PRUSSIAN GUARDS' BLACK AND FEARFUL DAY.

North Otago Times, Volume CV, Issue 13857, 18 April 1917, Page 6

PRUSSIAN GUARDS' BLACK AND FEARFUL DAY.

•' <Y';' Y'.' u t», •!,• ' •v.. . i ■; /'•!./ v: v'V'.AUSTRALIANS' EXA(fr TERRIBLE TOLLQF GERMAN ATTACKING TROOPS. '

(Australian and New Zealand Cable Association una Renter,) Received April 17, 30.30 p.m.

. LONDON, April IG. Mr.l hilip Gibbs gives further vivid details of the Australian success at Lagnicourt. VOns was one of the bloodiest episodes/ o! 0 lon & ,al «'of slaughter. The enemy, before daybreak, heavily attacked our lines and their masses achieved a brief specess against the Australians, and the charging waves of Prussian Guards drove a. deep wedge into our position. The Australian staff officers swiftly prepared a counter-blow.- At 7.30 companies of Australians, showing irresistible spirit, swept forward, forcing the Prussians to retreat in an oblique direction, panicstricken, under a shower of shrapnel, resulting in the greatest disaster, because they were cut off. by their own broad belts of entanglements. The most appaling slaughter followed Corpses were piled upon corpses on the long lines of the tangled mass of spiked wire. The cries of the, wounded in long tragic wails rose high above the roar of the rifle-fire'and bursting slirapi.'el. The Australians were quiet but grim, and shot continuously, until over fifteen hundred German corpses lay before their position. Dire fate has followed the Prussian Guard throughout the Avar, but this massacre was the worst episode in flieir history, and will be remembered in Germany as a black and fearful thing. '

BRITISH CAPTURE MANY VILLAGES, r REPORTS IN BELLIGERENTS' COMMUNIQUES. L ' " i; (Australian and New Zealand Caltlß Association.) LONDON, April IG. Sir Douglas Haig reports: We have captured Villeret village, south-east of IJargicourt, and progressed ' further north-west. Our booty captured at Lievin and Souehy river was very great. The enemy s attack at Monchy-le-Pi;eux on Satui flay was most determined. The third Bavarian division, which fought at Loos in 1915' and-the'High Wood in 1916, was ordered to retake the village at all costs, but they suffered very heavy losses. A French communique says: We have continued our destructive fire on the German organisation near St. Quentin. The enemy's reply was lively. We have continued our progress east and south on the plateau between Barisis and Quincy-Basse, where we have occupied a fresh enemy point d'appui. ' A German wireless official message says: On the north bank of the Scarpe, north-east of Croixilles, our thrust drove back the enemy from Lagnicourt. To the sanguinary losses suffered by the Australians must be added 475 prisoners, 15 machine-guns, attacks near Chivres .failecl. t There"is ScisOW'aiid Elieims, where infantry fighting has developed on wide sectors, French storming attempts on the Lorraine Plain at Burgundy Gate failed. Between Soissons and Verdun the enemy lost eleven aeroplanes yesterday. The High Commissioner reports;—' LONDON, April 15 (9.35 p.m.). A British official report says: North-west of St Quentin we gained ground to the east and north of Grieourt, capturing some prisoners, We have also made progress in the neighbourhood of Havrincourt Wood and east of Lievin, where we are approaching the outskirts of Lens. The enemy attacked this morning astride the Bapaume-Cambrai road with great determination, under our heavy fire. In addition to the 300 prisoners taken the Germans left 1500 dead before our positions.

GERMAN FACTORY FOR OFFAL RECOVERY. BOILING DOWN THE BODIES OF THE FALLEN. (United Service.) Received April 17, 11.20 p.m. LONDON, April 17. The Independence Beige states that a German offal recovery company, with a dividend-earning capital of £250,000, lias been established at St. Vith, near the Belgian frontier, in the thick forest. Trainloads of naked corpses, from the West front, arrive daily. The factory hands, wearing oilskins and masks, armed with long hooked poles, push the corpses on an endless chain, which picks them up with big hooks. The chain carries the bodies to a compartment, where they are disinfected, steamed, aiid dried, and finally automatically detached from the chain and dropped into a great cauldron. Here they are steam treated, while slowly being stirred by machinery for eight hours. The process results in the production of stearine tallow arid oil. The latter is re-distilled at the St. Parat oil refinery into refined oil of a yellowish brown colour. This is packed in small casks like petroleum. A portion of the by-products is seiit to the soap-makers. The factory is thoroughly scientific and is fitted with the latest appliances and electric machinery. Jt employs two .chemists and eighty men, who are closely guarded and not allowed to leave the works;

