RETREAT CONTINUES

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 1162, 1 November 1917, Page 5

RETREAT CONTINUES

. HOPES OF A FLANKING MOVEMENT j

ALLIED REINFORCEMENTS BOUND FOR ITALY

AMERICA URGED TO BREAK WITH AUSTRIA By Cable.—Press Association. — Copyright. (A. & N.Z.) (Eec. Nov. 1, 11.15 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Oct. 31. The latest Rome cables state that General Cadoma is extending his masterly retreat. The Third Army may be able to execute a flanking movement, thus saving much territory.

AID BEING GIVEN BY AMERICA AND THE ALLIES.

(A. & X.Z.) (Bee. Nov. 1, 5.40 a.m.) NEW YORK, Oct. 31. The "NeAV York Times'' advocates the declaration of war against Austria, thereby enabling America to send guns, munitions, and other aid to Italy. The United States, in addition to a loan, will give further help to Italy, but the character of the aid is not yet disclosed. Italian diplomats are confident that General Cadorna will be able to hold on to the Tagliamento line, but say the invasion is a grave menace to the Allies, as General Cadorna is outnumbered by five to one (?). Officials believe that strong Allied reinforcements are now going to Italy.

NEW CABINET REPRESENTS ALL PARTIES.

(A. & N.Z.) (Ree. Nov. 1, 11.5 a.m.) ROME, Oct. 31. The new Cabinet includes all parties except the advanced Socialists. Baron Sonnino retains the portfolio of Foreign Affairs.

STEADY ARTILLERY DUELS IN THE WESI

FRENCH ENGAGE IN HEAVY AERIAL RAIDS. (A. & N.Z. & Reuter.) (Ree. Nov. 1,-S.oO a.m.) LONDON, Oct. 31. Sir Douglas Haig rejKsrts:—There was hostile artillery action in the night against the positions captured by us yesterday, but there were no counter-attacks. A French communique says:—An artillery duel was fairly active in the sectors from Braye-en-Laonnais to Hurtebise and the left of the Meuse. "We inflicted heavy losses on the enemy by a raid north-west of Rheims. We bombed the railway station at Lichtervelde, Maizieres-les-Metz, Longueville-les-Metz, and Thionville. A big fire broke out in the Maiziere station.

SUCCESSFUL ATTACK ON PASSCHENDAELE RIDGE.

(A. & N.Z. & Reuter.) (Rec. Nov. 1, 10 a.m.) LONDON, Oct. 31. Sir Douglas llaig reports: —There was a successful operation with limited objectives this morning between the Ypres-Roulers railway and the Poeieapelle-Westroosebeke road. Important progress was made, despite the marshy ground on the bulk of the front. Heavy rain and gales are making communication with the troops extremely difficult. Canadians on the right, despite fierce opposition, gained all their objectives on the main ridge, and reached the outskirts of Passchendaele. Fighting was most severe on a spur westward of the village, where five counter-attacks were beaten oft'. Captured machine-guns were used in repulsing these attacks. The going was particularly bad on the left of the attack, the flooded streams intercepting the low-lying ground. Naval and London Territorial battalions captured a number of fortified farms and strong points after heavy fighting. The Gloueesters made a successful raid last night south-eastward of Gavrelle. The Belgians made a successful raid southward of Dixmude.

ALLIED AERIAL OFFENSIVE STEADILY CONTINUED.

?A. & N.Z. & Reuter.) (Ree. Nov. 1, 11.5 a.m.) LONDON, Oct. 31. Sir Douglas llaig reports: Aeroplanes fired several thousand machine-gun rounds at the enemy in the trenches and on the roads. Bombs were dropped on billets at Roulers. Machines re-attacked the railway station lines around Saarbrucken. Bombs were seen to burst with good effect. All our machines returned. Twelve machines in the morning went further afield and attacked munition and gas works at Pirmasens, twenty miles beyond Saarbrucken, with excellent results. All the machines returned safely.

POST-WAR BOYCOTT ABANDONED.

NEW ALLIED ATTITUDE REPORTED FROM AMERICA. (A. 4 N.Z.) (Bee. Nov. 1, 11.15 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Oct. 31. President Wilson's dictum that there must be no commercial boycott after the war is finding favour with the Allies. The various missions have informed the Tariff Commission that all important nations have abandoned plans to deny Germany their markets.

ENEMY LOSSES.

