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EARLIER TELEGRAMS.
(Continued from Page 81
THE WESTERN FRONT.
Field Marshal Haig's Tribute to his Treops."
London, April 23.
Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig in a supplementary report says: The number of divisions employed against the British alone since the opening of the offensive on the zlat. March is already 102, of whom many have been used twice or thrice. In resisting the heavy blows resulting from such a concentration all ranks and arms of the Services have behaved with gallantry, courage and resolution for which no praise can be too high. Besides divisions already men- tioned for conduct of outstanding gallantry many others have greatly distinguished themselves. The Guards division, after five days heavy fighting at Boirybecquerell, completely repulsed attacks delivered in great strength on 25th. March and again on 30th. March, inflicting heavy losses. This division, with the Thirty-First and Third divisions on ita.... right and left, in serere fighting in these and on other occasions, successfully resisted all the enemy's efforts to open out their northern flank attack Especially gallant service was performed also on 28th, March by the Fourth division northward of the Scarpe in assisting to break up attacks launched for the capture of Arras and Vimy Ridge. This division also distinguished itself on the Lys battle front on the night of the 14th-15th. April when it admirably executed a counter-attack and took Riezduvinage, with 150 prisoners, and again on the 18th. in repulsing strong attacks month-eastward of Robecq and taking prisoner nearly two . hundred.
During the first two days of the enemy's offensive to the south of Artas, the 21st.. Division maintained the posi- tions at Epehy against all assaults and only withdrew - der orders when the enemy's progress on the south necessi- tated a withdrawal Before withdrawing it inflicted great, fong on the enemy and German official reports acknowledge the bitterness of the fighting. The 25th, Division was in... close support when the attack opened and was immediately sent into the battle in the neighbourhood of the Bapaume- Cambrai road, and had. Dot been dislodged from any posi tion, although constantly attacked.-. -..
When withdraws from the Somme the fighting spirit of this division was exceptionally high. It was again heavily engaged at Lys and performed distinguished service. The Thirty-First Division on the 18th inst. bolding a front of nine thousand yards eastward of Nieppe Forest, although reduced in strength as a result of previons fighting and tas enemy- still pressing the advance, wers-informed that the line must be held to the last to cover the detraining of reizi. -forcements -- All ranks responded to the appeal with most magnificent courage and devotion and throughout a long day of incessant fighting best off a stocession of determined attacks. The enemy in the evening, in a last great effort, by sheer weight of numbers overran certain portions of the line whose defenders diod, fighting" but would not give ground. Portions of the enemy penetrating those points were driven back by reinforcements just detrained. The Thirty-Fourth Division, after severo fighting in the neigh- "bourhood of Croisilles at the commencement of the battia, took over the Armentieres sector and was in the line en 9th April They maintained their positions intact in the first two days of the Lys battle and when the enemy's ad- vance on either flank, necessitated the evacuation of Armen- tieres they withdrew from the town on the night of the 10th - 11th deliberately and in good order. Since then they have
EARLIER TELEGRAMS.
THE WESTERN FRONT.
been continuously engaged, and have fought throngbout -with the greatest gallantry, yielding ground reluctantly, and counterattacking frequently. The end. East Lancashire - and find. West Riding Divisions in feros fighting at the end
of March and early in April around Bucquoy and Ablain-. zaville beat off many attacks and contributed greatly to the successful maintenance of the line. The Fiftieth Division, though but recently withdrawn after a week of confiarous Aghting southward of the Somme, held up the enemy along. the Lys line on the 9th April and subsequent days and by stubborn resistanón at Rstaires and Merville checked-the- enemy's advance until the arrival of our reinforements. The Third and Fourth Australian Divisions at Mericourt P'Abbe and Dernancourt, the New Zealanders at Serre and, later, the fifth Australians southward of the Somme, performed
• most valuable and most gallast services during the latter stages of the German attack on the Somme, With their aid the enemy's progress was definitely checked and by the vigour of their defence all attempts to continue his advanes were repulsed with the heaviest 42son.
.A
A dermau Experiment Falis.”
London, April 93.
Beuter's correspondent at French-Headquarters, wiring on the 22nd, says: The German experiment against the American sector in Lorraine proved a failure: The attack was delivered against the village of Seichsprey, about a mile behind the Franco-American front. The attack wak made with three battalions led by a detachment of storm troops 150 strong and, after a most viclent bombardment, the enemy fought his way into the village. The weight of the attack was undoubtedly directed against the Americans.
