REPORT FROM GENERAL FRENCH.

Evening Star, Issue 15778, 15 April 1915, Page 6

REPORT FROM GENERAL FRENCH.

STORY OF THE GREAT BATTLE

WHERE WE LOST 13,000 MEN SOME ANXIOUS MOMENTS AND SOME BLUNDERS. AERIAL INVASION FURTHER POSTPONED. ITALY BETWEEN TWO STOOLS. AUSTRIA ANTICIPATES THE WORST. GREECE PLAYS A DANGEROUS GAME. SCANDANAVIA WITH THE ALLIES, HOLLAND ANGRY WITH GERMANY. Press Association—By Tclegraph--Coiq-ngh;.

WHERE WE FAILED.

THE GENERAL’S PLAIN INTIMATION. LONDON, April 14. (Received April 15. at 10.2-5 a.m.) General 1-rench-also says ; Ihe enentv’s fire cut our telephonic communication, and the holding-np nt the Twenty-third forced tne other forces out of their proper clirecHon. This required adjustment, and in General French’s opinion the delay would not bare occurred had t-fir ,D, Haig’s clearly-expressed order been better observed. Our difficulties would have been earlier overcome if the genera! commanding the Fourth Corps find been able to bring up his reserves more speedily. We advanced later in the day to Ricliebmir.tr and St. Vaa= Pietre. and consolidated the positions we had gained. (hi the 11th the Indians t-.vitved a further advance, hut owing to weather Conditions we were unable aerially to direct the artillery. As the troops were pressing forward and we were unable to stop our artillery fire, we had to withdraw the infantry.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS.

THE SriTATIDN UNCHANGED. LONDON. April 14. ■Received .April 15. at 8.15 a.rn.) bir John French reports that the situation remained unchanged throughout the week. “On Friday morning we sncce-sfuHv exploded a, mine in the vicinity of Armentieres, and as a result, the loophol-’d walls of a hnu-o held by the enemy were destroyed. Twenty-nine German ca-unities were counted. The enemy replied by bombarding our positions without indicting any damage. Early on Wednesday the Germans exploded two mines on our right, but failed to damage our trenches. Similarly harmless explo-hm-, occurred on our left on Friday evening. ’’

MORE ZEPPELIN TALK.

IN AUGUST SOMETHING AVTLL HAPPEN. BERNE, April 14. (Received April 15. at 8.15 a.rn.! fount Zeppelin's secretary, when interviewed. said that Germany possesses 56 dirigibles, and had lost nine during the war. Their work was far exceeding anticipations, but (he new types would be constructed with long-range gun,-, and machine guns. Fifteen will he delivered in July, all armored, and each carrying two tons of explosive.. . apahle of reaching a high altitude. Ten dirigibles will attack London about Augu-t, regard 10.-s of all losses. Germany had discovered a new process for can-ing atmospheric perturbations. thus enabling her R.- bring down aeroplanes.

ALONG THE FRENCH LINES.

WHAT AN OFFICER SAW. TROOPS FULL OF CONFIDENCE. VILLAGERS MASSACRED IN COLD BLOOD. London ‘Times’ and Sydney ‘Sun’ Services LONDON, April 14. A British officer with the French troop? states that the Southern Vosges trenches are close to the lighting line, mid that on the Flanders summits they range from 600 to 1.000 metres. The slopes are very steep, the valley is very deep, and the whole is covered with pine forests. On the Gorman side of the frontier the main roads are splendid, and military highways have been built by the Germans with a view to the transport of the heaviest guns. The villages are too far from the fighting lino to allow of billeting, so encampments have been constructed in Hie woods, whore the road is exposed, in order to view the enemy. The French planted trees and branches to screen their heaviest gnus, and dragged them up the mountains, where they are cunningly established. The French can now shell the railways, factories, and cantonments vised by the Germans in the valley. The troops are full of confidence, and it is known that they have got the upper hand. The snows have disappeared except from the highest peaks, and the hardships of winter have passed. It is safe to predict that the Germans will never again obtain the ascendancy they lost when conditions were entirely in their favor. In Gerbeviller only 500 remain of the original 2.000 inhabitants. Men, women, and children were massacred in cold blood. Every house was burnt when the Germans Were forced to retreat. Lunevillo suffered but little damage, probably because it harbored so many German spies. In the sector of Nomeny-Ponta.-monsson-St. Mihiel the French artillery obtained a remarkable superiority. The German trenches were clearly seen I,2ooyds below, with no sign of life anywhere, owing to the French artillery checking all movement by day. The Germans are silent at St. Mihiel. One of the most remarkable features along the whole front is tliat the position is a very strong one. The French artillery is specially favored by the wooded heights ou either side the river

BATTLE AT NEUVE CHAPELLE,

WHY IT IVAS UNDERTAKEN. THREE DAYS’ LOSSES 12,811.

