1918-03-25 — Page 5

Page

THE WAR.

GREAT GERMAN OFF NSIVE:

THE HONGKONU

TREMENDOUS ATTACK ON THE BRITISH ALONG A FIFTY-MILE FRONT. COLOSSAL PRICE PAID FOR SMALL GAINS.

ACTION IN THE NORTH SEA. FOUR ENEMY WARSHIPS REPORTED SUNK.

IRISH CONVENTION REACHES

DECISION.

Franco-belgian Front

[THROUGH RETTER'S AGENUS. Į

BRITISH FRONT.

ENEMY BREAKS THROUGH;

DAILY PRESS

ENEMY'S REAH STREWN WITH CORPSES

LONDON, March 22nd Reuter's Correspondeat at British Headquarters reported in the evening The offensive is proceeding

"The weather is glorious

MONDAY, MARCH 25TH, 1918,

It was the return of the old German methods at Mons, Le Cateau and Verdun; the only surprise is that the enemy did not introduce any novelty in the attack. There were no tanks and no special gas The enemy relied, as of old, on ruthless sacrifice of life in the hops of overwhelm ing the defence by sheer weight of num bera and on their gun power. There were

thousand guns opposite three British Divisione. Nothing hitherto was er perienced by the British like the length

Definite details are still unobtainable. Despite our giring ground under the unprecedented weight of men and guns, the enemy gains are nowhere of real strategic importance

Our withdrawal everywhere was car and width of the barrage that was laid ried out in an orderly manner; after exacting a fearful price.

Our dirtaen report that the ground in the enemy's rear is strewn with grey corpses

GERMANS HIGHLY STRUNG BY NEWS

down against our defences at five o'clock yesterday morning and continued throughout the day without a pause, except when it jumped forward to let the Simultaneously heavy guns were concen infantry attack" and the guns advance.

trated in our rear, as far back as 28 miles behind the lings,

FRENCH FRONT.

ENEMY FIRING ON PARIS,

LONDON, March 23rd. A Paris official message states-The enemy are shelling Paris and the Suburbs at long range. The 240 millimetre gun is firing overy quarter of an hour. A dozen were killed and fifteen wounded. Counter measures are being taken. SPASMODIC÷BOMBARDMENT-OF- FRENCH LINES.

LONDON, March 23rd.

enemy are spasmodically, though fairly A French communiqué states:-The

violently, bombarding the frant and rear lines north of Chemin des dames, in the

region of Rheins, and in Lorraine,

Wo dispersed an attack in the region of Blelerey and the Woevre

ENEMY DRIVEN OUT,

______________ Paris, March 22nd, A communiqué, states:- We repulsed strong enemy coup-de-mains to the south of Jusincourt, in the sector of Gadnt, north of Courcy, and north of the Aime At the two last points enemy detachments were driven out of advanced elements after a lively fight, in which the enemy suffered appreciable losses,

THE IRISH QUESTION,

CONVENTION REACHES AGREE- MENT

The Press Bureau says the Irish Con

LONDON, March 22nd. vention has concluded its discussions and mitteo shows that decisions have been a statement received from the Grand Cem-.

reached on all material points. It has been agreed that the Chairuan shall pro- pare a draft report, The Convention will reassemble on

the

report April 4th to const

Mr. Asquith, in a speech at the National Liberal Federation meeting at Derby, said an Anglo-Irish conciliation was most urgent in the tests of the Allied Despite disquieting reports, he refused to cause and the future of the world.

believe that an honourable solution could not be found,

́ ́ DECISION ” ARRIVED AT

LONDON, March 23rd, - The Daily Chronicle states that the whole Empire, the United States, and will leam with relief that the Irish Convention has reached a decision It has been generally known that the points of difference which have delayed the decisions now announced were of

AMERICA AND THE WAR.

