The Guardian from London, Greater London, England • 5

THE MANCHESTER GUARDIAN WEDNESDAY, ARIL 11. 1917. BRITISH PUSH ON. TOWARDS LA BASSEE." FREE RUSSIA'S WAR AIM. U.S.

AND ALLIES. BRITISH ADVANCE IN MESOPOTAMIA. ages and types. I saw elderly whiskered men with big spectacles, belonging to the professor tribe, and young lads who ought to have been in 4 German high schools. Some of their faces looked very wizened and small beneath their great shrapnel helmets.

Many of them looked ill and starved, but others were tall, stout, hefty fellows, who should have made good fighting men if they had any stomach for the job. Vexed German Officers. There were many officers standing apart. OVER 100 GUNS TAKEN PRISONERS NOW EXCEED 11,000. HARD FIGHTING ON BIG TUMEL GARRISONS CAPTURED.

SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S REPORTS. Tuesday, 11 50 Morning. Duriusf the night there was severe Vimy Ridge, where the enemy had retained a footing. He was ejected, and an attempted counter-attack failed to materialised The eastern slope of the Ridge has been cleared of the enemy, and winter-attacks repulsed. Our troops advanced and seized the village of Fampoux and neighbouring defences north south of the Scarpe.

The number of prisoners taken runs have been captured. In the neighbourhood of St. Qncntin the enemy have been driven fpm the high ground between Le. Verguier and Ilargicourt. ighting continues throughout the whole battle front.

After an intense bombardment the enemy made a strong attack last right on a narrow front south-east of Yprcs, and succeeded in reaching our support lines. Ife was immediately ejected from our trenches, leaving several dead. Our operations have been continued energetically to-day, in spite of The Canadians took over 200 of them, among whom were several forward observation officers, very bad-tempered with their luck, because tho men had not told them they were going to bolt and had left them in front positions. All the officers were disconcerted because of the cheerfulness of the men at being taken. I talked with a few of the officers.

They told me of the horrors of living under our bombardment. Some of them had been without food for four days because our gunfire had boxed them in. "-When do you think the war will end?" I asltod one of them. "When the English are in Berlin," he answered, and I think ho meant that that would be a long time. Another officer said, "In two months," and gave no reason for his certainty.

"What about America?" I asked one of them. He shrugged his shoulders and said, It is bad for us, very bar, but after all America can't send an army across the ocean." At this statement Canadian soldiers standing around laughed loudly, and said: "Don't you believe it, old sport. We have como along to fight you, and the Yankees will do the same." On to Farbus. By three o'clock in the afternoon yesterday the Canadians had gained the whole of tho ridge except the high, strong post on the left of Hill 145, captured afterwards during the night. Our gunfire had helped them by breaking down all tho wire, even round Heroes' Wood and Counts' Wood, where it was very thick and strong.

Thelus was wiped utterly off the map. This morning Canadian patrols pushed in a snowstorm through Farbus Wood and established outposts on the railway embankment. Some of tho bravest work was done bv JLA tfCHKS'IEli 1 -aDouvtin m. 1 A TV Xi TfeIpu' flv IOH.MMMMMnmnMHMIIIIMIMIl5BESEES heavy snowstorms and generally unfavourable weather. We reached the outskirts of Monchy-le-Preux, five miles east of Arras and hae cleared Farbus and Farbus Wood.

Hard fight in--' took place again this ihc Vimy Ridge, in which we gained a niiiMiMT-of prisoners and machine In die direction of Cambrai we village Ijonverval. counter-attacks as the enemy has attempted at different points along our trout nave met with no success. The number of prisoners taken by yosterna now exceeds 11,000, including 2So officers. YVY have also captured over 100 puns up lit Nih calibre, (10 trench mortals, and 163 machine-guns. i'i- aeroplanes performed valuable work yesterday in co-operation villi inn- infantry, and in a number maehirtc-gim fire hostile reinforcements.

Bombing expeditions were alM carried out. in which a number of hits were obtained upon a large railway milled by the enemy, As a resm't of air lighting ihree German aeroplanes were destroyed and To If MILES. mmm British line. LINE ON JAN. 1 Os6 To Lille VenfinjV'tii Fresnes tiamel CONQUEST DOMINATION DISCLAIMED.

