WESTERN.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 6489, 16 September 1915, Page 3

WESTERN.

SIR JOHN FRENCH EXTENDS HIS LINES.

Germans Moving from Poland to France.

Hoc Sept 16, 8 45 am Londou, Sept 15 ' Earl Kitchener, speaking iv the House Of Lonb said he had sent Sinforceineuts which had enabled Sir John French te extend Ins lines A take over seventeen miles from General Joifre. Earl Kitchener continuing said these reinforcements, amounting to deven divisions, enabled Sir John Trench to extenders lines. Throughimt the dumraer the Frenchmen fully -Md their own along an extended front, and made substantial progress Lsome places, -notably at Arras and ' Alsace. They secured an area of •rreat- tactical importance on the . fats of JSotre Dame de Lorette «ith a view to' future operations. One particularly commanding summit, overlcpking die-lett bank of the Rhine, was held in the face of formidable counter-attacks o:i thelreiich trenches. The entire front was won a network of almost impregnable fortifications. When he visited the ar my at General Joftre's invitation, he was profoundly impressed with the Hah state of efficiency and morale oSibited, and it was evident, that Offioew and men recognise the only possible termination of the war was 'to inflict on the enemy a thorough

defeat, '"' ' Earl Kitchener went on to say thai : the front held: by the Allies in the f West was practically unchanged dur- ' ing the last few, months, but this did ' not meau a relaxation of the activity of the forces in the field. The continuous local fighting all along the line called for incessant vigilance. Meanwhile the positions were much lengthened by the careful elaboration of trenches and fortifications , and the large increase of heavy guns. " The Germans recently on several occasions used gas and liquid fire and bombarded our lines with .asphyxiating shells. These attacks wow lack the element of surprise and have . failed in their .object, and lost most of their offensive value, owing to our 1 Steps to counteract the effects of these -■ pernicious methods. Considerable reinforcements .of; the new armies have joined General Sir John French, uho reports that the units appear thoroughly well officered and commanded while the equipments are ' "good. Several units of artillery were tested behind the firing line. Their shooting was extremely good and they , ' were quite fit to take their place in ! the lines. ' \, Rec Sept 15, 10.50 p m Paris, Sept l-V The Defence Department has announced that it has received information that the Germans are trausport- " ing great uuuibers of troops, heavy „- - howitzers and large quantities of '^ stores and amonuutiou from Poland U> Frauce. This movement is be- ,, Keyed to presage a great attempt to ;. smash the Franco-British lines.