WESTERN FRONT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LII, Issue 50, 27 February 1918, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT

THE GERMAN OFFENSIVE PREPARING THE PEOPLE FOR FURTHER- SACRIFICES. and Gable Association) AMSTERDAM, Feb. 25. The German war press is beginning an inspired campaign: in order to prepare th e public for fresh sacrifices on the Western front. The army command is evidently fearful of the depressing effect the coming operations may have upon the country, and lays particular stress upon, the argument that the enemy will bear the .guilt of the terrible tii in sis which will .result from their refusal to enter into peace negotiations. The Vossische Zeitiuig says: "A most monstrous and' terrible thing is awaiting the Continent. Never in history will th e memory of this terrible February be effaced. We stand before the magic alternatives qf victory or decline. Our bes.t blood must flow, and bitterness and pain enter German homes, but we are sure of victory." GERMAN AERODROMES BOMBED. (Australian and N-Z. ©able Association and Rauter.) LONDON, Feb. 25. Sir Douglas' liaig Teports : The hostile artillery is active, particularly at Sou.chez (north of Arras). We 'bombed three aerodromes m the Lys Valley (west of Lille). All our machines returned. ARTILLERY DUELS IN' CHAMPAGNE AND ALSACE. (Australian and N.Z. Cabl® Association a»d Renter.) LONDON, Feb. 25. A French communique says : The artillery duel continued in the liveliest degree i' l the Tegion of Tahure (Champagne) and in the sectors north and south of Dollar (Upper Alsace). AN AMERICAN RAID. (Australian and N.Z. eable Association) PARIS, Feb. 25. The Americans raided German tren- \ ches and captured 22 prisoners and a machine-gun. GERMANY AND POISON GAS. NO PROPOSAL FOR ABOLITION. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association) LONDON, Feb. 25. In the House of Commons Mr. Bonar Law (Leader of the Government) denied that Germany had officially suggested giving up the use of poison gas. He added that such a suggestion may merely be a blind. capturTdcjionies DISCUSSED BY SOCIALIST CONFERENCE. OPEIN-DOOR POLICY FAVOURED. (Reuter's Telegrams,' LONDON. Feb. 24. The Socialist Conference decisions included the following clause regarding the colonies: That the return of the colonies to their pre-war possessors, or such exchanges and compensations which might be effected, should not impede the making of peace. Those colonies that have been taken by conquest from any belligerent must be made the subject of special consideration at the Peace Conference, in which communities in their neighbourhood will be entitled to take part. By a clause in the treaty of peace they must secure economic equality in such territories for the peoples of all nations and thereby guarantee that none will be shut out from legitimate access to raw materials and prevented from disposing of their own products or deprived of their proper share in economic development." jb-uITISH ADVANCE ON THE EUPHRATES. (Aufiralian and N.Z. Cable Association and Router.) LONDON, Feb. 25. A Mesopotamia official report says : Out troops on the Euphrates occupied Ivahn abu Rayan (about 80 miles west of Baghdad) on Wednesday. FOOD SITUATION IN ENGLAND. "LONDON ON RATIONS. (Australian and N.Z. Oabl© Association^ LONDON, Feb. 25. Rationing day introduced novel scenes at restaurants and hotels. The majority adopted the system of exchanging vouchers for meat coupons, especially fish. There is a great demand for vegetarian dishes. INTER-ALLIED SOCIALIST CON. FEftENCE. LEAGUE. OF NATIONS PROPOSAL. lAostraliaa and N.Z. ©able Association) LONDON, Feb. 25. _ The Inter-Allied' Socialist Conference more precisely defined and gave greater prominence to the League of Nations proposal than the British memorandum. Besides the creation of a High Court to settle disputes, it suggests the_ establishment of an international legislaturej wherein every civilised State would participate, to develop international legislation. The conference made it clear thatdisannexation must precede plebiscites, and. declared that any German annexation of Livonia., Courland, or Lithuania would be a flagrant violation of International Law. AUSTRALIA. CONFLICTING MEDICAL STANDARD. AUSTRALIANS SENT BACK AS UNFIT. (Rec. 9.30 a.m.) MELBOURNE, This Day. Of 49,754 members of the Epeditiouary Forces who returned to the Commonwealth to 21st December last, 10,333 saw no service, having failed to pass_ the standard set by the medical authorities in England and being sent back unfit. The Minister of Defence is perplexed at this result of a confliction of opinions as to the medical standard, on the grounds of the cost of sending the men and the detrimental effect on recruiting. This condition of affairs cannot be allowed to and the Minister has approved of sending the DirectorGeneral of iMedi'cal Services, who will be assisted by other experts, going to England and France to fully investigate. Be judge and jury and give 'NAZOL' a trial. There ran be only one verdict —"Absolutely competent to cure colds, influenza, bronchitis and nasal catarrh."