GOVERNMENT PROCLAMATION (From our Correspondent.) Petrograd, SrNDAT. a M. Kerensky, the Socialist Minister of Justice, announces that the declaration of M. MilynkofF, Minister for Foroign Affairs, on the aims of Russia and the Allies in the peace settlement expresses only M. Milyti-kofFs persona views, not those of the Government.

Tho "Russky Invalid," the organ of the General Staff, asserts that 25,000 Russians have fallen in the Stokhad defeat through the loss of spirit following the internal situation. The article ends: ''Citizens, give the army back its discipline! Send it shells!" (R-euter's Correspondent.) Petrograd, Tuesday. The following proclamation is issued by the Provisional Government: Haying examined the military situation, the Russian Government, in the name of duty to the country, has decided to tell the people directly and openly the whole truth. The regime which has now been overthrown left the defence of the country in a badlv disor ganised condition. By its culpablo inaction and its inept measures it introduced disorganisation into our finances and into provisioning and tbe transport and supply of munitions to tliu army.

It weakened the whole of our economic organisation. Tbe Provisional Government, with the active co-operation of the whole nation, will devote all its energies to the repair of thpse serious consequences of the old regime. But time is pressing. The blood of many sons of the fatherland has been shed freely in the course of these two and a half long years of war. but the country is still capable of a powerful blow at the enemy, who occupies whole territories of our State, and is now, in the days of the birth of Russian liberty, threatening us with a new and decisive thrust.

Tbe defence, cost what it may, of our national patrimony and the deliverance of the country from the enemy who invades our borders constitute the capital and vital problem before our warriors, who are defending the liberty of the people. For Peace and Liberty. The Government deems it to he its right and duty to declare now that free Russia does not aim at the domination of other nations, at depriving them of their national patrimony, or at occupying by force foreign territories, but that its object is to establish a durable peace on the bat is of tbe rights of nations to decide their own destiny. The Russian nation does not lust after the strengthening of its power abroad at the expense of other nations. Its aim is not to subjugate or humiliate anyone.

In the name of tho higher principles of equity it has removed the chains which weighed upon the Polish people. But the Russian nation will Tin olli ite afhnrlnnrl fn Cfmo. ollf. of thp. great struggle humiliated and weakened in its vital lorces.

These principles will constitute the basis of the foreign policy of the Provisional Government, which will carry out unfailingly the popular will and safeguard the rights of our fatherland, while observing the engagements entered into with our Allies. The Provisional Government of free Russia has no right to hide the truth. The State is in danger. Every effort must be made to save it. Let the country respond to the truth when nnt hv atari opnression.

not uv discouragement, but by unanimous vigour, with a view to iiic creauun ui ucwvjjii.i. This will give us new strength for the struggle mir cnl In the hour of rude trial let the whole country find in ltselt strength to consolidate tne iioenv woiv, 10 rlovnte itself to untiring labour for the welfare Tho Provisional Government. Ol lice which has given a solemn oath to serve the people is firmly connaeni ma wuu ujc iiai Ind unanimous support of each one and all it will itself be able to do its duty to the country to the end. President of Council, Prince Lvoff. MINISTERS AND THE WORKMEN'S COUNCIL; A NECESSARY SUPPORT.

(Renter's Correspondent.) Petrograd, Tuesday. At the third day's sitting of the Congress of the Party of National Liberty M. Milyu-koff, Minister for Foreign Afiairs, made an eloquent speech, in the course of which he said that by the party's resolution in regard to the war the Allies would feel assured that in democratic Russia they had an even more trustworthy ally than they had in Imperial Reviewing the activities of the parties of the Left, M. Milyukoff frankly nccicrnorl tr them the honour of brinsinu; about the revolution and of organising things during the oiirly days following the destruction- of the old regime. Other Parliamentary groups, said the Minister, rallied to zne revolution considerably later in the day, with the result that the parties of the Left had to bear the whole burden of the more responsible and more important work in the elaboration of the new organisation of Russia, and they had acquitted themselves of this task with honour.

