THE WEST FRONT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17324, 25 May 1918, Page 7

THE WEST FRONT

SUCCESSFUL BRITISH RAID. ENEMY RAID REPULSED. Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association and Reuter LONDON, May 23. Sir Douglas Haig reports: We made a successful raid in the neighbourhood of Ay otto and repulsed an enemy raid in the vicinity of Riess du Village. The enemy artillery is active at various points. THE ENEMY'S INTENTIONS. BRITISH GENERAL'S SPECULATIONS. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. WASHINGTON, May 23. General Bridges, head of the British Military Mission, made a statement that the enemy have 1,500,000 bayonets on the west front. Their third drive will probably begin on June 1 around Ypres and in the vicinity of H/iaebrouck (west of the Lys salient). A subsidiary drive is expected towards Amiens. Germany is insisting that Austria shall open an Italian drive, but Austria i 6 unwilling to do this without Germany's aid. If Germadiy's drive on the west front ends in a stalemate she will probably divert her troops to the Italian front, which would necessitate the Allies again lengthening their lines. ° GERMAN CRACK TROOPS. TRAINING IN SHOCK ATTACKS. NEW YORK, May 23. The New York Times correspondent with the American army learns that the Germans have withdrawn their crack troops for initial training in shock attacks. American military officers believe that the big offensive will be resumed in the first week in June. GERMAN OPINION. KAISER AND POPULACE. NEW YORK, May 23. Tho New York World's Amsterdam correspondent Says that the Berlin Lokal Anzeiger, in an interview with, the Kaiser, reports the latter as saying: "We shall accomplish our task on the west front. This is 6urer to-day than ever it was. We know the enemy to their last depths. We have already given them two frightful blows, and we are in no hurry for the fruits of victory." The New York World's Rome correspondent learns that the Gorman. Democratic press criticises the German offensive on the west front, which is regarded in Germany as a failure, despite the territorv taken. FRENCH LOCAL ACTIVITY. SUCCESSFUL RAIDS CONDUCTED. ENEMY ATTEMPTS CHECKED Auitralian and N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter. LONDON, May 23. (Received May 24, at 7.30 p.m.) A _ French communique states : There are intermittent bombardments south of the Avre. An enemy coup-de-main in the region, of Bois de Mongival failed under fire. Our detachments entered enemy lines, notably in the Champagne and in the Avocourt Wood and Woevre. We took prisoners and material. WITH THE NEW ZEALANDERS. MILITARY TOURNAMENT AND HORSE SHOW. VISITS FROM AMERICANS. (Pee United Pbess Association.l (From the Official Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, May 24. May 21.—The ALied troops are living in daily expectation of a big attack, yet the morale was never higher. Yesterday— which, according to some prisoners' statements, was to be the eve of the onslaught —one of the brigades held a military tournament and horse show. The arrangements were perfect, and great interest was taken in the various events. Battalion bands played, and many men walked miles to the grounds. The scene reminded one of a country show in New Zealand, except that everyone was in uniform, and the transport was entirely warlike. The horses were in fine condition. ' Meantime, the men in the front line stalk the _ enemy and bring in prisoners almost daily. .The morale of the division opposite us is poor; but no doubt they are simply holding the line, and better divisions would move through them to take part in any onslaught. During the day there is little doing, but at night there ia considerable artillery activity, especially .on the part of our gunners, who are energetically harassing the enemy with crashing concentrations. During the past few montlis several American Staff officers have visited the New Zealanders for brief periods. We have found them keen to learn, and the utmost cordiality has prevailed. We have also seen something of the French, and with them also our relations are most friendly. SUCCESSFUL ALLIED RAIDS. Router's TelegTnms. LONDON. May 23. (deceived May 25, at O.iO a.m.) Sit- U. Haig reports: We repulsed raios at Aveluy Wood and south of Hebuterne. We attacked a machine-gun post in Aveluy Wood and destroyed the gun. The French captured machine guns and a few prisoners in successful raids north of Bailleul and east of Locre. RELIEF FOR STARVING BELGIANS. AMERICA'S INTENTIONS. WASHINGTON, May 23 (Received May 25, at 0.55 a.m.) President Wilson approves of Mr Hoover's plan to send 90,000 tons of foodstuffs to the starving Belgians in 90 days.