1918-03-29 — Page 5

Page

THE

THE

WAR

R PULSED. EN MY BEING BRITISH REACHING POSITIONS OF GREAT STRENGTH.

ALL RANKS CHEERFUL AND CONFIDENT. FRENCH WELCOME THE GERMAN ADVANCE INTO THE OPEN.

M. TROTSKY APPEALS TO FRANCE TO REORGANISE RUSSIA'S ARMY.

Franco-Zielgian Front.

OUR

LATEST CABLES.. (THROCOM BRÜTBE'S AGENCY. } BRITISH FRONT. TROOPS FIGHTING MAGNIFICENTLY AND SUCCESSFULLY,'

The first portion of this message is

missing.]

LONDON, March 28th.

Sir Douglas Haig reports. The enemy forced his way into part of our position southward of Albert, but a counter-attack regained the position. We completely repulsed a further beavy Clerunu attack at this point in the afternoon, and drove back attempts on the part of the Ger- mans to debouch westwards from Albert,"

THE ENEMY'S MAIN EFFORT. LONDON, March 27th,

4:30 p.m..

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS FRIDAY

FIGHTING THE WHOLE GERMANY

ARMY

The papers are discussing measures to meet the emergency

MARCH 29ra.

1916.

Fresh German divisions have been iden-f, tified, including two of the Guards and two of the Brandenburgs,

The British and French forces and the Americans are fighting shoulder to shoulder, and French reinforceincuts are rapidly coming up,

The enemy has been checked westward of Roye and westward of Noyon.

GROUND TARGETS SURPASS DESCRIPTION:

LONDON, March 27th.

12.25 m,

HEAVY DEMANDS ON THE

ENEMY'S RESERVES."

Yesterday was a supreme time for our gunners, the advance being held up nearly

verywhere by the ceaseless intensity of

the artillery fire. The enemy's masser Waves received dreadful punishment.

SITUATION MORE HOPEFUL.

LONDON, March 27th,

7.a.m.

Pania March 27th.

43.10 p.m. The Under-Steretary for War states that the Germans are now meeting a powerful fresh French Army protected by almost inconceivable artillery. So far the

enemy's advance has been delayed by only a few independent Divisions, but formid- able British reserves are now arriving on the battlefield, so that the enemy's terri- torial gaine enn be only regarded as tem- porary.

Mr. Hamilton Fyffe says that the fier mans had 180 divisions, in reserve at the opening of the battle, but 23 of these we know were out in battle on the first day, and approximately ten divisions daily were out on both the succording days. Since then new troops have heen in ovi. dence daily. This exhaustion of reserves is a hopeful feature of the situation. We

The Timer states-The situation last.

BARLIER CABLES: have been fighting the whole available

night was undoubtedly more hopeful than strength of the German Army!

ALLIES WAITING TO HIT BACK. Our aeroplanes on Monday were almost since the battle began, but it is still ev- MEASURES TO MEET EMERGENCY.

and ceedingly grave, for though the enemy's

***** PARIS, March 27th. exclusively employed bombing LONDON, March 27th,

The Under-Secretary for War stated machine-gunning troops and transport rush in the northern section is apparent.

gly held, it is clearly a race against time be regarded with confidence.

that the situation, although serious, could behind the battle-front.

The Ecko de Paris Twenty-two tons of bombs were drop-in the south, and everything depends

states that the union British

French Armies The Daily Telegraph joins the support-

ped, and 100,000 rounds were Bred by upon the next few hours. We regard to of the B

is daily strengthening by the entry of ers of conscription in Ireland.

day and to-morrow as most critical reserves to both armies in the battle, our machine-guns-

be know The Daily Chronicle urges the raising of

All the pilots report that the ground Whereas von Below who burst through line. The final result will not the military age to 45.

The Pent-Parisin says the British and The Trice says the Government must targets surpassed description. They were on the Isonzo, made absolutely no impres for three or four days. immediately embody in a single compre able to drop bombs accurately and fireson between the Scarpe ud Cojeul, French, are at present fiercely resisting. moment to hit back Reuters Correspondent at British hensive Bill various proposals fur into the centre of infantry hattalions in stream of the enemy south of the Sommend waiting the most favouralbe

In well-informed quarters the situation. close formation, and on columns of crossed the 1918 Allied line from neur mobilising the last available man,

cavalry and transport.

