THE HERO OF THE MARNE

Sun (Christchurch), Volume V, Issue 1329, 17 May 1918, Page 5 (Supplement)

THE HERO OF THE MARNE

CAN BE TRUSTED TO ACT WISELY FOCH WORTHY OF ALLIED CONFIDENCE WILL NOT KEEP ON DEFENSIVE LONGER THAN NECESSARY By Cable. — Press Association. — Copyright. (A. & N.Z.) (Rec May 17, 8.45 a.m.) LONDON, May 16. Major-General Maurice, in an article in the ''Daily Chronicle," discusses the appointment of a generalissimo and Russia's failure bringing a concentration of Germans.'on the West front, which would have made the outlook extremely dangerous for the Allies if their defence had failed. Previously, when the Allies were attacking, there was little likelihood of unpleasant consequences. Therefore, the English and French were able to rub along independently. Command by committee was tried at Versailles, but it inevitably failed. The critical days of March made the appointment of a supreme commander urgent. When General Foch took charge the battle was at its height, and the greatest German concentration was threatening to sever the British and French, but the enemy was checked. The British and French armies are still in direct touch. Amiens remains ours. Such is the present achievement of a man who fought beside the British on the Marne and commanded during the Woody fighting at Yser, Vimy, Loos, and the Somme. He has his own peculiar methods, and believes in his staff being absolutely under his control. He lives very simply, with no military ostentation, abhors red tape, and in an emergency scatters stereotyped methods to the winds. He uses any and every means. People in England often ask: When will Foch counterattack? The man who was the hero of the Marne and sent during that battle the message, "The enemy is attacking my flanks and threatening my rear; I am attacking in front," can be trusted not to remain on the defensive one hour longer than prudent generalship demands. THE LULL ON THE WESTERN FRONT. GUNS BUSY ON BRITISH AND AMERICAN FRONTS. (A. & N.Z. & Renter.) (Ree. May 17, 11.20 a.m.) LONDON, May 16. Sir Douglas Ilaig reports:—There is reciprocal artillery fire in the Somme and Ancre valleys eastward of Arras and on the northern battlefront. An American communique states: —There is a marked increase of reciprocal artillery activity north of Toul, and in Lorraine. HOSTILE AIR RAID ON PARIS. ENEMY MACHINES GO NO FURTHER THAN SUBURBS. '(A. & N.Z. & Router.) (Roc. May 17, 11.20 a.m.) PARIS, May 16. The air raid alarm was given at, 10 o'clock in the evening. The guns opened fire and the defending aeroplanes ascended. No enemy machines reached Paris, but bombs were dropped in the suburbs. The signal, "all clear,'' was given at midnight. An overnight message stated: —Aeroplanes bombed Paris. There were no casualties. EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS OF WAR. PROVISIONS OF THE FRANCO-GERMAN AGREEMENT. (A. & N.Z.) (Roc. May 17, 8.45 a.m.) LONDON, May 16. In the House of Lords the Right Hon. Lord Newton said that he had now seen the text of the Franco-German agreement in regard to the exchange of prisoners. The most important clause was that relating to the repatriation of non-commissioned officers and men, head for head and grade for grade, if they had been in captivity for over 18 months. Officers imprisoned for the same period would be interned in Switzerland, head for head, regardless of rank. The Germans declined to regard merchant seamen captured on armed vessels as civilians. This point had caused an acute controversy between England and Germany, and until it was satisfactorily settled the Admiralty would not allow German merchant seamen to leave Britain. France and Germany agreed to the repatriation of civilians, regardless of age or sex, on an undertaking that they would not he used as soldiers. Although it was desirable that the Allies should act together, it was impossible to secure absolute similarity of action. The number of British civilian prisoners in Germany was 3750, including -600 seamen, against 21,000 Germans in Britain. Lord Crewe congratulated France on the excellent agreement, and hoped that Great Britain would secure a similar one. An overnight message stated: —Lord Newton explains that though the British authorities were entirely sympathetic, they were opposed to the exchange of prisoners, bemuse it would prolong the war. The Government thought that if it acquiesced the other Allies would follow suit, thus leading to an enormous exchange. Jle was surprised to find that France and Germany had agreed to a fnr-reachirg exchange. The Government had not yet seen the text, but the agreement altered the whole situation. His idea was that the exchange would apply to combatants and civilians alike. ACCELERATING THE RATE OF SHIPBUILDING PROVIDING SAFEGUARDS AGAINST DISPUTES. (A. & N.Z.) (Bee. May 17, 8.45 a.m.) LONDON, May 16. Ail important agreement has been reached at a conference at York between the shipbuilders and workers, providing for safeguards against disputes, with a view to accelerating shipbuilding and repairing. ITALIAN NAVAL SUCCESS REPORTED. BATTLESHIP TORPEDOED IN POLA HARBOUR. (A. & N.Z.) (Rec. May 17, 9.5 a.m.) NEW YORK, May 16. Advices received here state that an Austrian battleship was torpedoed in Tola Harbour by Italian naval forces.

SHIPBUILDING. CONCRETE VESSEL LAUNCHED. Australian and U.Z. Cable Association. <Pcc. May 17, 5.25) LONDON', May 16. The fust large concrete ship o'l 900 tons displacement, and with a deadweight capacity of 500 tons, has been completed The cdlile newt In this loauo a/crcdlted to "The Times'" hna appeared In that journal, but only wlu'io expressly stated Is such •■ Drvs tlie ulilortaJ opinion of "The Times."

INDIA HELPING. ACTIVE WAR WORK. (neuter) OKI.HI, May 15. Since the Delhi Conference remarkable energy has been displayed throughout India in carrying the recommendations regarding the development of resources, munitions, recruiting, and in other directions into effect. The special facilities afforded the people to invest in the new loan arc being extensively availed of,