LONDON, April 14, (Received April IS, at 8.50 a.m.)

Sir John French’s report regarding Neuve Chapolle reveals that one object was to secure positions eastward of tne village as far as possible, but owing to delay, after the capture of the village, due to the catting- of the telephones, - they failed carefully to carry out Sir Douglas Haig’s instructions. Hence a further advance was frustrated.

The casualties for the three days were 572 officers and 12,259 men. About the end of February many vital considerations induced Sir John to believe that a. vigorous British offensive should he carried out at the earliest moment. He formed this opinion because of the general aspect of the Allies’ situation and the necessity for assisting the- R-us si.a.ns by holding as many of the enemy on th-3 western front as possible. But the weightiest consideration was the need of fostering the offensive spirit in our troops after their experience of a severe winter in the trenches. The object of the .main attack was to capture Neuve Ghapelle and the establishment of our Line as far eastward of that place as possible. Sir Douglas Haig, with the First Army, was entrusted with the operations. The Germans occupied a strong position at a triangle of roads just north of the village.

OUR HEAVY LOSSES.

THE 25th TURN THE TIDE. A CURTAIN OK SHRAPNEL. WHY BATTLES ARB LONG. LONDON. April 14. (Received April 15, at 9.15 a.m.) Continuing his report. Sir John French says : The Twenty-thirds wore unable to progress owing to entanglements and heavy losses, especially among the Middlesex and Scottish Rifles. The advance of the Twenty-fifth, however, turned the enemy's southern flank, which was harassing the Twenty-third, and enabled the latter to get through and- take possession of the village. All roads northward, south, and westward are in our hands. During the fight our artillery completely cut off the village from the surrounding country and prevented, with a curtain of shrapnel, any enemy from reinforcing it. Considerable delay occurred after the capture of the village, our infantry being greatly disorganised by a violent attack, and a passage through the enemy's trenches and the buildings of the village was necessary to get our units together before pushing- on. The use of the deadly rifle and machine gun renders heavy casualties unavoidable, and the power of defence conferred by modern weapons is the main cause of the long duration of the present-day battles. The time can only he, shortened by the most efficient and powerful artillerv.' Gelie ra 1 F ren<• hj < • oininends 1 1 1 0 'Prince of Wales’s work as a. Staff officer.

ALL COUNTER-ATTACKS BEATEN OFF.

TIT[•; KNEMV’S LOSSES. ALL GAPS FILLED IP. LONDON, April 14. (Received April 15, at 9.55 a.in.) General French further states : The operations were chiefly remarkable for the enemy's violent counter-attacks and the ease with which, we repulsed them. As our object, was attained, I ordered a suspension of the offensive. One lumdnd and ninety officers and 2,357 men were killed. 559 ollieers and 8,174 men wounded, and 25 officers and 1.728 men are milling. The enemy left several thousand dead on the field, and we removed 12,000 wounded. We captured 50 ollieers and 1,657 men. General French expressed to dir Douglas Haig- his fervent appreciation of the magnificent gallantry and tenacious courage of all ranks. The work of the Flying Corps teas of the greatest value, most of our objectives being attained from an altitude of 100 ft, and in one instance of 50ft. All the gaps caused in the fighting between flic 10th and 15th of iMarcli were filled within a few davs.

WHEN THE FIGHT BEGAN.

CARRE D -WIRE ENTANGLEMENTS. LONDON, April 14. (Received April 15, at 9.56 a.ra.) Describing the earlier stages of the battle. General French says the Second Army under General Smith was instructed to support General Haig. The battle opened at 7.30 a.m. on March 12 by a powerful bombardment, which was effective except on the extreme northern portion of our front. Half an hour later the Twenty-third and Twenty-fifth Brigades of the Eighth Division assaulted the German trenches north-west of the village. The Indian Gaarhwal Brigade simultaneously assaulted and carried the enemy's trenches in front, where the wire

j entanglements were almost entirely swept away by our shrapnel. The Twenty-third Brigade, however, was held up by the insufficiently-cut. entanglements, ami the artillery resumed at 8 o’.-lcck. The infantry advance continued while the j I wetuy-fit tn Brigade ami the Gaarhwals got a footing in the village.

BISHOP OF LONDON’S SERVICES.

London ‘ Times ’ and Sydney ‘ Sun' Service*.

LONDON, April 14. The Bishop of London writes that the guns were booming and British aeroplanes circling over them like guardian angels for their Easter services, which the attendance of 4,000 officers and men at the front made very impressive. The realities of war have melted away the surface shyness of the men about religion. “ The point I want to emphasise is the immediate response to a deepest spiritual note.”

ITALY ANXIOUS.

