The Victoria Daily Times from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada • 1

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CALWELL, Prop. 17ELUIIGT0I1G0AL HALL WALKER lltt Oorarnment 8t Phono n. VOL. 50 VICTORIA, B. TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 1917 NO.

8G mAm TAKEN LIEUT. ROBINSON, V. AVIATOR AND HERO, REPORTED MISSING ON RIDGE, CANADIANS 4 rf TT YYT IT TJT TT a KING CONGRATULATES HAIG'S TROOPS; PRIDE OF CANADA JUSTIFIED EAST SLOPE OF VIMY RIDGE CLEARED OF GERMANS: GAIN WAS MADE NEAR ST. QUE1MTIN LUUR DUW UN DUUAl PLAIN; A CHEAP GAIN Troops From Dominion Pushed Forward From Line to Line Just As Planned, Important Victory Is Blow at a Vital Cord of the German System Village and Defences North and South of Scarpe River Taken By Haig's Men; More Than 9,000 Germans and 40 Machine Guns Taken Yesterday London, April 10. The Evening News says that, Lieut.

William Leefe Robinson, V.C., the first aviator to bring down a zeppelin in England, Is reported missing. Lieut. Robinson earned the Victoria Cross and became a popular hero In the United Kingdom last September by shooting; down a zeppelin at a height of 10,000 feet. The zeppelin, which was taking part In an attack on the London area, was brought down In flames at Cuffley. The lieutenant is 21 years of age.

OF ALLIES If E- Loudon, April 10. The news i I FURCE VII London, April 10. The correspondent of the Daily Express with the British armies on the Lens-Arras front says: "The Canadians have the Vimy ridge and are sitting on the far slopes, looking down on the plain of Douai. They took it with comparatively little fighting, pushing from one line to the next as punctually as though meeting their enemies by appointment. There, as elsewhere in the Arras-Vimy areas, most of the prisonen were brought out of the dugouts in a most docile condition.

"The Canadians took more than 2,000 Germans at the Vimy ridge alone, while on the adjoining Canadian front there were 1,054 men and 26 oSicers in one cage alone before 3 o'clock in the afternoon." London, April 10. It was officially reported this forenoon that the British forces captured more than 9,000 prisoners and more than 40 guns in yesterday's operations. Heavy fighting took place last night on the northern end of the Vimy ridge, from which the Germans were driven by Canadian troops. The eastern slope also was cleared. Near St.

Quentin, the Germans have been driven from the high ground between Le Verguier and Hargicourt. Fighting continues along the entire battlefront. The British have seized the village of Fampoux and the neighboring defences north and south of the Scarpe River. The Germans made a strong attack on a narrow front southeast of Ypres and reached the British support lines. They were driven from the British trenches by a counter-attack.

new British offensive in France has stirred high hopes among the people throughout the country. Whatever the Germans may have claimed as to the retreat in the Soinine sector having been pre-arranged and strategical, their recoil before the blow delivered in the Arras-Leus region can not be explained away in any such manner. It is pointed out that there is no' possible voluntary element in this LINER NEW YORK HIT MINE; IN PORT The text of the announcement, timed 11.50 a.m., follows: "During the night there was severe fighting at the northern end of the Vimy ridge, where the enemy had retained a footing. He was ejected and an attempted counter-attack failed to materialize. The eastern slope of the ridge has been cleared of the enemy and counter-attack; repulsed.

"Our troops advanced and seized London, April 10. King George sent the following message to-day to Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig, commander of the British forces on the western front: "The whole Empire will rejoice at the news of yesterday's 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 have taken part In this splendid achievement." E- of the successful opening of the ROOSEVELT PLACES PLAN BEFORE WILSON Wishes to Raise Division in States: tq Forces of Allies Washington. April 10.

Colonel Roosevelt called on President Wilson at the White House to-day and was received in the executive mansion. wnere ne laia nis pinn lor raising a division of troops for foreign service before the President; Afterwards lie said he had been received with the utmost courtesy and consideration." On departing from the White House after half an hour's conference with the President, Colonel Roosevelt gave out a statement, the text of which in part follows: "I am heart and soul for the princi ple of universal military training. would favor it if its aim were to raise 3.000.000 men. Call it conscription and I will say yes. You can not frighten me by any name.

"The division that I ask permission to raise would be made up of men who would not be taken under conscription. They would be over 25 years of age, or of the excepted classes under 35." Several hundred persons gathered outside the White House gates and cheered the colonel as he left As the colonel turned to leave, Jack," a negro messenger who served at the White House during his admin istration, came up. "Hello, Jack," exclaimed the Colonel, shaking the negro's hand vigorously. British Advance in Mesopotamia; Gains by Russian Forces London, April 10. British troops have made a further advenci north of Bagdad, the War Ofllce announced to day.

