St. John's Daily Star, 1917-04-30

              The St. John's Daily Star Newfoundland VOLUME 111. ($3.00 per Annum) MONDAY, APRIL 30, 1917. (Price: One Cent.) No. 98. BITTER FIGHTING ON ARRAS FRONT, HUNS MAKE FIERCE COUNTER-ATTACKS Huns Pay Heavy Price For Their Opposition English Newspaper Give Great Praise to Nflders UNITEDT STATES PLEADS FOR SETTLEMENT OF THE HOME RULE DISPUTE NO LET UP IN BIG FIGHT Battle Still Raging Between Oppy and Gevrelle—British Posts Pushed Forward and Command Important Position—Germans Sacrificed in droves ideavor to Stem British Advance BRITISH WELL ESTABLISHED IN ARLEUX WOOD I ON DON, April 30—Bitter lighting continued throughout last night and ii-clay on the front of the British . c, Reuters Correspondent at h Headquarters telegraphs. The m apparently, have a good idea c principal points against which : itisn effort is directed and which be carried before it will be possible to go ahead again. The Germans are throwing fresh to defend these positions as quick it is posible to hurry them up the c lour of the Scarpe Valley which is favorable to the establishc r Mt of machine Run positions whicii?are diracult to detect and therefore are very hard to deal with by artillery fire, but they are. gradually being subdued. . Just as in the last pitched battle, the hottest fighting centered a- Monchy, now Roeux, is the of the severest fighting. j The correspondent continues, the, Germans appreciate the tactical value of Roeux as a compliment to Monchy are sacrificing their troops in droves to* keep the British out, but the big guns are making them pay a heavy price for their opposition. All night long the battle crashed and thundered around Roeux and the high sun of this perfect Sabbath morning must be looking down upon a veritable German Holocaust. We are well established at Arleux West of Acheville. Our posts were pushed forward up the Western slope of Greenland Hill and now command the cross roads to the Northward at its summit. Betwen Oppy and Gavrelle, the struggle is proceeding with a degree of intensity which renders it impossible to define the situation. HUNS MAKE BIG EFFORT STOP BRITISH ADVANCE Regardless of Loss of Life, Make Ferocious Counter-Attacks BRITISH CAPTURE OPPY AND ARLEUX CANADIANS ARE AGAIN IN ACTION WITH THE BRITISH ARMY " AFIEUX April 28.—British troops have turned the German's "Wotan Line." Half of the village of Oppy, be lieved to be the northernmost town of this German defence front, was captured to-day in a desperate hot fight. Arleu-en-Gobelle, a trifle further t} the north, also fell to the tremendous British assault. Information from other sections of the British front reaching the spot from which this despatch is written, derailed fighting on a tremendous scale of intensity around Oppy and Arleux, which is still progressing after a night of unceasing clash. The armies of both sides have swayed back and forth in the struggle, but the latest report to-day showed the British still in possession of half of Oppy and all of Arleux, beating back desperate German* counter attacks around Gavrelle. More Desperate Fighting British Headquarters in France, April 29th. — There was more desperate fighting along the British front to-day, the Germans evidently spurred on by declarations from Field Marshal Yon Hindenburg, that they must hold their present positions at all costs, are making resistance more stubborn than any heretofore encountered at the various points captured in the first onward rush by the British. The Germans have been ordered into counter-attacks with reckless disregard to loss to-day, and it was possible near Oppy to see at one time no less than five grey waves of Germans blindly facing the British line in an attempt to retake their lost positions. Heavy shells broke upon them in a great explosive torrent. Where each shell burst, great gaps were cut in the ranks of the oncoming men. Those who penetrated the British barrage from the larger calibre guns were met by field gun fire and mowed down under continuous sprays of machine gun bullets. Under this fire the attack was utterly broken down. Hand-to-Hand Encounters In some places there was ferocious hand-to-hand fighting, and the British got in well with the bayonet. There was one bit of fighting in which even bayonets were forgotten, and men went at each other's throats and eyes. Many Germans went down to their deaths from blows from rifle butts. The attack began with the