TOTAL OF 6,000,000 MEN. iv'tralian ar.d KZ. Cabli A*»ociation. (Roc. Nov. 1, 8. SO I WASHINGTON, Oct. 31. Official advices shite that Herri Ledebour, speaking in the Heichslag, admitted that the German losses were 6,000,000, comprising 1,500,000 dead and 4,500,000 wounded, including 500,000 permanently crippled. HUGE TAXATION. ON STEEL TRUST PROFITS. Auttralian ar.d N '/. Cable Aisociafion. (R..-. Nov. 1. 8. In i NEW YORK. Oct. 31. I The United States Steel Corporalion will pay £03,000,000 tax on three months' profits.

MINIMUM PRICES.

CANADIAN EXPERIMENT. Auttralian and N.Z. Cable Association. j (Hcc. Nov. 1, 8.10) NEW YORK, Oct. 31. I Great interest is taken in the action of the Montreal and Toronto ; Stock Exchanges in fixing minimum ! prices. DISASTROUS FIRE. WAR MATERIAL BURNED. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. j (Rcc. Nov. 1, 8.10) WASHINGTON, Oct. 31. A fire at Baltimore destroyed piers and munitions intended for ■ France, damage to the extent of $5,000,000 being done. A British i steamer alongside the piers ignited and anti-submarine shells with ' which she was loaded exploded, and ; the steamer sank.

AUSTRALIAN FORCES.

RECRUITING A FAILURE. CABINET TO CONSIDER POSITION. (Rec. Nov. 1, 10.0) SYDNEY, Nov. 1. Speaking at a recruiting meeting, Senator G. F. Pearce said the Government would never ac;rce to the Australian divisions in France being left below their full strength. Referring to the voluntary system, he said that during the past six months the enlistments were less than the casualties in a fortnight. Cabinet, after considering the figures, will decide upon a policy. RAIDER. DRIVEN OFF KENTISH COAST. A. and N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter. (Rec. Nov. 1, 11.5) LONDON, Oct. 31. Official: An aeroplane crossed the Kentish coast this morning, but did ; not penetrate inland, being engaged by anti-aircraft guns. It dropped bombs in the fields and made off, the remaining bombs falling in the sea. BUILDING SHIPS. OUTPUT OF AMERICA. Australian and N.Z. Cabh Association. (Rec. Nov. 1, 11.15) WASHINGTON, Oct. 31. Mr Hurley, chairman of the Shipping Board, says that the shipyards will deliver 7,500,000 tons of new vessels in 1918. Every assistance is being rendered to shipyard firms and workers. POLAND'S_FUTURE. LEANING TO THE ENEMY. ("The Times") STOCKHOLM, Oct. 30. There is a critical situation in Poland, and a growing inclination to come to terms with the occupying Pow T ers. Although Polish sentiment is largely anti-German, the absence of direct communication with the outer world causes public opinion to regard the military situation through German eyes, and to desire to make the best possible terms. Negotiations between the Central National Polish Party and Germany have reached a definite point, the agreement involving the Polish Government's acceptance of an obligation to raise troops for the defence of the eastern frontier from. Vilna to Volhynia, releasing many German divisions for the summer of 1918. If the agreement is ratified Poland will become an enemy State and Germany's post-war commercial vassal. It is believed that the danger is only avertable by a prompt Allied declaration definitely including in their war aims the establishment of a united Poland, with access to the sea. THE BURDEN OF WAR. BRITAIN'S OBLIGATIONS. (A. & N.Z.) LONDON, Oct. 30. Mr Bonar Law, in introducing a £400,000,000 vote of credit, said:— "We are now exceeding our Budget estimate bv £239,000 daily. We have advanced to Allies £1,100,000,000 and to the Dominions £100,000,000. The war has increased the National Debt by £3,000,000,000. Germany passed votes of credit amounting to £1,700,000,000, not including loans to her allies. There are indications that Germany will be hopelessly bankrupt after the war, but this will largely depend on the peace which we are able to secure. If the war ends satisfactorily the financial burden will be one which we can bear." Mr Bonar Law added that the vote would carry the Government on until January. The daily cost of the war was £C;480,000. For building brain and nerve, take VITAFER, All-British Tonic Pood. VITAFER supplies important elements which the body must have—it is not a mere stimulant but a food which benefits permanently. Take it for Nerves, Brain Fag, Lassitude, Malnutrition, Aniemia. Ail chemists. Sample 3/6, post free from the New Zealand Agents, J. A. Coltart, Chemist, Christchureh. .31! CHEMISTS AND CHEESEMAKERS AGREE. Mr Jones, manager of the Cam Dairy Factory, writes to say "that Bettles' Rennet is equal to any he has ever used." Geo. Bonnington, Ltd., D. F. Glanville, E. Cameron Smith, C. R. Kiver, W. R. Cooke, and the Friendly Societies' Dispensary, all well known Christchureh chemists, recommend Bottles' Rennet. It is also obtainable at all stores. Take no inferior article, but insist on Bettles'. Price 1/3 per bottle. .10 SOLDIERS Before leaving for the front should have a good photograph taken by Standish and Preece, 244 High Street, Christchureh. .9 People from every part of New Zealand speak in the highest terms of NAZOL as a remedy for colds, coughs, and nasal catarrh. It relieves and cures more quickly than anything else. Price 1/6. ' .1

