ATTACKS BEGUN BY BRITISH

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 10028, 20 July 1918, Page 7

ATTACKS BEGUN BY BRITISH

rVrrtriellfc. Australian and New Zealand' Cable Association. LONDON, July 18. General Foch has commenced an offensive on the front between Soissons and (Jha.e.iu Thierry. . , „ . It is expected that the attack willsave Pans and Reims. The attack is on a front twenty-five nulos wide. Splendid and rapid progress is ucing made, and prisoners and guns are coming in. The French attacking on the Aisne have gained four miles of territory. Thousands of prisoners have been taken, besides many guns. Tne French artillery has reached tho German railway communications, affecting the area west of Reims. , . The offensive was a complete surprise to the Germans. Tho Allies’ guns dominate the town of Soissons. It is believed that a. general German retirement from the Marne is impending. . , T , .... . (Received July 19, 5.5 p.m.) VANCOUVER, July IS. Tho United Press correspondent at tho West front states that the French and Americans have assumed the offensive between Fontonoy and Belleau. At certain points they advanced two or three kilometres. (Received July 19, 7.40 p.m.) , LONDON, July 18. A French communique says—Wo attacked this morning from tho region of Fontcnoy and Ugaisno as far as the rogionof Belleau. We advanced at certain points from two to three .kilometres. Wo took prisoners. There was no change at night on the Marne and in tho Champagne southwest of Manteuil la Fosse. Wo stopped a violent enemy attack north of Prosnes. An attack by the enemy guard troops failed completely. FRENCH RECAPTURE MONT VOISIN PARIS, July 18. ( The French have recaptured Mont Voisin, stemming tho Crown Prince’s advance towards Kpernay. AMERICANS GAIN POSSESSION OF SOUTH bANK OF THE MARNE WASHINGTON, July IS. General Pershing reports that the Germans facing tho Americans have been completely driven back across the Marne. JX)NDON July IS An American communique states:— I The Americans on tho Marno sector entirely regained possession of tho sooth honk of the river. The enemy north-west of Chateau Thierry again attempted an attack near \ aus. -i.no attack was completely 'broken by .our. infantry and artillery lire. - - ACTIVITY OF THE UNITED STATES FORCES CAPTURE OF A DOZEN TOWNS AND VILLAGES, VANCOUVER, July 18. Tho United Press correspondent on tho West front states that the Americans have oaptured more than a dozen towns and villages between Soissons end Chateau Thierry. . . The Americans have taken four thousand prisoners. A Paris menage states that tho French are within throe miles of Soissons. „ , „ . Reuter ( Telegram. NEW YORK, July 18. The Americans passed beyond their objectives. Tho receipt of the news Un Wall stieet caused stocks to bound several points. Tho City Hall bells were rung to announce tho victory. FRENCH STILL BOMBARDING MARNE BRIDGES ENEMY’S INTENTIONS IN DOUBT. Australian and Now Zealand Cablo Association. (Received July 20, 12.45 a.m.)LONDON, July 18. The French aro still bombarding tho Marne bridges. Tho enemy undoubtedly has an alternative plan in case of failure. It now remains to bo seen what it is. He probably means to combine tho present offensive with something else. Bpernay is now in no danger and is not likely to ho taken. Tlie enemy is still half a mile from Pourcy, Heavy rain fell yesterday. BATTLE ON REIMS FRONT CONTINUES LONDON, J\ily 18. A French communique states:—Tho battle has continued with unbroken dolermination on tho whole front west of Reims, but, notwithstanding his eflo-ts the enemy has not succeeded in increasing the advance. Our troops’ heroic’ resistance and thoir incessant counter-attacks stopped tho enemy thrust after all tho fluctuations of advance and retirement of tho day. .lotions aro progressing south of the Marne, on the wooded slopes north ward of St. Agnan. and Mont Hodon cliapoL Tho shari»est fighting was north of Comblizy and Festigny, and resulted in our holding tho enemy to th«'southern outskirts of tho Bouquigny and Chatftignies Woods. The enemy succeeded cast of Ocuilly in regaining a footing in Monvoism. _ Between the Manic and Reims tho battlecontinues north of Reuil, in King’s Wood, which tho Gormans penetrated. Wo are defending foot by foot. The Forest of Oourton is the theatre of furious combats. Tho enemy continues to be held. West of Antouil tho Germans have not succeeded in reaching Pourcy Ditch, which has been the objective of several renewed powerful attacks. A brilliant Italian counter-attack westward of Anteuil drove the enemy hack. Enemy corpses lyiijg in tho front of tho linos in tho Valley of Ardro do Orabreux testify to tho heavy losses. The situation is 'unchanged in the Vrigny sector and south-west of Reims. East of Reims wo broke an attack between Bca.umont-Bnr-Veslo and Sillory. Our positions are intact on tho whole Champagne front. FAILURE OF GERMANS WEST OF REIMS LUDENDOREF MAKES ATTEMPT BEYOND HIS STRENGTH. ' LONDON, July 18. Every hours’ nows from the front emphasises the utter failure of tho Germans to recover from the first checks inflicted on thorn east and west of Reims, Even tho “Cologne Gazette,’’ in an inspired article, admits that there has been no success, and attributes the German failure to tho changed tactics of tho French, who delivered fierce counter-attacks with their reserves. They thus upset tho plans of tho High Command, who expected the same easy advance as was mado on tho Ohomln-des-Daraos. Tho “Cologne Gazette’’ says that tho German losses were within moderate limits, and this is a significant admission, because it has always been announced formerly that the losses were considerably fewer than tho enemy’s. y LONDON, July 18: Documents captured on German prisoners show that tho main plan was to seize tho Mountain of Reims na far as ■ Montmiral. Von Ludendorff realised that Reims would bo a formidable object to attack frontally, but he saw that if the French lino on either side was broken Reims would fall of itself. Tho first lateral thrust was directed at Chalons and the line thence to Revigny, tho second upon Etpomay, thence to Montmiral Von Ludendorff hoped to fjocuro room for the deployment of forces capable of attacldng Paris. Already tho Orown Prince has abandoned the attempt to drive forward on tho whole front, and has substituted ft series of local attacks. The result on the whole battle thus far shows that ! von Ludendorff attempted a great deal more than his strength permit- | ted. I General Jourund was aware of the actual date fixed for tho attack ft i fortnight before it happened. Oh the night of tho attack he withdrew all his troops from tho front line, and an hour before Lho Goman attack opened tho French artillery poured a devastating fire upon tho Gormans assembled in tho front line, while tho Goman guns were ploying upon the empty ! French trenches.