coming of dawn, and extended in an easterly direction from Vimy Ridge at its northern hinge, and on the southward to the Scarpe. Progress was made everywhere. The so-called Oppy-Mencourt line, which protects Drocourt switch to the Hindenburg line, was pierced again., The Canadians, who.; had been more or less resting since they swept the Ger mans off both slopes of Vimy Ridge on Easter Monday, made a brilliant assault against Arleux-en-Gobelle and captured the village and held it against all counter-attacks. The British crossed the German lines just west of Oppy. There had been fierce fighting about that village all day. JAPANESE WILL NOW GIVE ALLIES MORE ASSISTANCE Impression Created That Japan Will Soon Make Sensational Move London, April 28—The possibility of greater participation by Japan in the war has been discussed for some time. Baron Kato, a Japanese diplomatist, is quoted as saying that Japan is engaging in conferences- contempiating a larger part in the war, Japan being determined to collaborate to the fullest extent to the defeat of Germany.He added that he regretted it was impossible because of the distance, for Japan's Army to fight alongside the armies of her Allies; nevertheless the impression has been created that Japan will soon make a sensational move of great advantage to the Allied cause. Wilh«lm HoUenzollern may fall where Bonaparte fell—at Waterloo. And on the same date, 102 years later. SU-aCogi&t- lorure ttat jUJjifilr.jjreat-nt rate pf progress the French, British and Belgians will have forcecTtTte" Germans to Waterloo by Juno l>, anniversary of the famous battle. Should the Germans stand at Waterloo, and be defeated, they would have to evacuate all the Belgian ceast. Brussels and Antwerp also would be untenable. , • PRESENT BATTLE LINES IN FRANCE AND BELGIUM, SHOW* ING HOW THE BRITISH ARE DRIVING THE GERMANS TOWARD WATERLOO. THE DENT FORCED IN THE GERMAN LINE BETWEEN SOISSONS AND RtfEIMS BY THE FRENCH ADVANCE 13 ALSO SHOWN. MORE GAINS FOR BRITISH Another Barrier to Progress of Allies Falls Before Daring and Intrepidity of British Troops BERLIN ADMITS BRITISH SUCCESS THREE miles of territory stretching from Arleux en Gabelle to Gavrelle is still the scene of great battles for supremacy between the British an 3 Germans, and. in them the British continue to hold the advantage. Another trench system in the parrier to the forward march of Field Marshal Haig's forces toward Douai has been taken over a front of a mile in most sanguinary fighting. The new position lies south of Oppy and runs almost to the outskirts of Gavrelle. The British went into the fray with their usual spirit and intrepidity. The Germans resisted strpngly, but King George's men would not be denied and soon drove out the defenders of the position and entered. Counter-atacks launched bj« the Germans'were unavailable and-at the close of the day the British were in full possession. Their new gain is an appreciably better position than they held previously for -the continuation of their offensive eastward toward Douai. Thrilling Battle When dawn broke over the battlefield on Sunday it found the Canadians holding tenaciously to Arleux en Gabelle, which they had captured on Saturday in a thrilling battle. Their night hacj not been a restful one for the Germans threw three heavy counter-attacks again st them, which required hard work to put down with their rifle and machinegun fire. This task tjiey, however, successfully accomplished, during which heavy casualties were inflicted on the Germans. Berlin has .admitted -the loss to the Canadians of Arleux en Gabelle and other parts to Field Marshal Haig's army. Oppy and positions near Gravelfe and Roeux which are characterised as advanced positions. The German War Office adds, however, that except for the Arleux postIItions all were regained and that the British suffered extraordinary losses. Many Prisoners Since the commencement of the offen sive on Saturday, the number of prisoners taken by the British has materially increased, nearly one thousand Germans ! having been sent to prisoners cages I back of the fighting line up to Sunday evening. Although unofficial advices are to the effect that Rosut is the scene of a titanic struggle the official reports make no mention of the fact. . From the bend in the line North East of Soissons well into Champagne the;air resounds with the roar of the big guns of the French and Germans. There is still little infantry