Bray to near Roye, but south-east of is regarded as very much improved. THE EFFECT ON LABOUR.

TWO GERMAN DIVISIONS The air fighting The conscious of opinion is that one

ANNIHILATED. line. This is the point which gives most down 13 enemy machines

Panis March 27th the complete cessation of labour troubles. We brought

Eight of anxiety, but also the most ground for

A Freneli War Correspondent states This was verified at Leeds yesterday. A and 10 others uncontrolled;

that two frech German Divisions - pro strike of engineers caused the idleness of ours are missing, mostly due to fire from hope.

GERMAN CLAIMS,

ceading to the front were almost totally one thousand workers in three shell fac- the ground while flying low

annihilated on March Bath before they LONDON, March 6th. tories there. A meeting of wounded During the night we continued to

10.35 p.), had fred a shot by machine-gun fire and soldiers in protest assumed formidable and machine-gun troops in the forward Arens and on transport upon the road-

A German official report says:--We bembs from one hundred French acro proportions, and sent a deputation, to

crossed the Bapaume-Albert road near planes, prov the meeting of the strikers. The deputa- to the front:

Courcelette and Pozieres. General von FRENCH SOLIDLY HOLDING. tion was denied admittanee, but it was announced later that the strikere had de

Hofacker forced the passage of the Somme southward of Peroun, storming and card cided to resume work immediately and to

turing Maisonnette height, also Binches A communiqué elatee: -Qûr troops are and Burleux. work during the Eatser holidays.

Strong counter-attacks solidly holding their positions on the left

of the Cise above Novon wore themselves out before our lines.

General ven Hutier, after hard fight- Fighting continues with undiminished

drove back the enemy car Marchele-violence on the Bray-sur-Somme Chaul and Hattencourt across the Peronne nes-Roye Noyon front

We wrested Etalon from

From the who tenaciously defended it.

Headquarters, telegraphing to-day, saysSlowly the zone of open warfare. continues to cularge ns we fall back fight.

WAB

ing before an enormous weight of num effect of the news from France will be on the previous days intense than Roye they are still well within the 1010 S

hers Unquestionably we are now wil nessing the enemy's main effort, and he is a long way behind his time table:

Other concentrations which were ready to extend elsewhere the success which he counted upon in the Cambrai battle have been denuded to furnish fresh reserves for his present effort, to that whatever the enemy may da Inter it is scarcely conceivable that he can attack elsewhere until this colossal battle is decided.

Having failed to break through, the

THE ENEMY TERRAIN.

LONDON, March 27th. 7:30a.m.

The Morning Pust says that the Ger- mums are reaching a point where the

19.12.10 nm,

bomb

WONDERFUL BRITISH STEADFASTNESS

Lovnox, March 27th. Router's Correspondent at Headquar ters, telegraphing on the evening of the 20th inst., says: Never has the trading, tional quality of British steadfastness pot been more wonderfully illustrated than

PARTS, March 27th.

inflicting upon him the heaviest casual-Gormans are now determinedly pushing valley narrows considerably. Long spurs now. Time and again the troops have ve Kailway,tish and Aerial Activities.. ties. The enemy attacked in the after against our line which they certainly of high ground running into it offer suit been overwhelmed and overrun by swarm. defcated the Erench at Freniches

noon in great strength at Bacquey and Ablainzeville, and gained a footing in the latter. At all other points he was. heaten off with great loss.

troops again fought magnificently

and heavily throw back the enemy all along the front, despite the most deter- mined attack by a superiority of num bere,

HEAVY ENEMY NIGHT ATTACK REPULSED.

