WESTERN FRONT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume L, Issue 175, 5 November 1917, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT

LEHMAN S EVACUATE THE " CHEMIN-DES-DAMES. FRENCH' ADVANCE TO THE AILETTE. LONDON, Nov. 3. A French communique states : —The results of our victory at Malmaison have not been slow in showing themselves. Threatened on the right, and passed bv our infantry and crushed by tb e artillery, which increasingly bombarded their organisations south of the Ailette from our new positions, the enemy have been compelled to abandon the Chemin-des-Dames, to which they had 'been clingintr for the past si* months, on a front of 20 kilometres, from Froid Mont farm to a post east of C-raonne. 'Our troops, descending- the northern slopes of the Cremin-des-Dames, occupied the 'German positions to a depth exceeding a kilometre in certain places. The villages of Courtecon, 'Cerny-eir Laonnois. Ailles, and Chevreux are ip our hands. Our -patrols, keeping in contact -with the enemy, have reached the Ailette between and Cerny During the night there was a ecu timial advance between the Oise Cai-a' and the region of Courany. reach ed the southern bank of Hie Ailette along the entire front. The enemy fell back on tli e northern front, the bridges find passages of which have been cut. The artillery struggle continued lively in the sector of Chavignon, and at some points in the region of the plateaux. Among the material captured sinc« •October * 22nd. are 200 heavv and field guns, 222 trench guns, and 720 machine guns. Violent artillery fire continues on the right bank of the Meuse. In the la.pt ten days of October 51 enemy aeroplanes were brought down.

NEJW GROUND ORGANISED. (Australian and N-Z. Cable Association and Reuter.) LONDON, Nov. 4. A French communique says : We ai» organising tlie new ground on the Ailette front. The artillery duel continues on the Chemin-des-Ditenes. In the battle of La Malmaison French airmen felled 16 German machines and engaged in 611 air fights.. Fifty Gcf* man machines crashed into their ov/i» lines. j HOW THE GERMANS PUT IT. i RETREAT "UNNOTICED AND UN MOLESTED." (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter.) (Admiralty per Wireless Press.) LONDON, Nov. 3. A German official message says:— "Unnoticed and undisturbed "we last night withdrew our lines from the hilly front of the Cremin-des-Dames. "We took prisoner a number of Americans along the Rhine-Marne Canal." WHAT ABANDONMENT OF THE RIDC £ MEANS GERMAN OFFENSIVES HERE IMPOSSIBLE. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association) (Rec. Nov. 5, 10.30 a.m.) PARIS, Nov. 4. A semi-official message says the evacuation of the Chemis-des-Dames means that the Germans have abandoned the heights from which they viewed the German back lines, and have taken up a position in the marshy region of the Ailette, which the French dominate. Moreover, any serious enemy atempt at an offensive on the Aiene front in future is out of the Question, while the defence of the French position in this region has been rendered easier and will require fewer troops. ANOTHER EXPLANATION. (Rec. Nov. 5. 11.5 a.m.) AMSTERDAM, Nov. 4. A Bei'lin semi-official message explains the withdrawal from the Chemin-des-Dames, as being in order to prevent unnecessary bloodshed. SBTiLIEBY ACTIVITY ENEMY ATTACKS FAIL. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association) (Rec, Nov. 5, 10.10 a.m.> LO.NDON, Nor. 4 \ French communique says—Artillery activity continues very marked north of the Chemin-des-Dames, in the region of Pinon and Vauxaillon. After a violent bombardment, ;tbf* Germans twice attacked north of Ohaume Wood, on the sight bank of the Meuse. Our fire dispersed the assailants with heavy, losses. successful mm IRISH FUSILIERS ACTIVE. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter.) (Rec. Nov. 5, 10.10 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 4. Sir Douglas Haig reports : The Irish Fusiliers successfully raided last night .youth-westward of HavrincoUrt. Two attempts by the enemy at raids in the neighbourhood of Monchy le Preux wero repulsed. Small parties of our tropps captured strong points, one eastward of Broodseinde and the other south-eastward of Poelcapelle. ENEMY ATTACKS [REPULSED. