War News.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 30, Issue 28, 12 April 1918, Page 3

War News.

> RENEWED GERMAN ATTACKS. BRITISH FORCED BACK. GERMANS ADVANCE THREE MILES. LONDON, April 10. Sir Douglas Haig reports:— This morning, after an intense bombardment from La Bassee Canal to the neighbourhood of Armentieres, strong hostile forces attacked the British and Portuguese holding this sector. Thick mist made observation impossible. The enemy forced their way into our positions near Neuve-Chapelle, Fauquissart, and La-Cordonnerie Farm. After heavy fighting all day long the enemy forced back the Portuguese in the centre and the British on the flanks of the line at the Lys river and between Estaires and Bachtmaur. We hold our positions on both flanks about Givenchy and Fleurbaix, where the enemy were repulsed in heavy fighting. The enemy captured Richebourg, St. Vaast, and Laventie. Severe fighting continues on the whole of this front. We secured prisoners southward of Arras in minor engagements. Owing to the mists .and rain few flights were possible yesterday. LONDON, April 10. The Germans advanced three miles and captured Lauptie. "STUBBORN FIGHTING CONTINUES.

LONDON, April 11. The United Press correspondent writes: The Germans suddenly attacked the Portuguese and the British on their flanks on a ten-mile front from La Bassee Canal to southward of Armentieres.

The bombardment opened early this morning and then died down. About eight o 'clock they laid down a barrage from Armentieres to Lens. The infantry attacked, and apparently obtained a footing in our front lines eastward of Le Plakin and Petillon, at Givenchy, and on the left flank cf the battle. We are apparently holding on in most stubborn fighting, which is particularly hot eastward of Pestubert.

Long-range guns bombarded Bethunc, Estaires, and Laventie, and practically all the villages and towns in tne back, areas. The weather is misty and overcast.

The Germans used several fresh divisions, Hindonburg perhaps hoping to outflank our positions from the north, though his exact intentions remain to be seen. NOTES. The Belgium relief ship Comte Dehet Denaever was mined and sunk off the Dogger bank. Twelve persons were drowned. Dr. Helfferich, speaking at Stuttgart, said:—"We are fighting for our life against England’s political system. We shall conquer in the West as in the East. We must undo England’s gains in the colonies, Mesopotamia, Persia,’ and China. We must not emerge crippled by the war. We must not be excluded from universal commerce, which is England’s aim.” "Vorwaerts commenting on President Wilson’s speech, says:—"lf Germany does not finish the war by military means, her -future is in darkness. It does not look bright even if she succeeded in finishing the war by the spring or summer. Therefore there is no other solution than by complete victory.”

The Admiralty report that a destroyer was sunk on April 4th as the result of a collision in foggy weather. All hands are missing. A from Stavanger reports that a British warship destroyed a Zeppelin off Jaederen. German newspapers admit that the casualties in the present offensive are heavier than in any previous fighting. GERMAN DEMANDS ON RUSSIA. PETEOGRAD, April 10, Germany telegraphed to the Commissary for Foreign Affairs demanding the immediate disarmament of the Russian fleet and the conclusion of a RussianUkrainian peace. The Germans at Hango demanded the cessation of the destruction of Russian warships, harbours and forts, and also that the bolts and sights of guns on ships and belonging to the land batteries be removed before the, 11th inst., the crews of the Russian ships to return to Russia, except small nucleus crews. In response to a Russian protest against the German landing in Finland, Germany demanded that the Russian Baltic fleet leave Finnish waters by the 12th inst. The Council of Commissaries has ordered the fleet to comply. In view of the Far Eastern events, the Bolsheviki have decided to remove the Czar and his family from Tobolsk. RUSSIAN WARfcHXPS BLOWN UP. WASHINGTON, April 10. Official advices to the State Department from Sweden state that the Russians blew up three large warships in South Finnish waters to prevent their capture by the attacking German squadron. The Teutons are not regarding the terms of the peace treaty guaranteeing Russian warships against capture.