M. Nekrassoff, Minister of Ways and Communications, agreed that the fact that a state of anarchy had been avoided was entirely due to the organising activities of the parties of the Left and their organ, the" Committee1 of Workmen's and Soldiers' Delegates. With regard to. the mutual relations existing tiot.uronn thin hndv and the Provisional Gov ernment, M. Nekrassoff declared that all ap- r.

1 prehensions ot any overlapping or powers might be dismissed. Any friction always proved capable of adjustment. The Provisional Government could not govern Russia iiMlinnt. Committee's sunnort. as rha bfov- erament at the present time ras more autocratic than under the dynasty which had been overthrown, and must of necessity have some body to control its actions.

He added In any case, we shall not readily act against our convictions by surrendering our power under pressure of extremist currents. We shall only relinquish power when we feel that we are nAvarloefi anrl spi that. Ho Tint-, nnaspsa ffiA support of any social group in THE EXTSAR'S PROPERTIES. (R-euter's Correspondent.) Petrograd, Tuesday. The Provisional Government has issued an order directing the transference to the respective Ministries concerned of the estates, buildings, mines, factories, and the investments belonging to the ex-Tsar.

AMERICAN LINER MINED. SHIP DOCKED AND NO LIVES LOST. (Exchange Telegram.) Washington, Tuesday. It is officially announced that the American liner New York has struck a mine. The State Department announces that the pas1 sengers are safe.

A full message from the Consul says "New York struck mine 7: 4tt last night. Pangera transferred, to. other vessels Sand landed, except four who are still on the were no casualties. She is proceeding under her own steam; and is now entering dock." The New York, which belOBgs'tq th American vessel of 10,799 grob tonnage and 4,643 net ton- FIGHTING TO THE NORTH TALKED OF. (Pbess Association War War Cobeespondents' Headquabtebs, Tuesday.

Throughout the night there has been keen fighting on the British front. The British offensive is favourably extending northwards, so that this morning I hear of fighting towards. La Bassee. Latek. To-day we are wholly absorbed in the line from St.

Qucntin almost to La Bassec. The stream of troops moving forward throughout the day all along tho front is a very fair token of the weight we are fchrovng into the offensive. In one village this afternoon I counted within the space of half an heir seven battalions, each headed bv its owd GUARDIAN MAP DEPARTMENT O0 YBIUUI. i hand and marching as though to a reiev instead of into battle. Amongst the prisoners taken yesterday were tne commander of the i7th Division and a regimental commander of the 8th Bavarian Division.

A pair of heavv howitzers mounted on the uauit oi ine nver Scarpe was taken by a party of cavalry. The horsemen charged the gunners tho fine old style, cutting down those who resisted, and put the weapons effectually out of action until they could be brought in. THE FRENCH REPORTS Tbesdat Afternoon. To the north of tho Ctim onmtv ftrfUlarrr has shown less activity than during the preceding days. There have been patrol en-covnters and.

firing in the first lines. To the south of the Oise we have made progress to the east of the Lower Forest of Coney. xnere has been a rather lively artillery struggle in the region north-west of Soissons, rvtwiy me sector of ljattaux. To the north of the Oise the artillery was active on both sides. To the south of the Oise our batteries earned out destructive firing on the German organisations to the east of Couchy.

To the south of the Ailette the enemy violently bombarded our positions in the sector of Neuvillersur-MarmVo On the west bank of the Meuse, towards Betbincourt, we took under the fire of our guns a tram, which was completely destroyed. In the course nf t.ha io.aol lieutenant Regnier brought down his fifth enemy machine and Adjutant Donchy his THE GERMAN REPORTS. (Admiralty, pEr Wireless Press.) Tuksbay Afternoon. Army Group of the German Crowm Prince. A French attack near Laffanx (north-east of Spisspns) broke down under our fire.

Along the Aisne and near Rheims the fighting activity of the artillery was very lively from' noon onwards. v.ArmLGrenp of Doke Albrecht of Wurtem-berg. There were no events of importance. Duke Albrecht, who appears in command of an army group from' Lorraine through Alsace to the frontier, formerly commanded the German front in Flanders. Evening.