LONDON, March 27th.

continue doing with the full strength of their masses, but this forces them to throw in reserves more rapidly than they had intended in order to force a decision. The enemy, therefore is wearing down himself, and, of course, tiring us in the

process,"

FRENCH WARFARE DEFINITELY PAST

able positions for defence, and they, there fore, are likely to be held upon a line

well east of Amiens"

HUNDRED AND FIFTY GERMAN AEROPLANES BROUGHT DOWN.

correspondent at the Front writes that many British aeroplanes are soaring abar the sunlit, fields, but none of the enemy's machines are visible. His airmen have been severely punished since the begining of the battle. At one part of the British front alone 150 German aero. plants were brought down in five days,

the

MORE GERMAN CLAIMS.

LONDON, March 27th.

10.10 p.m.

WA

LATEST CABLES:

ing legions, and as often they have

are st

standing

the heights to

(THROUGH EGUTEE'S AGENCY.} managed to emerge and regain the line. and Rethancourt, and captured Busy. What would be regarded as consummate reas of skill in field maneuvre are contard down 03 ensiny afroplanes KING'S THANKS TO THE AIR

of Noyon! brought stantly being performed in this grim

and & balloons, struggle.

A DRAMATIC INCIDENT. One of the most dramatic incidents was. when our wearied troops were fighting hopeless odds and striving to prevent the Germans from securing a certain crossing over the Somme, French reinforcements arrived and, without hesitation, poured in Amongst the British, infusing them with fresh rigour and saving the situ tion.

RELIEF FOR OUR DOG-TIRED DEFENDERS.

Since the beginning of the battle our captures of guns have reached 963. Over 100 tanks are lying in the

in the captured pogi-

tions,

Artillery battles continue along the remainder of the front, and are increas- ing in great strength in Lorraine.

We continued the bombardment of the fortress of Paris og b BACK IN POSITIONS HELD IN 1916

LONDON, March 27th.

1.30 .m

Open warfare is so eminently suited to Heavy ghiting continues along the the French military ideas that there ap- whole battle front

pears to be positivo satisfaction that the Germans should continue to advance into. A wireless German official message the open, even though by so doing they states: The Anglo-French Army yesterday

A wireles German message says:A temporarily occupy more French terri- tried to arrest our advance on the Somme

new phase has set in in the tremendous battle. The enemy are retreating on a tory

Undoubtedly there is a feeling Our attack broke through the enemy's

The men now returning from the wide front astride the Somine We cross- that the days of trench warfare are delines in the early morning and onwards. Field Marshal Bir Douglas Heig refinitely past 19, ts mighty struggle. The enemy retreated on a wide front on battle time are many of them dog-tireded at many points the old positions helt porta-As a result of the attacks yester Besides heavy 6ghting around Albert both sides of the Somme. Our sharp pur and cannot remember whence they come before the Battle of the Somme in 1916. day forenoon and evening putride the yesterday the enemy also mussed in suit overcame the stubborn resistance of hor the day of the week, but in this We are now before Albert and have cap

We crossed the Meanlty Valley, which our artillery

A enemy

of ly, as the reserves are moving into their SEON Somme, we were forced back on both steadily shelled until it became too dark

which fell in the evening.

NOCTURNAL MOVEMENT OF We position bock the enemy after violent fight The prisoners we have taken attribute

GERMAN TROOPS.OL determined to thrust towards Ovelnying southward of the Somme au Chaulnes the coamy success to the wonderful Wead, but was beaten back and Lisone. We stormed Roye and cleared concentration of artillery, the full advan

AMSTERDAM, March 27th. The Rheinische Wenfaelische stated Overhead there was a constant work out the enemy from Noyon, and after tags of which they are now losing that troops for the offensive were detrain of machine-guns, mingling with the loud bloody fighting, crossed many of our old In various places the enemy are veryód considerably behind the Belgian fron- buzzing of our indefatigable aeroplanes, psoitions which we occupied before the reluctant to occupy the evacuated positier, marching into the battlo line at swooping low and taking toll of hostile 1916 Somme Battle The prisoners are tions; whether they are afraid of booby night-time, no columns showing then formations.

growing in numbers and the booty is traps or of being shelled to rags is only selves on the roads in daylight.