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter.) XfONDON, Nov.- 4 Sir Douglas ifaig reports : We repulsed this morning attacks southward and westward of Passchendaele, where the enemy captured an advanced post W e retook it in the afternoon. The enemy's artillery is active northward of Ypres. The weather is interfering with flyinjr. ARTILLERY AND AERIAL ACTIVITY. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter.) LONDON, Nov. 3. Sir Douglas Haig reports that there is great mutual artillery and aerial activity in drizzling weather. AMERICANS IN THE TRENCHES. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association) NEW YORK, Nov. 3. American Headquarters in France rt> •port, that the first Americans in thetrenches were relieved by other bat talions, having suffered no losses. THE ARTILLERY'S PART STRAIN ON OFFICERS AND MEN. (Published in The Times.) LONDON, Nov. 2. Mr Perry Robinson pictures tho cease less upon the heroic conduct of the artillery on the Western front. Batteries were dragged for miles through seas of shell-torn mud and incessant rain, soldiers carrying the ammunition, as it wag impossible for mules and ponies to do the work. Guns and men alike are unprotected from the weather,, and men sleep ia waterproof sheets spread in the slime. They bolt food heated at munition boxes, and fall into a weary stupor. Officers drop asleep while giving commands. Grey and bitter days succeed bitterer nights. Desuite the enormous physical strain, they face all dangers with light-heart-ed contempt. Never have men better deserved the country's thanks. EGYPT * ATTACK AT GAZA. TURKISH FIRST LINE CAPTURED (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter.) (Official.) LONDON, Nov. 3. After a heaw bombardment we attacked on Thursday night the western and south-western defences of Gaza and captured the Turkish first line ov> a front of 5000 yards. We repulsed three counter-attacks, inflicting heavy enemy losses. TURKISH COMMUNIQUE. (Rcc. Nov. 5, 10.10 a.'m.) LONDON. Nov. 4. A Turkish communique states : There j—Mßgreaagßssgygssi***'** llll

ia intense artillerying at 'Gaza. ' Our i batteries effectively replied to enemy | cruisers bombarding the coast. \ SOME OF THE CAPTURES. (Bee. Nov. 5, 10.10 a.m.) (Official.) LONDON, Nov. 4. The captures at Beersheba were 15 gnus. At Gaza 444 prisoners were taken, including 26 officers. THE BEEBBHEB/TSUCCESS TURKS COMPLETELY SURPRISED (Router's Telegrams.) ' LONDON, Nov. 3. Reuter's headquarters correspondent at Cairo, telegraphing on November Ist says : The veil which has obscured happenings on the Palestine front for some time has been partially lifted by the welcome and important capture of Beersheba. The preparations weT© mad» with great secrecy. The quiescence was broken five days ago, when the guns began a vigorous shelling of th e TurkiaJi lines. The fire was most intense about 'Gaza and Ilu mentar, and there was nothing to show that the first blow was going to fall on the other extremity of the line, nearly 30 miles away. The country at Beersheba is undulating, and is traversed north and south bvi deep wadies, the town itself lying in a depression along the banks of the Wady Jdadah, the Turkish defences extending north, west and s°uth at distances averaging three to five miles. The position is one of great natural strength, and was well provided' with guns and machine guns. It was held by two complete regiments, and detachments of other regiments of an infantry brigade. Our infantry came as a complete and absolute surprise, and the Turks were wiped out before news could reach headquarters. The success was not merely due to carefully-laid plans, but to the perfect working of all movements. Troops of all arms participated, but the lion's share fell to the cavalry, who marched nearly five miles, chiefly at night time, with the object of taking the enemy in the rear. The Anzac Mounted Rifles took over the circuit with the Yeomen, forming a junction with the infantry. General Chauvel commanded the cav-; airy. The movement, began after dark, and the Turkish position was _ completely* outflanked before tliev realised that