ACTIVITY IN THE WEST.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15488, 15 January 1916, Page 9

ACTIVITY IN THE WEST.

VIOLENT FRENCH BOMBARDMENT MORE HEROICS BY THE GERMAN CHANCELLOR. KAISER'S CONDITION REPORTED TO BE WORSE. MINERS OPPOSE MILITARY SERVICE BILL. (530 th DAY OF THE WAR,)

THE WESTERN THEATRE. A VIOLENT BOMBARDMENT. GERMAN TRENCHES DESTROYED. GAS ATTACK FAILS. High Commissioner reports: — LONDON. January 13th. 4.40 p.m. Between the rivers Somme and Avre (eastward of Amiens), in the course of the night, the •enemy attempted a coup-de-main which was completely checked. In Champagne two grenade attacks on French positions were stopped dead. New information, of the gas attack tried yesterday iu the sector of Forges, !on tho Meuse, north of Verdun, shows that in the course of operations i a gust of wind drove back the cloud | on the enemy trenches. Our bombardment of the enemy lines has been very violent. Later. In Artois, on the Lille road, the French artillery destroyed enemy trenches at several points. Between the Sommo and the Oise a German regiment was caught by our fire as it was entering Roye (on the Avre, south-east of Amiens). (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) PARIS, January 13. An official communique says:— "During the enemy's attempted, attack on the Meuse. a change of wind drove back a cloud of gas into tho enemy's trenches. "We effectively bombarded the enemy's lines."

IN GERMANY. THE PRUSSIAN DIET, MOKE HEROICS BY IMPERIAL CHANCELLOR. INCREASED TAXATION FORESHADOWED. (Received Jauuary 14th, 8.25 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, January 13. Dr. von Bethmann-Hollweg, Imperial Chancellor, in opening the Prussian Diet on behalf of tho Kaiser, said: "Tho sanguinary fighting continues, for which our enemies who forced this war upon us are responsible. Tho European peoples arc still tearing themselves to pieces. Providence is placing an iron test upon our people. Our enemies' project of wearing us down and cutting us off from overseas has failed. Our own agriculture is feeding our population, and our own industries are providing the means of defence. Our economic life is being maintained despite war's calamities. The German armies' achievements aro of indescribable magnitude and heroism. With our Allies wo have held our ground against a world of enemies, and have carried our colours far into our enemies' territory. The old Prussian military spirit, of which wc are proud, has proved inextinguishably vital, and is adding to tho immortal glory and heroism of our forefathers.

ing_ has been _ held, and the anti-mili-tarist cause is spreading. Fifteen thousand people attended the meeting in spite of the police prohibition. The Crown Prince is frequently insulted. THE KAISER'S ILLNESS. CONDITION REPORTED WORSE. QUEEN OF GREECE SUMMONED. (Received January 14th, 9 p.m.) ROME, January 13. It is reported by neutral sources that the condition of the Kaiser is worse. Two doctors from the Eastern front have been summoned to Berlin. The German Press is significantly silent regarding his illness. A wireless message states that his sister, Queen Sophia of Greece, has been summoned to the Kaiser's bedside, and is expected to leave for Berlin immediately.

"We face tße future, full of confidence in God and victory. Our singlo hol.v thought is to give everything down to our last resources to ensure the nation s life and security. The general economic prcssuro has not shaken our sound Prussian finances, but their maintenance requires increased taxes. The healing of our wounds and the calling forth of new life out of our mighty achievements and sacrifices will be our biggest tasks when a victorious peace is secured. Our entire manhood is unitedly fighting with brotherly loyalty. What our enemies call compulsion is, with us, liberty based on order." PEACE PROPAGANDA. ACTIVITY IN BERLIN. ("Time*" *nd "Sydney Sun" S^rricea.) LONDON, January 13. Various accounts arc reaching London and Paris that peace posters, bills, and circulars are being posted in the streets of Berlin and slipped under people's doors at night. A secret meet-