Page
THE WAR.
·GERMANY'S
FIFTH OFFENSIVE:
COMPLETE FAILURE OF "THE PEACE ATTACK
AUSTRIA AND PEACE: READY TO EVERYTHING EXCEPT ORSSION OF HER TERRITORY.
INDIAN PRINCES' LOYALTY TO BRITISH THRONE.
Franco-Gelgian bront.
LATEST CABLER. [THROUGH REUTER'S AGENUE.]
THE BRITISH FRONT. MINOR BRITISH ENTERPRISES.
LONDON, July 17th.
1.20 p.m.
Sir Douglas Haig states:-A successful minor enterprise eastward of Villers Bretonneux resulted in new prisoners and machine-guns being taken. We also repulsed raiders in this sector..
The English made a successful raid in the neighbourhood of Hulluch and took a few prisoners..
Hostile artillery is active on the Somme and the Ancre sectors, northward. of the Scarpe north-east-maril of Bethune, and northward of Bailleul..
STORMS HANDICAP AIR-WORK. LONDON, July 16th 210.55.p.m. Sir Douglas Haig states;-The enemy attacked and entered two of our new
posts in the neighbourhood of Hebuterne, but our counter-attack immediately drove him out and we secured prisoners.
Hostila artillerying is proceeding at Loeri
Storms handicapped air-work on July 18th.
We dropped a few bombs and brought down six aeroplanes; - One British machine is missing.
A violent thunderstorm prevented night-bombing after midnight. Previous ly to this we had dropped over four tons of bomba our Scelia railway station and hostile billets.
All our machines returned.
BANLIBR CABLES.
SUCCESSFUL RAID BY NEW ZEALAND TROOPS.
LONDON, July 16th.
1.45 pm. Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig re reports: The New Zealanders, in a successful raid in the neighbourhood of Hebulerne, captured over 30 prisoners and 12 nachine-guns.
Wo slightly improved our line in the Villers-Bretonneux sector, after sharp fighting
The heaviness of the enemy losses is evidenced by the case of one division, which was obliged to ask to be relieved at mid-day on July 13th instead of in the evening, as arranged. Prisoners state
THE - HONGKONG · DALLY. PRESS. FRIDAY, JULY 10mm, 1915.
ENEMY INTENTION FRUSTRATEN.
The enemy's efforts everywhere were in vain. Storming troops were repulsed. with heavy losses.
Orders on prisoners confirm that the attack on the Champagne front va carried out by fifteen Divisions in the ling and ten in reserve. It was intended
ENEMY'S ARTILLERY PREPARA-
TION ANTICIPATED.
According to Orders found on prisonerk the gain of a very large aren of ground at. the outset was expected by the Germans. The same orders show that many divisions which wore to be engaged only on the second and third day had to be hurled before noon on the first day, so great word
SITUATION SHOWS LITTLE
CHANGE
LONDON, July 16th. 3.30 p.m. Reuter's Agency is authoritatively in- formed that up to eight o'clock Inst night the situation on the French front showed very little change
The attacks were continued yesterday
AMERICANE CAPTURE FIVE HUNDRED PRISONERS
LONDON, July'10th.
to advance 20 kilometres on the first day the losses sustained at the very beginning by the sturies of von Relow and von In the Vosges five trench raids attempi!»
and rench the Marne on the right.
THE RATTLE IN THE AIR.
LONDON, July 17th.
3:00 p.m. The aviators played a very important part in the battle, especially on the Marne." Notwithstanding the dense smoke, concealing bridges thrown across by the enemy, the aviators discovered and attacked them at a low altitude, destroy ing two that were covered with troops, who were thrown into the river.
Faurteen tons. of projectiles were
of the battle.
Ar American official report," issued yesterday, stated - Enstward of Chateau Thierm, where the enemy succeeded this morning in crossing the Marne on our front, gaining some ground, we counter- attacked and drove back the enemy to the, Marne and captured 500 prisoners.
Boehn, the two left Armies of the Crowned by the enemy broke down. Prince's group." East of Rheims until | AMERICANS CAPTURE COMPLETE seven o'clock last evening heavy enemy attacks were made along the whole front, especially at Sonsin in which tanks assisted.
attack at There was also an
BRIGADE STAFF-
LONDON, July 16th." 4.20 pm.
The German artillery preparation be gan at midnight, but was forestalled by the French, who, an hour earlier, began intense shelling of the whole front from which the attack was about to be launch- ed, which caused have in the German Prunay, in which the Germans captured stated-The Americans at the river bend ranks and considerably hampering the
enemy.
GERMAN ONSLAUGHT
VICTORIOUSLY HELD.
On the west front of the attack the
Reur's Correspondent at American Hendquarters telegraphing. Last evening,
a small wood south east of the village. new command the river in frout of thern, All the attacks in this region, except so that the German plaat here has been these two, were repulsed, with very hunvy completely upant
A famous Geriau diyision on our left
1089.