Gorman telegrams vid Amsterdam show that the people are highly strung by the At five o'clock, fresh troops attacked news of the battle. Their papers insist again henvily in a north-westerly directhat their rulors have left nothing un

minor importance donc

to spare the people from a terrible tion from Fontaine-le-Croiselles, but this blood bath Special services of inter attempt was held up by a withering cession have been ordered in the churches

The Kaiser, the Grown Prince, Geral Hindenburg and General Ludendorft left machine-gun fire. The Germans having

Spe

on Wednesday for a chateau near Bt. Quentin to watch the troops move into battle.

established themselves at Deignics, which is a position of tactical advantage, we counter attacked at seven o'clock in the ovening with infantry and Tanks and drove them out again.

LONDON, March 23rd. Field-Marshul Sir Douglas Haig re ports:--Heavy fighting continued on the whole battle front until late last night.

Powerful attacks with their great weight of infantry and artillery in the

Heavy ground mists considerably afternoon broke through our defensive handicapped aerial work, but the weather thus far has been distinctly in our

-system westward of St. Quentiu

We are falling back in good order to prepared positions farther west.

Our troops are holding their positions in the northern portion of the battle front.

Very heavy Eghting against fresh hostile forces is in progress,

ATTACKS RENEWED IN GREAT STRENGTH.

LONDON, March 23rd. Field-Marshal Sir. Douglas Haig reports:-The enemy this morning ⠀⠀re, newed his attacks in great strength along practically the whole battlefront. Fierce

favour.

The enemy is employing his best Divisions, including at least two Divi sions of Guards, It is rumoured that Austrian batteries are supporting, but so far they have not been identified. Early to-day the onemy was heavily shelling the region of Benin, near Arras, and be is still pushing forward largo masses of reinforcing troops.

GERMAN REPORT.

4 German oficial wireless message states: A strong artillery duel has con

LONDON'S GRATEFUL

ADMIRATION.

resistance the

It was during the last hour of bom bardment that the enemy poured out gas thelle and continued to gas our batteries and reserve trenches the day long filling the atmosphere with poismons clouds, but this weapon was unsuccessful The British had trained for weeks paat and fought yesterday in masks, in some cases for eight hours. Box respirators proved most effective. There were only six cale of gassing in one of the largest casualty clearing stations this morning. A num ber of tanks brilliantly counter-attacked on Thursday evening and recaptured some ground rear Doignies ficent. The troops I saw to-day going in The spirit of our men remains magni

LONDON, March 23rd.. The Lord Mayor of London bus tele- graphed to Field-Marshal Bir Douglas Hang as follows: London is watching not profound emotion and grateful to battle with bands paying, were chatting admiration the splendid ance the and smiling with calm confidence. offering to the attacks of the enemy and Mr. Hamilton Fyffe, a Press Corres British And

overseas troops are heroically. ENEMY'S GAINS UNIMPORTANT. renews its full confidence in a complete victory for our gallant and devoted pondent in France, says: The out troops. They will remain in our prevere standing characteristic of the fighting so and thoughts throughout these anxious far is that, we did so well under the terri days

fic impact. Apart from the unprecedent- ed artillery uring, the enemy's trench. mortars discharged such an overwhelming weight of projectiles that wire ceased to Front, and trenches were destroyed, be an obstacle on most parts of the though not overry here. No sooner were the enemy's wirecutters found than they were newed down by our machine-guns.

time

of

Mr. Fyffe, describing the gassing of the British batterice, anys this is the first battle where the gunners have had to

An enemy attempt west of Mont Cor- millet also failed

the region of Monte and at some points There is fairly lively artillery fire in on the right of the Meuse in Woevre.

ARTILLERY ACTIVE.

PARIS, March 23rd..

active in the early part of the day and A communiqué statesArtillery was more violent in the afternoon, particu ly north of Chemin des-Dames and in the region of Courcy, Pupelle, Champagne, and south of Moron Villers.

Three enemy coups-de-main, north of

reault-

Sousin and east of Teton were without

ARTILLERY ACTIVE.