They captured Iho Bulud Station, on the Bagdad-Knmnrra Hull- way, and the lown of Herb. Petrograd, April 10. Russian troops of the northern army In Persia are again the march Into Mesopotamia from Baneh, Just south of the lattludo of Mosul, the War Office announced to-day. Tho Turks hove been driven out of the defences they had been holding there for soma time, and the Russian offensive Is being continued. Southeast of Khanlkln, the southern column of Russians which recently effected a juncture with the British from Bagdad, lias occupied Klxll Bo bat, 80 miles northeast of Bagdad.

$5,000,000,000 BOND ISSUE IN STATES ALREADY SUCCESS Washington, April 10. Applications for allotment! of tha proposed $3,000, 000,004 bond Issue have readied the Treasury Department In such quanti ties that the Administration believes tho success of the issue already It ai aurod. EH BACK 0 $11 BUHL EXPECTED TO Sever Relations Germany; Report About S.S.Parana MARTIAL LAW BEING ENFORCED IN GUATEMALA Rio de Janeiro, April 10. The official report regarding the sinking of the Brazilian steamship Parana by a German submarine, which the Government has been awaiting before taking definite action toward Germany, is be lieved to have been received to-day from the Brazilian legation in Paris. It js expected the Government this afternoon will sever relations with Germany.

Switzerland will take charge of the Brazilian interests at Berlin. The Minister of Marine has received from the commander of the Brazilian destroyer Alagoas, which Is stationed at Desterro, a report that signals are being exchanged by means of lights and wireless messages between Germans on the coast and ships cruising in Brazilian waters. The Minister will transmit this report to the President A Report. London, April 10. Diplomatic rela tions between Brazil and Germany have been broken off, according to the Evening News.

In Guatemala. Guatemala City, Guatemala, April 10. Martial law has been declared in Guatemala. The action was taken on information of disturbances along the Mexican and Salvadorean frontiers, supposed to have been created with German assistance. Washington, April 10.

The report that President Cabrera has proclaimed martial law in Guatemala strengthens the belief of State Department of ficials that Guatemala soon may join the United States In the war against Germany. ATTACK PRESSED BY HAIG'S TROOPS More Villages Captured To-day in the Direction of Cambrai With the Hrltlsh Armies In France, April 10. (From a Staff Correspon dent of the Associated lTess.) Under blinding snow squalls, with Intermittent flashes of sunshine, the British forces pressed their attack against the Germans to-day all along the line from a point south of Cambrul to the vicinity of Lens. So much booty was taken In the first rush of the new assault that tt has not all been reported, but It is said a large number of guns were captured. The fighting and gains yesterday far surpassed the first days of the Battle of the Sommo last July.

The Cana dian forces to-day command the Vimy ridge and are reported to be well be yond it at some points. Mora villages were captured to-day In tho direction of Cambrai and the fighting there Is Intense. Clearing weather yesterday after noon prompted tha aeroplanes to de tect German trains moving toward a railhead, apparently for a counter-at tack on tho Vimy ridge. Tha fact was reported to tha artillery and all the long-range gum for 10 miles around were concentrated suddenly on tha In dlcated point In what probably con stltuted a new record for long-dls- tance barrage fir with heavy guns. Thus tho enemy's plans for a counter-attack were absolutely destroyed be fore the rescrva troops could detrain.

CEREALS EXPROPRIATED BY SWEDISH GOVERNMENT Stockholm, April 10. -The mailt and rye st.Kks of Sweden nave been ex pmiriated by the Government IK MOVE TO Another correspondent speaks of prisoners arriving "in an endless One of the remarkable features of the fighting' was the large number of weapons employed which were not In use In earlier wars. The "tanks' played an Important part. Armored cars also were in action, supporting the Infantry. Airmen speeding at 130 miles an hour despite conditions verging on those of a hurricane were active above.

"Strange engines of war" also aro pienti.MW by the Dally Mall's correspondent. As regards the British casufiltlos, the Dally Mart's correspondent says: "Our" losses, considerable at p'aees, are not half what were expected unci were amazingly light on certain fronts." Most Successful Pay. The Daily Telegraph's n.ilUary correspondent says yesterday's victory was by far the most successful day's work accomplished by the British enny since the outbreak of the war. "The victory alms a bl rv at a vital cord of the German host, by which thev maintain their connection with their army covering Lille and the Trench and Belgian manufacturing districts. It also menaces the right flink of the Bavarian Crown Princo's iirmy.

which Is delaying Sir Douglas Ilalg's advance upon Cambrai. "If successfully pursued, it may well Silver the whole system of defence which lias been widely advertised as the HlndenlHirg line. The llindenburg line, in fact, may have been Indefinite ly withdrawn, and in all probability vas Intended to make Its stand where It could. A retreating army seldom knows what will be the final limit to hlch It will be compelled to retire." Cheapest Victory. London, April 10.