UTcasing

conjecturable.

GERMAN PRESS COMMENT. There are artillery battles in Flanders,

Verdun in Lorraine.

AMSTERDAM, March 27th: A Bection of the German Press is already counting the gains. ⠀⠀⠀

banka a short distance in the neighbour to see the dense humar target which was oftargund Bouthward respect the situation is improving stead-tured Lihons, Hoye and Noyon. Pa

hood of Bray,

We repulsed, after severe fighting, & heavy night attack southward of the

Somme,

The enemy entered our positions at onc point in the neighbourhood of the river, but he was immediately thrown back by our counter-attack,

There was further local fighting north ward and north-eastward of Albert, but the situation here is unchanged. FIELD MARSHAL'S ORDER TO THE

ARMY

LONDON, March 27th. The Press Bureau aanvunces:-Field- Marshal Sir Douglas Haig issued the following Special Order to the Army on March 23rd: We are again at a crisis in the war. The enemy has collected every available Division and is aiming at the destruction of the British Army We have inflicted a very heavy loss dur

GERMANS DISAPPOINTED THE COUNTRY YIELDS SO LITTLE Prisoners complain that the rations which reach the front line are very ins adequate, and they are disappointed that the country over which they have ad- vanced hus yielded so little.

At

GERMANS ADMIT SLOW- PROGRESS.

LONDON, March 27th 12.15 p.m. A wireless German official message states-Our armies are engaged in, and slowly progressing with the attack on both banks of the Bomme

STRONG NEW BRITISH FRONT LONDON, March 27th, 10.15 p.m. Reuter's Correspondent at Headquar- ters wiring on the evening of the 27th

EARLIER CABLES. inst, states:The sixth day of the offen sive finds the British front standing firm,

GERMANS INTRODUCE NEW DIVISIONS. practically along a line which is, perhaps, the strongest occupied since the begin- ning Some spots are weaker than others,

LONDON, March 27th.

1.20 am where German bordes may slowly ad-

Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haige vance even compelling readjustmenta valley and the old Gommecourt-Habu Hostile attacks south of the Somme were elsewhere, but the positions along Ancre ports: There was local bghting at dif ferent points north of the Somme. terne line are of natural strength and presed vigorously since this morning with even wenker parts of the line are being Fresh Divisions against Novon and Boye,

OUR SUPERIORITY IN MECHANI CAL TRANSPORT.

Now we are operating in the open our grent superiority in mechanical transport. is giving us an advantage in mobility over the enemy.

The hack areas are teeming with motor huses packed with soldiers speeding to g to

threatened posts,

So far, the enemy's intentions, beyond

The Cologne Volkszeitung says it is now impossible to conclude peace on terms which were acceptable a week ago. The enemy must be forced to grant all

the colonies need in the future, especially the and raw materials the Frankfurter

On the other hand

SERVICES,

LONDON, March 27th. The Press Bureau

announces:His Majesty the King has despatched the following message to Field-Marshal 81- Douglas Haig: Express to General Salmond and all ranks of the Air Services of the Empire now in France my grati the great battle am proud to be their heation at their splendid achievements in

Colonel-in-Chief." Russian Front.

LATEST CABLES. (THROUGH REUTER'8 ADENOS.)

THE CAUCASIAN FRONT.

TURKS CAMPAIGN OF PILLAGE AND DESTRUCTION.

ATHENS, March 27th. It is reported that Armenians and half-a-million Grecks at Trebizond, are boing atrociously treated by the Turks, who pillaged and destroyed wholesale on the pretext of forestalling a possible offensive by the Caucasian troops.

Naval Activities.

LATEST CANLES. [THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.]

BRITISH SHIPPING.

LONDON, March 27th.

The Admiralty.

2,468

arrivals

a (6,20 p.m. reportThe

and the is still checking the real advance Sixteen

over and 12.

under

1,600 revealed ma

It mys three German Army Corps, in Some German divisions appear to have addition to the commands of two other tons were sank. The former include one beca in fighting of the most bitter charac-generals, are necessary to drive the Brunk during the week ending March 16th, ter along most of the battle front, but the fish from Bapaume. latest reports indicate lesa mi rement than

securing a general break through, are not admits that the obstinate British for the week 2m 29s a blinge

heretofore, probably owing to the German infantry out-stepping the artillery.

