THE WEST FRONT.

Evening Star, Issue 16663, 20 February 1918, Page 6

THE WEST FRONT.

BRITISH AWAIT ATTACK, GERMAN HOPES FOR DEG-ISION. LONDON, February 19. (Received February 20, at 8.55 a.m.) The Gorman offensive is expected immedrately on the west trout. The enemy are xtmig tanks and new varieties of poisonous (Received February 20, at 8.55 a.m.) Mr Philip Gibbs says : At any moment ve maj see the beginning of the enemy's last desperate effort to end the war bv a SlVe J l n t °Ji- V ' Gndoubtediy their offens\e, which has long been preparing, is now imminent. Detailed information from prisoners leaves no doubt about that. Our aviators for some time \ have reported terrific mdiistiy and nervous tension behind the German lines, and all leave has bera stopped tor German officers and men lhe_ Germans are drugged, and are. under the spell of a frightful secret hope. Germany to-day is a nation with bloodshot eyes and high temiierature from fever, buoyed up to the last stage of resistance against the despair which is eating into her heart. Our men will not fail, whatever the cost. HAIG’S FEELERS, Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association and Reuter. LONDON, February 19. (Received February 20, at 8.55 a*m.) Sir Douglas Haig reports: We made successful raids on three sectors of our front Irish troops entered the enerav trenches south-eastward of F.pehv, and brought back prisoners. The Canadians made a successful raid, and cantured five prisoners, southward of Lens, the Lanca shire Borderers and Yorkshire troopsraided enemy positions on a wide front in the southern_ portion of Houthmust Forest (north of Ipres), killing a large number and capturing 27 men and a machine i'un. Our casualties were slight. ° DUNSCSRK AIRMEN BUSY. Australian' and N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter. LONDON, February 19. (Received February 20, at 9'.65 a.m.) The Admiralty reports : Our aircraft during Sunday night dropped several tons of explosives on the Zeebrugge mole and docks and on the Bruges docks. Bombs were observed to fall alongside -a submarine shelter and in the vicinity of the lock gates and quays. Our aircraft on Monday forenoon attacked an aerodrome at Varsscnaero, several hits being secured on the hangars and sl}eds. Three enemy aircraft were destroyed in patrol encounters. All our machines returned. GERMAN ACTIVITY IH THE BIG SALIENT, Reuter’s Telegrams. LONDON, February 19. (Received February 20, at 8.55 a.m.) A French communique reports violent artillery activity during the night in the region south of the Forest of Bt. Gobain (north-west of Laon), in the sector Chavignon (south-west of Laon), and northwest of Bezonraux (east of the Meuse). FRENCH SOCIALISTS SOUND. PARK, February 19. (Received February 20, at 9.65 a.m.) After an all-day discussion, the Socialist National Council voted by 1,548 to 415 in favor of war credits being continued to be voted in the Chamber of Deputies. GERMAN ANXIETY. NEW YORK, February 19. (Received February 20, at 10.10 a.m.) Dr Davis, formerly the Kaiser’s dentist, has arrived at an American port. He declares that the Germans are no longer confident that the U boats can win the war. The whole nation is clamoring for peace. [The cable news in this issue accredited to ‘ The Times ’ has appeared in that journal, but only where expressly stated is such news the editorial opinion of ‘The Times.’!

ANTI-SUBMARINE DEVICES. HUGE AMERICAN EXPEND!JURE. • WASHINGTON; February 19. (Received February 20, at 10.10 a.m.) Mr Josephus Daniels, Secretary of the Navy, has asked Congress for a hundred million dollars as an additional appropriation for contracts for anti-submarine devices. RAISING THE WIND. A DUTCH GO-BETWEEN. NEW YORK, February 19. (Received February 20, at 9.30 a.m.) The Federal authorities here have arrested Johannes Werkhoven, and charged him with bringing German-owned bond coupons to America for the purpose of cashing them. Werkhoven is purser on a Dutch ship. The .authorities allege that he has cashed three million dollars’ worth of coupons. Werkhoven contends that the bonds were owned by a Hollander, and not by Germans. VERSAILLES COUNCIL, GENERAL RAWLINSON APPOINTED. LONDON, February 19. (Received, February 20, at 11.45 a.m.) General Sir Hour'- Rawlinson has been appointed the British representative on the Versailles War Council. [Sir Henry Rawlinson has for long been in command of one of our armies in France. The first appointee to Versailles Council wars Sir Henry Wilson, on whose transfer to be Chief of the Imperial General Staff, the position was offered to Sir William Robertson, who refused it.] LLOYD GEORGE MEETS PARLIAMENT, LONDON, February 19. (Received February 20, at 9.30 a.m.) Mr Lloyd George admitted, in the House of Commons, that the Versailles War Council possessed executive powers. AMERICA' PAINED. NEW YORK, February 19. (Received February 20, at 9.50 a.m.) The ‘New Fork Times’ expresses the hope that England's political battle will soon end. It says the enemy must be gloating over this internal strife. England badly needs unity in her home councils.