On the Aisne front the livelv artillerv duel continues. A LOAN OF THREE BILLION DOLLARS. FLEET OF WOODEN SHIPS. i (Reltkr's Correspondent.) Washington, Tuesday. President Wilson, has formally approved of the Shipping Board's programme to build fleet of a thousand wooden vessels, of ahont 3,000 tons each, to meet the loss of tonnaio through submarines, the first vessel to he ready in five months.

Congress has authorised the expenditure of S50.000.000, of which the Board request's $10,000,000 to within the next few davs. Tho programme provides for the hnildins of 200.000 tons roonthlv. Contrnrt-? have already been settled. By October the shipyards on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts nrc expootcd to he turning out two or threp vessels daily, which will be leaded to private shipping concerns. The Loan to the Allies.

Mr. McAdoo, in officially announcing tho proposed financial programme for raising five billion dollars, of which three billions will bo loaned to the Allies, predicts that the amount will be overwhelmingly over subscribed. Offers of services made by bankers and others assure the success of the bond issue. It is probable that tho bonds will be in denominations as low as It is possible that the entire sum will not be placed in a lump sum, but will be issued from time to time as tho money is required. Tho bondsr will be exempt from taxation, and will probably boar interest at tho rate of 3j- per cent.

Mr. Mi-Adoo's statement adds: "The most serviceable thing; we can do immediately fur the common cause is to furnish credits in those foreign Governments who, in conjirfls tion with us, are fighting Germany. This financial aid ought to be extended at tho earliest possible moment. It will bo trebly valuable and effective if extended now." The proposal is to purchase obligations of the foreign Governments to whom credit is given, such obligations to bear the same rate of interest and in other essentials to embody the same terms and conditions as the bonds of the United States. Austrian Merchantmen Taken Over." Altogether fourteen Austrian merchantmen havo been taken over, including the Martha.

Washington, and the Himalaia. Tho statement is made that the Government has not confiscated these vessels, but has taken action in order to protect them from further injury. SHELLS FOR THE ALLIES. (Exchange Telegram. 1 Washington, Tuesday.

The United States is determined that previous war blunders shall not be repeated. The Council of National Defence made certain of this when it appointed a General Munitions Board to ensure prompt delivery of quantities of munitions, as well as to ensure to tho army and navy the supplies of shells necessary to meet all conditions of warfare. An important phase of the Board's work will be tho ensuring of prompt delivery of munitions to the Allies. A report from the Wilson Conference declares that thp President favours the British plan of entrusting a few men with the actual handling of tho war. BRAZIL AND GERMANY.

SEVERANCE OP DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS. (Reuter'b Correspondents.) Rio de Janeiro Tuesday. Brazil has broken off diplomatic relations with Germany. Switzerland will take charge of Brazilian interests in the latter country. This step will probably be followed by the confiscation of the German ships in Brazilian ports.

The possibility of a reconstruction of the Cabinet was considered at the last C-binet meeting. It is stated that tho Ministers will send in their resignations en bloc immediately after the rupture of negotiations. Cherbourg, Tuesday. Tho inquiry conducted by Senhor Clark, Secretary of the Brazilian legation in Paris, into the sinking of the Parana has established the fact that several of the crew saw the submarine which sent the vessel to the bottom. After launching the torpedo the submarine went about in order to get on the other quarter of the Parana, and fired five shells at her.

Tho enemy probably hoped that the steamer, struck on both sides, would sink at once, and that not a single sailor would survive, with the result that there would bo nobody to contradict the suggestion that the vessel struck a mine. The rapid arrival of the French torpedo-boats which picked up the survivors checkmated this plan. (Exchange Telegram.) Rip de Janeiro, Tuesday. From reliable sources it is ascertained that the German Ambassador's passports have been signed ready for instant delivery. The guard on board the interned ships has been increased.

It is renorted that the Foreicn Minister. Dr. Miiller, has-resigned, and that M. Amaro Cavalcanti, the Prefect of Rio de Janeiro, is to succeed him. GUATEMALA IN READINESS.

