FIGHTING ON THE MEUSE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15131, 27 January 1917, Page 5

FIGHTING ON THE MEUSE.

' FRENCH REPULSE GERMAN ATTACKS. JEREMY SUFFER MEATY LOSSES. (High Commissioner’s Cable.) Received January 27, 9.35 a.m. LONDON, January 26. French official reports state that on left of the Meuse, following OB a violent bombardment, the Germans attacked at four points between Atocottrt Wood and Mort Homme. They were repulsed by our curtain infantry fire, and machine-guns. The assailants returned to 'their (ranches alter suffering heavy losses. BBAYERY OF ANZACS. WINS ADMIRATION OF GERMAN OFFICERS. GIGANTIC ANGLO FRENCH OFFENSIVE ANTICIPATED. INTERVIEW WITH YON WIEGAND. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) Received January 27, 9.35 a.m. NEW YORK, January 27. Von Wlegand, the most famous American correspondent in Germany, is On a brief visit to New York. He gave an exclusive interview to the Australian Press Association. He said:—We have seen the Anzacs in on the West front, and have nothing but praise for their bravery , and initiative. German officers express unqualified admiration for the Australians. The Crown Prince Rupprecht told me that the Australians and New Zealanders were the most daring of the British troops. Prince Rupprecht is a mountaineer, and appreciated the colonials’ contempt of Obstacles, yet, he said, the recklessness of the colonials sometimes led to Unnecessary losses, for whereas other troops utilised all available cover, the Australians charged in the open even contemptuous, of danger. Daring the advance at Loos a Bavarian general spoke with admiration of the perfection of every detail of Australian plans in taking trenches. Von Wiegand met many British prisoners from Guillemont He Says: —“ The Tommies willingly sold me their helmets and other souvenirs. I noticed 20 or 30 who stood aloof and contemptuously refused to sell anything. They were Australians. I did not see many Australians In the prison camps. Prince Rupprecht asked one how he was faring. He replied, ‘Not bad. I did not expect beef steaks daily.’ ” Von Wiegand considers the war will last throughout 1917. He believes the British and French will make a gigantic effort on the West next spring. The Germans are planning the most extensive defences. If the Allies have no success on the West they will transfer the offensive to another field, most probably the Balkans. SETERE SUFFERING IN GERMANY. RUTHLESS SUBMARINING UNLIKELY. Received January 27, 9.35 a.m. NEW YORK, January j-j. Von Wiegand added:—“ Germany is experiencing the most winter privations and suffernigs, but not starvation. The economic conditions hamper, but do not fatally affect the military situation. The Tirpltzitoe’ influence is greatly exaggerated, and the ex-Ministers of Germany have no influence, owing to the excessive jealousy of their successors. Von Tlrpitz is practically in exile. I recently visited him at St. Blassen, in the Black Forest, where he is living hermit-like in a small villa.” Von Weigand does not think there will be ruthless submarining, because the big four—the Kaiser, Hindenburg, Ludendorff, and Hollweg—do not approve, believing it would be likely to rupture relations with America, launched the peace drive for psychological and politcial reasons. She was not sanguine of success, hut considered it worth while owing to the possibility that it might avert the Allies’ threatened offensive.” GREECE APOLOGISES TO ALLIES. FOR DECEMBER EVENTS. (Reuter Services —Extraordinary.) Received January 27, 9.35 a.m. LONDON, January 26. The Greek Government has handed the Allies a Note formally expressing regret for the events of the Ist and 2nd December.