GENERAL WAR NEWS

Southland Times, Issue 17921, 28 April 1917, Page 2

GENERAL WAR NEWS

EARLIER CABLES ANGLO-FRENCH REPORTS. UNAVAILING COUNTER-ATTACKS (By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association). LONDON, April 26. Sir Douglas Haig reports: Last evening the enemy endeavoured to retake our new positions in the neighbourhood of Gavrelle. Our artillery barrage caught the advancing troops, completely repulsing them. The French communique states: North of the Aisne the enemy vainly re-attemp-ted to drive us from the plateau of Che-min-des-Damcs last evening. After a violent the enemy twice powerfully but unsuccessfully attacked our front of two kilometres west of Cerny. The attacks were smashed before our lines with the heaviest losses. Another attempt in the region of Hurtebise Farm failed similarly. THE ENEMY DESPERATE TREMENDOUS SACRIFICE OP MEN LONDON, April 26. The Morning Post’s correspondent states that the German counter-attacks were delivered with reckless courage unparalleled since the early days of the war, and indicative that the enemy’s affairs are approaching a supreme crisis. Prince Rupprecht’s staff wasted men lavishly in the attempt to restore the left flank to a position of vital importance. Troop trains continue to unload fresh regiments of Wurtembergers and Prussian Guards on the far side of Douai Plain, while divisions have been withdrawn from other points to strengthen the breaches in Hindenburg's line south of the river Scarpe, at Hill 70, north of Loos, Gavrellc, Monchy, and Fontaine* the four storm centres which have involved exceptionally heavy German losses. The Germans apparently thought it possible that they might break the British barrier between Gavrelle and Douai railway, and thence to the Scarpe marshes. Infantry waves flowed over the ridges through corpses between Fresnes and Plouvain in solid lines. No gunner could ask for a better target, and appalling destruction was wrought by our explosives. The unaffected German observers behind Fresnes and the surviving Brandenburgers who managed to regain shelters, where they sorted themselves, prepared for another attack. Fresh battalions were summoned to undergo the same ordeal. The British garrison at Gavrelle simply sat tight behind machine guns and killed Germans in company with the artillery. The fields in front were covered with corpses. The entire country side around Monchy and Fontaine was strewn with dead.

Never before have the opposing air fleets been so heavily engaged as during Monday and Tuesday. In the battle the airmen grappled with each other above the contending armies. Aviatiks whirled down in dizzy spirals pursued by British airmen who saw them crash in blazing wreckage on the battlefield. Then our planes swept low and riddled the wavering line of advancing grey figures with bullets. Our airmen everywhere fought German batteries, line regiments, and transport columns. They did not give the enemy rest. Tanks, aeroplanes, and gas shells were wielded by us in this modern battle. Altogether ten German divisions (roughly 200,000 men) have been withdrawn from one part of the front and ten new ones are already undergoing a similar hammering. dauntless woscestees LONDON, April 26. Mr Beach Thomas, describing the Worcesters’ experience, says successful German counter-attacks swept back their neighbours, leaving the Worcesters isolated. Successive advancing waves of 3000 to 4000 Germans swept over them. The Worcesters were well entrenched and had no thought of surrendering, though agonised by thirst. A hurrican of shells burst overhead for 36 hours, believing that the Germans would ultimately be driven back. After fourteen additional hours their hopes were realised. The advancing British found the Worcesters unable to speak, their tongues being swollen, and their lips parched, but they were still defiant. The Petit Parisien states that the Cambrai kommandanture compelled by threats and blows the inhabitants. Including the majority of aged women in adjoining communes, to work in the first line trenches and assist the enemy under fire. TRENCHES FURL OP QESUAN TVP.ATt PARIS, April 26. The newspaper Matin states that the enemy tranches on the Scarpe are full of dead. The losses amount to 20 per cent, of the effectives. The Pomeranian division was almost annihilated and one Prussian regiment was mown down to the last man. The Prussian Guards units were replaced by exhausted Bavarians. The British losses are relatively small and the majority are cases of minor wounds. GSHMAH REPOST LONDON, April 26. German official: Attacking waves thrice stormed positions southward of the Scarpe and were thrice compelled to withdraw. Our position at Gavrelle is now situated on the eastern boundary of the village. Our advances improved the position at Chemin-des-Dames. The enemy attacked on a three kilometres front in the evening and was sanguinarily repulsed. Prisoners’ statements indicate that the English attack at Lake Doiran on Tuesday was intended to secure far-reaching results. The Bulgars maintained all positions, inflicting heavy losses. BRITISH FOOD SITUATION DANGER OF FAMINE LONDON, April 26. The food situation is undeniably grave. There is a danger of famine conditions unless consumption is immediately curtailed. The public is being prepared to expect privations in the near future. The general opinion is that food tickets are imperative. The enemy is now reaching his maximum efforts to starve the Allies. All Austro-German submarines, with the exception of those needed for defence, are engaged on the trade routes. There is little indication of a reduction of the danger during the summer, when the daylight will be favourable to submarines. IMPERIAL PREFERENCE LONDON, April 26. It is understood that the War Conference unanimously accepted the preference proposals. Mr Lloyd George make an announcement in the House of Commons which will also include the decision on the Paris economic resolutions. The latter will be hurried on owing to the determination of France to immediately denounce all treaties with a view to shutting Germany out of favoured nation treatment and also to make a fresh treaty with Britain. This action Is rather resented here, but Mr Lloyd George conferred with M. ftibot and a mutual decision was reached. BRITAIN’S AIR SERVICE LONDON, April 26. In the House of Commons Major Baird (Parliamentary Secretary to the Air Board) In introducing the aviation estimates, said there would be after the war a vast number of machines and trained pilots. The Industry which had been built up for war purposes could not be neglected in peace time. A committee had been established to consider the question with Lord Northcliffe as chairman, and including representatives of the two services, the Board of Trade, the Post Office, Colonial Office, Customs, Treasury, and the Dominions. RUSSIA’S NEEDS WASHINGTON, April 26. Mr Francis, the American Ambassador in Russia, reports that all the Russians need to defeat Germany is a plentiful supply of finances, munitions, and railway equipment. He was pained and provoked at the suggestions of a separate peace, which were unfounded, but submarines had reduced the munitions received from Britain, and the supply from Japan was inadequate. The only danger was that the revolutionary elements might quarrel before a strong central authority was established.