activity throughout these regions. French Gain Ground North West of Rheims the French have gained considerable ground in isolated attacks and have taken prisoners. The expectation in Peking is that £hina, within two weeks, will declare war on Germany and already a special commission for international affairs has advised the Government that China should take her place beside the United States and the Entente a$ an antagonist of Germany and Parliament soon will finally decide on China's part. Germany during the first two months of her unrestricted submarine war has sunk freight vessels aggregating a tonnage of 16,000.000 more than 1,000,--000 tons of it is British according to a statement made to Germany in the Reichstag by the Imperial Secretary. The political trend of Hungary is declared in unofficial despatches to be toward demoralization . The expansion of democratic electoral reforms and the faciliation of the acquisition of land by ,all classes of the populace are in contem plation by thhe Government. m^mmmmm WILL STOP EXPORTS TO SWITZERLAND Switzerland Has Been Exporting Quantities of Food to Germany DARIS, April 28—Jean He.betts, in The Echo de Paris, discussing the blockade question and the question of food reaching Germany through neutral countries, quotes from a report, the reliability of which the writer guar rantees, although he says he is unable to reveal the source, that Switzerland,, during the first nine months of 1913 exported two hundred thousand pounds of corn and cereals to Germany. During the coresponding . time of 1916 the exports of cereals exceeded one million, one hundred thousand pounds. Fruits, cheese, condensed milk and cattle increased in similar proportions. It is the duty of the United States, he says, to compel neutrals to make this choice forthwith in agreement with her Allies. PLEDGED THEMSELVES TO CAUSE OF JUSTICE Representatives of France and Britain Pay Homage to Washington's Memory; NEITHER MUSIC NOR APPLAUSE BUT SOLEMN, FITTING TRIBUTE WASHINGTON, April 30—Beneath the tomb of Washington, the spokesmen of the three democracies paid homage to America's great soldier and in a statement pledged themselves each to the other in the name of the dead to prosecute the present mighty struggle against the autocracy on the lines he himself had foliowed in bringing America into being. Nature was in her most bounteous garb; the ever-green chernel sentinels before the tomb stood out boldly, the new life just blossoming was the only sign of human change since Washington was laid to rest so long ago, with the flags of the three Allies over the arched entrance to the tomb itself in groups of The eminent gathering, including members of Congress, •>•■>' through the sloping ground irom the river bank until perhaps half a hundred with bared heads stood in a semicircle before the tomb. Without formality, the Secretary motioned to M. Viviani, Minister of Justice and former Premier of France, who advanced slowly to the centre before the tomb of him whose efforts toward liberty his own ancestors had gloriously aided. M. Viviani's address in which the whole force of his emotional power, deepened by this significance and sombreness of the occasion, fought for expression.Then came forward Arthur James Balfour, Foreign Secretary of Britain, who stood for a moment in silence, his tall, erect, kindly figure overcome with i,' that th* situat: n meanl in the lives of the two great Anglo-Saxon countries. Mr. Balfour abandoned his decision not to speak and gave expression to a few pointed sentences, evidently straight from his heart. Britain had honored Washington as she never did before. M. Viviani. said Mr. Balfour. has expressed in most eloquent words the feelings which grip us all here today; he has not only paid a fitting tribute to the great statesman, but has brought our thoughts most vividry down to the present to the thousands who have given their lives. French. Russian, Italian, Belgium, Serbian, Montenegrin, Roumanian, Japanese and British were fighting for what they believed to be the cause of liberty. He said there is no place in the world where speech of the cause of liberty would be better placed than here at; the tomb of Washington. Mr. Balfour continued: "But as that work has been so adequately done  the master of oratory perhaps you will permit mc to read a few- words prepared by the British Mission, for a wreath we are able to leave here to-day dedicated by the British Mission to the immortal memory of George Washington, Soldier, Statesman, Patriot, who would have rejoiced to see the country of which he was by birth a citizen, the country which his genius called into ex istence, fighting side by side to save mankind from subjection to a military despotism." Marshal Joffre, vicior of the Marne and idol of the French people next .