it was anything more serious a reconnaissance. The first real resistance was encountered at the strong doubt of Tel-el-Saba, defending the eastern approaches to the town. This held up an immediate advance on the town. While the fight was progressing General Ryrie's Light Horse Brigade capmired a position across the Wady further east, and established themselves .across the Hebron road, cutting off escape or reinforcements in that direction. Tel-el-Saba fell a couple of houro iater, but a strong force of the enemy still held Wady, preventing approach to the town. General Grant's brigade of light horse was ordered to support the Anzacs, and, •attacking after sunset, nsing fixed bayonets as lances, swept over all opposition, and carried the town at a rush. Meanwnile the infantry, after a preliminarv bombardment, attacked strong defences westward of Beersheba andf captured the Turkish first line. After consolidating their winnings they attacked the main position, and captured' it aftei» a fight lasting 25 minutes. Among tlig hills to the north-west the enemy continued to fight, but our c ° ni bined movements drove them out. One of the most satisfactory features is that our casualties were comparatively small. The new part of Beersheba was found in good condition, but hardly anything remains of the old town. Some buildings were found to be mined. The water supply and pumping plant are practically intact, and considerable quantities of barley were found in the storehouses. Prisoners are still coming in, and already over 1500 have been counted. Nine guns and a number o£ machine guns were captured. Beersheba, now Bir-es-Seba ("well of sweajring" or "well of seven ), so called because of the covenant Abraham entered into here with Abimelech, the Philistine king, which he ratified with an oath and a gift of seven ewe lambs. Beersheba is situated on the southern border of Palestine, about 52 miles S.W., of Jerusalem, _ and'formed the limit in that direction of the Israelitish dominion. In the 4th century it was the seat of a large village with a Roman garrison j some of its churches were standing in the 14th century. A heap of ruins now marks the site of the village. Two of its wells are still almost always full of water. The shafts are of round masonry, worn with the water-drawers' ropes, and they have no parapet. BRITISH FQSD SUPPLY FOOD ECONOMY CAMPAIGN. TO PREVENT WASTE. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association) (Rec. Nov. 5, 10.40 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 4. Sir Arthur Yopp, Director of Food Economy, has announced the formation of a League of National Safety to promote food economy. Members will sign an undertaking to help victory by preventing waste. SHORTAGE T7F SOME COMMODITIES. (Rec. Nov. 5, 11.5 a.m.) I LONDON, Nov. 4. Queues formed outside many of the i London provision shops owing to shortj age of tea, sugar, butter and margarine. | The shopkeepers limit customers' pur- | chases. Prices of meat are b&ir< = ' | lowered. At Llandilo the colliers stopped the butter carts, declaring that the local wants were unsupplied. The police are inducing owners to sell ha! f locally. • They formed queues and acted as sellers of single pounds. FRENCH WAR LOAN. (Rec. Nov. 5, 10.40 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 4. The new French war loan is limited to ten thousand million francs, and must be new money. A sensation was caused in the tobacco world by the discovery that New Zealand grown leaf contains less nicotine than any foreign tobacco, and is one of the mildest and most perfect tobaccos. Nicotine affects the heart—strong tobacco with much nicotine undermines even the most robust constitution. N.Z. grown tobacco has no such deleterious properties. Smokers should trv the new Aromatic Gold Pouch Mixture—it is greatly superior to the earlier product, particularly m aroma. No matter how much he smokes of this delicious tobacco, it leaves the mouth sweet and clean, never bites the j tongue and burns freely to the last I whiff: Gold Pouch is cheaper too, 2i ounces for Is. Cigarette smokers should use the N.Z. "Three Diamonds" To- \ bacco; far superior to the imported | brands—2£ ounces for Is.

