TERRIFIC FIGHTING.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 5853, 28 September 1917, Page 5

TERRIFIC FIGHTING.

VAIN SACRIFICES TO REGAIN LOST GROUND.

AUSTRALIANS CARRY IMPORTANT OBJECTIVES.

Press Association. —Elec* ric Telegraph.—Copyright.

BRITISH PUSHING ON. j MORE OBJECTIVES CARRIED OBSTINATE RESISTANCE. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Ass’n.) London, Last Night, i Sir Douglas Haig reports: Our | aeroplanes were extremely active yes- | terday and made successful raids on ap aerodrome and railway siding near Ghent, where a large fire was started; also on aerodromes at Oourtiai and on billets eastwards of Lens and hutments south-east* of Routers. A •further five ton were dropped at night on Alenin and Weirvioz on troops on the transport roads leading thence to the battle front-. The number of hostile machines accounted for arc twenty-ithree, and we brought down a three-seater bombing machine. One of our machines is missing. Sir Dougla Haig further reports : The attack this morning, on a sixmile front from southward of Tower Hamlets to eastward of St. Julien, was entirely successful. The enemy, later made a series of heavy counterattacks along our new front. Hard fighting is continuing at certain points.

An attack carried out by English t roops southward of the Y pres-Alenin road successfully completed the capture oV Tower Hamlets Spur. We t-ook possession of strong field works on the eastern slopes forming our objective. W e repulsed a powerful counterattack from Glieluvelt. We met an obstinate resistance on the right of our main attack northward of the \pres-Alenin road. There was heavy fighting in the area which the enemy counter-attacked yesterday.

A British official message says: j Among other details the Australians | cleared the remainder of the Polygon Wood, capturing trenches* to the cast ward. Over 1000 prisoners were taken and there are a large number of German dead Yesterday wtas a record for the number of enemy machines accounted for. Twenty-four machines were brought down and only one of ours imissing. ANOTHER SMASHING BLOW. ON NEW A'PRES FRONT. London, Last Night. The correspondent of the United Press states that, after a hurricane of fighting which lated throughout last night the British gathered themselves at dawn, and dealt another smashing blow on the whole of the new A’pies- batle-front, from a. point south (# Tower Hamlets to somewhere east ot St. Julien. A thick haze rendered obervation imposible. The Anzaos have alreadv taken the whole of their objectives. The British and Anzacs on the left wore equally successful. Progress in the Polygon Wood was hotly disputed, and so was the British, advance astride the Alenin World, toward Ghelu. velt. Here the hottest fighting occurred yesterday, the Germans hurling three furious counter-attacks, against the English, Scottish and Australian troops who, before daylight, re-took practically all the lost ground. Tlie British barrage of the first day’s attack was repeated to-day. English airmen heavily bombed the enemy positions all night long. Prisoner are already coming in. They seem glad to escape with their liven from the inferno rtf high explosives. Some state that the Baden and Bavarian troops are sick of tho war declaring that their losses are higher than those of the Prussians, whose battle thev are forced to fight. Several say that unless peace is soon declared the troops will mutiny. The correspondent adds; ‘ ‘These statements must not be* taken to mean that the Germans are ready to surrender. or lack the fighting spirit. The latest fighting shows that the enenmy are stubborn scrappers.”

FRENCH FRONT ABLAZE. London, Last Night. A French communique says: There has marked artillery aJebivity an the Ainse front and on the right bank of the Meuse. THE GERMAN REPORT. London, Last Night. A German wireless offic al message says: The battle between bangemarck and Hoi!lebek e continues The enemy in one place penetrated! our fighting zone* to a. depth „f one kilometre, where d<'sporat 0 fighting oxbn,ti.riw > M. HAIG CONFIDENT. London, Last Night. Horatio Bottom ley, in ‘‘Johjn Hull.” describing a visit to the front, vvr tos that Sir Douglas Haiig says he is absolutely confident of A complete and early victory on the west. The enemy's power is visibly Woakon.ng along the line. Lons can be captured when h,. wishes. AER OPT, A NEW ‘ TRESPASSING.” Amsterdam, Last Night. Two German aeroplanes, one being of the big new type were brought down at Flushing. One of them, ro‘using to surrender, was shot down by a Dutch torpedo boat. Tho other descended, and tho occupants were interned. LLOYD GEORGE IN FRANCE London, Last Night*. Mr Lloyd George proceeded to France on Monday accompanied by Sir William Robertson nnd be|,| a conference with M. Pa ini eve* (Premier'. On Tiled lav they visited Sir Dougla* llaig at British Handquar.

