Inviolate. Paris, June 8. A Special Committee of Defence to direct the organisation of victualling and armaments has been appointed. It comprises, besides General Dubail, chief officials of Paris and the department of the Seine, and several senators and deputies.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. Received June 10, 5.5 p.m. Paris, June 9. Le Petit Parisien states that the defence decree proves hat the Government means to stick at nothing to keep the capital inviolate. The events of the past fortnight proved the necessity for preparing for a surprise, however improbable the eventual attack may be. The entrenched camp contemplated may be most distant, and may perhaps still bs averted. The decree is an act of foresight, not of despair, and should strengthen and not disturb the population.

Bombardment of Paris. Received June 10, 9.15 pjn. Paris, June 9. The' long-range bombardment has been resumed.—Reuter. Successful Enterprise by Allies. London, June 8. Sir Douglas Haig reports: We carried out raids on trenches southward of Arras, inflicting casualties. The French carried out a successful minor enterprise eastward of Mckehusch I*ke. Wireless German official: Renewed enemy attacks north-west of Chatenjf Thierry and on the Avre only brougft him unimportant gains of territory, t* An American communique states: North-west of Chateau Thierry hostile attacks on a front of two miles during the night, after artillery preparation, were repulsed with heavy losses to tha enemy, who did not reach our lines anywhere.— Aus. NX Cable Assoc, and Reuter.

REDUCTION OF ENEMY'S SALIENT. The Germans' Chagrin. Received June 10, 11.40 p.m, (Paris, June 9. Military critics attach great importance to the steady reduction of the enemy's salient between Chateau Thierry and Villers Cottcrets forest. The operation is clearly intended to safeguard the rail junction of Lizy-sur-Ourcq and the approaches thereto. The enemy's chagrin at failing to retain the lost ground is deepened by finding the Americans increasingly prominent beside the French, and that in no encounter has he scored a success.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc, and Reuter. "THE WOODEN SWORD OF THE WEST." Its Work on the Marne. Received June 10, 8.15 p.m. New York, June 8. A correspondent on the American front states that the Americans advanced two miles on a two-mile front in the Chateau Thierry sector and took 100 German prisoners.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc New York, June 9. The newspapers are elated at the Americans' achievements on the Marne. The New York World says that Berlin may reconsider her contempt for the "wooden sword of the West."—Presß Association. Importance of Broad Hill. Palis, June 8. Importance is attached to the French capture of Broad Hill, west of Chateau hierry. It has an altitude of 450 ft., and dominates the town and river.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc FRENCH PROGRESS CONTINUED.

Gains Maintained. London, June 9. Sir Douglas Haig reports: Hostile artillery fire is above normal between Villers-Bretonneux and Albert and between Givenchy and Roheeq. Sir Douglas Haig's aviation report states: Bombing is active on both sides. We dropped 25 tons of bombs on railway junctions, aerodromes, and dumps beyond the German lines. A French communique records sharp artillery fire in the region of Hangard-en-Santerre, between the Oise and the Aisne and south of the Aisne. Wo continued our progress in the region of Neuilly and Sussiares and entered the village of Cloup. The enemy attempted to wipe out our yesterday's gains on the Chezy-Damaard front, but their violent counter-attacks were shattered. We merely maintained our gains, —Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc, and Reuter. Comments on Enemy's Position. London, June 8. The Australian Press Association cor--respondent writes: The Germans have used 41 divisions since May 27. A few of these belong to the armies to the eastward of the Crown Prince's, the bulk being the Crown Prince's own reserves. The Germans are still quite free to concentrate either for an advance on Paris or Amiens. The Allies labor under the disadvantage of maintaining a long line with a large number of vulnerable points, such as Paris and the Channel ports, also the lines of communication. We are unable to keep large concentrated reserves, as these must be spread over a greater extent than we could wish, while the Germans are able to concentrate rapidly en a definite point. We must expect an early Austrian offensive on the Piave, which now offers no obstacle, while operations in the mountains are also possible. The efficiency of the Italian army lias enormously increased during the winter and spring. No Germans are operating on the Italian front. Good Work by Americans. Washington, June 9. The United Press correspondent at the American front says that the result of the American attacks on the Marne is the stoppage of the German rush. The Americans defeated three divisions of Prussian and Bavarian Landwehr on three successive days. The Americans pushed forward four miles, which was two miles further than ordered, and fell back under orders. They still hold 2£ miles of the advance, also an important strategic position.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. Cruelty to Belgians. Amsterdam, June 8. The Echo Beige states that a Belgian who escaped from Mechlin declares that ten Belgians were slowly starved to death because they refused to work for the Germans.

OBSTINATE GERMAN ATTACKS. Everywhere Withstood. Murderous Losses. Received June 11, 1.15 a.m. London, June 10. A French communique at 2.35 a.m. states: The offensive developed with sustained violence on a front of thirtyfive kilometres between Montdidier and the Oise. The enemy, using important forces, repeatedly strove to break our lines.. Our troops everywhere withstood the shock, and along the whole battle line fought obstinately, stopping or seriously slowing down the enemy thrust. On our left the enemy did not succeed in crossing our cover zone. Our troops are at close grips with the enemy. Our line runs Rukeconrt-Le-Fere-Toy-Mortimer. In the. centre the enemy's progress was more appreciable after successive attacks, which were murderous for the enemy. They gained a footing in-the villages of Rissons-sur-Mat and Mar> seills, where our fist line units are contesting the ground foot by foot. On the right the enemy encountered similar resistance. Despite repeated efforts he was held on the front Belval-Canneotan-Coutrville. An American communique states that a fresh enemy attack at night, northwest of Chateau Thierry, in the vicinity of Bouresches, broke down with severe enemy losses.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc, and Reuter. Maurice's Views. London, June 8. General Maurice continued: Moreover, we have been driven so far back that we have little room to manoeuvre and cannot retire farther without exposing vital objects. We must therefore fight where we stand. There is no cause for the slightest despondency. We have ample reason for confidence owing to the splendid fighting qualities of the French and the great competence of the High Command. Our army feels the highest confidence in General Foch. The German claims of 55,000 prisoners and COO guns are probably exaggerated, but when the rapid retreat is considered, the loss is not great even if the German estimate be true. The French staff work in destroying and removing stores was excellent. —Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.

Hun Looters. Paris, June 8. The Bishop of Soissons declares that the Belgians have destroyed completely a hundred churches and plundered and partially destroyed a hundred others in the Soissons district. The cathedral suffered badly. The Germans are stripping the country methodically, taking everything to Germany. He protested against the practice.of German airmen deliberately killing old men, women, and children when fleeing from the occupied districts.— Keuter. BELGIANS STARVED TO DEATH. FOE REPRISING TO WORK FOR GERMANS. Amsterdam, June 8. The Echo Belgo states that a Belgian who escaped from Mechlen declares that ten Belgians were slowly starved to death because they refused to work for the Germans.