THE TABLES TURNING

LONDON, March 27th." MAC 3.10 a.m. ada da

GERMAN REPORT

LONDON. March 20th. A wireless German official report states-Yesterday we achieved fresh suc cesses and defeated the English

Divisions brought up from Flanders

and of the latter, four small sailing ships sunk in December and January.

Nineteen vessels were unsuccessfully attacked, and one fishing boat was sunk.

ITALIAN SHIPPING.

LONDON, March 27th.

ing the last two days, and the French are held by a most orderly array of men, and in new attacks this afternoon in the Reuter'a Correspondent, telegraphing and Italy and the French were thrown The Italian arrivals for the week are sending troops as quickly as possible to with gune, not showing signs of the sunod of Chaulnes and betweer from French Headquarters on the 28th against us in desperate attacks.

I feel that everyone

in the var support. Army is fully realising how much de pends upon his exertions and steadfast- ness and that each one of us will do his atmost to prevent the enemy from attaining his object.

THE BRITISH LINE.

LONDON March 27th. 0.45 pm

enforced retirement. **

7

COMMANDERS AND TROOPS CHEERFUL AND CONFIDENT. With a keen sense of the need against over-optimismi, I can state that a com

the Somme and to the north battle is continuing on the whole

front

South of the Bomme,

Our troops in all parts of the battle front during the past six d

six days have shown

insti, says: The news to-night is distinct

ly heartening. The advance of the enemys fuctna le

plete almost cheerful, confidence per.the utmost courage played ca Though a renowal of the onslaught

vades the various Headquarters and the

moral of the troops remains superb

14 part of this message is missing] "THE GLORIOUS SPIRIT OF THE TROOPS

LONDON March 27th,

ceptional

Eigh

SPANISH STEAMER

TORPEDOED,

THIRTY-THREE SURVIVORS LANDED IN CADIZ."

443, and the sailings 412. Von Below and von Der Marwitz finally Three steamers of over 1,500 tons, and retained Ervillers, after a bot and two sailing ships of over and three of

battle, and are advancing under 100 tons were sunk. Ons steamer

was unsuccessfully attacked. A general slackening of the German effort against Achiet-le-C

Biefvillera We captured: Bibut is noticeable in this sector, dae, probably, and Grevillers, to the exhaustion of the troops and delay We also captured Iries and Miraumont The followinfantryEighth,

in bringing up the artillers and crossed the Auere

brought in English troops at violently on a wide front from the teenth Thirty-first. Forty-first, Sixty she lies who are assembling their direction of Albert, but were driven bark

anticipated the respite is a clear gain tacked first. Sixty-third and Sixty-sixth orde while the enemy has his whole after a bitter struggle.

CADIZ, March 27th. APPEAL TO MUNITION WORKERS forces on the ground and cannot afford

AMSTERDAM, March 27th

The Trans-Atlantic Liner Palmas has 1 on the offensive, Foriaerts menting on A LONDON, March 27th. to lose an hour. So long as our front Mr. Winston Churchill has appealed holds, every mile the Germans gain means says that south of the break-through the landed 33 survivors of the Spanish steamer Artillery, which was torpedoed by a German submarine, to munition workers to make special a corresponding lengthening of their Allies ne collecting strong. battle is one of the greatest tests of en gnus machine gung、

Correspondents emphasise that the efforts to replace the serious losses of flanks exposed constantly to a more im which are intended for a

and ammunition.

minent threat of attack by the Allied upon, the Germans durance and determination ever imposed Our resources were sufficient to do thus

The Journal alleges that the Allies The Near East. combined Army attacked near La Fere upon soldiers in the field. Not even the He deprecates Easter holidaying, and French divisione have already inter on March 25th, and that the Americans troops retiring af Mons had a harder acknowledges the assurances already given vered in the valley of the Uise with ex are co-operating. time, yet our men dave stood it nobly by the men in many districts that there cellent effect,

Mr. Philip Gibbs says nover a more will be no loss in output. glorious

GERMANS SURPRISED AT OUR Bri throughout our history OUR PRESENT LINE

RESISTANCE: The Germans, on Tuerday afternoon, Erions, spirit his, beca shown eroasad the Anere near Mernil, but our six days and nights they fought

LONDON, March 28th.