(Reoter's, Correspondent.) Washington, The announcement that President Cabrera has proclaimed martial law in Guatemala strengthens the belief of United States officials that Guatemala will soon, join in the war against Germany. President Cabrera's reported action in placing the army in position to suppress any plot eiwier on the Mexican or Salvadorean borders is regarded as a preliminary to that step. ARGENTINA. (Reutkr's Correspondent.) Buenos Ayres, Tuesday. President Irigoyen and the Cabinet Ministers to-day.

had a long conference on international questions, and especially the posir tion in which Argentina is placed by the rupture of relations between the United States, Cuba, and Panama Germany. A farther meeting will be held to continue the consideration of the situation. v. CIBOP'S CONDITION FOR NEUTRALITY. (Bjsuter's Correspondent.) i Santiago de Chtle, Tdesdai.

It is authoritatively stated in 'official auarters here that Chili Srill -her attitude of neutrality as long as sjje is -not TURKISH CONVERGING PLAN. The Secretary of the War Office announces The TurJriifn forces which, in the report issued on April 6, were reported to be retiring in the direction of Kifri aTe now apparently, contemplating a converging- movement in conjunction with foe Turkish troops on the left bank of the Tigris against our forces in. the area between the Shatt-el-Adhaim and the Diala, while containing the Russian, detachments on the upper reaches of the latter river. Our troops on April 8 were reported to be in contact with advanced Turkish detachments on the line Garia-Deli Abbas and to be in possession of the left bank of the 1 i 1 30 RAILWAYS On the same day we captured Belad station, on the Bagdad-Samara railway, about 50 miles north-north-west of Bagdad; and Harbe, four miles to the north of Belad, was occupied on the morning of April 9. During the course of the operations of April 8 nine officers, 200 other ranks, two machine-guns, and railway material were captured.

RUSSIAN PROGRESS. (AdMIKALIV, PER WlBKtESS PRESS.) Yesterday's liussian report states: Caucasian Front. In the direction of Pend-jivin our troops, having dislodged the Turks from their positions, in the region of Nirban (13 1-3 miles south-west of Bane) arte continuing their offensive. In the direction of Khanikin our troops liave occupied Kizil-Rabat (26i miles southwest of Khanikin). NORTH OF BAGDAD.

TURKS DRIVEN FROM STRONG POSITIONS. Mr. Edmund Candler, the representative of the British press' with the lxpcditionary Force in Mesopotamia, sends the following by cable dated March 31, via Bagdad and Basra The Turkish army lately frpm Persia lies between our camp here and the Russians. The position on the hills which they evacuated was very strong its right flank on the River Diala, its 4,500 yards east of the Khanikin road, and its front covered by the Beled Ruz Canal, which forms a natural moat to the glacis. The whole ridge commanding the plain forms an ideal vantage ground for observation.

On the 26th we attacked the position. We crossed the Beled Ruz Canal two miles cast of the Khanikin road, and attempted to turn the Turks' left, but the enemy held the heights stubbornly with a force approximating to 6,000 rifles, 250 sabres, and 24 guns. Our cavalry have been engaging the enemy on the right bank of the Diala, and have driven him out of his position at Deli Abbas. Our cavalry, horso and field artillery co-operated on the left bank. Fifty Turkish dead were found on the scene of the action.

HINDENBUKG CONFIDENT. ALL FRONTS PROOF AGAINST ANY ATTACK." -(Press Association War Special.) Amsterdam, Tuesday. A Berlin, telegram contains an account of an interview given by Marshal von Hinden- burg to a representative of the Barcelona journal Vanguardia," in the course of which the Field Marshal said: In deciding upon unrestricted U-boat warfare, notwithstanding the possibility of America coming to the assistance of the Entente Powers, we deemed such assistance as of no weight. I certainly admit that the financial assistance of the United States should be looked upon as an additional asset for our enemies, but in this war, contrary to what has been the case in other wars, money has proved not to be the most important matter for the conduct of military operations. If the British fleet, with the help of the French, Italian, Russian, and Japanese navies has hitherto been unable to overcome the U-boat danger, the American fleet will not succeed either.

