WEARING DOWN THE GERMANS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 1012, 10 May 1917, Page 11

WEARING DOWN THE GERMANS.

V: TRUE OBJECTS OF THE BATTLE. g MORE IMPORTANT THAN FRESH GAINS. I ENEMY STANDS WHERE HE CAN BE HAMMERED. By Cable.—Press Association. — Copyright. Reuier'x Telegrams. (Received May 10, 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, May 9. Renter's correspondent at Headquarters states! —It was sheer weight of numbers which drove us back at Fresnoy, which the British guns are now making a perfect inferno; but the question of such gains and 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 broader strategic view must not be overlooked in the present ebb and flow of the great struggle.

NEW RAILROADS FOR WEST FRONT. TRACKS IN CANADA TO BE TAKEN UP. i RAILS AND WORKMEN TO GO TO FRANCE. Renter's Telegrams. (Received May 10, 12.30 p.m.) OTTAWA, May 9. The Government has agreed to the request of Great Britain and France to supply railway trackage for the West, front. Canada will dismantle 300 miles of the British-Columbia division of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railroad, where.it runs parallel to the Canadian-Northern Railroad,- and ship the rails to Europe immediately. Canada is ready to send 1200 men for the building ot railways on the West front, in addition to those whom the United States is to send.

' OFF TO FRANCE. INTERNED GERMAN STEAMER. UNDER STARS AND STRIFES. Australian and XV.. Cable Association. (Received Mav 10, 1 p.m.) NEW YORK, May 9. The first German sleamer of those Seized lias sailed for France under the United Slates (lag, carrying supplies to -the Allies. NEW MERCHANTMEN.

AMERICAN PROPOSAL. SIX MILLION TONS OF SHIPS. Australian and A'./. Cable Association. (Received Mav 10, 12.30 p.m.) NEW YORK, May 9. The Washington correspondent of the "New York Times" reports that Congress be asked to appropriate $1,000,0.00,000 to construct a merchant Heel to overcome the submarines. The Shipping Board's whole" programme contemplates the construction of a tonnage of six millions. Every steel mill will he utilised by the Government, and private con-tracts.-cancelled.

CENTRAL POWERS. CONFERENCE ARRANGED. Australian and XV. Cable Association. (Received Mav 10, 1.55 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, May 9. The Foreign Minister stales that representatives of the four Central Powers will meet shortly al Vienna 1 or Budapest. i Exceptional importance is al- ! Inched lo the meeting in sonic quari ters.

REVOLT IN BOLIVIA. RESULT OF ELECTION. Renter's TiUarnmt (Received Mav 10, 12.30 p.m.) BUENOS AYRES, May !>. A revolt is in progress in Bolivia is Ihe result of Ihe elections. The defeated candidate, Dr Escaller, has taken refuge in Argentina. I The Presicli-iil of Holivia is Dr Ismail Monies, who was elected lour yours ago, and Whose term has almost expired. It was reported vcslerday that Bolivia had broken otf relations willi Grrmnity.] AMERICAN" WHEAT. DISAPPOINTING CROP. NOTHING FOR EXPORT.

THE AISNE BATTLE. DESPERATE ATTACKS. FRENCH HOLD THEIR GROUND. A. and N.Z. Cable Assuciatior, ami Renter. (Received May 10, 2.15 p.m.) LONDON, May 9. A French communique stales:— The si niggle is very keen on the Chemin des Dames. Enemy attacks, made by large forces, and preceded by violent bombardments, were everywhere repulsed. In the district of Cerny de la RojvclJe, and on Ihe Monument de Hurj tebise, Ihe Germans were twice j bloodily defeated. A powerful effort was made further east, againsl the California Plateau. The assaulting waves were mown down by our barrage. , The enemy gained a momentary fooling in the north-easl salient.

Australian ami XV. Cable Association. (Received Mav 10. 12.30 p.m.) NEW YORK, May <). The winter wheat crops are esli-j flialcd al 2(i(i,000.0(i0, Ihe poorest for 13 years. Unless home consumplfon ! ;s reduced, il is nol likely thai any j will be exported. OUTLOOK DISCOURAGING. HOPES OF SPRING CROP. Australian and XV. Cabh Association. (Received May 10, 12.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, May !>. The Deparlmcnl of Agriculture has announced thai Ihe wilder wheat) crop outlook is discouraging. II is hoped thai ihe spring crop will bring production lo normal, as a greath increased acreage is being; sown.

APPEAL BOARD. ■ " ■ - -i ft THE RAILWAYMEN. BEING RELEASED FOR SERVICE. Press Association. WELLINGTON, May 10. Before the Military Service Board Mc MeYilly, assistant general manager of railways, appeared lo support the appeal for exemption of 307 railwaymen. lie said lhal, so far, 820 men had been drawn and 50!) appeals lodged. The department could release 150 men within a fortnight. These men had been drawn from Ihe 50!) by deparlmenlal ballot. More would be released gradually as the clfeel of Ihe cut services was experienced. Already 5152 men had been released from Ihe railways lo go on active service. Mr MeYilly gave an assurance lhal no member of Ihe Second Division of Ihe Expeditionary l-'orce would be expected lo go on active service until all the lit single men had gone. The appeals were adjourned for lour weeks. If you Jove garden nig, you need Tin; Bun (lanU-niiig Book, i'rk-o 1/-, posted Paring the war trade disputes have been rc.lu'-eil to one sixth of the prewar average.

PACIFIST MISSING. LENIN DISAPPEARS. Australia! and XV.. Cable Association. (Received Mav 10, 1.55 p.m.) COPENHAGEN, May !). Swedish, newspapers slate that M. Lenin, the Russian paeilisi, whose followers have lalely caused a greal deal of Double, has been missing for a few days. His falc is unknown. GRAIN FOR SWEDEN. BRITAIN ALLOWS SHIPMENT. Australian „,„• .V Z. Oihlr Association. (Received May 10. 1.55 p.m.) COPENHAGEN, May •>. An o!li( ial reporl from Stockholm says thai Greal Britain has agreed lo allow grain cargoes held up in foreign harbours lo reach. Sweden. II is |>clievc,d thai I here will thus be sullieienl grain lo lasl until the harvest.

• CONCRETE VESSELS. SUCCESSFUL EXPERIMENT. | and K.Z. Cnblr Association. j ' (Received May 10, 1.55 p.m.) STOCKHOLM, May 9. Norway's tests of reinforced concrete vessels have been so successful i thai she has ordered new vessels of [a (olal tonnage of 50,000. ! BELLS MELTED DOWN.

TO PROVIDE WAR METAL. STATUES WOULD DO BETTER. i I Australian am! A'./. Cable Association. J (Received May 10, 1.55 p.m.) LONDON', May !). j The Berlin correspondent of the "Daily Express" slates that Socialists in the Reichstag denounced Ihe War I Ollice for preventing Jews from be- | coming officers. Herr Ledcbour suggested thai, inI stead of melting church bells for I war purposes, the (ioverinncnl 'should requisition the statues of Gerj man Emperors in the Reichstag ; building.