FLANDERS BATTLE LINE.

WINNING THE RIDGE. GALLANT EFFORTS REWARDED. (Reuter) LONDON, Oct. 30. Reuter's headquarters correspondent says:—Our armies have again struck the German masses in Flanders, and have sent them reeling back, in places to a deptli of nearly a thousand yards. Luck was with us in the matter of the weather, which kept dry, and before the sun was two hours high the Canadians, making the attack, had gained most of their objectives. The lighting was chiefly towards the outskirts of Passchcndaele and in the region of Poelcapclle, along several tributary spurs of the great ridge system, which is gradually being won from the desperately resisting enemy. Early in the advance the Germans launched a big counter-attack. It so chanced that the Canadians hud just carried strong fortified redoubts at the centre of which the enemy attack was directed. The place was liberally furnished with machineguns, which were promptly turned against the oncoming enemy. Rifle fire completed the work of the ma-chine-gunners, and the counterattack was repulsed with heavy punishment. The ground is still desperately bad, but along the higher places, where the principal fighting is developing, the surface is reasonably good between the flooded shell holes. AT PASSCHENDAELE. (A. & N.Z.) LONDON, Oct. 30. The United Press correspondent says that the British are now on the outskirts of Passchendaele. The Bavarians counter-attacked savagely, although the British artillery mowed great gaps in their ranks. Suddenlv machine-guns en/iladed the Bavarians at 800 yards range. The Bavarians faltered, stopped, and then the remnants fell back in disorder, as the Canadians pelted them with machine-guns captured at Meetcheele. Meanwhile the British advanced astride the Lekerbotterbeek.. They crossed the almost impassable marshes and entered Lekerbotterbeek. WORK OF THE CANADIANS. (A. & N.Z.) LONDON, Oct. 30. Mr Philip Gibbs writes: —If the Canadians can hold the hard-won ground they captured in the region of Crest Farm, almost the entire heights of Passchendaele Ridae will be within our grasp. Crest Farm is the outer fort of Passchendaele itself. The Canadians attacked on both sides of the Ravebeek, and also along the ridge towards Crest Farm, thus attacking the final heights of Passchendaele from the west and southwest, exactly similar positions to those assaulted in the last New Zealand and Australian attack. Possibly the Canadians find the operations of capturing the ground less difficult than holding, but if they can establish themselves on this last summit we will have the dominating ground for which English, Scottish, Irish. Australians. New Zealnnders and Canadians have fought through bogs and marshes against concrete blockhouses and many machine-guns, and against masses of Germany's finest troops, and also against incredible bad luck and bad weather. Tbe actual capture of Passchendaele Village is possible only after Crest Farm is silenced. The Australians hero found it desirable also that Bellevue and Meetcheele. on the neighbouring-ridge, should be in our possession. Aoparentlv Canadians have now captured all three positions, exposing the village. It was not a great battle in numbers, and the greatest distance of the intended advance was onlv a thousand yards, vet it was a hard battle because of the enemy's desperate resistance, the difficulty of the ground, the badness of the weather and physical hardships. Mr Gibbs concludes: The Canadians to the left of the Ravebeek encountered a hornet's nest in Freislands Copse, and suffered somewhat in trying to rush the place. Finally small parties worked round the emplacements and then dashed in and raptured them after fierce, close fighting. The Canadians pushed on to Meetcheele village, strongly defended by blockhouses. Another fierce, bloody struggle ensued until grouns of Canadians mustering in shell-holes by a concerted rush carried the blockhouses. There was a further fight of a similar character around another row of blockhouses beyond Meetcheele. The Germans now began to run. and the Canadians knew that their objectives were gained. Meanwhile other Canadians on the right of the attack fought' towards Crest Farm, and early news indicated its capture. GERMAN ADMISSIONS. (A. & N.Z. & Reuter) LONDON, Oct. 30. A German official message says:— The English strongly attacked Passchendaele and the village was lost. Vigorous counter-attacks near Gheluvelt broke down with heavy losses.