27

DEO-

TO FÀCILITATE SHIPPING.

President Wilson has issued

the Allies and to facilitate the quick re essentials in order to prevent draining olamation restricting the import of non-

turn of ships to America for

re-loading AFFAIRS IN RUSSIA.

A NEW REPUBLIC,

PETROGRAD, March 23rd. Republic, including the whole of the The Soviets have formed a Tauridean Crimea....

GERMAN ADVANCE FROM ODESSA.

PETROGRAD, March 22nd. The Germans have occupied the town. of Ochakoff, 40 miles north-east of Odemn. THE REICHSTAG AND THE PEACE TREATIES.

AMSTERDAM, March 22nd. The Reichstag hne approved the Russis

PARIS, March 23rd, native early to day and more violent in A communlyné states:--Artillery wGG the afternoon, particularly north of Courer, at Papelle in Champagno and Chemin-des-Dames in the region of Peace Treaties. south of Moron Villers.

Sousin and east of Teton were without Three enemy coups-de-main north of result

MUNITIONS EXPLOSION NEAR MONS.

THE LINE WILL NOT BREAK.

LONDON, March 23rd: of the outcome of the great battle. They The papers are unanimously bopeful dwell upon the accuracy of the British intelligence in divining the enemy's in tentions and in foreseeing the points and attack. They are confident that the Allied line, though it may bend, will not break, short of some undisclosed formidable surprise.

AUSTRIAN DEFENCE OF

LONDON, March 22nd. It is emphasised

STRASSBURG,

A message from Amsterdam states that that the battle is only the beginning of work continuously wearing masks. He

30 German soldiers were killed and LONDON, March 22nd. was probably the Cambrai front which counter-attacked ni en avone point

over 100 injured by the explosion un on Thursday morn- The semi-official Neue Frenie Frente con of 500 munition waggons at the railway dulating land chosen

in this

tains a most significant admission that the station at Movringles, near Mons. the

of wir

winter some he had captured, then drove him at the | Austrians ano defending Strassburg works earlier than the Franco-Belgian point of the bayonet through

possible French

THE move against

SILVER MARKET,' that place. sent the main ultimate feature of the

Other st men yesterday Austrian artillery has been in the Austrian Press

WEEKLY REPORT. enemy offensive. There may yet behorning to be very confident He says massed on the eastern French front Budden doubt is felt that our defensive system, salient were absolutely unimportant attack – elsewhere, but Eo the enemy's gains on the Bullecourt.

German tewapapers also report the which was

arrival chosen defence positions and the task of

the

lighting in our battle positions is still tinued on the Belgian and French fronts recover from cation usually ing they bombed the enemy in the trenches

in Flanders, Reconnoitring detachment. frontier districts. It may not repre- barrage YAA84int A

continuing.

The enemy progressed at certain points; elsewhere, our counter-attacks threw him back. Our losses are inevitably consider

penetrated frequently the enemy lines,

We attacked English positions to the th-east of Arrus as far as La Fore

able, but not out of proportion to the Our infantry stormed in broad sectors inspired month elaborated during The enemy generally has now to attack of Bulgarians on the Western their silver reports state that the

buttle's magnitude. Reports from all parts show that the enemy's losses con tinue to be very heavy. His advance has

everywhere been made at great sacrifice,

Our troops are fighting with the greatest gallantry. Exceptional gallantry has been shown by the 24th Division, in the protected defence of Le Vergeuier, and also by the 3rd Division, who maintained positions near Croiselles and northwards against repeated attacks The sist. Divi- sion made a most gallant fight near the Bapaume Cambrai road against repeated attacks.

and everywhere captured the first lines. firing duel has increased in intensity The on both sides at Rheims and in Cham-

pagne. Prisoners have been brought in

the unco

the winter

which barred the road hold the enemy Ypres, and will striking because they think they can win It is believed that the Germans are

a victory that will end the war, and be cause they cannot afford to wait failure will now mean the

The

de

the British has become proportionately The Near East. lighter,

ATTACK COMPLETELY HELD

TEBOUGH REUTER'S AGENCY,}

Ms, Perry Robinson, a Correspondent BRITISH TROOPS CROSS THE what higher level than for some time past, Friday was generally along pur reserve line. That the Germans would break

from many sectors. Wo continued the feat of Germany.ence, in France, writes:-The fighting on

teries before Verdun.