The French line of resistance is every-
that the German Army christened the scattered on convoys and columns de Gerans crossed the Marne at points where intact. West of Rheims very heavyander our fire, and not a single German
peace
| battle · "the Friedensturm,” or
attack,"
CROWN PRINCE'S OFFENSIVE DEGENERATES INTO CAL
ATTACKS.
LONDON, July 17th. Beuter's Correspondent at French Head. quarters, wiring on July 17th, slates that
the enemy's attack on July 18th was, in length of front and probably also in the number of divisions sagaged or ready to
engage, the greatest effort he has yet
made. It railed.
bouching on the northern bank during the daytime. Another 14 tons were drop- ped on bivounes at night.
nir.
There has been severe fighting in the Forty-one cuemy machines were felled and disabled, and nine balloons were burned.
ENEMY ATTACK BROKEN.
-LONDON, July 17the
10,50 8.mp3 An American official message, dated
Yesterday morning in the Vosges the enemy attempted, after artillery prepare tion, to attack our lines on a front of 1,000 yards. The attack broke down under our artillery fire.
July leth, states: We cooperated with the French in yesterday's battle eastward The Crown Prince's great offensive of thelus and repulsed, the enemy's degenerated in the second day to a disattacks. We maintained our positions at jointed series of local attacks which, all points and captured prisoners and although bitte, were only undertaken to machine guns.
was yet possible from the wave whint wreck of Monday's hopes. The push along the Marne valley may progress further before it is brought a standstill. The Germans are fighting hard here. It will be extremely useful for propaganda pur- poses as the Crown Prince would be able to claim that he captured the wealthy little town of E pernay. ENENY SUFFERS SERIOUS: LOBS.
LONDON, July 17th.
1.45 a.m. Reuter's Correspondent, wiring in the evening, learns that generally speaking, the enemy has suffered a serious reverse especially cast of Rheims. It is too early
BOMBARDMENT OF PARIS
RESUMED.
Pania, July 11th.
1:35 The long-range bombardment was sumed on Monday.
OFFENSIVE DARREN IN INITIAL RESULTS.
LONDON, July 17th.
11 there were no other evidence the
to say that the attack was definitely re-restrained tone of the German communi pulsed, but the situation may be regarded que alone would show how little success as distinctly good. Until the noon the the enemy offensive has achieved. Indeed, attack did not result in an advance of no great offensive has hitherto been so five miles at any point from the original barren in initial results. It cannot yet It is now clear that the be said that the enemy has failed, but enemy froul. enemy concentrated all efforts on the his definite failure is more probable and offensive which had been established. The the legend of irresistible force in the firet is already destroyed. It is German onset Germans employed over 30 divisions com- pared with 40 on March 21st.
elear that the Allies profited by expert No British troops have hitherto been ence, notably by greatly extending the engaged.
area of the first, or covering, defence zone and the unity of command is proving more effective. How well the French have the situation in hand is proved by the fact that east of Rheims they retired to lines of resistance without losing a gun, while west of Rheims the progress of Germans
GERMANS UNABLE TO RESUME GENERAL ATTACK.
LONDON, July 17th.
11.00 a..
between Fossoy and Dormans. A magni. ficent counter-attack by the Americans drow the Germans back from some of these points to the northern bank, de stroying bridges instily built and drown ing many hundreds in the river.
Between Dormang and Rheims the enemy mosses, after progressing slightly, were soon held in check by a stubborn resistance.
Enst. of Rheinis they failed utterly in
their desperate and repeated efforts to break, through. At no point did they penetrate the main gtting positions of the defenders.
of the bend repeatedly attempted: all day to cross, but all assaults withered
Marne crossed
attacks were launched in the valley and south of Darmans, The enemy Our prisonera in the river bend threw six bridges over the Marne between counter-attack now number Between 1,000 Dormans and Reuilly along a four-mile and 1,500, including a complete enemy front. At a point west of Rheims uns Brigade Staff
the enemy penetrated the French pasi- tions more than four miles.
The Americans re-captured Fossoy and
Crezantz.
So far the evidence shows that the
Fighting continues of the fiercest nature,
OFFENSIVE A COMPLETE FAILURE.
Losnos, July 16th. 6.45 p.m.
enemy intended to make a really big effort. Out of over 30 German divisions Headquarters, telegraphing 80 far engaged a large propertion came from Prince Rupprecht's army.
To sum up the present general situa-
It is regarded as improbable that the tion on the whole front, the Germans Germans will undertake another offensive failed to realise their plan to make awhile the present offensive, is proceeding, rapid initial advance, and the German onslaught is being victoriously held
GERMAN REPORT.
and the idea that this is a diversion can be definitely put aside. The situation is distinctly good, and the French, who are quito satisfied, say that they have the Bitintion well in hand.