The Entente has no weapon against boats. The sea barrier continues with growing effectiveness. The more ships there are on the ocean the greater will be the U-boats' booty. American Military Aid Remote. Even with the most intense work and with the greatest support from the Entente countries in sending to America officers to give instruction, no American expeditionary corps of any considerable strength can be expected to be ready for despatch to Europe for at least a year.

On the other hand, this year is, according to the statements of the Entente leaders, to bring the final decision. Moreover, we, too, have taken our measures. Our eastern front has been so consolidated, and 4s how garrisoned by such a mass of men that General Brusiloff, even with the most ruthless sacrifice of men, can. no success. Even the crassest- optimist in the Entente camp cannot to-day deny that recent events in Russia will promote our plans.

Last year we required our strategicar army reserve to repulse BrusilofE's irruption, and the western front was thrown upon its own limited resources. Nevertheless, the Anglo-French attack was repulsed. To-day things are fundamentalr different. The western front has become so strong that we can withstand every attack with absolute security. On all our fronts we have to-day at our free disposal an army reserve of a strength and preparedness which have not been equalled at any other time during the war, Teady for defence or attack at any point we may choose-Nothing which happens on any front, in the sea, or in the air should be regarded aa an isolated phenomenon.

Everything is. part of one great plan. In this sense our army and navjr have become oneN To-day, after only two months of U-boat warfare, I oan steeady tell you that our calculation, was correct. The coarse which we adopted, with full appreciation of all the dangers which it entailed, is leadingus to the goal. We have con-sidered all the possibilities, and, acting on the best of human knowledge and conscience, we have chosen those which will lead us to victory ToKcsul I UJ5AGDAD tour others were lorced down.

One THE GERMAN Armv (Jroiip of Crown Prince Rupprecht of vend days' activity on the part of masses of artillery and mine-tb rowers, the tvidislt yesterday morning attacked our lineson a twenty kilometres front. After the most m-cni mcrc'ise in their fire they succeeded, as inir on the radiating from END OF VIMY RIDGE. fighting at the northern end of the yesterday exceeds 9.000, and over 40 9 27 Xight. on the northern end of further important positions took guns. have advanced our line within the us since the opening of our attack guns, among them a nnmber of heavv of cases inflicted casualties with and three trams were wrecked.

ot our machines is missing. REPORTS. Tvksday Afternoon. Bavaria. The battlo near Arras continues tlio result- or bam hglitmg, penetrating Aims.

They did not succeed in breaking troops penetrated beyond the third English about fifty prisoners and seven machine-guns Evening. battalions, marshalling grinning at tho fate which had come to them and spared their lives. Tho Canadian attack yesterday was astound-ingly successful, and carried out by high-spiritod men, the victors of Courcelette in the battles of the Sommo, who had before the advance an utter and joyous confidence of victory. They went away at dawn, cheering and laughing through tho mud and rain which made scarecrows of them. They followed close and warily the barrage of our guns, the most stupendous line of fire ever seen, and by 6 30 they had taken their first goal, which included the whole front line system of German trenches above Neuville St.

Vaast, by La Folie Farm and La Folie Wood, and up by Tho! us, where they met with fierce resistance. The German garrisons were for the most part in long, deep tunnels pierced through the hill as assembly ditches. There were hundreds of them in Prinz Arnault Tunnel and hundreds more in tho great Volker Tunnel. But as the Canadians surged up to them in wave after wave of bayonets German soldiers streamed out and came running forward with hands up. They were eager to surrender, and their great desire was to get down from Vimy Ridge and the barrage of their own guns.

That barrage fell heavily and fiercely upon the Turco Trench, but too late to do much damage to our men, who had already gone beyond it. Joyful Prisoners. The Canadian casualties were not heavy in comparison with the expected losses, but the German prisoners were glad to pay for the gift of life by carrying our wounded back. The eagerness of these men was pitiful and now and then laughable. At least the Canadian escorts found greatlaughing matter in the enormous numbers of men they had to gnard and in the way the prisoners themselves directed the latest comers to the barbed-wire enclosures and with great satisfaction acted as masters of the ceremony to their own captivity.

