EUROPEAN WAR.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XLV, Issue 13438, 1 May 1918, Page 4

EUROPEAN WAR.

The Great German Offensive.

A Decided Failure.

Held Up A!! Along the North Front.

Great German Losses.

Russia Preparing to -Re-enter the War,

[The cable news in thin Lrene accr ei peared in that journal, but only where e: editorial opinion of The Times.]

(Pee Peess Association.) sdited to The Times, London, hue apKtpressly stated is sueih new* -ihe

WEST FRONT.

RUSSIA REDIVIVUS.

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Aesn.) Received May 1, at 8.45 a.m. Loudon, April 30. : iMx /PercivaL Phillips . write:*: The three, days' of lull preceding to-day's attack was obviously due to an iaterehahge of German divisions, a re-ar-rangement.,of. the artillery, and the •necessity, for carefully planning the n<jx£' step in' '.the offensive against the cqast:'...lt > is .apparent that the enemy cannot aft'prd to hold his line on Kemniel'Hill!while We hold the neighboring'heights, and he must have them without delay. ..'■ ' ; . Loer'ew&s the first of to-day's objectives. The enemy gained ground on the plain, but was unable to push be~ ydhdjtlie village. The French counterattacked: in the morning and restored the original line. .. . t .jThp Belgians,'.though hard pressed, gave no .ground. The enemy was here c.onfrpnted by marshes, making movement difficult and costly. The Germans are pressing the attack everywhere with the greatest- determination. During the early lighting around the canal eastward' of Voormezeele the enemy tried to drive but completely failed. The Borderers repelled four attacks before ll r in the morning, the. enemy not gaining a foot of ground. The Germans made an effort to drive a. wedge..,.-between Seherpenberg and Montjßbuge. They reached the crossroads north of Loere, but the Prencli drove them' back.

Tlie enemy's artillery fire was more intense than in previous- attacks, and evidently new heavy 'batteries hare come into position. Received May 1, at SX3O a.m. - London, 'April 30. The French have recaptured Locre completely, and the British have advanced east of Villers-Bretonneux. (High Commissioner's Report.) • London, April 30 (11.40 a.m.). Sir Dquglas-Jiaig reports: At Locre the French recaptured the whole oJ' the village. Eastwards- of Villers-Breton-neux we advanced our line slightly. (Times' Service.) Received, May 1, at 10.30 a.m. London,. April 30. ..Mr Perry, Robinson, .the Times - correspondent, iAvrites that it was largely owing to the New Zealanders' efforts that the enemy totally failed to advance at Hebuterne. The Germans were several times beaten off with very heavy casualties. (Renter's Telegrams.) Receiyed,_May 1,. at 10.30 a.m. London, "April 30. Correspondents agree that the Gei - - nrans sufferednothing less than 'n disastrous defeat in the first phase of the battle in consequence of their desperate attempt to capture the line of hills, the Allied hold of wliich endangers their possession, of Mont Kemmel. They probably used 13 divisions from east of : Ypres and southwards, .with two more divisions- on the north. The violence of the gunfire on.both sides has never "been greater. The successful defence made the -day the bloodiest hitherto for the enemy,-as attack after attack was smashed. The Germans had already suffered heavily on Sunday, when their concentrations in camp ■were caught and shattered by our gunfire. . Their -waves yesterdav were mowed- down, and the British -wings and French, centre were neither broken nor bent. Received May 1, at 11.10 a.m. London, April 30 (4.20 p.m.l The Allied line has 'been' advanced between La Clytte and Kemmel, and we have also made some progress in the south. (A. and N.Z. Cable A.-isn. and Renter.) Received May 1, at 10.10 a.m. -London, April 30 (0.-35 a.m.) Sir Douglas Haig reports: The French counter-attacks yesterday afternoon and evening drove the enemy . from the remainder of the ground he gained in the morning in the neighborhood of Locre. and took a number of prisoners. We secured the whole village after a heavy repulse had been inflicted on the enemy. The.night was comparatively quiet on the northern; 'battle front." Our line was advanced slightly during the night eastwards of Villers-Bretonneux. (United Service.) Received!, May 1, at 8.45 'a.m. . "... London, April 30. TKe Inter-AHied Naval Council in Paris considered) all eventualities 'in the immediiiate. future, including that of a .great sea fight, for which preparatory measures are to be taken. The newspaper says the Council, dleoided to.intensify the ahti-subenia-rine measures. GERMAN MILLIONAIRE COMMITS SUICIDE. (Australian and) N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received May 1, at 9.20 a.m. London, April 30. Frederick Brandauer, the German millionaire pen.manufacturer, internedon the Isle of Man, committed suicide. by taking poison. . He had lived in England for 30 years, and was not naturalised. He was recently informed., that he would shortly be repatriat- - ed, and- said that lie would- rather die. He left a the Coroner savin? that he preferred the agonies oideath to the cruelties of living in Germany. Brandaeur's sister is the wife of a German general. CERMAN JOCULARITY. (Reuter's-Telegrams.) Received l May 1, at 5,45 a.m. . "" , v. London, April 30. The Swedish papers print a telegram emanating from Berlin stating that the entire fleet of 'British-: transports is waiting in the, Channel to bring the British Army.home in case of need. The Admiralty has informed Reuters Agency- that this is absolutely ■without foundation. / AUSTRIAN PEACE OFFER. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Asm. Received May 1. "at 9.20 a.m. -New York, April 30. The Axisbdan Emperor is about to make a fresh peace offer to Italy. , J AMERICANS DECORATED. (Australian and N.Z./Cable Assn. Receivedraia.y 1. at 9.20. a.m..- . 'New oYrk, April.Bo. Correspondents on the American ; front report that, 122: Americans havs •been decorated with the Croix cfe Guerre for bravery at Apremont.