The enemy's progress on the first, day was nothing like that of the March of May offensive.
LONDON, July 16th.
11.20 p.. Germna evening official report states: -- The enemy delivered violent counter attacks on the Marne front, achieving some local successes south-west- Evidently the present offensive will not ward of Rheims,
run the same course as the others, though The situation is unchanged castward vil it cannot yet be said that it is definitely Bheims.
held up.
EARLIER CABLES.
The only news this morning is that fight ing is still progressing. ENEMY LOSSES APPALLING
Military critics agree that it would be Bruter's Correspondent at French prematuro to describe this as tko main
Headquarters, telegraphing last evening, states, Prisoners state that the Germans planned for the first day of the offensive an advance of 12 miles on the whole front. In crossing the Marne the enemy losses Finally, the enemy were appalling. threw half-dozen pontoon bridges over, two of which were 35 feet wide, and flung numerous troops across.
French airmen rained bombs-upon the concentrated troops waiting and upon troops crossing the bridges, two of which were destroyed.
Altogether the enemy's gains were far less than on March 21st or May 27th.
Reuters. Correspondent at American
to-day, atates-Reports frone the whole battle- "Heli muigate that except m'a few minor localitis the offensive so far has proved a complete failure.
New prisoners are saying they ure
convinced they are bangen.
An enemy carrier pigeon message, CAN- tured cast of Chaleat Thierry, states i
The situation is serious. There is no
chance of making further progress in this. locality."
East of Rheims, early this morning, we are not only holding up the enemy attempts to advance, but we appear to have broken up the spirit of the enemy. Our counter-attack drove out the enginy from the salient.
In the region of Fossoy we improved our positions at night and drove thus enemy ueross the river, capturing pris oners.
ENEMY UNABLE TO BREACH
POSITIONS.
PARIS, July 16th-
German attack, although the size of the French communiqué says:--Between offeneive, in which it is estimated 60 Divi Dormans and Rheims the Franco-Italian sions are engaged, suggests that it is there tenaciouely resisting on the line frasz Chatillon-sur-Marne to Cuchery, Mar main attack. It is known that the Ger-
fuist and Houilly me have prepared attacks at many other points, notably on the Amiens front.
ENEMY LAUNCHES FURIOUS.
ATTACKS.
Pants, July 16th, A communiqué states-The battle con- tloued towards the end of the afternoon and last evening with redoubled violence." At Chateau Thierry and heims the enemy, accentuating his efforts to enlarge his gains launched furlous attacks, and
East of Rheins, the attack, which ma- tended from Sillery to Main-do-Massiger, encountered an impregnable defence.
The clemy renewed his efforts againat Prunay and Les Marquises in the regions north of Promes and Sousin, but, despite repeated attacks, he has been unable to breach the fighting position."
BEFORE THE PRESENT OFFENSIVE.
LONDON, July 15th
A Harus Agency message from Paris,
is so limited that their position, with the THE SEA OR PARIS ENEMY'S AIM, the Sghting was particularly violent dated the 12th instant, says the capture
river immediately hebind and their com
A French communiqué alates:-The We also captured a few prisoners in Germans, were unable to resume the general attack, broken yesterday, but the neighbourhood of Locon.
Hostile artillery were active south endeavoured violently to enlarge their westward of Albert and somewhat active local successes. Fighting was patricular munications incessantly bombed, may be
stubborn south of the Marne in the morning and afternoon. We impeded an attempt to advance up the river by defence, foot by foot, and held it on the line Couilly-Leuvoigny,
at different points on the northern British front
LATEST CABLES.
THE FRENCH FRONT. THE PEACE ATTACK..!
LONDON, July 17th.
3.20 a.m.
We
We counter-attacked on the front Saint Agnan-La-Chapelle-Mont Hodon Heater's Correspondent at French Head took these places, and carried the line to quarters, telegraphing at mid-day, states: the heights dominating the valley of the -The enemy, practically, did not pro-Marne in the region of La Bourdonnerie.
ENEMY ATTEMPT REPULSED. gress during the night in any part of the battlefield, although heavy fighting was continued from 5 o'clock in the afternoon until late in the evening in a narrow belt,
ten miles long and four miles deep, south of the Marne, hetween Fossoy and Marenilléport, in which the enemy estab- fished himself on July 15th. The enemy
The Franco-Italians, between the Marne and Rheims repulsed several
come precarious.
The newspapers emphasise as a moment
LONDON, July 16th.
3.30 am. Reuter's Correspondent at the French Headquarters, telegraphing yesterday afternoon," says:-The enemy
east of
:4
south of the Marne and in the region of Chatillon.
