ACTION BY GERMANY AND AUSTRIA

Waikato Times, Volume 88, Issue 13462, 17 April 1917, Page 5

ACTION BY GERMANY AND AUSTRIA

ON A WORLD-WIDE SCALE

TROUBLE IN THE ARGENTINE

SEVERE WEATHER IN THE WEST

Russian Commander-in-chief Appointed

By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright

SEVERE FIGHTING ROUND LENS

DENSE RAIN HINDERING THE OPERATIONS.

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) Received April 16, 6.40 p.m.

LONDON, April 16. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—"As a result of fighting north-west of St. Quentin, we gained ground eastward and northward of Gricourt, two miles from the city. We have also made progress in the neighbourhood of Havrincourt Wood. "We bave made progress east of Lievin and are approaching the outskirts of Lens. "There has been severe air fighting. We destroyed and brought down 15 German machines. Ten of ours are missing." An earlier report stated: —"We advanced on the line eastward of Heninel, south-east of Arras, and made progress northward of the Souchez river, which flows through Lens. We captured the defences east of Lievin, from Niaumont Wood to the east corner of Cite St. Gierre. Our troops are pushing on. Dense heavy rain has fallen since early morning."

ON THE FRENCH FRONT

ARTILLERY DISPERSES VIOLENT ENEMY ATTACKS.

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.)

Received April 16, 6.40 p.m.

LONDON, April 16. A French communique states: —"Violent artillery actions are proceeding at St. Quentin, north of the Aisne, and in the Champagne. Our batteries caught and dispersed enemy elements north of Stancourt. "During the night we made reconnaissances north and south of the Oise. Everywhere we found the enemy trenches occupied. East of Maisons-de-Champagne our reconnaissances penetrated the German trenches, which were found utterly wrecked.

"Two 'attacks were made by the Germans on the Verdun front, at Caurieres Wood and Les Chambrettes. Both were broken by our fire. "We brought down 21 aeroplanes. Four more were compelled to land, being badly damaged."

GERMANS REINFORCED FROM RUSSIAN FRONT

60 ENEMY DIVISIONS FACING THE BRITISH.

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) Received April 16, 6.40 p.m.

LONDON, April 16. Discussing the British operations, Colonel Repington, the military correspondent of the Times, writes:—"The extent of front, the numbers engaged, the armament and the equipment of the new offensive surpass all records. Hindenburg apparently thought that by withdrawing some 10 miles and devastating the intervening space he would give the submarines time to harm us, and that he would gain further time by further withdrawals. This might have succeeded if Hindenburg's estimate of the British offensive capacities had been accurate."

Colonel Repington says the transfer of German troops from Russia to France has begun. Germans are already as thick as peas on the British front; indeed they are thicker than anywuere else, numbering GO divisions.

BELGIANS PENETRATE ENEMY'S SECOND LINE

LIVELY ARTILLERY DUEL IN PROGRESS. (Admiralty per Wireless Press.) ■.,..',• Received April 16, 9.20 p.m. LONDON, April 16. A Belgian communique states: "After violent artillery preparation, we penetrated at Dixmude the enemy's second line trenches. "A very lively artillery duel is proceeding on the whole Belgian front to-day." \

AMERICAS PART IN THE WAR

STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT WILSON.

NAVY BEING PUT ON WAR FOOTING—GREAT ARMY TO BE CREATED

SUPPLIES OF FOODSTUFFS FOR THE ALLIES

"MUST SPEAK, ACT AND SERVE TOGETHER."

PERSONAL AND NATIONAL ECONOMY URGED

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) Received April 16, 9.20 p.m. WASHINGTON, April 16. A message has been addressed to the people of the United States by the President, in which he says:—"Our entrance into the grim and horrible war for democracy, and human rights creates the gravest problems in our national life. We are rapidly putting the navy on an effective war footing, and are about to create and equip a great army.

"We must supply foodstuffs not only for ourselves, but to our allies, beside whom we will be fighting. We must supply ships by hundreds, coal, steel rails, locomotives, horses, everything the allies now cannot afford men, materials, and machinery to make. There shall be no unwarranted manipulation of food supplies by middlemen, who will be expected to forego unusual profits and to expedite shipments."

The President urges a concentrated effort to secure the greatest possible harvest. He suggests that farmers in the South should plant foodstuffs in addition to cotton, promising that the Government will give every assistance in harvesting and transporting. Supplies must be maintained, no matter howmany ships are sent to the bottom. America must correct the unpardonable waste and extravagance which prevail.

Mr Wilson urges personal and national economy, and the conversion of industrial forces into a great internal service army. "Foodstuffs for the allies are the supreme need," he declares, "and as the world's reserves are low, unless there is abundant food for the peoples of the allies the whole great enterprise upon which we have embarked will break down and fail;'

"We must speak, act, and serve together," Mr Wilson concludes