THE WEST FRONT.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16221, 25 May 1918, Page 9

THE WEST FRONT.

SITUATION UNCHANGED

LOCAL ACTIVITIES CONTINUE

(By Cable.—Press Association.— CopJTisbO (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Reuter'n Telegrams.)

LONDON, May 23

Sir Douglas Haig reports:— '•We made a successful raid in. the neighbourhood of Avette, and repulsed au enemy raid in the vicinity of l* du Vinagc. . + "The enemy artillery is active a* various joints." (Received May 25th, 12.10 a.m.) LONDON, May 23. Sir Douglas Haig reports: • "We repulsed raids at Aveluy Wood and south of Hebuterne. "Wo attacked a machine-gun post at Aveluy Wood, and destroyed tic gun. "The French captured a machine-gun and a few prisoners in successful raids north of Bailleul and east of Locre. ' (Received May 24th, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, May 23. A French communique states: — "There are intermittent bombard-

ments south of the Avre. "An enemy coup-de-main in the region of the" Bois do Margival failed under our fire. "Our detachments entered the enemy lines, notably in the Champagne, at Avocourt Wood and in the Woevre. Wo took prisoners and some material."

THE NEXT PHASE

EXPECTED ON JUNE Ist

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Acsociation.)

WASHINGTON, May 23. General Bridges, head of the British Militarv Mission, made a statement ! that the enemy has a million and a half bayonets on the West front. His drive probably will begin on June Ist, around Ypres, and iu the vicinity of Hazebrouck. A subsidiary drive is expected towards Amiens. Germany is insisting that Austria shaU open an Italian drive, but Austria is unwilling without Gorman aid. If Germany's drive on the West front ends in a stalemate she ■will probably divert her troops to tho Italian front, which would necessitate the Allies lengthening their lines. _ The correspondent of the "New York Times" with the American Army learns that the Germans have withdrawn their crack troops for initial training m shock attacks. Military officers believe that the big "ffensive will be resumed in the first week of J ll " c - ~ __ NEW YORK, May 23. The Amsterdam correspondent of the

"New York World" says:— _ _ An interview with tho Kaiser in the •'Lokal-Anzeiger" reports the Kaiser as saying: "We shall accomplish our task on the West front. This is surer to-day than ever. Wo know the enemy to tho last depths, and already have given him two frightful Wows. There is no hnrrv for tho fruits of victory.' The Ilome correspondent of the ,r New York World*' learns that the C4erman democratic Press criticises the German offensive on tho West front, which is regardtid as a failure, despite the territory taken.

ORIGIN OF TRENCH FEVER ESTABLISHED.

("The Times.")

LONTKJN, May 23. A number of old Londoners, former war veterans, who are unable to serve, but are anxkm to help the country, submitted to infection of trench fever in a hospital at Hampstoad in order to enable experts to ascertain the origin of the disease. As a result it has Veen definitely established that the disease is caused by the excreta of lico instead of by lice bites. All the patients survived. It is believed that the experiment will lead to the discovery of a germ -whereby the infection of the soldiers' blood will be eliminated and death prevented.