ITALY'S BLACK HOUR.

PROSPECTS OF THE FUTURE. (United) LONDON, Oct. 30. Attention is concentrated on the Italians' efforts to extricate themselves. The fall of Udine will inevitably cut the railway and road communications of the Carnic and Carso armies. The principal difli- ; culty of the Tagliamento line will be the shortage of artillery. Much depends on the real strength of the Austro-Germans. There is good i reason to believe thai the number of Germans participating is exaggerated. They are probably limited to six divisions. The Tagliamento is widely flooded, and there is a hope that the Austro-German effort may be expended by the time the river is reached. THE COUNTRY CALM. ! (A. & N.Z.) LONDON, Oct. 30. The "Daily Telegraph's" Rome correspondent says:—There is calm | confidence everywhere. The miliI tary situation is considered grave ! but not desperate. No delusions are | entertained that the enemy can be prevented from invading the plains, but it is most important to resist them sufficiently to enable the Italian advanced troops to be brought back to a solid line in the rear. The troops charged with this duty are lighting like lions. During General Foch's recent visit to Italy he matured a plan for the Allies assisting Italy in case of need. ALL SECRETS GIVEN TO ENEMY. (Renter) WASHINGTON, Oct. .30. Administrative officials learn that Italy was betrayed. They declare i that spies gave the Teutons all military and civil secrets. Germany is believed to be preparing two great spring thrusts, one from the Italian plains and the second to Petrograd. DESPERATE EFFORT ON HAND. (A. & N.Z.) ROME, Oct. 30. Newspapers point out that the Austro-German offensive is really aimed against the entire Entente. ' The whole destinies of the war will be compromised if the Central Pow r ers prevail. Its strategic offensive is designed to conclude the war before the winter and to force the Entente to treat for peace. RUSHING UP MEN. ("The Times") BERNE, Oct. 30. Germany is sending more troops i to Italy. REWARD FOR THE GERMANS. (A. & N.Z.) ROME, Oct. 30. It is reported from Switzerland ; that Austria has been compelled to 1 promise to give Trieste to Germany as the price of assistance. LOSSES OF~THE ENEMY. '. (United)-. PARIS, Oct. 30. The Rome correspondent of the "Echo de Paris" states that the Austro-German losses are estimated : at 12,000. Their booty is scanty. The , Italians were able to withdraw most of their heavy artillery. ! WITH THE ENEMY. I GLOOMY FINANCIAL OUTLOOK. (Reuter) RERNE, Oct. 30. In the Reichsrath, the official re- • jjorter gloomily described Austria's : financial situation. He said that 1 Britain alone among the belligerents would be able to pay interest on war ' loans and furnish considerable sums for current war necessities. Ger- ; man finances were in an unfavour- ■ able condition. The increased Ger--1 man revenue from the new taxes I totalled 1,000,000 marks (under I £50.000), while the war loan interest • amounted to 3,000,000,000 (about " £600,000,000). It was anticipated ' that Austria would long suffer after > the war from a very low rate of ex- • change. The Austrian Premier announced • that Austria was still ready to sit at ■ the peace table if her enemies were • ready to create a foundation for : equal inter-State relations. \ GENERAJT ITEMS. i SUBMARINE HUNTERS. • (United) LONDON, Oct. 30. I It is estimated that the submarines, i auxiliary cruisers, armed merchanti men, and other vessels lighting eni emy submarines exceed 10,000, of • which 330 are commissioned small • craft. FRENCH VESSEL LOST. ' (A. & N.Z.) PARIS, Oct. 30. The Mascara, 2565 tons, bound to ; Tunis, has been lost with all hands. ' There is no trace of wreckage. STANDARDISED SHIPS. (A. & N.Z.) LONDON, Oct. 30. In the House of Commons, Sir L. ■ Chiozza Money stated that live stand- • ard cargo ships had been built to . October 25, of 5200 tons each, and ■ 18 would be completed by the end . of December.