SUCCESSIVE GERMAN COUNTER-ATTACKS BROKEN.

RUSSIANS BUSY IN BALTIC REPELLING THE ENEMY.

I ters and returned to London on Wedi nesdav evening. I ’ j TREATIES VALUELESS, i ‘ PRACTICAL STEPS WANTED. London, Last Night. Air Asquith at a “war aims” meeting at Leeds, emphasised that with negligible exceptions we present * ed an unbroken front. The unshakeable resolve of three years required no repetition. He* said: “The righteousness of our cause will sustain that resolve, but it is usefu I to repeat to others that the peace wherefore we are fighting cannot be found in a. cessation of hostilities, followed by territorial bargaining, and ultimately embodied in paper pacts, there to be* left to the mercy of chance. Still less can we look for a peace worthy of the name in any arrangement imposed by victors on the vanquished, which ignores the principle® of right and defies historic tradition and the aspirations for liberty of the peoples affected. Such so-call-ed treaties would simply provide* a fertile breeding ground for future wars. An example of this is the treaty of 18/1, to which single act of international spoliation a large share of the blame for the calamities now devastating the world can be traced ” Air Asquith continued: “The two Gieirnan replies to the I’op l teemed with nebulous and unctuous generalities. There is no indication that Germany will not repeat the crime of 1871. To take practical steps for a lasting peace was she ready to restore Alsace to France and give Belgium her full independence without* reserva Tions. and with as complete material compensation as wras possible for the devastation of her country and the sufferings of her people? If a definite reply to these enquiries could be given in a couple of sentences they would be worth a whole column of ! pious platitudes.”

THE FATE OF BELGTUAf

GER M A NY’S DEM A N DS. Berne, Last Night An official telegram from Berlin states that Von Kuhlinann (Foreign Minister! made a verbal communication *to the Papal Nuncio at Munich supplementing the Note and deelnr! mg that Germany is willing to make peace °n rim basis of the evacuation « Belgium agreeing to its restoration and independence, and offers to contribute a share of compensation as war damages. Germany demands Hint, there shall l»e no repetition of Belgium's menace of 1914. Tin* administrative separation of the Flemings and the Walloons must, be maintained because it corresponds with the wishes of the majority. Germany must be allowed to develop economic enterprises in Belgium, especially in Antwerp. A semi-official explanation ot the communication states that these conditions are computable with the dignity of Belgium. Oermanv has avoided mentioning the throne, because it is a domestic matter. Germany will agree to any Government if Belgium accepts ber conditions. WARNING BY THE POPE. Rome. Last Night According bo reports from Vatican sources the Pope insists that the restoration. financial nf-x-onstitution, and absolute independence of Belgium are essential to clear the wav to tho conclusion of the war. He warns Germany that her indefiniteruess as to the future of Belgium is a serious obstacle towards a just, Christian and durable peace and makes a round-the-table conference an utter impossibility.

The “Agenzia Naziouale” states that the King of Bavaria has thanked v * P< ?P° £or kif! Note assuring him that the whole of the German people aspires to peace. SECRET UNDERSTANDING. Rome, Last Night. A semi-official Vatican organ states its belirtf that a, concerted secret no. derstanding exist® as regards the conditions of peace, to winch Berlin wonlfl like- U> hold. T'ho Holy Hoo ivill soun dthe Allied Chancellories as soon as possible. RUSSIAN AIIS UN DER ST A N DING. THE KORNILOFF REVOLT. Potrograd, I,ust Night*. M. Savin-off, ex-war Minister, writ, mg in tho ‘‘Bourse Gazclte,’’ t'*xplains that th<*> Korniloff revolt. wa.s duo t*/> a in isunderrstand ing. After Af. Savinoff ha*,l obtained M. Keronskv s consent to General KorTiiloffs propostxl reforms, (’i in.ee Lvoff informed General Korniloff tlimt Af. Kerensky wias willing to form a dim«l orate, of which M. Kerensky, Geiier ai Korniloff and M. Savinoff were to Is* tlw« principal members. Korniloff agreed whereupon. I’rincc 10-off handl'd M. Kerensky an ultiinatum written by himself, f> u *j> purporting to como from General Korniloff, demanding a Korniloff dictatorship. Ignorant '• Prnct'i bvnff’s ultimatuin, Korniloff replied U) M. Kerensky’s tielegrnp)iio enijmry tluiit* he subscribed I’rinee Lvoff » words, written on Korniloff’s behalf Tliercujion Gt'.neiinl Korniloff was relieved of Ids command, and revolted. M. Kerensky lias returned to I etrograd from hca)dqu*n.rtern. I) EOT ,AIl ATT ON WA N TED.