GERMAN CLAIMS,

JORDAN.

*

44

LONDON, March 22nd, Mesars Samuel Montagu & Co., in announcement from Washington, cabled on the 19th inst, is the most important event in the silver market recently. If the Bill then mentioned becomes law. which seems more than likely, the effects will bo to establish the price at a Home- while eventually price will settle down and remain

at about 45d, an sunce standard, plus charges which are the people at home some sections of our front was anticipat Palestine Official message states: --- papers exhort destruction of infantry positions and bat. to steel their hearts for the tale of losses, ed. So far we are satisfied with the Our parties crossed the Jordan, despite pence during the weak brings the price

LONDON, March 23rd.

variably but which at present are about. sevelt per nos to be depressed by momentary checks situation. Despite the terrible haromera strong current, yesterday morning.

cent The rise of three-half- or too exultant over successes, but to ing of the British front line the troops The river was then bridged. We catab

a little nearer American emulate the calmness and steadiness of fought magnificently and completely held lished ourselves on the loft bank and trade demund is heavy, owing to

parity, and "the the heroes at the front

upward

movement will con the attack over a large part of the line made progress eastwards encountering anxiety of manufacturers to secure as

tinte FRENCH PREMIER SATISFIED.

This is particularly true about Loverval considerable resistance.

to the PARIS, Math 23rd.

Chatean, near Boursies, where German The operations continue.

much as possible before the American asses were obliterated by machine-guns,

scheme has full effect. The rising ten- while eastward, by Plesquierea, the enemy The Balkans.

deney is further accentuated by the 12- attack was a total failure, the whole of

duced offerings. The Indian uur line remaining intact at nightfall,

silver bold- but we withdrew in the darkness in order

ing his again deer, March 22nd. te conform to the line on the left, where the enormous weight of attack broke the front line. Our line, if withdrawn, holds absolutely firm. There is not the smallest sign yet of any break through. into open warfare. The forces which the A telegram from Paris states that the enemy has so far encountered have been Figaro expert says that, the Germans and Salonika for the Spring. Their forces in Macedonia are estimated at 400,000 Aerial Activities.

LATER

In the Chamber, M. Clemenceau stated that the Allied Staffs had every reason to be satished with the results of the first great attack. He was extremely pleased with the results. He says that the British are resisting with prodigious endurance and are hecatombing the enemy,

BIG

A German official wireless message. states: —Yesterday's succrsace between Arrea and La Fere have been extended,

Sixteen thousand prisoners and 200 guns are so far reported. Identifications obtained show that the

HINDENBURG'S VISIT TO PARIS. opening attack was delivered by forty

It has been noted that all the attacking Genna Divisions, supported by a great

troops clad in new uniforms, and it number of German artillery, and sup will be remembered in this connection ported by Austrian batteries. Many other that von Hindenburg boasted that he of opinion that the enemy possibly con comparatively light, and his losses vastly Bulgars are preparing a big offensive at

are

HIGH TRIBUTES FROM FRENCH PRESS.

cxceeded ours

The newspapers also pay very high tributes to the British defence. Some are

on the front of their attack, to make a templates; after fixing the British reserves massive attack on the Anglo-Belginn leit wing in the direction of Calais, between Ypres and Arras, thus directly threaten away under the torrents of shells and 4g Great Britain; but the Allies are with, England.

everywhere prepared,

German Divisions have since participated would be in Paris on April 1st. Anyway in the Aghting and others are arriving he certainly is essaying to break through Further very severe fighting is anticipatin record time, and as his divisions melt

GERMANS ALL OUT AND PAYING A COLOSSAL PRICE.