A SURVEY OF THE GERMAN OFFENSIVE

ENEMY FAILS TO GAIN STRATEGIC ADVANTAGES. Australian and Now Zealand Cable Association. LONDON, July IS. The enemy renewed- Ids attacks west and oast of the Reims salient, capturing the western portion of La Bourdonnorie Village and tho heights which the French retook on Tuesday. Tho French arc again counter-attacking. The Gormans remained unable to debouch from Priinay. Tho advance hag lost its breakneck speed, and it is a favourable sign that villages arc changing hands repeatedly. Tho enemy during tho third day succeeded in advancing In's line towards important positions, which ho may .subsequently capture, provided ho possesses the requisite forces. On the other hand, tho enemy has failed to gain tho strategic advantages which are the necessary preliminary to the vast converging westward movement which was the plan of tho High Command. Tho German pincers have slipped in the Champagne between Prunay and Massigcs, where a rupture would have enabled tho enemy to cross tho Roman road and reach Suippes, and thence move towards Chalons. Hero our line holds. The German attacks .missed fire.

At only one point tho enemy succeeded in advancing to-day, after two unsuccessful attempts. At 11 o'clock this morning tho Germans, attacking on a s-ix-milo front, penetrated to a depth of a mile and a-luiif at the deepset point, in the Mountains of Reims. The advance was Made at enormous cost. During the night the French repulsed two violent attacks at Vrigny and Boaumont-Sur-Veslo. Tho French re-entered two villages,, which were strenuously disputed, including Mont Voisin. The French artillery dominate tho Marne Valley, which is being heavily shelled. The French hold the whole of tho high ground overlooking the valiey with tho exception of one point. v

Tho offensive, which tho enemy hoped would develop into a drive, is now regarded as a failure, and haa become a. series of local and disjointed actions. It can therefore be truly described as. a. German defeat; but probably the battle will continue for some time, with fluctuating results. Tho Gormans still possess a largo number of available, reserves, but it is believed that, owing to his failure, tho High Command may determine to reorganise, and use the reserves to assault another part of. tho line. Tho increased German bombardment of tho British front is regarded as significant. Taking this in conjunction with tho fact that the enemy has at no point advanced one-third of tho distance set out in his programme, and tHe colossal German casualties, the French are full of hope that the enemy will not succeed in taking Reims. They anticipate that tho utmost efforts will be made to capture tho city by “ramming” tactics: In the event of the Gormans gaining possession ol tho Mountain of Reims, tho tenure of tho city will became precarious. It is evident that von Ludendorff planned a rupture of the Champagne front, to isolate tho French armies and exploit the success by local battles. Further stern fighting is inevitable, because the enemy is compelled to continue his attacks in order to save his face. KAISER PRESENT AT BATTLE NORTH-EAST OF REIMS Reuter’s Telegrams. ..... (Received Juy 19, 7.40 p.m.) LONDON, July 18. An official message from Berlin states that- the Kaiser was on the battlefield north-east of Reims all day on July 16th without rest. BRITISH BEGIN ATTACKS AT SEVERAL POINTS LONDON, July 18, 6.25 p.m. The British have begun attacks at several points. FURTHER ADVANCE OF AUSTRALIANS LONDON, July 18. Th© Australians have advanood a, mile in tho Villors-Bretonneux sector. SIR DOUGLAS HAIG’S REPORT Au«tralian and Now Zealand Cable Association and Reuter. LONDON, July IS. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—The Australians carried out a successful local enterprise on Wednesday in the neighbourhood of Villers-Brctonnoux. They advanced the lino on upwards of a milo of front, and captured two field guns. Wo slightly improved our positions east of Hebutomo. and made a successful raid south of Hebutenio. We repulsed enemy raiders south of Cucquoy. There is considerable hostile artillery activity north of JJailloul REJOICINGS IN SYDNEY AT FRANCO-AMERICAN SUCCESS

