THE WESTERN FRONT.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15195, 16 April 1917, Page 2

THE WESTERN FRONT.

FRENCH ACTITITY. PUSHING OF TO ST. QUENTIN. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Services.) LONDON, April 14. French communique.—South of St. Quentin fighting continues. Before the positions we conquered in the morning the enemy is vigorously resisting. Artillery furiously bombarded German organisations between the Somme and the Oise. There is an artillery duel in the region of the Aisae and Champagne, where we effected numerous reconnaisances. FURTHER PROGRESS REPORTED. LONDON, April 14. French official.—We organised the conquered ground between St. Qttentin and toe Oise. We progressed south of the Oise on the plateau north of the lower Coucy forest. Our artillery was most active against the German defences at St. Gobain in Upper Coucy forest. GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT. LONDON, April 14. Wireless German Official.—There was a pause in the fighting yesterday northeastward of Arras and the Scarpe. Further southward between Croiselles and Bullecourt, after violent artillery fire, the British vainly attacked several times. Our after thrust inflicted considerable enemy losses. Strong enemy attacks failed against our St. Quentin positions. During the past week the heart of St. Quentin was violently bombarded, the Palace of Justice, the Cathedral, and the town hall being seriously damaged. The rival artilleries were fighting at full strength at Soissons, Rheims and the Western Champagne. The enemy lost on the West front on Thursday eleven aeroplanes and on Friday twenty-four. TRIUMPH FOR SOUTH AFRICANS. LONDON, April 13. Mr Gibbs gives prominence to the South Africans' share in Monday's attack Colonels charged ahead of the men and captured the first line without casualties. Afterwards they fought wicked machine-gun fire and they gathered in of prisoners and many guns, including six-inch howitzers and a vast haul of ammunition, and they reversed the guns upon the enemy. It was a triumph for the South Africans, revenging the tragic episodes in Delville Wood. GREAT WORK BY AIRMEN LONDON, April 15. Sir Douglas Haig reports : —Our aeroplanes on Thursday and Friday dropped large quantities of explosives with good results on enemy stations, ammunition depots and aerodromes. They also successfully attacked enemy infantry convoys with machine-guns. Four German aeroplanes were brought down and six driven down. Twelve of ours have not returned. HUNGARIAN AFFAIRS. DISORDER IN PARLIAMENT. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. COPENHAGEN, April 15. The Hungarian Parliament prorogued in disorder. The Opposition stormily demanded direct suffrage, and prevented the president opening proceedings. The president thrice suspended the sittings. Thereupon Count Tisza read a rescript proroguing the House. A violent scene followed. FREE FIGHTS IN THE HOUSE. BERNE, April 15. A wireless states that the Hungarian Chamber ha« prorogued indefinitely. Oppositionists threw inkstands and books at Cabinet members, and there were several free fights on the floor of the House. ANTI-GOVERNMENT DEMONSTRATIONS. BERNE, April 15. The prorogation of the Hungarian Parliament caused anti-Government demonstrations in Budapest. Four Opposition leaders sent a joint note to the Emperor Charles, pointing out that popular discontent might result in dangerous consequencesAUSTRIA WANTS PEACE. BERNE, April 15. The Burgomaster of Vienna, speaking at the City Council, amid applause said the Government and people were one in the desire for peace. He pesrsonally pleaded for a conference of belligerents. "As soon as our enemies recognise our rights we will proffer the hand of peace."