THE WESTERN THEATRE.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15567, 17 April 1916, Page 7

THE WESTERN THEATRE.

ON THE MEUSE. NO INFANTRY ATTACKS. INTENSE BOMBARDMENT ON BOTH SIDES.

The High Commissioner reports:— LONDON, April 14 (8.5 p.m.). An official communique says:— "On the west bank of the Meusc last night there was a violent bombardment of our first lines west of Hill 304. "On tho east bank tho Germans launched yesterday at tho end of the day on our position south of Douaumont a small attack, which was completely repulsed. The night was relatively calm, except for a lively bombardment in the region south of Haudiomont. "In tho Woevre there was an artillery duel in the sector of Moulainvillo, but nothing important on the rest of the front." (By Cable. —Press Association.—Copyright.) LONDON, April lo (5.55 p.m.). Tho French official communique says:— "West of the Mouse there was a rather lively bombardment of our positions between Malancourt Wood and

Hill 304. Our batteries showed themselves very active at this point of the front, notably west of Crow's Wood and tlio crossing points of the Forges brook. "East of the Meuse, and in tho Woevre tho bombardment was interEl ittent. "There was no infantry action during the night in any part of the Verdun region." (Received April 16th, 11.5 p.m.) PARIS, April 16. A later official report says:— "The enemy's operations on the Verdun front are confined to an intense bombardment on both sides of the Meuse." ACTIVITY NEAR ROYE. The High Commissioner reports:— LONDON, April 15 (5.55 p.m.). The French official communique says:— "North of Roye an enemy reconnaissance attempted to reach our trendies in the region of Parvillers, but was dispersed by rifle fire." Parvillers is about 4-J miles northwest of Roye, which is 25 miles southeast of Amiens. WITH THE ENEMY. NOTHING TO REPORT. (Received April 16th, 5.5 p.m.) BERLIN, April 14. An official communique says:— "There is nothing to report on the Verdun front." WIRELESS CLAIMS. FRENCH ATTACKS FAIL. (Received April 16th. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, April 15. A German' wireless message says:— A few battalions, after artillery preparations of greatly increased violence, were only able to carry out an attempted attack on our positions at Mort Homme. Thanks to our concentrated fire from both sides of the Meuse. the attacking waves broke down with the heaviest losses before our lines. A few men who penetrated our trenches were killed in hand-to-hand fighting." THE BRITISH FRONT. 311 NOR ACTIVITIES. MINING AND BOMB ATTACKS. (Received -April 16th. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, April 14. Sir Douglas Haig reports: — "Wo exploded mines east of Vermellcs on Thursday evening, considerably damaging the enemy's position. .'"We successfully Iwmbardcd the enemy's lines in the neighbourhood of Souch.cz."

(Received April" 16th, H-J p-m.) I LONDON, April 16. r Sir Douglas Haig reports: — c "Several small enemy bombing attacks on the craters hold by us at St. Eloi wero repulsed. "The enemy exploded five mines near the quarries in the vicinity of Hulluch, causing slight damage to our trenches. ! Vermelles is close to Hulluch which j is roughly half-way between La Bassec t on the north, and Lens on the south, j Souchez is south-east of Lens. THE ENEMY'S REPORT. BRITISH REPULSED AT ST. ELOI. (Received April IBtli, 5.5 p.m.) 'LONDON, April 15. A -German wireless message says:— "A strong English advance against the crater positions southward of St. Eloi was completely repulsed." j) IN ALSACE. j i AFFAIRS 01-' PATROLS. < Tho High Commissioner reports: — LONDON. April 15 (5.55 p.m.). j The French official communique says: '"In tho Vosgcs there were some patrol contacts. A German reconnaissance party suffered heavily from our (ire south of the ridge of St. Marie aux Mines." 1 THE VERDUN OFFENSIVE. ' I SIGNS OF BREAK-DOWN. PARIS, April 14. The semi-official review commenting on the Gorman explanation "that bad visibility caused a slackening of the Verdun attack," says "the excuse is far too simple." The truth .is that tho resumption of the offensive on the L)th and 10th and 11th caused the Germans considerable losses, because of which they must reconstruct their decimated units, and fill huge gaps in the ranks. The only results of the oifensivc were bloody hecatombs and the occupation of five hundred metres of trenches at the foot of Mort Homme, in contrast to the five kilometres, on a nine kilometre front, gained on February '21st to 24th, which was the only other offensive on the same scale. "This diiforeuce," says the French report, "is obviously duo to the French defensive power increasing, and tho German offensive power decreasing: also to the fact that the French material is constantly improving. Common sense justifies the belief that the capture of Verdun is beyond the enemy's strength." A FALSE PROPHET. J THE KAISER'S APPEAL. . PARIS, April 15. Tho Kaiser has issued the following exhortation to his troops: — '■Tho Treaty of 1871 was signed at Paris. Go forward, beloved soldiers. This time it is the end. The peace treaty will be signed at Verdun." GUNS AND SHELLS. FRANCE'S GREAT EFFORTS. HUGE INCREASE IN OUTPUT. ("Times" and ''Sydney .Sun" Services.) LONDON, April 14. Mr H. .Warner Allen, official representative' of the British Press with the French Armies, in an article concerning tho French production, says that taking thfc figure 1 as the normal output in August, 1914, tho production of field guns and shells rose to 14 by May, 1915, to 29 by December, 1915, and to 30-1 by February, 1916. The output of all tho larger shells

increased to 44 by February, 1916, while thc production of heavy guns increased to 33 times, and of field guns to 23 times greater than during the first month of the war. The output of tho Government powder factories was doubled and thc output of other establishments was 23 times greater. THE LATEST TRIUMPH. A 16-INCH HOWITZER. (By Cable. —Press Association. —Copyright.) (Received April 16th, 5.5 p.m.) PARIS, April 15. Tile latest triumph of French engineers is a new .16-inch Howitzer, which is said to be equal to the German gun of similar dimensions. BRITISH STRENGTH. SHOCK TO THE ENEMY. LONDON, April 14. The Rotterdam correspondent of the "Daily Mail" «ays the British strength in the Ypres sector has given the enemy a rude shock. While delivering a local attack against one reported weak position, he was repulsed after fierce hand-to-hand fighting. German troops and guns continue to arrive on the Yser, where the next great battle is expected. COST OF LIVING. MAXIMUM PRICES FIXED. PARIS, April 14. The Senate has adopted the principle of the Government fixing maximum selling prices for the necessaries of life.