Australian and Now Zealand Cable Association and Reuter. (Received July.l9, 10.15 p.m.) : , - SYDNEY, July 10. ■Hie nows of the Franco American success created tho greatso enthusiasm. Paper sellers wore besieged. Impromptu gatherings sang tho National Anthem. Stocks rose strongly. Bells and steamer whistles proclaimed tho victory.

STO3K EXCHANGE AND THE WaR

NEWS PRODUCES CHEERFUL NOTE. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON,. July 17. Tho Stock Exchange adopted a cheerful note immediately on receipt of tho nows from tho Western front. Prices of investments have generally hardened as a result. DISASTROOSJFIRE IN FEZ GERMAN INCENDIARISM SUSPECTED. Reuter's Tole?ram«. LONDON, July IS. A disastrous fire m Fez (one of the chief towns in Morocco) destroyed a largo area in tho centre of the commercial quarter, and gutted about a thousand shops. It: is significant that it started during tho feast of Ramadan, when everybody takes a deep sleep. Tho fire was only stopped by dynamiting the surrounding buildings. Enormous stocks of silk, cotton, and other goods were destroyed. German incendiarism is suspected.

ILLEG-LLY WEARING UNiFCRM THE EDWARD YEATES CASE. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association, LONDON, July 18. Tho appeal of Edward Yentos, an exofficer in the New Zealand Forces, against his conviction in December for illegally wearing uniform, was dismissed, with costs but on Ycatos’s undertaking not to wear uniform tho penalty was reduced to one shilling. Sir Joseph Ward and Sir Thomas Mackenzie gave evidence. UNITED STATES TROOPS LOSSES OF MEN IN TRANSPORT INFINITESIMAL. Australian and' N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, July 17. Sir Leo Chiozza Money (Parliamentary Secretary to tho Ship Controller) has announced that 637,939 Americans wore transported to Europe in April, May, and Juno, of which number 330,066 were carried in British chips. Arr nn go meats woro made to carry more. Only 201 troops wore lost at aca out of a million transported.

AUSTRIAN REIGHSRATH MEETS SENSATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS EXPECTED. Australian and K.Z. Cable Association. AMSTERDAM, July 17. The Austrian Reichsrnlh reassembled on Tuesday. Sensational developments are expected in view of the economic situation. ' The Czech delegates caused an tiproar when Dr von Soidier (Premier) doclared complete loyalty to the Dynasty and perfect co-operation with Germany, lie said ho was confident the Central Powers would bo able to force the Entente to accept peace. EXCHANGE OFPRISONERS DEPENDS UPON, POSITIONS OP >, * GERMANS IN CHINA, Published in "Th* Times.” (Received July 19, 7.40 p.m.) LONDON, July 18. It is officially announced that Germany’s ratification regarding the exchange of prisoners agreement depends on a. satisfactory settlement of tho position, of tho Germans in Chinn. HUN ATROCITIES THE BOMBING OF TROYES. Published in “Thd Tnnca." (Received July 19, 7.-10 p.m.) LONDON, July 18. Tho German air-raiders at Troyos, where they bombed tho prisoners’ camp,' stayed an hour. Besides the 94 Germans killed, 74 prisoners and two French guards were wounded. • LOSS OF BATTLESHIP KAWAuHI OVER COO LIVES LOST. Australian and tv,2. Cablo .Association. " TOKIO. July 18. The battleship Kawachi sank in four minutes. The disaster was possibly due to an explosion of oil. Three hundred and thirty were saved out ot 900 on board. NORWEGIAN BARQUE SUNK Australian and N.Z. Cable Association (Received July 19, 7.40 p.m.) Washington; July 17. The Navy Department has announced that the Norwegian barque Marosa was submarined and sunk In midAtlantic, The crew were saved.