WESTERN QUERY.

Northern Advocate, 3 June 1918, Page 3

WESTERN QUERY.

PARIS TEST - IMMINENT

THE HISTORIC MARNE.

A GERMAN HALT.

GREEK SURPRISE

SPRUNG ON BULGARS.

In view of the urgent demand for as - many fighters as possible the British Ministry of National Service has called up 25,500 men "from the plough," and has decided to grant no more exemptions of agriculturists after the end of this month.

A notable achievement is credited to the Greek army, backed by French artillery forces, in Macedonia. The combined Bulgarians and Germans, occupying exceptionally strong positions in an area of 1\ miles by 2 miles deep in the Skradilegen zone, were decisively beaten arid driven out with heavy losses in killed, wounded, and prisoners, the latter totalling ov.er 1500. The attackers also captured a great quantity of valuable material.

A somewhat modified report is to hand concerning the arrival of the Germans at the Marne, on a ten-mile front between Jaulgonne and Charteres, a French official report stating that only weak enemy elements have reached the Marne's northern bank. One report says that the enemy has retired from the northern bank of the Marne to plateaux positions, apparently with a view to attempting a western sweep towards Paris, which will involve a stupendous open battle at once if that course is followed.

While the Germans lay claim to a favourable continuance of their operations from Noyon to the west of Rheims, and to have captured several plaecs along the south bank of the Vesle River, also the Bretigny St. Paul-Trosly-Loire line, a French communique presents the position as much less poignant than on Saturday. The enemy pressure is certainly maintained in the Lower Ailette region, all his attacks in the Bleracourf area have been broken, and his troops which succeeded m pushing across the Oise near Sapigny were thrust back again to the right b£rik. To the west of the Soissons-Chateau Thierry road the Germans, gained ground, but all attempts in the direction of the Nevilles front were effectually foiled.