ABOUT SEPARATE PEACE. Petrograd. Last Night*. , At a. plenary sitting of the Soviet’s Central Committee an announe<'.menii was made th.nl (lie Goveriimemt bad roeoivf’d from England and France a demand far a categorical Ueclaratton

that any German attempt to conclude a separate, peace would on Russia’s account be indignantly refused. England and France consider that the idea j should not be given even a passing | consideration. i CROWN JEWELS MISSING. CZARINA ACCUSED. Paris, Lbst Night. The “Journal” forecast® a possibility of the ex-Ozarina being accused of theft. The most valuable Crown jewels have disappeared. This was discovered recently when a rich Amen - can lady was offered two pearls for 25,000 sterling apiece. She had seen them worn by the Czarina at Cowes Regatta years ago. The Russian Government instituted inquiries at the Palace and the Museum. The* safe was opened in the presence of experts, and the* best jewel® of the Imperial Crown were found to be replaced by imitations. It was later discovered that the stones had been sent by a diplomatic messenger to the Czarina’s German residence at Darmstadt, ft was further discovered that* valuable tapestries in the palace had been replace® by copies the originals Laving been sent abroad. MUNITIONS GO ASTRAY. Paris Last* Night. During a debate, in the Chamber of Deputies on the war vote, a Deputy .stated that the Budget Commission felt bound to refuse* considerable I sums for the despatch of munitions to j Russia. because, the munitions either failed to reach their destination or i wol'e not used when delivered. EX-MINISTER GETS “LIFE.” ! Petrograd, Las; Night. , Ex-General Sukhomlinoff was found i guilty of high treason and sentenced to hard labour for lire. His wife was ; acquitted.

CLOSE CALL FOR EMPEROR

Rome. Last Night. The “Agenzia Nazionale’’ states that* the Austrian Emperor on September 15th ventured within 600 yards of the Italian trenches, with ten motor oars carrying hi® staff. An Italian aviator espirtd .the* group, and the Italian commander ordered an instant attack, and captured the position where the Emperor had stood a fow minutes previously. Die Ehnperor and his suite escaped under heavy ma-chine-gun fire, an't! entrained for Vil enna. (i ERMA N ESCAPEES.

London, Last Night. Among the twenty-four German officers who recently escaped was Von Muller, captain of the Emden. When he was re-captured he had a compass and money enough to last 48 hours. lon Muller xhrioe attempted to reesoape but was frustrated. Nine have thus far been re-captured. Several had nearly a hundredweight of food and clothing. Die subterranean tunnel tiliYougb which they escaped was forty yards long.

SUBAIARINE SINKINGS \ \ y London. Last Night. The Admiralty report on the submarine campaign during the week gives the following figures those at last week’s report being given in parentheses: Arrivals 2775 (2695) Departures 2691 (2751) Sunk, over 1600 f*>ns .... 13 (81 Stink, under 1600 tons .. 2 (20) Unsuccessfully attacked .. 10 (61 An Italian official message says: \ Last week’s arrivals were 540 and de- ! pa.rt.ures 470. One steamer and six small sailers were sunk.

FRENCH STEAMER SUNK I Paris, Last* Night*. A submarine attacked a FYench steamer in Spanish Territorial waters. The submarine was sheltering amidst fishing boats, which prevented her trom using her guns effectively. Af- ' ter a prolonged combat, during which the vessels quitted territorial waters, the steamer was sunk five miles from Land. Eight of the crew were killed, anri two others died of wounds. The captain was taken prisoner.