IN THE WEST.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 February 1916, Page 5

IN THE WEST.

ACTIVITY INCREASING. FIGHTING GENERAL IN ALL DISTRICTS. Received Feb. 15, S p.m. Paris, Feb. 14. A communique says: South of Frise on Sunday evening we occupied portions of the German trenches and repulsed a counter-attack. We decimated a German company during the enemy's attack. On Sunday, east of the TahureSommep.y road, we exploded three mines under advanced sections where tile enemy has pushed the attack far toward our supporting trenches and where, it completely failed, but. notwithstanding serious losses by explosions and artillery fire the enemy maintained himself in these advanced sections. In Upper Alsace, after a violent bombardment, the enemy gained two hundred metres of trenches, which a counterattack restored. Artillery actions in this district are very violent.

'THE GREAT ATTACK. GETTING READ if FOR THr. STRUGGLE. THE ROYAL BOUNDER IN ALSACE. : Received Feb. 15, 11.45 p.m. Paris, Feb. 15. The rapid increase in activity on the Western line is the principal topic. The men through the whole of the line are girding their loins for the struggle. The questions are. asked: Are the Germans trying to find a weak spot; or, Are tbe various attacks preliminaries to a larger offensive and intended to conceal its direction? The Crown Prince's presence in Alsace encourages the rumors of an offensive there, but Le Tempts' military correspondent believes that the great attack must necessarily be directed at the centre of the French line. GERMAN CLAIMS. Received Feb. 15, 5.5 p.m. Amsterdam, Feb. 14. A German communique states: Northwest of Tahure we stormed and captured over seven hundred metres of the French position. Near the French frontier at Pfirt we captured four hundred metres of trenches, and the French counter-attacks were repulsed. HOLLAND A STOREHOUSE. DAILY MAIL'S YARN. London, Feb. 14, Tlie Daily Mail's special commissioner describes Holland as a vast storehouse whence goods are daily transferred to German factories, cities, and the troops. Official figures show that the Netherlands overseas trade lias failed to prevent re-exports to Germany. Instances are quoted of raw materials imported under the trust's conditions and manipulated in order to conceal their identity.