The Americans counter-attacking with the French drove the enemy from Renieres Wood and the village of Sciche- prey and after hard fighting re-established their former. line not leaving an inch of conquered grönnd in possession of the Germans. The engagement was the sharpest in which the Americans have yet been engaged.
Enemy Massing Troops. "
London, April 23
Router's correspondent at British Headquarters, wiring on the ∞nd, says: The Germans continue massing troops on the Bailleul-Neuve-Eglisa line in the north and around
· Dernancourt in the south Prisoners state that leave will be remmed in the German army early in May, which zng- gests that the enemy anticipates a decision or abandonment of the offensive by then.
Lively Artillery Firlag na.the Somme Front.
London, April 23.
A French communique says there was somewhat lively artillerying on the Somme front and east of Rbaims.
Gas Shelling in Flanders.
London, April, 23.
Better's orrespondent at British Headquarters, wiring on the 23rd., says: There has been considerable gas shelling during the night at Poperinghe, Ypres and other places in the back areas of the northern battlefield. We apparently hold the initiative for the time being. Attacking at night south of Aveley Wood on a front of a thousand yards, we advanced the line to an average depth of two hundred sad filty yards, improving our position, inflicting heavy casualties
and taking prisoner seventy.
South African's Congratulated.
London, April 23.
Referring to the South Africans' fighting at Mossints® abled on the 18th, inst the Divisional General, congratu- lating them, said he could not find words adequate to thank the South African Brigade for what it had done. The Corpe commander wired: "I wish to express to the General of the South African Brigade and all his officers and men my ap- preciation of their wonderful fighting spirit and most gallant doings in the great fight we have been having during the last three days, against heavy odds." The Army Commander wired: "If any unit can be picked out for exceptional praise I should say it is the South African Brigade."
." The South Africans are now out of the line resting a mere rampant of their former Brigade.
•
End of the Lull Approaching.
Landan, April 23. The full in the battle is not expected to last long despite the inclement weather, wind and rain. The Germans licking burte after the recent thrashings. Evidently they do not mean to re-attack until they are ready to do so on a great scale. They are being openly and enormously rein- forced, but the Allies have also strengthened their forces and it is unlikely that the German thrust will be more effective in achieving a decision than a month ago, when the German people were told to expect a speedy triumph. The expects tion, indeed; on this side, is that the battle may well last throughout the Summer. For one thing it is henceforth in- possible for the Germans to benefit by a strategic surprise similar to that of March 21, when they attacked on a front of fifty miles.
*
No Uneasiness Among the French
Paris, April 23.
M. Clemenosnu has returned from the front. He said the best proof that no uneasiness oxisted was that Frenen sol- diers were again receiving leave which had been-suspended since the German offensive.
GERMANY AND HOLLAND.
Sand and Gravel Dispute
Amsterdam, April. 23. The "Handelsbled," referring to the "Daily Telegraph" statement as to Holland's situation, cabled yesterday, says a ̈German-Dutch agreement has been reached regarding Dutch consessions concerning the transit of sand and gravel and the transport of various necessities not intended to be used militarily by, rail through"Limburg, and also a settle- ment regarding Rhine River traffic.
Reuter learns on high authority that is true that Ger- many has brought renewed severe pressure upon Holland in order to extort various concessions. The exact demands are unknown in London but it is confirmed that they include resumption of the sand and gravel traffic from Germany through Holland to Belgium. Threats by Germany to Hol- land are nothing new but on this occasion they are more violent than uznal. The British Foreign Office is unaware of the ultimatum actually sent, but undoubtedly the German Minister at The Hague used the most threatening terms. The latest news indicates that the situation-to-day-is-lom strained.
Relations Very Strained,
London, April 22
The Daily News!! learns that relations between Gee- many and Holland are very strained, chiefly on the subject of sand and gravel. The situation is regarded with anxiety in official and diplomatic circles. It was rumoured last night that something in the nature of a German ultimatum had been delivered to Holland.
Cause of the Feletion.
The Hague, April 23:--: The "Vaderland" states that the friction between Ger many and Holland is due to the former's desire to again transmit sand and gravel via Holland, alleging the right thereto The Dutch Government object, basing its sititada on altered circumstances.
ENTERTAINMENTS.
VICTORIA
THEATRE.
26th, 27th, 28th & 29th APRIL, 1918,
THE FATAL RING."
Episode 13
Episode 14
"A Dash for Arabia." "The Painted Safe.”
