AMERICANS ON THE HEIGHTS OF THE MEUSE

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 82, 6 April 1918, Page 5

AMERICANS ON THE HEIGHTS OF THE MEUSE

(Received 12.50 p.m.) LONDON, April 5. Reuters correspondent at American headquarters states that the American forces are now occupying a sector of the Meuse Heights south-east of Verdun. The enemy yesterday raided here after a heavy bombardment.—(Reuter.)

PETROL EXPLOSION. TWO MEN KILLED. (Received 11.25 a.m.) SYDNEY, this day. While converting a motor tractor into an imitation armoured tank for Red Cross Day at Young, a petrol tank burst and killed two men while another was badly burnt.—(A. and N.Z. Cable.) HONOUR FOR BIRDWOOD. (Received 10.55 a.m.) LONDON, April 5. The "Gazette" announces that the Sultan of Egypt has bestowed the Order of the Nile of the second class on General Bird wood.— (A. and N.Z. Cable.) ENEMY CANARDS. AMSTERDAM, April 5. The Vienna newspaper "Neve Freie Pres6c" states that before the beginning of the offensive Mr Wilson and Mr Lloyd George tried to induce M. Clemenceau to accept the principle of opening pourparlers with Germany of a private and unbinding character." M. Clemenceau refused, and threatened to resign. Finally Mr Wilson and Mr Lloyd George accepted M. Clemenceau's point of view. (A. and N.Z. Cable.) MORE MEAT FOR YOUNG BRITONS. LONDON, April 5. The new national meat rationing scheme reduces the ration of butchers' meat by one-third, and correspondingly increases the allowance of other meat. It allows children over six years of age an adult ration, and boys between the ages of 13 and 18 years a* supplementary ration.—(A. and N.Z. and Reuter.) LLOYD GEORGE VISITS THE WAR ZONE. LONDON, April 5. Mr Lloyd George has returned from a visit to the front. In company with M. j Clemenceau (French Premier) he visited Sir Douglas Haig, Generals Petain, Foch, Pershing, and Bliss.—(A. and N.Z. and Renter.) SEDITIOUS GERMAN LYNCHED, ST. LOUIS (Ma.), April 5. The fir6t lynching of a German for , disloyal utterances occurred last night A mob seized Robert Prager, stripped him, wrapped the Stars and Stripes around his body, and marched him through the streets. The police placed Prager in gaol, but the crowd broke open the gaol, seized Prager, and hanged him : from a tree.—(A. and N.Z. Cable.) BALTIC SEA TRAFFIC. ' LONDON, April 5. A German official wireless message states: "Berlin has inquired from the Russian Government particulars of all mine barrages in the Baltic Sea, with a view to the resumption of unrestricted navigation.— (A. and N.Z. and fc«u*.erj AUSTRALIAN CABLES. >" ■ - (Received 10.55 a.m.) THE CHIEF JUSTICE. MELBOURNE, this day. Sir Win. Irvine has resigned the Flinders seat in order to take the Chief Justiceship.—(A. and N.Z. Cable.) TOBACCO A NECESSITY. MELBOURNE, this day. A war precaution regulation declares tobacco a necessary commodity.— (A. and N.Z. Cable.)

FIGHTING FOR VANTAGE. GERMAN COMMAND CHANGES. NEW SUCCESSES CLAIMED. LONDON, April 5. _ The headquarters correspondent of the United Press writes: "The fighting has simmered down until it has become reminiscent of the ordinary trench warfare before the offensive. The local clashes, more like raids than battles, and sharp attacks and counter-attacks for the possession of high ground form about all that iB happening. An overcast sky with low clouds hampers, without altogether stopping, flying. The Germans are still digging in along the British front, while bringing up their righting materials. This is no easy task. The British guns keep up a harassing fire. The roads across the old Sommo desert are strewn with the carcases of horses and wrecked trucks and other transport material. The American air forces working with the British, Australians, and Canadians, have done splendidly. The British highly praise the American squadrons. The air mechanics have been working day and night during the great battle. AMSTERDAM, April 5. German telegrams state that the German troops have been told that General yon Mackensen is shortly arriving with an army to bring about a decision on the western front. This was told to the wounded en route for Germany in order to encourage the civilians. They also state that the lull in the offensive is owing to lack of reinforcement. The telegrams add that the British have a great quantity of artillery north of the Somme and at the bend of the Ancrc, which is most active. The French also are strongly counter-attacking with fresh divisions. Important changes in the German High Command are imminent, the armies engaged in the west being divided into two groups, one to fight the British and the other the French. Prince Leopold of Bavaria will command the forces operating against the French.—« (A. and N.Z. Cable.) LONDON, April 5. A German official wireless message says: "Fighting activity has been revived south of the Somme. The enemy, by means of a surprise, after strong artillery preparation, four times vainly endeavoured early in the morning and in the afternoon to recapture lost heights south-west of Moreuil. These attacks heavily broke down." A later report states: "We won fresh successes south of the Somme. We bombarded Rheims ns a reprisal for a French bombardment of Laon."—(A. and N.Z. and Reuter.) MARTYRED PRIESTS. WASHINGTON, April 5. The Belgian Legation has received advice that the Germans shot the Rev. Moons, a Belgian rector, and five other Belgians at Antwerp on March 10.— (A. and N.Z. Cable.) PERSHING DECORATED. WASHINGTON, April 5. It is announced that King Albert of Belgium has decorated General J. J. Pershing (Commander-in-Chief of the* American forces on the west front) with the Order of Leopold.— (A. and N.Z.) FRENCH SOCIALISTS FIRM. PARIS, April 5. The secretary of the French Federation of Labour, in announcing the postponement of the visit by French Socialists to America, says the Socialists have agreed that this is not the time to try to end the war, but to defend the country.— (Reuter.) RUSSIA'S FAMINE TRIAL. WASHINGTON, April 5. Advice has been received from Russia that famine is spreading. Moscow is on the brink of starvation. Some Russians are bartering their wives and children for flour.—(A. and NZ. Cable.)