THE WAR.

Western Star, 26 October 1917, Page 3

THE WAR.

THE AISNE OFFENSIVE. PARIS, October 23. It is officially announced that the new battle of the Aisne has developed very favourably. The French captured all the crests forming their objectives, and progressed beyond, the troops occupying the counter-slopes. The advance was three kilometre's deep on' a front of eight kilometres. Fort Malmaison was. captured early in the attack, also the villages of AUemant, Les Vallons, and Chavigon, with the Chavigon ravines. The Laou plain is now lying before the French. 3000 prisoners were taken, and 19 guns wore captured.

BRILLIANT ’FRENCH PROGRESS. LONDON,. October 24. Freach colmmiunique: North of the Aisne our attack developed most brilliantly, despite fog and <*ain, against defences garrisoned by Germany’s best troops. The first rush captured the. line marked by the Fruity and Bohery quarries. Then Fort Malmaison, in the centre, fell, and the French, pushing forward, expelled the enemy from Mont Pa:rnasse quarries. Progress on the left wn.s equally successful, and the villages of Alternant and Vaudesson were taken. Our right, carried a line to the height commanding Pargny and Filian. The troops in the centre, hustling the fresh enemy reserves, stormed the village of Ohavignon. The advance here reached a depth of 2-4 miles. The enemy lossses were very heavy, and 7500 prisoners: have so far been counted. Enormous booty was taken, including 25 guns.

THE AISNE SUCCESS. PARIS, October 24. * Le, Matin states, that the German losses in the Aisne fighting; were about 26,000. The victory means that the enemy, who have been on the defensive since February, 1916, are still unable to take the initiative anywhere, and ivill be forced tot make a strategic retreat in order to avoid disaster.

GERMAN PEACE PROPOSAL. LONDON, October 23. The ‘Daily Telegraph’s’ Milan, correspondent gives the following; details of the German peace proposals which were largely the cause of M. Ribot’s resignation, as the Socialists allege that, M. Ribot should have made the proposals public. The German proposal was to restore Belgium and cede Alsace-Borraine in exchange for compensation from Russia. The proposal was made to M. Briand by an accredited Belgian diplomat from Switzerland. Von Billow had nothing to do with the proposal which came direct from the German Government through the regular 1 diplomatic channel. M. Briand immediately made it a condition that nil the Allies .must be informed before,a reply was given. Mr Balfour was the first Minister to, bo informed. He thought that the proposal was not acceptable, and. conferred with his colleagues', who agreed. The Italian Government gave a similar negative reply. All the Allied Governments answered with a full knowledge of the matter, and the pourparlers lasted for a. month, ending on Ist October. Germany was most anxious to have the proposal accepted, but it was unacceptable not only because it implied the annexation of Inigo slices of Russia, bub contemplated no concession to Italy, Serbia, and Rou-mania, and no disavowal of German militarism. Germany’s offer of financial aid to Belgium was coupled with demands for privileges in Antwerp, and the acceptance of the proposal would have been a huge triumph for German militarism.