War News.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 29, Issue 37, 15 May 1917, Page 6

War News.

BRITISH SUCCESSES.

ATTACKING FORCES DISPERSED. LONDON, May 9. Sir Douglas Haig reports: Wo advanced our positions sliglitly last niglit north-eastward of Hargicourt. Our barrage completely broke an attack in the evening north-east of Gavrelle and simultaneously our artillery dispersed forces concentrating for an attack northward of Fresnoy. Our counter-attack at night improved our position westward of Fresnoy and regained a portion of lost ground. An enemy raiding party was driven ol£ eastward of Armcntieres. A STUBBORN RESISTANCE EVERYWHERE. REGARDLESS OP HEAVY LOSS. LONDON, May 9. A correspondent at Headquarters states that the Germans keep up a stubborn resistance everywhere, frequently counter-atacking in massed formation and persisting regardless of heavy losses. The Germans ferociously re-attacked Gavrcllc windmill, but wavered and retired under a storm of shellfire and machine gun bullets. It was sheer weight of numbers that drove us back from Fresnoy, which British guns are now making a perfect inferno, but the question of such gains or losses of territory must remain altogether subordinate to the main business of wearing down the Germans. It is manifestly to our advantage that they should continue to stand where they can be hammered. This is the broader and strategic view, and must not be overlooked in the present ebb and flow of the great struggle. AMERICAN WAR TAXES. INCOMES AND LUXURIES. WASHINGTON, May 9. The proposed war taxes, as drafted by the House Committee, impose an income tax on unmarried persons receiving £2OO per annum, and on married persons receiving £4OO and upwards. A super-tax of 33 per cent, is imposed on all incomes exceeding £IOO,OOO. The taxes on whisky, wine,

cigarettes, and tobacco are double, and inheritance tax is a third greater. Income tax has been trebled. A thousand pounds pays £l6, £20,000 pays £2IOO, and £600,000 pays £300,000. The profits tax has been doubled, and includes profits on transportation, insurance, and amusements. The Bill is designed to raise 1,800,000,000 dollars. The Senate has adopted a clause empowering the President to place embargoes with the object of forcing fhe suspension of trade with Germany. The War Revenue Bill taxes goods on the free list 10 per cent., and adds 100 per cent, to the existing tariff. LIBERTY LOAN BONDS. WASHINGTON, May 9. It is expected that Liberty Loan bonds will bo redeemable at the Government’s option in 15 years and due in 30 years. There will be a small fixed deposit, and the balance is payable in instalments. The minimum denomination will be a hundred dollars and the maximum 100,000 dolars. SUBMARINE SINKINGS. REJOICING IN GERMANY. AMSTERDAM, May 9. The German Admiralty’s statement that over a million tons of shipping was sunk between Ist April and 6th May has been received with tremendous rejoicing in Germany. GIGANTIC BUILDING PROGRAM. TO COMBAT THE SUBMARINES. WASHINGTON, May 9. A correspondent of the New York “Times” states that Congress will be asked to appropriate a thousand million dollars to construct a merchant fleet to overcome the submarine danger. The whole programme of the Shipping Boards contemplates a total tonnage of six millions. Every steel mill will be utilised by the Government, and private contracts will be cancelled. CANADIAN ASSISTANCE. RAILWAY TRACKS POR THE WEST PRONT. OTTAWA, May 9. The Canadian Government has agreed to the request of Britain and Prance to supply material for railway tracks for the West front. It will dismantle 300 miles of the British Columbia division of the Grand Trunk Pacific railroad, whore it runs parallel with the Canadian-Northern railroad, and will ship rails to Europe immediately. Canada has already 1200 men building railways on the West front.