ENEMY GAIN IN WEST.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 5359, 17 February 1916, Page 5

ENEMY GAIN IN WEST.

FRONT TRENCHES PIERCED IN « VIOLENT ONSLAUGHT.

KITCHENER REVIEWS THE POSITION OF ALLIES.

FRENCH FINANCES NOT NEARLY EXHAUSTED.

AMERICA CONCEDES THE RIGHT TO ARM MERCHANTMEN.

Press Association. —Elec trio Telegraph.—Copyright.

ALLIES POSITION TO DAY. REVIEWED BY KITCHENER. RE-AFFIRMS HIS CONFIDENCE. London,' Last Night. The House of Lords listened with intense interest to Lord review of the operations. He said: Although the Indian troops had been withdrawn from France, our forces there hiad been materially increased by fully eight new army divisions (approximately 150,000 men). General Aylmer was awaiting reinforcements, and wias then renewing his forward movements to junction with General Townshend, who had 1 sufficient supplies to maintain his forces lor a considerable period. After some experience of the working of tlie voluntary group system it had been realised how seriously the numbers immediately obtainable had been effected by exemptions. Time alone would show what the results would be. but on som© future occasion he would re-assure the House on the chances of obtaining the numbers required. Referring to the Balkans, Lord Kitchener said that the securing of direct communication between the Central Powers and Corns tantinopie had undoubtedly been the principal object of the Austro-Germans in this theatre.

front and are waiting favourable weather to use them. Zurich, Lest Night. The Khjser, the Crown Prince and a numerous suite are viisting Lower 1 Alsace near the Swiss border.

Since the re-capture of Loos and the forward movement in the Champagne the liiyes in France and Flanders had been unchanged. Thoroughout the winter thy morale of tlie French army had been maintained at the same high level, and the fighting qualities of our neighbouring ally had never been greater or more highly developed than at present. The British troops there, which had been reinforced constantly, were carrying out active operations and giving rest and no respite to the enemy. Regarding the Italian front the positions occupied by the were so strong that they barred for the present the possibility of a forward movement, which tlie splendid courage of the Italian troops was sure eventually to push home. Notwithstanding the heavy blocked© consequent upon the losses Russia has suffered last summer, which would have probably overwhelmed a less tenacious people, the army luid been thoroughly riyorgißuised and was in readiness lor the coming campaign. The Austro-Germans having cleared all obstacles from the path to Constantinople. the political situation in the Near East had thereby been gravely affected. The Turkish army had been able to organise troops either against Egypt or to strengthen their forces in Mesopotamia, ami simultaneouly to bring far more powerful attacks to bear on our positions at. Gallipoli. It was, therefore, decided to withdraw our troops from the Peninsula , and to re-inforce Salonika aml Egypt. “The success of the withdrawal.” said Lord Kitchener, “exceeded my most sanguine expectations.” • Tlie Franboo-Blritisih forces inMaeedonia laid been gradually concentrated in a strongly entrenched position surrouding Salonika, and in order to emphasise the principle of unity among the Allies the supremo command had been gven to General Sarrail.

It wif] bq remembered that last winter an abortive attempt was made against the Suez Canal, which was easily brushed aside, by a small British force, but a more serious attempt had been threatened by the Turks to invade Egypt from the east. We had made preparations to defend the Canal, and tlie attempts of hostile Arabs on the western flank had resulted in complete failure. He fhought that this movement would still cause a certain feeling of unrest. The 'admirable locality of the people of Egypt frmed an effective barrier against the penetration of these raiders into cultivat’d areas.

After alluding to the changes in higher commands. Lord Kitchener urged employers to do their best to release young men for service in the army, and concluded by re-affirming his complete confidence in n victorious issue, whih would ensure peace in this and many succeeding generations.

ONSLAUGHTS IN THE WEST. ENEMY BREAK TH ROUGH.

FRONT TRENCHES PIERCED

London, Last Night. Sir Douglas Haig reports: Last night, after a Heavy bombardment along the whole front oi the Yprcs salient, and south «jf Hooge, Ihe enemy made several infantry attacks, between the Coniines canal and the Ypres-Comincs railway they broke into our front trenches for about sis hundred yards. A heavy bombardment on both sides continues. Amsterdam, Last Night. A Herman communique states. South-east ol pros, after abundant artillery, bomb and mortar preparations, we captured eight hundred metres of an English position, killing the majority of the defenders and capturing one officer and some dozen nigp. North-West of Tlheirns the French attempted gas attacks which failed.

Paris, Last Night. A communique state* : \ destructive fire was mnntaimvl on the enemy’s works north-east of (soissons. We rescoptured a portion of advanced trenches and a post, near Taliiin on February 13th'. London, Last Night. 1 he Hermans have .established gas factories at various points on the west

NEAR EAST MOVEMENTS ROUMANIA READY. London, Last Night. A French wireless states that the Roumanian mobilisation has been completed. The General Staff reports that the Caryiathian defences and also tlie defences of Dodnindja are complete, BULGARIAN DISCONTENT. GERMANS DOMINEERING. Bucharest. Last Night. There is growing discontent in Bulgaria at the dearness qf food, and distrust of tlie Germans, who arc domineering. Several Gorman submarines and two seaplanes arrived at Vifcia where the defences have been eoniderably trengthened. Altogether there are two German divisions in Bulgaria. Germans supervised the fortifications on the Roumanian frontier. ERZERUM FALLING. Petrograd, Last Night. Another fort at Erzerum and twenty guns have been captured. GERMAN PRESS BUSY. • London, Last Night. The Tirpitz Press Bureau is pouring out articles upholding tlie intended war on liners and prophesying greater ruthlessness in sinking aimed merchantmen, which will probably be treated as pirates. The articles instance the Baralong and Zeppelin Ll 9 as reasons why Germans snoutd not treat brutal Britishers as honourable sailors, and suggest that the memorandum is onlv a first step. Karl Peters has published an article warning Germany not to terminate the war until England has been sacked, and advises a great Zct>]xdin raid on London, destroying the House of Commons.