Annals of the War No. 21.
British Gazette No. 441.
GERTIE'S JOY RIDE."
&c.,
&c.
Booking at ANDERSON'S.
EARLIER TELEGRAMS.
THE RECEPTION OF THE BUDGET.
Britain Bears Burden Cheerfully.
London, April: £3.4.
The most stupendous Budget in history was received by the most placid House of Commons în living memory. The new taxes were greeted without a marmar, Lobbyists state that there was something of grandeur in the aspect of the House, bespeaking the nation's spirit and strength. This is reflected in the comments of the newspapers,
The Daily Graphic" says the prosperity of the country enables it to face the new burdens without grave dislocation of industry.
The "Daily Telegraph" says: This is war taxation with vengeance, but the nation expected it and, realising that the Budget represents a fresh effort to retain by present sacri- fice its financially advantageons position for the future, it will take up the burden in the knowledge that British credit is still unshaken.
The "Morning Post" says: The new imposts, will be borne most cheerfully by the nation so long as it knows its resources are being used to the utmost to defeat the enemy.
The six shilling income tax mentioned in the earlier message applies to unearned incomes exceeding £2,000 and.⠀⠀ earned incomes exceeding £2,500. It is estimated to produce £41,400,000 in s full year. The income tax is unchanged on earned incomes up to £500, but is raised to thirty-six pence to those earning £1,000 and rising to sixty-three pence to thems earning £2,500. Regarding income chargeable to the Do-~ minions income tax as well as British income tax, the white paper says it it proposed to continue the provision where- ander relief from double tax is allowed at the expense of the British Exchequer, subject to the retention at present exist. ing on British income tax of the minimum of forty-two pence.
The "Daily Mail" says the Budget will be populär bat does not go far enough. The heaviest taxes are placed on 'a very small class who will not complain. The journal is con- fident that the mass of wage earners would not resent a graduated tax on weekly wages,
The "Daily Chronicle" says the practical workmanlike Budget seems to justify, Mr. Bonar Law's optimism in our ultimate solvency.
The Daily News" Kay's the Badget's applica tion of the scrow of taxation restores confidence in our waZ finance; but the income tax could have have been more largely increased. It is a wonderful testimony to the resources of the nation that we are still able to finance ourselves after financing our Allies for three years.
The Times" believes the estimated reserve will prove to be considerably within the mark.
The following is an amplification of part of Mr. Botar Law's remarks: Of the £850,000,000 advanced by the United States mentioned,, £500,000,000 was advanced to Great Bri-e tain and £450,000,000 to other Allies. This year we advanced to the Allies approximately the same amount as last year, making the joint Anglo-American advances to the Allies £955,000,000. Thus our borrowings from the United States, only totalled approximately what we lent the Allies. This showed that after four years war we are self-supporting Referring to the National Debt and the present year's amount of £7,880,000,000, Mr. Bonar Law said that formerly be deducted all the advances to the Allies and Dominions from the liability; but he did not propose so doing today. He did not regard the advances to Russia is a bad debt, because the Russian Government would duly realise that foreign capital for the exploitation of her resources would be unob- ́tainable unless the previous debts were paid. He also pro- posed to regard half the Allied debts saif they were our lia- bility at the end of next year, because we must take into con- sideration the possibility of some of the Allies being unable to pay interest on their advances immediately the war ended.-
Referring to the German taxes not being imposed upon the wealthier classes, on whom the Goverment was afraid. to put extra taxation, Mr. Boner Law estimated that the existing taxations had yielded £540,000,000 leaving a 'deficit: of £110,000,000. The new taxes which he was proposing would in a full year produce £114,000,000 without
tax on which he made. no estimate without reckoning Mr. Bonar Law said that the total Allied debt to us at the end of next year would be £1,632,000,000 which after the ball deduction mentioned previously, also the Dominions debts and India's obligation in fall, would make the total £1,124,000,000,
Dealing with Germany's financial position, he said that Germany admitted that her prosent daily expenditure was £3,250,000, which was almost the same as ours, but did not include separation allowances, etc. The German votes of credit to July totalled £8,200,000,000. ÁƑears hence the › German balance sheet, reckoned on the same basis sa ours, would show a deficit of £385,000,000 on the national liabilities - of £720,000,000
The Badget resolutions have been provisionally adopted.
Printed and Fublished for the Proprietor, by Georgs, Cada Barnett üt 11 Ios House Street, in the