♦..';.; forward ;, I 1 V ' Marshal's uniform. Simply and earnestly he spoke in French two brief sentences. "In the French army all venerate the name and memory of Washington. I respect fully salute here the great soldier and lay upon his tomb the palm we offer to our soldiers who have died for their country." The French officers came forward with a bronze wreath from th* French Nation. Bending over,-the Marshal 1 passed through the narrow entrance and solemnly placed the wreath upon the stone coffin. He'then stood silently at the salute; the General who is accredited with saving France to the ' General who won the liberty of the United States of America. As Marshal Joffre passed back among the spectators, Mr. Balfour came forward with the British wreath, Lilies and Oak leaves tied with the colors of the three Allied nations. He too entered the tomb ana placed the British wreath token heside the French ; while Lieut. General Bridge stood '■ outside at the salute. There was neither music nor applause and except for the brief words of the speakers, the eternal silence and peace of the place was not broken. The little gathering looked on with emotion too Varied and profound for expression, and as Balfour withdrew the spectators felt, without being tohi, that the ceremony was over. The party again broke into groups and filed up to the [awn of the Mount I Vernon home-. ■ U. S. PETITION ON HOME RULE Many Members of U. S. Congress Send Cable to Lloyd-George Urging Settlement of Irish Home Rule Question —Consulted With Members of British Commission WOULD CREATE ENTHUSIASM AMONGST ALL AMERICANS WASHINGTON, April 30—A cable urg ing the settlement of the Irish problem was sent to Premier Lloyd George last night by two hundred representatives of Congress headed by speaker Champ Clarke. There is great interest in this country over the situation. The Irish Home Rule question has been discussed by American officials with members of the British Commission now visiting the United States. The message sent by the representatives follows: "You are quoted as saying that a settlement of the Irish question is essential for the peace of the world and for speedy victory in the war, may we as members of the American Congress suggest that nothing will add more to the enthusiasm of America in this war than the settlement now of the Irish problem. "We believe all Americans will be deeply stirred and other enthusiastic efforts enlisted if the British Empire will now settle this problem in accordance with the principles announced by President Wilson in his address to Congress asking it to declare war on autocracy for the world-wide safety of democracy and small nationalities." FRENCH TROOPS ATTACK GERMANS NEAR RHEIMS I Bulgarians Make Raid .On English Trenches But Are Repulsed "Paris, April 29—French troops, last night attacked German positions near Courcy, northwest of Rheims, the War Office announced.' They gained consid erable ground and took one hundred and fifty prisoners. . German, attacks in the Champagne failed. In Upper Alsace the French advanced as far as. the second German line at several points inflicting losses on their adversaries and bringing back prisoners. Died from Brutal Treatment Oltawa, April 28—Private William Brooke* son of M:-. C. J. Brocke, of , Ottawa, who was captured by the Germans at the first battle of Ypres, died in a German prison early in March, according to a notification received by his mother last night. Brooke was undergoing twelve years' sentence in solitary confinement imposed by the Huns following his refusal to work in a mv- If irr CURTAINS JI _____ frora 65c, 70c, || 90c, $1.40, up to $7.00 sett. up to 55 c. per yard. . (I CASEMENT p^i i in || WHITE and CREAM, 30c. I SPRING ROLLER I WINDOW BLINDS, 67 cents each. I OIL CLOTH SHELVING, ;i; 12 and 14 inch. I Assorted Shades and Designs. * And all other requirements for I SPRING HOUSE CLEANING. I Full VALUE On AH Purchases. I Bowring Bros.? Ltd. ADVERTISE PERSISTENTLY IN THE ST. JOHN'S DAILY STAR ADVERTISE IN THE DAILY STAR SZWBq sure and Read The Star