LONDON, March 26th odds, bolding a ceaseless the river. The position is unchanged

messige sent by Reuter's Correspondent northward of this point, long, their faces are haggard and worn Northward of the Soimme there were local reporting the steady withdrawal of our communiqué

beards Their have grown were no further attacks last night at British Headquarters on the 26th inst We counter-attacked this morning

troops

The Press Bureau states-Our troops, during the night were pressed back a ehort distance on both banks of the Somme. We are, carly this morning, holding a line running approximately From Rosiores, Harbonnieres Sally-le- Sec, Meri Court-Labbe and thence to the Antre and to the Railway embankment to the south-westward We occupy Albert

BRITISH RECAPTURE GROUND.

7.50 810

12.45 p.m.

reserve anbies.“

counter-attacks drove them back acrossfman vid guns by The Press Bureau announces that thereThe following is a continuation of the

and

fire

gun

attack

reserves,

LATEST CABLES..

(THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.}

PROGRESS EASTWARD OF

JORDAN

OCCUPATION OF ASSALT

A Palestine oficial report states:- occupied. Esalt on Monday night-

Our mounted troops Vesterday morning the Hedjaz Bailway.

northward of the Sozame between the torn by the wire, and they are covered in repulsed, but a serious

through want of sleep, their clothes are engagements in which the enemy were angle of the Anere and the Somme, re dust and m 1 m a small party to attempted. Even so prisoners say the German everywhere held, was obliged weakened were approaching Amman, apoa

LATEST CABLES.

FRENCH FRONT.

ENEMY HELD EVERYWHERE.

PARIS, March 27th.

states: Yesterday evening and night the enemy, who was capturing Morlancourt and Chipilly

that they could hardly

d of the Somme now advance is much behind their time-table, by bis heavy losses, to slow down in his Our line We simultaneously advanced along the

were holding hands like tired runs through Bray Albert, Beaumont the tenacity of the resistance exceeding effort to

EARLIER CABLES. fine southward of the river to Proyart and leaning against each other Hamel, Pisieux, Ayette Boiry, Henin saying they deemed possible. The gallantry of our troops, who are A fresh Guard Division which was like drunken men, but holding brought up attacked in the neighbour heads gamely, showing so kind damay. to the Bearpe, and thence along the lack of supplies, and say that extreme We hold the line Le Chelle St. Auria further progrerad enstward of the Jordan

their and Wencourt just westward of Monchy The Prisoners, complain of the great defending the ground foot by foot, is up

LONDON March 26th. privations, they have suffered owing to beyond braise W

Palestine official report states:—Wo Bucquoy, did not make any The whole movement of impression. The enemy-made à number army was as orderly as though at man The Germans have been tacking Seattles true of the prisoners taken, but, souther approaches to Noyon, on the salt.

weariness is telling heavily. This is -Beauvlaignes north of Lessigny and on Monday, and we are approaching of other beavy attacks today northward envres. I have seen no

The enemy is offering little and southward of the Somme

slightly furried. The Army retains its morning and have captured Roye. The thanke to the dense masses of supports left bank of the Cine resistance, but our advance is dificult self-control and its will power is supreme, line here runs via Mericourt and the enemy is able constantly to replenish We repulsed at night time strong re- owing to heavy thunderstorms. inspired by courage and above all, hope Pezieres, westward of Roye, and westward his forward line with fresh units. He is connaissances attempting to reach our fulness an laith,

of Noyon

fighting desperately hard against time positions north-west of Noyon.

(Continued # Page 63

The French, heavily engaged westward of Rare, have been forced to give some ground, but reinforcements are arriving

50

walk,

original

E