PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Timaru Herald, Volume CVII, Issue 16477, 23 February 1918, Page 7

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT.

SOME 1917 STATISTICS,

Australian and N.Z. Cable As3*n. Received 7-40 p.m., Feb. 22nd.

LONDON, Feb. 21.

Tn the House of Commons Mr MacPherson, Under-Secretary for War, in introducing the Army Estimates, said the British captures in 1917 included 168 heavy howitzers, 68 heavy guns, 137. field guns, 1055 trench mortars ana 2842 nsaihine-guns. The Army Labour Corps now numbered 350,000. At least two million tons of shipping would be r.ddcd in 1918. During the year nearly seven million men, half a million animals, 200,000 vehicles and nine and a half million tons of stores had been conveyed to the various fronts.

MILITARY EXECXITIONS. Replying to a suggestion that the Government ought to supply an. expert legal defender when a soldier who had previously suffered shell shock appealed against the death sentence, Mr MacPherson said that, considering the extraordinary number of the army, of all classes and creeds, the executions for cowardice and desertion had been the smallest in the world's history. Amended regulations demanded that all favourable facts should be stated regarding a soldier who had fallen from grace under strain, and he unquestionably would receive British justice and fair play. BALANCE OF STRENGTH .

ON THE FRENCH FRONT. Although the Allies at present were superior in men and guns on the West front, tho toalance would soon be 'in favour of the enemy owing •to reinforcements from Russia. Already over twenty divisions had been transferred. Wc must be prepared for a determined enrniy offensive. The necessary measures had been taken, and complete confidence prevailed amongst all ranks, who were convinced that they could bold tbe|r own.

MINISTER OF WAR ATTACKED. Major David Davies demanded that Lord Derby bo removed from office, he having played the fool in the crisis of the past three months, in to stop the Press campaign against the Generals at a time when they ought to have been collaborating to the ut« most upon schemes of defence. Tlio debate was adjourned. LORD DERBY DENIES RESIG- • NATION. Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn. Received 1.20 a.m., .Feb. 23rd. Lord Derby denies his reported resignation. * \