I hare never seen such cheerful prisoners, although for the most part they were without overcoats and in a cold blizzard of snow. They were joking with each other and in great good humour, because life with all its hardships was dear to them, and they had he lock of life. They were of all sizes and i In stubbornly resisting the superiority or the enemy two ot our divisions suf re. considerable losses. To ilie south-east of Ypres otir storming bU' up shelters, and returned with, nmie-t rowers.

Unti-h attacks delivered after strong artillery fire on the southern bank of the Scarpe t.i:itil. THE CANADIANS' STORMING OF VIMY RIDGE. (From a Correspondent.) There was fighting yesterday afternoon on the north end of Vimy Ridge, and to the south the Canadians, who captured the ridge, pushed on to Farbus. East of Arras an advance of about two miles up the Scarpe Valley was won as far as Fampoux and the outskirts of Monchy-le-Preux. CORRESPONDENTS' IiEADQr ARTERS, FRANCE, Tl'ESDAY.

JJatJle of Arras is the greatest victory -t gained in this war and a stag-c'riiii Mow to the enemy. His losses in wounded, besides prisoners and preat. He is in retreat south of 1 ftlgo to defensive lines further 'k. as he goes onr guns are smashing roads. It is black day for 1 armies.

night tho Canadians gained called Hill 145, on the Vimy o. tho Germans held out a machine-guns, and this morning 0f that high ridge, which i- tho plain to Douai, is in our hands, shore is removed from our path, the sroa: Harrier for which the French and- our-f'vos have fought tbrotigh bloody years. Yivr, iay. before daylight and afterwards, 1 of Vimv all on fire with tie jrun.fir(. The enemy was 'T and his guns were answer-Ul-; yrixk a heavy barrage of high ex-Pt-ives.

morning the scene was changed as by .1 Snow was falling, blown gustily re the battlefields and powdering the helmets of oar men as they rode or ":3 forward to tho front. But sunlight broke through the storm clouds a' foodod all the countryside by Xeuville St. v-ast Thelus and La Polie Farm up to ir.vt the ridge, where the Canadians K.usht their way with such high butteries were firing from many hid-inc-pla, revealed by short, sharp flashes of ut- few answering shells came oack, jtsgj patched with snowdrift, as any hill of peace. It was '-usdiEff to think that not a sinele German Ia1 there out of a11 1OBe wh haA unless same wounded still T. great tunnels which pierce the i louring- Out of the Tunnels.

ls "2f almost, unbelievable to me, who have no tho evil of Hits high ridge month after and year after year and the deadly nr" Inrked about its lower slopes, had 1 Ki prnof below where Germans who of lnoro 3awn yesterday, thousands taiei. were down in our lines, drawn up in forward observation officers who elimbed to the top of Vimy Ridge as soon as it was captured and through the sea of heavy barrage reported back to the artillery all movements seen by them on the country below. In spite of the wild day our flying men were riding the storm and signalling to tho gunners who were rushing up their hold guns. "Our said a Canadian officer, "had the day of their lives." They found many targets. There were trains moving in Vimy village, and they hit them.

There were troops massing on sloping ground, and they were shattered. There were guns and limber on the move, and men and horses were killed. Above all tho prisoners tabes yesterday by tho English, Scottish, and Canadian troops, the enemy's losses were frightful, and the scenes behind his lines must have been, and must still be, hideous in slaughter and terror. Hard Fighting East of Arras. I have no time to-night to tell the full story of tho Battle of Arras, of all the great fighting on the right, where it was very hard in Blangy and onwards to Feuchy.

On this side the Germans fought most fiercely, and our own men were held up at Chapel Redoubt and other strong points until our gunfire knocked out these works and made a way for them. Fifty-four guns were taken, hero on the oast side of Arras, and to-dav the pursuit of the beaten enemy continues. (Copyright Reserved.) THE KING'S MESSAGE. CANADA WILL BE PROUD." The Press Bureau yesterday issued the fol lowing telegram from the King to Sir Douglas Haig: The whole Empire will rejoice at the news of yesteraay successful operations. Canada will be proud that the taking of the coveted Vimy Ridge has fallen to the lot of her troops.

I heartily congratulate you and all who Lave taken part in this splendid sShe hid a speed of 20 Jmota. and peace..