The Tranco-American troops resisted the enemy magnificently, and counter-
of Corgy and the storming and carrying of Longpont by the French is a logical sequel to their success at Chavigny on Wednesday. The possession of these points gives them a series of strong out
the South of the Marne the Germans were north-eastern positions of Villers-Cot
terets forest. For these villages the Ger- mans had to pay, in June, & heat price in vain attempts to drive the Fronch frene
que feature of the battle the conduct of the Rheims is operating in Champagne and attacked vigorously on several occasions. posts guarding the approaches to
Americans who more than fulfilled the brilliant promise of previous minor engagements, shattering the belief foster ed among enemy peoples that the war would be over before the American factor became a reality.
unable to pass the line St. Agnan-La Chapelle-Mouthodon and the southern confines of the Forest Bouquigny.
We captured 1,000 prisoners in this
quilleys the rnost desolate region in Central France. It is impossible for him to achieve a decisive victory here. It is in no wise clear that this is the main at tack; it may be a diversion intended to
raw our reserves from Flanders to pre-region. ADVANCE OUT OF PROPORTION TO PAre the way for a German attack in that region. The sea or Paris must be the SCALE OF ATTACK,
enemy's final aim; consequently, he will probably throw the whole strength of his at the southern approaches to Chatillon attack between Chateau Thierry and and at the south eastern Rheims with a view to enlarging his basc attack on Paris..
LONDON, July 18th." A Havas Agency message from Paris,
We bold Mareuilleport
North of the Marne we held the enemy
enemy attempts and maintained their dated July 16th, stated-The fifth Ger between the Aisne and the Marne for an of Rodemat Wood. positions.
East of Rheims the Germans this morn ing resumed their violent artillery pre
Avas held on the night of July 15th in the Paration, after which attacks followed at Epernay and Chalons-sur-Marne as the Epernay on the evening of July 15th,
several points.
borders
There was no appreciable change on the rest of the line.
GERMAN LOSSES EXTREMELY
HIGH:
The enemy made no attempt at night
mag offensive since March 21st began ENEMY ADVANCE SCHEDULE.
- PARIS, July 16th. yesterday at daybreak, covering a total
A semi official report issued last night front of about 60 miles from Chateau
Boates-Orders found upon prisoners Thierry to Main-de-Massiges, with show that the Germans were to reach musin objectives, but the results gained Chalons-sur-Marne on the 16th, and time.
East of Rheims the Germans, exhaust western sector on the line Staingan-
A powerful attempt, in the direction by attacking masses of at least 42 divi Sezanne on the 17th
sions strong, which at the outset were
The Germans employed from 30 to 3 by their fruitless struggle yesterday, were Chapelle Montholon - Boucquigny- wood; which is equivalent to a maximum depth of Beaumont-sur-Vèsle was unable to de- hurled against the iron barrier of divisions, or nearly a division to two unable to pass beyond our cover-zone; }
French, American and Italian troops, kilometres, and suffered heavy losses which runs through Prunay, the southern ghock division, instead of being borders of the woods northward of the amount to a serions set back and signal Our fire broke down two attacks west failure, as if they progressed slightly at a relieved early in the evening, was com Roman high road as far as Buippe and few points their advance was entirely ontpelled to be sent back next morning to the region north of Souain and Perthes of proportion to the scale of the attack, be reformed.
les-Hurlu Fighting was equally lively worth of in which stupendous sacrifices were made. East of Rheiras hundreds of German Our battle positions have not been en
Not a single minor objective was attain dead were banging upon the barbed wire crouched upon anywhere Craonne, and cast of Tahure, where theed, and at all the vital points the enemy and numerous enemy tanks strew the Prisoners report that the German losses
was securely held,
yesterday were extremely high, ground,
of 21 miles
FIFTY-SIX ENEMY CRACK
DIVISIONS FIGHTING.
The enemy had a divisions, including main the first line, west and cast of many crack divisions. There were 14 Rheims; and 14 in the second line:
'bouch from Prunay,
of the river in the Suippe sector,
enemy attacked,
|
the forest.
FRANCO BRITISH TROOPS.:
LONDON, July 18th.,
4.50 pm. The Times states that the intermingling of French and British troops has ceased
The journal says British troops on the Marne have gone north, and the French units at Ypres have rejoined the main French forcas
Naval Activities.
~ LATEST CABLES
[THEOVER REUTER'S AGENCY.} SPANISH STEAMER
TORPEDOED. SPANISH MINISTER TO GREECE
ON BOARD
ATHENS July 17th- A Spanish steamer, with the Sparach Minister to Greece, Senior Lopez de Végse board, en route for Spain, was torpedoed by German submarine. The stories flew the Spanish flag.The Minister and his family were rescued. Germany had heen notified of Senior Lopez de Vega departito six days previously,
Continued on Faze 6.)