HOW LONG WILL SHE HALT

BETWEEN TWO OPINIONS? ROME, April 14. (Received April 15, at 9.50 a.m.) The German concentration in the Carpathians to help the Austrians is watched with deep concern. If Russia sweeps into Hungary it is expected that Austria will sue for peace. The Italian war party urge prompt intervention, in order to secure the material advantages of a winning combatant.

AUSTRIA FEARS DISASTER.

ROME, April 14, (Received April 15, at 9.50 a.m.)

Advices from Vienna state that the city is at last becoming alarmed. News is leaking out respecting the army’s and the wealthy classes have already left. The general impression is that the Government have lost their heads and do not know what measures to, adopt cither to prevent or delay disaster.

ITALY AND AUSTRIA.

BELIEF THAT WAR WILL BE DECLARED SOON. PARIS, April 14. (Received April 15, at 8.15 a.m.) It is believed here that Italy will declare war upon Austria prior to the meeting of the Italian Tarliament on May 12. The ‘ Italia ’ states that the Austrians have refused the Italian demands on the ground that they could not have asked more even after a victorious war.

THE AUSTRG-RERMAN ARMIES.

THEIR LEADERS AND DISPOSITIONS. I’ETROGRAD. April 14. : Received April 15, at 5.15 a.m.) Ft is estimated that the Austro-Gevnians have 1,250,000 troops in the Carpathians. Weirseh (German) is between Cracow and Tarnow ; Eugene is between the Dnratz River and Bartl’eld; Bnerovit-eh i- opposite Mezolahorcz ; Be merino !i opposite Vaeileyimg : Liiitzirger opposite Besiipiclass ; and IThnzcr on our extreme right.

A FOOLISH KINO.

FAVORS A REIGN OF TERROR. BRINDISI, April 14. Received April 15. at 3.15 a.m.; The new Greek Government at Athens are taking extraordinary measures to check Hie popular expression of feeling in favor of M. Venizelos, the c-x-i’remicr. The street where he lives is closed, and soldiers guard it, with fixed bayonets. .Members of Parliament are not allowed to call on M. Venizelos. and men are being brought-, from the provinces to cheer the new Go-veiTinv-nt. and to terrorise those favoring the ex-Premier. There have been many arrest* of those di.-approving of the Government.

FUTURE OF SCANDINAVIA.

BEGINNING TO UNDERSTAND " KULTUB.” FREMANTLE, Anri! 15. Receive ! April 15. at 9.15 a.m.) A prominent Norwegian who arrived by the Oinrah .-fates that the Norwegians hope the Allies will hj" victorious. They revogtdse that.- German victory will mean tlte idl’matv absorption of Scandinavia. Feeling runs high against Germany’s wanton, use of mines and the sinking of neutral ships. Norway's navy and army are already mobilised in anticipation of participation and in order to, retain their selfrespect. Sweden, which was previously pro-German, has undergone a change, and the majority of the people now favor the Allies. '

HOLLAND UP AGAINST “ KULTUR.”

j 1 ON DON. April 14. ißeceived April la, at 8.15 a.m.) Holland is displeas'd v, ith the German reply regarding the torpedoing of the Medan. cud proposes to -civil:; t tie math r to arbitration at- 11m nns lii.-don of the \*. a i. i

| SOUTH AFRICA.

wai: 5.00.v p.j-; nvr.i: thf.iu:. iMT-Ti!irrixn tut UQron tuaffk;. SVnXiiV. April 15. tßeceived April 15, ar 9.15 a.m.l The captain of a, steamer from South .Africa reports that ih” iik ! i< -tt ii ■ >n« a.re flint tho liyiitiny in Herman West' Africa will soon be over. Tin; war baa resulted in the wholesale eiirtailineni of publichonse bar hours, while lupior is soM only hot ween 8 in the morning ami 9 a.t ilight.

A GRAVE MORAL PROBLEM.

WHAT TO DO WI TH GIRL .MOTHERS. LONDON. April 14. (Received April 15, at 8.15 n.m.) ‘ llie Titnes’.s ’ med.Ta l correspondent urges a national policy lo help the girl mothers of sold inis’ illegitimate eliildreiL There are largo minilior.s oi’ nnnuiried girls in Ureat Britain in a. state of expectant motherhood. He asks: "Are they to he left in the slough ot their shame? This grave moral problem demands a. decision. ’’

OVER 30,000 WOMEN V/ORKERS.

LONDON, April 14. (Received April 15, at 8.15 a.m.) The President of the Board of Trade (Mr Kuncinian) has announced that 35,000 women had registered for special war service by tho end of March, including 6,CCO in armament works. Tho Government have agreed to pay mine piece rates for Government contracts, but there is no rule relating to time rates.

TREASURY BILLS.

LONDON, April 14. (Received April 15, at 8.15 a.m.) The sum of £44.316.000 was subscribed for the £25,000.000 of Treasury bills, at an average of £3 14s 4d.