LONDON, March 22nd. Router's Correspondent at the British Headquarters, telegraphing to-day, saya it can safely ho said that the British Armies view with calm confidence the result of the splendid defensive which they have thus far opposed to the Hun hordes. While it is impossible to predict what the future holds, it seems pretty certain that yesterday's attack forms part of a great, German offensive. They are "all out." They paid a colossal price yesterday for their small geans.

bullets fresh ones are flung up.

PRESS CORRESPONDENTS' ACCOUNTS..

GERMANY. ENGLAND.

LONDON, March 22nd. battle is an effort to reach a final decision The German Press speaks of the present

Conservative Tageli

For example, che Blechan says

(THROUGH BETTER'S AGENCY. GERMANS PREPARING

OFFENSIVE AT SALONIKA.

LONDON, March 23rd.

[THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.] GERMAN RAID ON FRENCH TOWNS.

decreased.

Silver is quoted at 441d. There is good trado demand but, a scarcity of offerings

ALLIES AND DUTCH SHIPPING

AN UNFOUNDED APPREHENSION.

LONDON, March 21st. Foreign Minister on Tuesday, that the As regards the statement of the Dutch proposed action of the Allies in respect of Dutch shipping would render Dutch Colonial navigation impossible, Renter's Agency is informed that this is by co means the case, and such an apprehension is quite unfounded. There is no inten tion of taking any action that would make Dutch Colonial trade impossibic..!!! PARIS, March gard

AN ACT OF INJUSTICE." A group of enemy aeroplanes crossed the linee and bombed Compeigne and In the Chamber after Jonkheer London

THE HAGUE, March 23rd. various towng and districts. Some had announced the Allied requisitioning pushed southward, but gunfire compelled of Dutch ships, speakers of the various

A single combat between England and Germany to decide whether the Angio Saxons will continue to press their will apon the world has begun.

THE KAISER PRESENT.

March 22nd. The Kaiser LONDON,

Hindenburg and General von Ludendorf have arrived in it was given to Paris but the “ull clear" signal was given in half. BRITISH CONFIDENCE.

the battle aren

The alarm

an hour

HROUGH REUTRE'S AGESTY.]

BRITISH MEDICAL OFFICERS REPATBIATED.

Forty enemy divisions, including four Divisions of Guards, had been identified

THE ENEMY'S INTENTION

on the front line of the attack by fast

LONDON, March 23rdə night. Already some troops have been Mr. Percival Phillips, a War Corres relieved. Responsible quarters are grata-pondent in France, reports: -The hard- fied with the magnificent manner in which est fighting is on our flanke. The enemy our troops are withstanding the orders north wing takes a line near to which we not faltored. Against one sector of 10,000 dreds of yards east of the villages of

a single Division. has failed or retired on Thursday, namely, some hun

Germans employed one gun to every 15 meta. This makes the enemy's identation Mr. Asquith, in a speech at a National General. yards it has been estimated that the Vaux, Vraucourt, Marchies, and Beau

LONDON, March 2zad. yards, not counting trench-mortars. very roughly from about 2,200 yards at Liberal Federation meeting at Derby, A VERITABLE SHAMBLES the greatest point in the neighbourhood referring to the Germinne offensive, It is noteworthy that some of the of Croiselles to 50 or 60 yards at the declared that the skill of our Generads actual retirements were made only upon where we occupied the Hindenburg system soldiers would more than hold their own lower end We retired east of Doignies, and the indomitable tenacity of our the orders after the troops had held the trenches intact through the whole day in November, to what was generally, our The people of Great Britain were pre against violent assaults, it is old front line before that advance, except pared for any sacrifiers to make the

