WESTERN CAMPAIGN

Timaru Herald, Volume CVI, Issue 16232, 30 March 1917, Page 8

WESTERN CAMPAIGN

THE GERMAN SOUL. k ',__ survey of reconquered 1 "territory. (Australian and N.Z. Cable- Assn.) NEW "YORK, March *2B. Wythe'. Williams, the , New York' "Times" Paris correspondent, who was the first civilian to survey the whole of the 300 .square miles : of ' reconquered territory, cables: We looked into the utter blackness of, the Gorman soul. Past atrocities are trifling compared to this orgy of hatred, • frightfulness, and wilful destruction/ . We were indescribably impressed with the enormous strength of the evacuated positions. The main concrete lines seethed impregnable. Practically thero were ten miles, barrier to harrier, of narbed wire on a, solid foundation. I am ..convinced that the inhabitants lived in bondage worse than galley slaves. American food was received, hut much was taken by the Germans themt-clvfs. Old men, women, children, and rrippleji were le f t nrnr the charred remains of houses. Young women .'-nd girls were herded tngp+her ■ with the retreating army, rnd the condition of their slaverv one does not dare to con- ) emulate. On*> woman told ine her, husband had been shot, her two sons had be°n s"ut into, "bondage, and lier +>reo daughters forcibly "carried off. This is a typical experience: ■ ■*■■ "'• -V BY RTNDENBURG'S ORDER. LONDON, March 28. Mr Philip _ Gibbs mentions that Marshal von Hindenburg visited Roisel on March 10; personally directed the retirement, and ordered the devastation of the abandoned country. ■-. ■ • FRENCH PROGRESS. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Aean.) • and Reuter.) LONDON, March 28. A French communique states-—Wo ngain progressed north of the Ailette, in tho sector east of Leuilly, and at Neuviile-stir-Margival where we can-tod reveral important points d' appui. There is violent artillerying elsewhere.