■ * PREPARING TO RE-ENTER. ■■'. ■ THE WAR. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received May 'l, ■ at 9.40 a.m. London, April 30. 'Tho political -situation! in Ruis&tiia is obscure. The newspapers here . suspect •that the, Germans in. Finland are doctoring and delaying news from Pctroigrad preparatory;, to some new coup. The Daily Express features the Petrograd message dated. 23rd April, stating that .the entire Reds Army has been ordered- to the frontier to operate against the FinaiisfC White Guardls, who are making .an effort to occupy Petrograd. ..!... The' Germans, justify the occupation on the ground that the Red Anniy iy still aiding the Finnish Red Guards. The Germans are supporting the White Guards', who are now within 8-3 miles of Petrograd!. General Schwartz, the original c'ajptor of Przemysl, is superintending the defence of Petrograd. Ukraine's relations with Berlin are drifting towards a rupture. Copenhagen, April 30. It is officiary reported' that the White Guards have captured Viborg, killing nearly the entire garrison of 600. The situation of the Red Guards in Southern Finland is critical. The Germans have captured l Tavastehus. General Ma-nnerlieim, reached Helsingfors on Saturday. »

Received May I, at 10.45 a.m. New York, April 30. The United Press' Petrograd correspondent reports that Russia is preparing to re-enter the war. The panRussian Executive Council has adopted universal military training between tho ages of 16 and 40, with the conscription of all.workers 'and peasants. The military experts and' tho best army officers 'have beem called into service. plan is expected to furnish a. large army in ten mouths. The Allies' representatives' attended the Council meeting. The Soviet Government is charged, with aiming at their own proserva/faion, and not defending Russia. DESTRUCTION OF SUBMARINES. (Australian, and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received May 1, ;>l 8.45 a.m. Rome, April 30. The newspaper Idea Nazionale learns from a. trustworthy source that the submarines-lost in the past six weeks were double the rate of January aiicl February. The number in active service is steadily decreasing. REPORTED CRISIS IN AUSTRIA. • (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received May 1, at 9.'20 a.m. New- York, April 30. The Chicago Daily News' Amsterdam correspondent reports an extraordinary crisis in Austria owing to the iM'b'Licatianj of Prince Sixte's letter. 'One thousand) of the Viennese nability are trying to force the Emperor to abdicate. The Austrian newspapers bitterly condemmj the enemy's decision to annex Esthonia and Livonia. RIOTING IN AUSTRIA. (Australian and N.Z. Gable Assn.) Received May 1, at 8.45 a.m. * Amsterdam, April 30. ■ The Lokal Anzeiger's Vienna correspondent reports that the large, demonstration at Laibach was fiercely anti-German. A Slovenian crowd wrecked the German casino and shops, but the military intervened. The demonstrators cheered the Entente. DUTY OF ALL CITIZENS TO DEFEND COUNTRY. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Abkq.) Received May 1, at 11.30 a.m. Paris, April 30. The French Socialist Party have issued a manifesto . stating that it has been decided not to hold demonstrations on May Day. The manifesto says: "German Imperialism is seeking to secure a crushing victory in the West similar to that in the East. It is therefore the primary duty of all citizens to defend the country.'" AMERICAN GIRL HEROINES. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received May ]., at 11.30 a.m. New York, April 30. The United Press correspondent on the French front says that 16 American girls from Smith College have become heroines. la the recent fighting they succoured refugees under shelllire. GENERAL BOTHA WILL NOT ATTEND CONFERENCE, (.Australian and N.Z. Cable. Assn.) Received May 1, at 11.30 inn. Capetown, April 30. in the Assembly General Botha, announced that ho had decided iiot to proceed' to the. .Imperial Conference, but was sending Mr ISurlou to assist. General, Smuts in/the representation of the Union. CHINA'S FIGHTING MEN. (Australian ami N.Z. Cable .Assn.) Received May 1. -.it, 11.30 a.m. . New York, April 30. Captain Ting Cha. Chen, Chinese military represent;! tivf, who is (ravelling from France to China, interviewed "here, says that. China iwnccts to have 40,000.tsoops fighting on the Yvest- I front early in the .summer. Troops are already going to France.

! REDUCTION OF GERMAN FOOD RATION. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received May 1, at 11.30 a.m. ."...' Washington, April 30. Official despatches from Berne say that tlieGorifian Reichstag Food Commission is discussing a reduction of the. bread ration. Tho public are warned that tho Ukrainian food, supply will probably be negligible. '■ . , i NEW GOVERNMENT IN PETRO- ' GRAD. .—-—.. ■ 1 '(Australian! and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received May 1, at 8,45 a,.m. I Copenhagen, April 30. 1 The Afton.bla.det learns from Finland ■ that the .new counter-revolution Co- " vernment at Petrograd refuses to accept the Brest-Litovsk peace, and die- I mands new peace terms, including a ( provision that Esthonia remains under « Russian rule. c

ORONSA TORPEDOED. (Australian and K.Z. Cable Assn.) Received May.], at 11.10 a-m. Londbn, April 30 The captain of the Oronsa, interviewed, said' that when on. the bridge ht> ielt a bump, and realised that the ship had been torpedoed. He ordered the boats to be launched. All were cool The Oronsa sank in ten minutes. r Lhe ■submarine was invisible. Seven! members of the Y.M C A party said il they could return to Amcriftt. v.oukl' stir up t)io countrv against fit' ctwaidl.v German . GERMANY AND HOLLAND^ .\ushahau n"d N.Z Ciblo A<»>n.) Rtconed May 1- at 11.30 a m AmatpidjTii, April 30. SUong detachments ol German tavaliy have lio'-n observed m the l)oi liood ol "Eshdion AN IMPROBABLE STORY. (Reuter's Telegrams.) Received May 1. at 8.45 a.m. New York, April- 30. Lieut. Thordgray has arrived at San Francisco. He says that Germany is planning the invasion of India, "via tlio Caspian Sea, with an army of 100,000 men. " .