War News.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 29, Issue 40, 25 May 1917, Page 5

War News.

ITALIAN OFFENSIVE. AUSTRIAN ATTACKS FAIL. LONDON, May 23. The Exchange Telegraph Agency’s Rome correspondent says the Austrian counter-offensive in the Trcntino yesterday increased in violence. All the infantry efforts failed. There was a most determined attack In the afternoon, after an intense bombardment. Dense columns of picked troops were repulsed, suffering heavy losses. They readvauccd after midnight, and gained a temporary footing in advanced trenches, sustaining tremendous losses. Tho Austrian attack, which was one of the fiercest of the whole war, aimed at seizing Pasubio, to relieve the pressure on the Isonzo, but the pressure is unabated. | AUSTRIAN RIGHT WING. NEW LINE PREPARED. LONDON, May 23. The "Daily Telegraph’s” Rome correspondent says that having lost the chief point d'appui on tho Isonzo, ‘the Austrians have, established their right wing on tho heights of Tirnova forest, where they have prepared a new and formidable line. Tho Austrians continue to destroy (iorz, realising that they have lost hope of retaking tho town. WESTERN OFFENSIVE. SUCCESSFUL BRITISH RAIDS. LONDON, May 28. Sir Douglas Haig reports; Wo made successful raids north-east of Epehr and northward of Armcnticrcs, The German artillery is active eastward of Bullecourt, southward of the Arras-Cambmi road, and also westward of Lens. Wc destroyed a large ammunition dump north-cast of Queant. RAIDS AT VERMELLES. LONDON, May 23. Sir Douglas Haig reports successful raids on trenches eastward of Vermclles. There is nothing to report on the rest of the front.

TRIUMPH OF BRITISH ARTILLERY.

GERMANS UNABLE TO RECOVER

LOST GROUND

PARIS, May 22

Tho "Matin” states that the Germans, despite the most desperate coun-ter-attacks, are unable to retake an inch of ground. In the last 24 hours they did nothing beyond losing prisoners and leaving a multitude of corpses before the British positions. The British artillery is truly marvellous. Its barrage crushed any offensive.

French experts arc elated at the triumph of the British artillery, which in less than a month has cracked a barrier which took the Germans a year to build, and on which hinges all the enemy’s future manoeuvres. Already there are signs of preparation for a retreat to a new system, which is the only alternative to a decisive defeat, namely, a system of switch trenches zigzagging to rallying points. FRENCH SUCCESSES. 1000 PRISONERS TAKEN IN ONE DAY. LONDON, May 23. A French ' communique says: There is violent artillery fire at Vauclere and Californio plateau. Rhcims was heavily bombarded. We took 1000 unwounclcd prisoners on the 20th. SUBMARINING. ENGLAND’S POSITION SAFE. 0 PARIS, May 23. Lord Milner, in u .statement to “ Le Temps,” said: “England’s position owing to submarines cannot become critical, even if Ihe sinkings are not diminished. Whatever happens we arc able to preserve the tonnage necessary for food and the war by suppressing dispensable exports. We arc even considering the creation of a reserve of tonnage by keeping back ships carrying unessential existing supplies, which will assure linking up with the next harvest. Submarines will never force us to abandon tho vigorous prosecution of the Avar.” SECRET PEACE PROPOSALS. REPRESENTATIONS FROM CENTRAL POWERS. NEW YORK, May 24. Tho “New York Sun’s” Rome correspondent says that peace proposals were made secretly by the Central Powers through neutral diplomats in Switzerland. The representations point-

cd out that peace would prevent resort to such desperate measures as the devastation of occupied territories, the death of .prisoners, and death from starvation of non-combatants, whom it was impossible to feed. The Allies unconditionally rejected the proposals, stating that pence was impossible unless it was sought publicly on acceptable terms. The "New York Sun’s” London correspondent questioned a high British authority, who did not admit the accuracy of tlie story, but said that such a move was likely to be made at any time. RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT. SOLIDARITY.WITH ALLIES’ CAUSE. SEPARATE PEACE A CRIME.

PARIS, May 22. M. Ribot, in the Chamber of Deputies, announced that he had received a telegram from the Russian Government expressing complete solidarity with tho cause of the Allies, and declaring that Russia was not ungrateful. She wouuld not forget France’s efforts to contain the enemys forces, whereby Russia was enabled to organise herself. It would be a crime to-day to talk about separate peace. , GERMANY’S VAIN HOPES. COPENHAGEN, May 23. The "Vossische Zcitung” says that Russia will soon accept a German peace. Therefore it is important that the Government express clearly its peace conditions and offer Russia financial help after the war. THE CLAIMS OF FRANCE. PARIS, May 23. Speaking in the Chamber of Deputies. M. Ribot explained that France even conceded the nationality policy to her enemies, but insisted upon France's right to claim compensation for the wrongs suffered in Northern France, Serbia, Roumania, and elsewhere. France desired restitution of the stolen provinces, but she did not wish to impose any penalty upon Germany. BRITISH PRISONERS. EMPLOYED BEHIND THE GERMAN LINES. LONDON, May 23. In the House of Lords, Lord Newton, replying to a question, stated that one or two German prisoners had been wounded by long range shell fire. Germany demanded that all prisoners be removed thirty kilometres behind the line. Tho Allies complied, but the British Government discovered that for many months 500 British were employed behind the German lines. They demanded that the practice be discontinued. Three Britishers who escaped in April stated that hundreds of Britishers had been employed behind the German lines since November. They were treated with great brutality, their food being only sufficient to sustain life. They were given no change of clothing. Many died. . Lord Newton added that unless the Government received an assurance that this had ceased it w r as hoped that the War Cabinet would take drastic action. AERIAL COMMUNICATIONS. AFTER-WAR PROBLEMS.

LONDON, May 23,

In the House of Commons, Major Baird, Parliamentary Secretary to the Air Board, announced that Lord Northcliffe had been appointed chairman of a committee to inquire regarding aerial civil communications after the war. The committee would include Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, representing the India Office; Sir Thomas Mackenzie, representing New Zealand; and the Hon. W. P. Schreiner, High Commissioner for South Africa. It was hoped Ciat Canada and Australia would nominate representatives. AFTER WAR TRADE. BRITISH IMPERIAL PREFERENCE. PARIS, May 22. The ‘ 1 Journal des Debats ’ ’ publishes a strong article against British Imperial preference. It thinks the error springs from the sentimental desire to satisfy the Dominions. If preference is given in order that the Empire may be militarily more self-sufficient in n future war, then it should be remembered that France and Belgium are much nearer than the Dominions. Prance and Belgium have done all that is possible in the present war. Preference will close Britain’s markets to Franco and Britain’s other allies. Other nations affected by Britain’s new regime will probably organise Customs duties on the Continent.