VICTORIAN RED CROSS SOCIETY.

MELBOURNE, April 15. (Received April 15, ,Vt 8.15 a.m.)

In view of a recent cable that no more warm clothing is required for the troops at the front, the Red Cross Society have decided that the large stock of clothing they have on hand and en routq should be 'handed over to the French Red Cross Society. As Sir George Reid has advised that cool summer clothing is required, the society will now turn their attention to that.

WHEN PEACE COMES.

DOMINIONS WILL BE CONSULTED. LONDON, April 14. (Received April 15, at 8.50 a.m.) In the House of Commons the Colonial Secretary (Air Hareourt) intimated that lie would consult the Dominions fully and personally when the time to discuss terms of peace arrived. ,

MR FISHER’S PATRIOTISM.

EULOGISED IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. NORMAL CONFERENCE NOT DENI RED. LONDON. April 14. (Received April 15, at 10.50 a.m.) Speaking in the House of ('ominous, Mr Tfaicoun said that a few days ago Mr Fisher was reported in Hie Press as saving, with relr-renee to Uu; imperial Confer once. that ” what the British Government cun aider will be the eenvel tiling is good enough (Mr my Government,’' and continued; "in a pri'v.le Liter to me, dated February 15. Mr Kish-w wrote.: ’1 eheerfuliy fall in with th" decision not to hold a con (creme, this year, though 1 am, unable (o convinee. myself that, the reasons for postponement aie suliiei, nl However, we hay.- a poiiey tor this Irouide that gets river all d illicit It ie.s. \Vh, ii Hie King’.-, ou.-iness does not. lit with our ideas, wide not press them.’ ’’ Mr, Jlarcoitn then added; "This is an admit aide example of Hie spirit in which (he Dominions deewith Imperial affairs during the war."

Replying to Sir Gilbert Barker, Mr ilarcourt said that after the outbreak of war the Government assumed it would not, suit anyone’s convenience to hold a- normal conference in 1915, but- no eoinmnnications had passed with the Dominions. " Early in f)e. ember 1 was privately aware that Mr Fisher favored meeting during and in spite of the war. 1 ’ telegraphed this privately to vlie other IT line MitWsters. and they unanimously agreed that a. conference was difficult, if mil impossible. In two eases ihe attendance of .Minister.- was impracticable. 1 t hen inhumed Mr Fisher that, in view of this practical unanimity. I hoped he would recognise its force, and he replied (fiat he did not wish In press the matter further."

KEPT IN SPIRIT AND IN LETTER.

LONDON. April 14. (Received April 15, nt 11.50 a.m. I Mr (farcourt further said that, in these communications lie had referred only to v. hat he cavet’id !y called a "normal conferenee." by v. 11 ieh he meant a. full conference with all lh" paraphernalia- of mi.— cellancon.-- resolutions and protracted sittings and shorthand reports, resulting hi Blue Books. Ibis sort of conference was thought unsnited to present conditions, but in January In- had telegraphed to all (hivernor.s-Gcneral asking them to inform their Prime .Minister.-, that, hj vas the (ir.vernmi-nt’s intention to cons.;it them most, fully, and if pos-dl-le personally, when the time arrived |disciis-s possible terms of peace. " ! need hardly add," said Mr Harco'-.rt, "that the Government intend to observe the spird and the Utter of this declaration, v. limit we believe has given complete sat-isfaelio-i to tin- (ffivernmeiits of the Dominions."

FRANCE CALM.

AVIATORS AND BOMBERS. Th" High ('onnuis-ioner rcnorls under date London, April 14 (4.15 p.m.); —France is calm generally. On Tuesday a Zeppelin bombed Baillt-ni and killed three civilian--. Two German aei ojdanes v. .-re foreed t o descend at Braine and Lmieviile. w lie re thaviators went made prisoners. A third machine ’was winged at lUn.-s.

INDIAN TROOPS IN TRAINING

DEl.ili. April 14. I Receive 1 April 15. at 9.25 a.m./ The 1 erritoritils in training in India have attained a state of high eineieiicy in a remarkably short, period. Their health -s excellent, and the recruit lug of native regiments is sa i isfa"l ory. 'ihe re cent successes in Europe have stimulated military enthusiasm. Large numbers of gentlemen art- joining the Army as re.-.er\e officers.

INDIA’S WHEAT HARVEST.

DELHI, April 14. 'Received April In, at 9 25 a.m.) Tim (.overrnncnl, s spi cm I forecast of the t-I a I harvest: for Apm and May is 10,1 n ilhori tons, against o', rn limns last yew lloirir- antiioril'.-s consider this an under-c-tinnde. ft o hoped (liar there will he 0.000.0n0 tons avadable for export under I Box i rniiicnt control. Where the new crops arc coming to market, prices show a distinct lendmmy to fall.