CONDITIONS IN GERMANY UNREST AND DISCONTENT AMSTERDAM, April 26. German newspapers disclose a chaotic political situation. While the army leaders are boasting of victories on the West front the situation in German is characterised by disunion, rising class hatred, and unprecedented industrial unrest. The strikes are undoubtedly more serious and prolonged than is admitted. Work has not yet been fully resumed. After a stormy meeting the Reichstag adjouried despite the Socialists demanding an Immediate debate on home and foreign affairs. Both Socialist groups voted against the Government. It is evident there has been a strong rally of the reactionary forces which still intend “peace with annexations and indemnities." The reactionaries exercised such pressure on the Government that Dr von Bethmann-Hollwcg was thrown over. Pan-German newspapers angrily denounce the Socialist peace proposals. Professor Schiedermann, the Kaiser's confidential adviser, states; ‘‘A peace that leaves us without gain of territory and without colonies would be treason towards the future of Germany. It will be impossible to bear the load of taxes if there are not indemnities.” Herr Suedmann angrily denounced the adjournment of the Reichstag. He says a holy war is being preached against Germany throughout the world, opening up prospects of decades of fighting which must end in Germany’s total destruction. On the other hand the Russian revolution opens a prospect of a speedy world peace. This ideal of a Socialist Russian revolution fills many millions of Germans with great enthusiam. HEADY FOB PEACE WASHINGTON, April 26. The State Department is informed that Germans have formed a committee in Switzerland to propagate Republicanism and work for peace. Herr Meyer, former editor of the Berlin Morgen Post, Is believed to be the leader. Prom other sources the Stale Department learns that the Germans arc increasingly anxious for peace. Bread rations have been reduced. The strike of 250,000 labourers at Berlin is reallv an anti-war move. AMSTERDAM, April 26. Dr von Bethmann-Hoilweg has instructed the Governors of the Federal States to take proceedings against the authors of the munitions’ strikes, declaring that the “dishonourable and*perfidious offenders must be subjected to the greatest possible punishment” RUSSIA AND PEACE MOSCOW, ( April 26. M. Milinkoff, interviewed, said Russia had not received any official offer which would be a possible basis of negotiation. He believed victory was certain. The Russians demanded complete independence for Austrian Slavs. "Russia was willing to agree to the neutralisation of the Bosphorus if freedom of international trade was guaranteed, but Insisted on the right to exclude foreign warships which would be impossible unless Russia possesses the Strait. PETROGRAD, April 26. Stirring scenes occurred at the departure for the front of the first detachment of the revolutionary troops. Crowds of soldiers carried flags Inscribed, “War for Liberty.” CHINA WANTS WAR NEW YORK, April 26. Advices from Pekin state that a conference of provincial and military governors voted unanimously that China should enter the war against Germany. A canvass shows that Parliament Is overwhelmingly in favour of war, but the President is undecided. THE PINCH IN SWEDEN COPENHAGEN, April 26. Twenty thousand participated in the Socialist demonstration at Malmoe (Sweden) and passed a resolution demanding a treaty with England facilitating exports and imports; also an eight-hour day and exemption from taxation of small Incomes.

GERMANY'S BLOCKADE LONDON, April 26. The Italian naval communique for the week ending April 22 gives the following returns: — Arrivals 358 Sailings 425 Sunk: —One steamer under 2300 tons; one under 750 tons, and a sailer over 210 tons. Two steamers were attacked by a raider and submarined respectively and escaped. FRENCH TORFEDOER SUNK. LONDON, April 26. A naval communique states; A squadron of German destroyers bombarded Dunkirk for ten minutes on Wednesday night. While sailing past part of the coast land batteries replied. AngloFrench patrol boats engaged the enemy who retired towards Ostend at high speed. A French torpedper was sunk In the course of a short engagement. The nemy’s losses are unknown. GENERAL ITEMS LONDON, April 26. The Government has purchased from Scandinavia many thousand barrels of pickled herrings. Fishmongers have been informed how to obtain supplies. Three New Zealanders have been awarded distinguished conduct medals and six military medals. WASHINGTON, April 26. The American schooner Percy Birdsall was sunk by submarine gunfire without warning. A patrol boat rescued the crew. Mr Root has accepted the leadership of the Commission going to Russia. General .Toffre and M. Vivian! met President Wilson at the White House informally and briefly. General Joffre, in his picturesque French uniform, was cheered by the crowds when recognised.