The first dense waves in yesterday's that we retain Havrineoart. The eitus-cause of freedom victorious. attacks

were frequently held up by our tion west of the Scheldt Canal between The battle is too big to be visualised na wire, and the Germans halted and hacked Gouzeaucourt and St Quentin is not their way through whilst our riflemen clear, but the enemy undoubtedly le in a whole

and gunners were making a veritable some villages behind our former front Nineteen enemy Divisions were identi shambles of the ground

line. Everywhere he is shelling the back The enemy fought with sturdy valour, areas with increasing intensity. His fed in yesterday'a fighting.

picked divisions were participating. intention, obviously, is to keep throw Our airmen are serving magnificently, ing in fresh Divisions and to continue Flying low, they are attacking the enemy terrific blows incessantly... ning our trenches,

ying formations who are machine-gun- At one place eight German Divisions -attacked a front held by eight battalions of ours. The front line, here had been destroyed by the weight of metal, but cht in France, eave—

There has been much air fighting Our troops were heavily engaged on our our supports achieved a great defence, and not only hold the enemy, but som right to day near St Quentin. We were brought down it, drove down six and pelled his withdrawal last night of some much outnumbered, nine Divisons shot down one enemy machine. of their divisions.

being hurled against three of

Three of ours are missing,

for

GERMANS RETURN TO OLD METHODS.

AERIAL OPERATIONS.

THE HAGUE March 23rd. Nine British Medical ofhears have arrived from Germany for repatriation, including Labeutenant Ajar Singh Garhwal

LONDON March 23rd Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig, ze potting on aviation; says:-Owing to the mist and light being only suitable for low flying, the enemy's attacking troops and SITUATION IN SPAIN. reinforcements on the battlefront offered excellent targets. Dar pilots poured thou Señor Maura, dressing enthusiastic

Madein, March gård. sands of rounds into them, causing houses of Parliament said he hoped that pumerable casualties. Our bombers also

We

partics hotly denounced the Allies, spo Sadly America, for what they asserted. was an act of injustice, but they admitted that Holland was only able to make dignified protest.

THE ROUMANIAN ARMISTICE EXTENDED.

LONDON, March 2204. The Austrian Headquarters state that the armistice with Roumania has been. further extended by seventy-two hours.

BYE-ELECTION.

LONDON, March 22nd. Mr R Stoker (Conservative) has beca returned unopposed for South Man- chester.

DRAINAGE OF THE ZUIDER ZEE

THE HAGUE, March 22nd The Second Chamber has unanimously

Intense barrages presided the initial Jocal attacki, which were mainly repulsed, Then the enemy, between half-past eight and ten o'clock in the morning, launched a whole series of attacks astride the Canal du Nord, throwing in three successive wavca, one following another closely, sup-

certain

number of point and eight against twosial Our nightaliers dropped three and ported by massed formations of storm guns through entering the barrage Gas A soldier described the enemy half tons of bombs on Bruges dockyards troops. By mid-day this great effort was shells have been largely used, but we are vance as like bees out of a hired three and a half tons on billets at sult was: Capt Redmond (Nationalist)

rent having forced our line to withdraw employing projectors, thus neutralising more one shot the more there scented Tourna at several placca.

son of the late Mr. John Bedmond, whole batteries by doing so

All one machines returned.

1,243, Dr. White (Binteiner), 84.

attacked troops, dropping over 900 bombs the country would settle down quietly

ander the Coalition, Mr. Philip Gihis, a. Prema Correspond on troops at railway stations on the

tattlefront,USAN

He announced that the recent decree passed a Bill providing for the drainage dissolving and wilitarising the podal of the Zuider Zee. services had been cancelled.

THE MINERS' COMB-OUT.

LONDON, March 22nd. Despite the result of the ballot, they Execifive of the Miners Federation han

The Germans lost a

hann var

come on

|BYE-ELECTION IN IRELAND.

LASTON, March 3rd.

In the Waterford bye election, the roadvised the acceptance of the Govern

ment's combout scheme.

Continued an, Page 6.)