War News.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 30, Issue 18, 5 March 1918, Page 3

War News.

WESTERN FRONT ACTIVE,

MUTUAL TRENCH RAIDS. ‘ HEAVY ENEMY BOMBARDMENT. LONDON. March 3. Sir Douglas Haig reports:— Wo made successful raids southward of Armentiercs and in the neighbourhood of Arleux-en-Gohelle. Two enemy night raids entered the British trenches and captured a few prisoners. In a third all the raiders were killed or captured. After a heavy bombardment on a wide front northward of Neuvc Chapolle, a strong party attacked and entered the Portuguese front trenches. They were immediately ejected and the position was restored. The British repulsed raids on the Vpres-Comines Canal, and southward of Houthulst Forest.

GREAT ENEMY RAIDING ACTIVITY. LONDON, March 3. Sir Douglas Haig reports: — There is great enemy raiding activity on the whole British front. All were driven off after sharp fighting, with considerable enemy losses. The British Air Service is active. We brought down four German machines.

FRENCH FRONT.

ENEMY ATTACKS THROWN BACK. LONDON, March 3. A French communique says:— Two enemy columns attacked last night east of Ghavignon, and were thrown back with heavy losses after violent hand-to-hand fighting. Another attempt cast of Ccrbeny was equally unsuccessful. There is lively mutual artillery ac-

tion between the Milthc and the Aisne, and in the sector of Rheims, where civil hospitals were set on fire and systematically bombarded during the fire. The enemy bombarded our first lines in Champagne last night, notably in the direction of Buttc-du-Mesnil, west of which an enemy attack was driven back except at one point. Simultaneously a powerful enemy raid east of Suippes was completely defeated.

There is considerable artillery acti vity in the Woevre.

One of our crows carried out a photographic reconnaissance as far as Maiionburg, eighty kilometres behind the lines.

There is an intense artillery duel in the region north and north-west of Rheims, and in Champagne.

South-west of the Butte-du-Mesnil tho enemy, after being driven out by counter-attacks from some points, reasaulted with fresh forces. After several unsuccessful attempts with heavy losses the enemy regained a footing in part of the positions we captured on February 13th. Tho enemy violently bombarded our

first lines on the front BeaumontChaume Wood, and also at Suchepaez, where a big raid was repulsed at two points last night. In to-day’s attacks the American troops were in contact with special raiding troops. The Americans everywhere held' their lines intact, inflicting appreciable losses.

A later communique states there is intense artillery fighting at many points from the Chemin-des-Dames to tho Meuse. The enemy are aggressively active, notably north-west and southeast of Rheims. They attempted to dcbotche against our salient at Neufchatel, but a counter-attack drove them out of the elements in which they had succeeded in getting a footing. Simultaneously they fruitlessly at-

tacked at La Pompelle, and then violently re-attacked, making renewed efforts to reach the fort of La Pompelle and isolated elements. They succeeded

in gaining a footing in the northern portion and in a small work west of the fort element. They also abortively at-

tacked east and south of La Beatoncrie, in Champagne. The Germans attacked in the direc-

tion of Mont Cornillet on a front of 800 metres, but found four ’ trenches

which had previously been evacuated under instructions. The enemy were immediately driven out, and by a coun-ter-attack the position was entirely re-established.

Our fire broke another attack east of the Teton. We inflicted serious losses.

A violent bombardment is proceeding south-west of the Butte-du-Mesnil. Enemy raids in Lorraine and the Vosges were repulsed.

LINES COMPLETELY RE-ESTAB-LISHED.

LONDON, March 3, A French communique says:— We completely re-established our lines at La Pompelle, where the enemy attacked on- Friday night. There is lively artillery fire on the right bank of the Meuse north of ■ Bezonvaux.

RUSSIAN SITUATION.

JAPANESE INTERVENTION. PARIS, March 3. The “Petit Journal” says the impending Japanese intervention explains the Entente Ambassadors’ departure from Petrograd. The intervention at first will be limited to re-establishing order in Siberia. Extension of the intervention will depend upon the advance elsewhere. ' JAPAN NOT HOSTILE TO RUSSIA. LONDON, March 3. The “Daily Mail” understands that [the British and Japanese Governments lay stress upon the fact that Japan’s intervention in Russia can in no sense be construed as hostile to Russia or- the Russian Government. The purpose, apart from the protection of Allied interests, is to assist Russia to lighten, and eventually to lift, the German burden.