BATTLE OF ARRAS MAY BE DECISIVE ENGAGEMENT. ' fc.iT • " i . GREATEST OFFENSIVE SINCE THE MARNE. (Australian and New Zealand Cable Association,) Received April 18,1.5 a.m. ~~ ! ' NEW YORK, April 17.

Mr Prank Simonds, writing in the New York Tribune, says: The battle of Arras is. the greatest offensive since the Marne, and may be the decisive battle of the war. The British success has. already surpassed anything during the trench war. ,

AUSTRIA'S PEACE OFFER TO RUSSIA.

1■ j - HONOURABLE PEACE WITHOUT NATIONAL DOMINATION. ■ .IH -, W INDICATIONS OP AUSTRIA-HUNGARY REACHING "END OP TETHER."

(Reuter'j Telegrami,)

Received April 17, 6.15' p.m. ' / ; ' AMSTERDAM, April 16. The Austrian Government's Authorised Statement, practic ally amounting to a peace offer to,' Russia, says':—

' "The Monarchy learns "from the Russian Government's'manifesto of the 10th instant . that Russia, like Austria-Hungary, desires an honourable peace without desiring domination over other peoples, It'may, therefore, be;;stated thajt and Russia are similarly striving for a peace guaranteeing the existence, with honour, and the possibility of the development, of the belligerent States. . * "The, Monarchy is convinced that its' claims do not conflict with those of Russia. The latter has stated that she is only fighting in the defence of the freedom of her people. Russia is no longer compelled to light for that object, therefore it should not be difficult to establish an understanding between the Central Powers and Russia, especially as the Austrian Emperor is in agreement with his allied monarch's desires to live in future in peaceXand friendship with the Russian people."

Renter's correspondent adds: The pronouncement in favour of peace with Russia caused 110 surprise. It is well understood that only the German refusal to co-operate prevented the issue of definite peace proposals on the.occasion,of the recent meeting of the German and Austrian inonarchs, To-day's declaration suggests that Austria is reaching the "end of her tether," and is seeking a separate peace with Russia. The resignation of Count Marbnic, the .Austrian Premier, on the grounds of health, which is announced to-day, is probably connected with the new peace move. ■. ...... (Australian and New Zealand OabU Awoclatlon.) ZURICH, April 16. 1 Eighty Americans from Vienna have arrived here. They include several Embassy officials, who believe, that all the races in Austria-Hungary desire peace. (Australian and New Zealand Cable Association.) COPENHAGEN, April 16. Correspondents state that Germany is reviving the peace plot on a world-wide scale, utilising German Socialists to approach the Russian Socialists. Reports from Vienna indicate that Count Czernin has openly invited Russia to negotiate. (Australian and New Zealand Cable Association and Reuter), LONDON, April 16. Italian and Dutch telegrams .show that Austria is making active efforts for peace in Russia. Count Czernin, thfe Premier, has^^is!s^ fc Mte proposals, ■'to a'nd has also appealed to tlip Pope to institute peace proposals, Count Czerninihas, gijvvn the Socialist deputation special passports to go to Stockholm. (Australian and N»w Zealand O&liU Auoclation.) Received April 18,1.5 a.m. ■ NEW YORK, April 17, The London correspondent of the Tribune states that although there isr no danger of Austria's offer to Russia being 1 entertained, the action is interpreted as the forerunner of the dismemberment of the Central Powers' alliance.

