THE GERMAN MASSED ATTACKS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume V, Issue 1309, 24 April 1918, Page 9

THE GERMAN MASSED ATTACKS.

METHOD OF ASSAULT THAT DOES NOT PAY. LUDENDORFF OBDE.RS A CHANGE OF POLICY. DECISION COMES FROM WEAPONS, NOT FROM NUMBERS. By Cable. — Press Association. — Copyright. (United Service) (Rce. April 24, 1 p.m.) LONDON, April 23. Mr Hamilton Pyfe writes: —Enormous losses have compelled the Germans to abandon, since early in April, their massed frontal attacks. They have substituted small trickling groups of troops, armedwwith machine-guns. General Ludendorff, on March 30, ordered the absolute abolition-of massed attacks, on the ground that they only led to unnecessary losses, adding: "It is the effective use of weapons, not of numbers, that gives the decision.'' SUBSTANTIAL GAIN OF GROUND BY BRITISH. (A. & N.Z.) (Eec. April 24, 1 p.m.) LONDON, April 23. A United Press message at 4.5 p.m. states: —The British southward of Aveluy Wood pushed back the Germans 250 yards on a thousand yards front. SPLENDID DEVOTION OF DEFENDING TROOPS. (A. & N.Z.) (Bee. April 24, 2.10 p.m.) LONDON, April 23. Sir Douglas Haig, in his supplementary dispatch, said the 31st Division on April 13 and 14 was holding a front of 9000 yards eastward of Nieppe Forest. Although reduced in strength as the result of previous lighting, and through the enemy still pressing the advance, the division was informed that the line must be held to the last to cover the detraining of reinforcements. All ranks responded to the appeal with the most magnificent courage and devotion, and throughout a long day of incessant fighting they beat off a succession of determined attacks. The enemy in the evening made a last great effort by sheer weight of numbers to overrun certain positions in the line, whose defenders died fighting but would not give ground. FRENCH HAVE NO UNEASINESS AS TO RESULT. (Reuter) (Eec. April 24, 2.10 p.m.) PARIS, April 23. M. Clemenceau lias returned from a visit to the front. He stated that the best proof that no uneasiness existed was the fact that the French soldiers were again receiving leave, which had been suspended since the German offensive began. BRUGES CANAL EFFECTIVELY BLOCKED. SUCCESSFUL RAID ON SUBMARINE BASES. (A. & N.Z.) (Eec. April 24, 1 p.m.) LONDON, April 23. In the House of Commons Sir Eric Geddes announced that the storming of parts of Zeebrugge was to distract the attention of the enemy from the main operation. It is believed that Bruges Canal is effectively blocked. An obsolete submarine was filled with explosives and blown up, damaging the Zeebrugge mole. An enemy destroyer was torpedoed. We lost a destroyer and two motor boats. Two launches are missing. French destroyers co-operated. WIDESPREAD OPPOSITION TO CONSCRIPTION. ALL CLASSES JOIN IN SIGNING THE PLEDGE. (Eeuter) (Eec. April 24, 1 p.m.) LONDON, April 23. Sixteen Irish King's Counsels, including several Crown prosecutors, have signed the anti-conscription declaration. A separate Protestant anti-conscription movement is obtaining increased support in many places. REVOLUTION KNOCKS AT AUSTRIA'S DOOR. RESOLUTION OF LOYALTY TO ALLIANCE ABANDONED. (United Service) (Eec. April 24, 1 p.m.) . BEENE, April 23. The Hungarian crisis continues, crowds shouting, "Down with Tisza !'' The Budapest shops are closed. Count Andrassy has refused the Premiership. Vienna reports state that the Reichsrath abandoned a resolution formally assuring Germany of loyalty to the alliance, owing to the Right Party's opposition.

CRACK GERMAN FLYER. SHOT THROUGH THE HEART. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Rcc. April 24, 10.30) LONDON, April 23. Baron von Richthofen was taking part in his so-called "circus" wilh SO lighting scouts, who had a roving commission to cut off British aviators during such attacks as that on the Somme. Yesterdav Baron von Richthofen •was seen living 150 feet above the ground and then lie suddenly crashed down, and it was found that he had been shot through the heart. THE RIGHT OF APPEAL. COURT-MARTIAL SENTENCES. Australian and N.Z. Cable. Association. (Rcc. April 21, 10.30) LONDON, April 23. The Government has added a clause to the Army Bill, giving officers and men the right of appeal before the death sentence of a Court-martial is confirmed. Any officer asked to resign his commission, who feels aggrieved, shall have the right of appeal before a member of the Army Council. A TOTAL WRECK. GERMAN BATTLESHIP LOST. Australian and X.Z. Cable Association. (Hec. April 24, 10.30) STOCKHOLM, April 23. It is impossible to salve the Rheinland, which is a total wreck. [A message received on April 15 stated that the lUicinland was aground in the Aaland Islands. The Pdieinland was a battleship of the Nassau tvpe, displacing 18.91)0 tons, with a speed of '2O knots. She was completed, in 1010. She carried twelve llin, twelve 5.9, and 20 smaller guns and machine-guns, and had six submerged torpedo tubes.]

AUSTRALIAN SCARE. NO NEED FOR ALARM. MELBOURNE, April 23. Senator Pearce (Federal Minister of Defence), referring to the rumours of an alleged danger to Australia, said that it was nothing that need alarm the public, but the Government thought it advisable to take certain precautionary measures to guard against interference with shipping, ERITISH~BUDGET. FAVOURABLE COMMENT. Reuter's Telegrams. (Rcc. April 21, 1.0) LONDON, April 23. The newspapers favourably comment on the Budget. The prevailing view is that the heavy taxation involved will be borne cheerfully by the public so long as it is known that the country's resources will be used to the utmost to defeat the enemy. Other comments are that the Budget reflects the country's financial strength and solvency. 'the "Daily Mail" says the Budget is popular but does not go far enough. The heaviest taxes are placed on the shoulders of a very small class, who will not complain. It is confident that the mass of the wage-earners will not resent the graduated lax on wages. "The Times" declares that the Budget shows the nation's finances have been kept on an unimpeachably solid foundation. The luxury tax is entirely satisfactory, making the first substantial departure from Britain's very narrowly-grooved fiscal system.