It is reported in London that Japan has hitherto only sounded the Allies regarding intervention. She has not made proposals. Japanese circles in London declare that Japan does not seek aggrandisement, but recognises that Japan’s security in the Far East is endangered by the new Russian situation.

CHINA AND JAPAN.

SHANGHAI, March 3. It is understood that China and Japan have arranged to intervene in Eastern Siberia whenever necessary in order to save the half-million tons of munitions and war stores which have accumulated at Vladivostok. It is announced,at Tokio that Japan will only act after the fullest discussion and in complete agreement with America and Britain. In view of the Chinese decision to cooperate with Japan to safeguard her interests in Siberia, renewed efforts are being made to effect a reconciliation between North and South China.

HOSTILITIES TO CONTINUE.

LONDON, March 3. A Russian official message says the peace delegation at Brest Litovsk reports that the Germans, replying to the request for the cessation of hostilities, declared that they would cease only when the peace treaty had been signed. Three days are allowed for negotiations, which commence to-day. Lenin received a message from the Brest Litovsk delegation requesting him to take train with an escort. Lenin comments: This probably means that the Germans have broken off the negotiations. We must be ready for an immediate German advance to Petrograd on all fronts. The people must rise and strengthen the defence measures.” GERMAN ADVANCE CONTINUES. HEAVY FIGHTING EXPECTED. ' PETROGRAD, March 3. The German advance continues, despite the peace negotiations. The enemy are throwing large forces into the Orsha front. The Russians are digging trenches north of Orsha, and a battle is imminent.

Russians are swarming in from Moscow and other points, and entrenching for several miles. The civilians have fled. Heavy fighting is expected.

VENICE BOMBED.

ONE THIRD OF THE CITY RUINED. LONDON, March 3. Mr W. Jeffries reports that Gothas on February 26th dropped 100 bombs on Venice. Many fell round the Doge’s Palace and the Bridge of Sighs, which fortunately escaped. The Rialto Bridge was destroyed. Two convents were struck. It is calculated that one-third of the houses have now been ruined. Obviously the Huns intend to destroy Venice ’s magnificent jewels of architecture. Tho Gothas repeatedly replenished their bombs close to the city, droning backwards and forwards all night.

“The average waste in each of the 200,000 N.Z. homes would feed our whole Expeditionary forces free of all cost. ’ ’

“The New Zealand Club in Russell Square,” writes a Hamilton soldier who has just been on leave in London, “reflects credit on. those who run it, and those who brought it into existence. Y.M.C.A's exist in all the big towns to cater for the soldier man, and assist him on his way. Other institutions are plentiful enough to lead him to the devil if he feels inclined and has the. funds.” It is in order that our boys in London and elsewhere might be saved from dangers hinted at by the writer of the above letter that the Y.M.C.A. appeals for funds to maintain its service among the men in ( khaki. £IOO,OOO is asked for during the Red Triangle Day campaign, and a sum sufficient to carry on the work in Egypt, Palestine, Mesopotamia, England, and Prance, for another year. Who can refuse to give his or her “bit” for the sake of : the “beys” who are giving up everything for ns?

In the Magistrate’s Court, Blenheim, on Friday (reports the “Express”), the defended case of Arthur Vorbach v. Alex. Robb, W. Finlayson, and P. J. O’Donoghue occupied attention for some time. The claim was for the possession of a blacksmith’s plant and set of tools or £lO4 15s in case posession could not bo had, and £2O damages for breakages and detention. Mr C. H. Mills appeared for the plaintiff and Mr T. P. Belling for the defendants. The dispute related to a transaction in which the plaintiff, who was going forward for active service, disposed of blacksmith’s premises at Havelock to the defendants. The plaintiff represented that the plant and to'ols in question were not included in the bargain, J but the defendants refused to deliver j them when called on to do so. Judgment went for the plaintiff for £lO4 15s with £9 costs. The plaintiff undertook to accept £59 in full satisfaction if paid within a certain date. , SHARE AND’S MALT VINEGAR makes delightful salads, Brewed from malt and sugar. Free from mineral acids. Conforms to requirements of Pood and Drugs Act. All grocers.