NAVAL ENGAGEMENTS ENEMY SHIP SUNK 'OFF TUB ■BELGIAN COAST. ENE.A'I if CRUISER AND TEN PATROL SHIPS SUNK IN THE KATTEGAT. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter.) LONDON, Nov. 3. The Admiralty reports that an electrically controlled high speed boat attacked our patrols on the Belgian coast. The attack was defeated, and the boat was destroyed. The Admiralty also announces that our naval forces operating in the Kattegat have apparently been engaged by enemy forces, probably patrols. The official information only intimates that certain o{ our vessels have been detached to bring in prisoners, and that they are nearing their bases. A later report states that our forces operating in the Kattegat destroyed ail auxiliary cruiser armed with six-inch guns, and also ten armed patrols. Sixtyfour prisoners were rescued. We had no casualties. GERMAN CRUISER QUICKLY DISPOSED OF. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association) COPENHAGEN, Nov. 3. Friday morning the German auxiliary cruiser Marie, 3000 tons, met British destroyers 12 miles north of Kullen. The Marie opened fire, which the destroyers answered. In ten minutes the >larie was on fire. Thirty of the crew were killed, and the remainder took to the boats. A Danish steamer brought 17 wounded to Copenhagen, including the cap : tain, who said his vessel had four guns and a crew of 90. She was suddenly attacked, and shells descended with such rapiditv that the men were unable to work the grins, which onlyi fired a few shots before the Marie was a mass of flames. The destroyers then ceased firinfir. and rescued about 30. 'Other reports state that the fight lasted three hours, and four or five armed German trawlers participated. Thei>fat e is unknown. CRAFT PUZZLES ENGLISH OBSERVERS. (Rec. Nov. 5, 10,30 a.m.) „ LONDON, Nov. 4. The newspapers are puzzled regarding an electrically controlled German boat which patrols sank on the Belgian coast. Naval writers suggest that it_ was crewless and controlled by wii-eless waves from the shore or aircraft. Electrical engineers are sceptical, as the Admiralty's statement is not explicit. STATEMENT BY SURVIVORS. fßeo. Nov. 5, 11.5 a.m.) COPENHAGEN, Nov. 4 The survivors of the German auxiliary cruiser landed at IHelsingboro. They declare their boat, Dl, disguised as a merchantman, was sunk by gun fire by a solitary British" submarine. The latter then signallecT the crews of the trawlers to abandon ship When the crews were safe in the lifeboat® the submarine sank all the trawlers b\ gunfire. eENTa&I POWERS GERMAN CHANCELLORSHIP. HERTLING'S APPOI NT MEN T CONFIRMED. f Reuter'* Tolegrams.) AMSTERDAM, Nov. 2. t Berlin now officially confirms the appointment of Herr Hertling. GERMAN AGENT AT THE VATICAN. (Published in The Times.) LONDON, Nov. 3. The Times, in a leader, says that Herr Hertling lias Been appointed manifestly owing to his long services as an unofficial Prusso-German agent at the Vatican. The Kaiser's choice means thafe Germany is redoubling her efforts to use t*-e Pope as a tool in peace manoeuvres. KILLED i« mm NEW ZEALAND OFFICER'S "" DEATH. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association) LONDON, Nov. 3. Captain Paul Barker, of the Royal Artillery, late of Waihi,, was killed in action. A MUNITIONS PROSECUTION. (Rec. Nov. 5, 10.40 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 4. The Ministry of Munitions is prosecuting Arthur Brown, managing director of a firm which contracted to supply the French Government with bombs' for the Stokes gun. It is alleged that many of tho bombs were defective, and would have killed the guners .firing them. It is not believed that the defendant acted treacherously, but reckle.se disregard is alleged. BOLO SCANDAL. (Rec. Nov. 5, 10.40 a.m.) PARIS, Nov. 4Schoeller, Swiss industrialist, admits that hie four hundred thousand sterling for the purchase of Le Journal was German money. TORPEDOING OF AMERICAN TRANSPORT(ORec. Nov. 5, 11.10 a.m.) WASHINGTON. Nov. 4. There are eight dead and one missing from the transport Finland, itorpedoed on the way to America. AUSTRALIA noMiMQNWEALTH VICTORY LOAN SYDNEY, Nov. 4. The Commonwealth Liberty Loan of £20,000,000 has closed. The results are incomplete, but they are believed to be satisfactory. Two institutions subscriber each, and another £1,350,000. A WAR PRECAUTION. .MELBOURNE, Nov. 2. A War Precaution Act regulation rei quires New Zealanders entering the Commonwealth who undertake to return to do so when requested byi tho authorities. Failure to comply will lead to arrest and deportation. New Zealanders liable for military service who left without permission may be re quired to return. (Rec. Nov. 5. 10.30 am.) LONDON, Nov. 4. The South Wales examiners rejected the Coal-owners' -conditions, but in view of the country's peril agreed to resume.