NEW SOCIALIST PARTY FORMED IN GERMANY. OPPOSITION TO THE GOVERNMENT. (Reuter's Telegrams.) Received April 17,11.20 p.m. AMSTERDAM, April 16. A new party, called the Independent Social/Democratic Party of Germany, lias been founded under the joint presidency of Herr Hasse and Herr Ledebour, to oppose Herr Schidmann's Socialist Party and. the Government. ; . GERMANY'S SUBMARINE CAMPAIGN. REPRISALS FOE ATTACKS ON HOSPITAL SHIPS. I . ...... 1' . . .--i ALLIED AIRSHIPS BOMB GERMAN TOWN.

(Australian an 4 New Zealand Gable Association and Beater.; Received April 17, 6.30 p.m.

LONDON, April 16. The Admiralty announces that owing to the German submarine attacks on hospital ships, in direct and flagrant contravention of the Hague Convention No. 10, a large 'squadruj of Anglo-French' aeroplanes carried out a reprisal bombadmen: on the town of Friburg on Saturday. Many bombs were dropped -with good results. Despite many air fights, all our machines returned safely except three., " Ijuutralian and Now Zealand Oabl« Aiiociatlon.) 1 Received April 18,1,5.a.m. ■ EL PASO, April 17. Government agents that submjirine parts are brought to Mexico and assembled at Progresso, Yucatan, and other parts. .: ! " ' f, V, '

AMERICA'S ENTRY INTO THE WAR.

MR BALFOUR ARRIVES IN WASHINGTON, AMERICAN ENTHUSIASM FOR WAR DEVELOPING. (Australian and New Zealand Oabie Association,) WASHINGTON, April 16. The Right Hon. A. J. Balfour, British Minister of, Foreign Affairs, has arrived. (Australian Vnd New Zealand Cable Association and Router,) . ( WASHINGTON, April 16. The Senate Committee favourably reported on the Bond Bill. (Australian and New Zealand Cable Association.) WASHINGTON, April 16. Mr W. J. Bryan, who four times contested the American Presidency as Democratic candidate, has offered his services to President Wilson in any capacity, even as a private in the firing line. President Wilson suggested that Mr Bryan engage in the recruiting campaign throughout the country, urging citizens to do their duty. .

MEXICO PROMISES TO MAINTAIN NEUTRALITY, INCREASING RESTLESSNESS IN NEUTRAL COUNTRIES. . ! (Australian and New Zealand Cable Association.) MEXICO CITY, April 16. . .The first, constitutional Congress has , met. ' Carranza announced that the. Government would maintain neutrality in the war between the United States and Germany. (Australian and New Zealand Gable Association,) BUENOS AYRES, April 16. The Germans used firearms to resist the mob's attack on the Consulate, and serious casualties occurred, including at least five killed. The authorities suppressed the rising. The German Government has purchased 60,000 tons of wheat and oats. The purchasing continues. (Australian and New Zealand Cable Association.) MADRID, April 16. Count Uomanones, the Premier, is consulting the political leaders regarding the torpedoing of the steamer San Fulgenico, bound to England. ■ The crew was saved.

INTRODUCTION OP VERY CONTENTIOUS MEASURE. . \ -*• ,/•' ' ; '* l,: ' ''t ENTRY OP CHINESE AND JAPANESE FARMERS SOLICITED. (Renter's Telegrams.) ' " w ' Received April 11,11.2,0 p.m. WASHINGTON, April 1. A Congress Bill is ready for introduction which allows the entry of half a million Chinese and Japanese farmers during the food production campaign. A 1 fight over the measure is certain. ; ROUND-UP OF BRITISHERS IN UNITED STATES, f PRESIDENT WILSON FAVOURS CONSCRIPTION. L. . I (AustralUn and New Zealand Oabl» Association.) , Eceived April 18, 1.5 a.m. WASHINGTON, April 17. Although the- House Committee's informal vote was against conscription, it is believed the sentiment of the House favours ■President Wilson, who strongly insists that conscription • is essential. . 1 n ,, (Australian and "Nav Zealand .Gable Association.) 'Received April 18,1.5 a.m. •, NEW YORK, April 17. The New York Times' Washington correspondent predicts that the British -Commission will urge a proper round-up of '' Britishers in the United States. (Australian ana New Zealand Cible Aiioclatton.) * A'' jt Received April \ 18, 1.5 a.m. ■' OTTAWA, April 17. • Canada has free-listed wheat, and is permitting .unrestricted i traffic with America. ,