THE WEST FRONT.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16218, 22 May 1918, Page 7

THE WEST FRONT.

POSITION UNCHANGED

ONLY LOCAL ACTIVITIES. j (By Cable.—Prcas Association.- opyright.) j (Australian and N. 2. Cable Association.) (Received May 21st, 8.20 p.m.) LONDON, May 20. Sir Douglas Haig reports:— "Tho French carried out a successful night operation cast and north-east of Lacro, gaining all objectives on a front of 4000 yards, and taking over 400 prisoners. "Local fighting this morning northward of Albert resulted in a few of our men being missing. "We rushed a German post eastward of Hebuterno, taking prisoners and two machino-guns. "Hostile gas shelling is active northward of Bethune." (Received May 21st, 9.30 p.m.) LONDON, May 20. A French communique states: — "There is lively artillery activity in tho region of Hangard and south, of the Avre. "Detachments penetrated to the enemy's third trench north-west of Rheimß, in the direction of Dernancourt, and caused much destruction."' "There are artillery actions, occasionally violent, south of tho Avre, and at some points in the region of Montdidier and Lassigny." A German official report states: — "The British entered Ville stir Ancre, but failed to advance farther along the Ancre Valley. Attacks against Morlancourt broke down sanguinarily." LONDON, May 20. Sir Douglas Haig reports: — "A local operation at Ville Sur Ancre was completely successful, the .Australians carrying the German positions in and around the village, which they took possession of, capturing 360 prisoners and 20 machine-guns. Our casualties were light. <: We successfully raided a post south■westward of Motercn, inflicting C3sual~ ties." ... "We carried out a successful raid in the Albert sector, and repulsed an enemy raid northward of Hinges. "Hostile artillery fire has increased considerably on the front/' • A French communique states that there has been only intermittent artillery activity north and south of tho Avre. IMPORTANT LOCAL GAINS. (Boater's Telegrams.) (Received May 21st, 11.40 p.m.) LONDON, May 20. Reuter'e correspondent at Headquarters states: —

"The Australian captures at Ville sur Ancre exceeded 400. The casualties inflicted were very heavy. The Germans were forced back from an awkwaTd little salient Chey had created, and are now probably back upon the railway. Over 30 machine-guns were taken between Ribemont and' Dernancourt.

"Tho heavy fighting mentioned in previous despatches related to a French attack on a front of from 3000 to 4000 yards, apparently pivoting on Locre Hospice and extending eastwards. ' It is reported that the operations succeeded, over 300 prisoners being collected. Every yard of ground the Allies take in this locality represents an important gain, inasmuch as it pushes the enemy from the chain of hills running west of Mont Kemmel." A DEADLOCK POSSIBLE. NEW YOTtK, May 20. The "New York Times" says that Americans from Europe say that Allied Government officials fear that the situation on the West front may reach a deadlock unless something can be done to stop the German progress and domination in Russia. General Joffre nine months ago urged that an Allied expeditionary force should he 6ent to Russia to help to expel the Germans. Ho pointed out that Germany might extend her control to the Siberian coal, oil and mineral lands. PRAISE FOR LABOUR UNITS. (Australian and N.Z. C«bla Association.) (Renter's Telegram®.) (Received May 21st, 8 p.m.) LONDON, May 20. Sir Douglas Haig has issued a special order paying a tribute to tho devotion, endurance, and gallantly of the Labour units under most trying circumstances. At tho beginning of the present battle their discipline and spirit enabled them to render most valuable assistance to the rest of the Army. WASHINGTON, May 20. It is officially announced that tho Americans hold more of the front lino trenches than the Belgians, who, until recently, ranked next to the British. It is also officially announced that as a result of arrangements for forwarding troops this year, there is a possibility that more than 2,000,000 will be sent overseas. Allowing for casualties, the American forces should numbor close on 2,000,000 before the end of the year. The fact that American troops have been brigaded with the British; enables British supplies to be used, thus affording a great increase of shipping room for the transport of troops. THE NEXT PHASE. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received Mav 21st. 9.30 p.m.) LONDON, May 20. The United Press' correspondent reports that Marshal von Mackonsen is on the West front, commanding an army of manccuvre, which will be flung into any opening which Hindenburg mav make when tho offensive is renewed. Hindenburg has now probably over 100 shock divisions awaiting orders, about forty of -which are . entirely fresh.