Canadian troop3 to-day are perched well over the top of the Vimy ridge In Northern France, th'tufcands of prisoners have been taken, and according to the first sum minor up of the Canadlnn casualties, it his been the cheapest victory the troops from the Dominion have ever won. The first of the wounded began to nrrlve yesterday at English ports. Most of these had been wounded the early part of Sunday miming. After that the more serious fighting developed, but as yet the Canadian corps has hung on, and even gained lightly towards the railway which runs on me rar siopo oi inn nuo uu that part of the line from Arra.i to New Front. Roughly, nt the time of cabling, the new Canadian front, which Is being -nfuilldated rapidly.

Is now from Givcnchy-cn-Gohello to Tetlt Vimy. a little village on the crest of the rldje which commands the larger town of the samo name, well In front of La Fulle Farm, situation on what Is the highest ground without exception around Lens, about three-quarters of a mile from Thelus, which hns been one of the Germans' strongest points In defence of tho ridge, and still on railway down almost to Athles. According to Imperial ollleers, this hIionM be tin Important beginning of the outflanking movement which will compel the withdrawal of tho enemy to the Douiil line, although It Is thought the Germans will give up Lens and Its valuable coal mines with ro- luetiutce, Just at Pawn. tnck Just ns the rainy, stormy dnwn wi breaking. Tt followed what one t'nnidlnn ofllcer, who has been through three great bombardments, described at "the Homme's most tcrrino day mill iplle-l by five." The German first linn, (Cumhul-d on page 4.) retirement and that there can be no dispute as to who took the Initiative.

I A new chapter In the conflict on the western front has begun, and whether or not It is to prove the beginning of a decisive battle, it is bound, according to prevalent opinion here, to lead to results of the highest importance. The main feature of the battle thus far, on which attention has been toeussed, is the capture of the Vimy ridge by Cana dian troops. The immense value of this series of heights which dominate the plain from an elevation of 400 to 500 feet has been recognized through-out the war and great sacrifices have been regarded as justifiable if they re sulted in its possession. The French and Germans fought fiercely for control of the ridge In the summer of 1915, both sides suffering heavily, but In the end the Germans held the main portion of the position. Later the British took over the French line and were ousted by the Germans from the part of the ridge that had been won by their predecessors.

Bastion of Line. One military critic, commenting on the present battle, thus describes the Importance of the Vimy heights: They are admittedly the bastion of the enemy's western line. Whatever else has been allowed to go, he held the Vimy ridge with grim resolve, and lavished upon It all the arts of forti fication and defensive skill that the war had taught him. Upon It hinges the whole strategy of the enemy's re treat In the west. With Vimy firmly held, he could swing his line farther south slowly back, until each part of It would reach the position where he has a mind to stand and he could cover the French Industrial districts upon which he depends much for supplies.

But with the Vimy ridge gone, the defence of these districts can hard ly be maintained. The pivot of the whole retreat shifts and gives back ward and Is In Instant risk of frac The Issues depending upon the abil ity of the British to hold tho ridge then-fore are Immense. At the moment there Is nothing to suggest a doubt that the ridge will be' held, but the battle still Is continuing fiercely, and there Is little disposition here to In dt Ige In over-conlldent predictions. Nevertheless the opinion Is expressed that If the Germans have definitely been driven from the ridge, without hope of reattacklng, they are likely enough to be compelled to acknowledge defeat and retire to what Is called the Metis line, running from Verdun through Mexleres, Maubeuge and Lille. Sober Expectation.

In the meantime tho fighting Is going on over a front of about CO miles, roughly, from Lens to fit. Quentln, the cor of attack being around the north of Arras. As far as Information goes, everything Is going well for the British and Justifies their sanguine hopes, but tho comments to-day generally Include a warning not to allow these hopes to run too high. The onemy Is known to have good reserves hand, and an Iron compulsion bids him to make every effort to avoid do-feat. The papers warn tho country that It should await events In spirit of lobar exportation, and that It Is not a time for exuberant boasting.

NEW GOVERNMENT OF RUSSIA RECOGNIZED BY THE BRAZILIANS Rio do Janeiro, April 10. Braxll has recognised the new Government of Russia. NATIONAL SERVICE BOARD GIVES NAMES Militia Qepartment Already Told of 100,000 "Prospects" Throughout Canada Ottawa, April 10. Names of "mili tary prospects' throughout the Do minion to the number of 100,000 already have been submitted to the Militia Department by the National Service Commission. Thc3e "prospects" do not Include millwrights, toolsetters.

miners or farmers, nor do they include men with more than three dependents, the majority being un married men or widowers without dependents. Such names are being submitted at the rate of about 2,000 a week, and the compilation is yet far from complete. The names are sent to the Militia Department by the commission and the Militia Department sends them to the various military district headquarters. The recruiting officers are then at liberty to approach the men and induce them to enlist. At Guelplt 450 men who signed the cards have received notification from the military authorities.

It is pointed out here, however, that there Is no compulsion attached to this notice, as volunteer service is still In force. The submission of these names will facilitate re cruiting. It is expected, but It is still optional on the part of the men in volved to join. WILL FIGHT FOR LIBERTY TO END Russia Will Defend Her Free dom; No Expansion, Says Kerenski ionaon, April in. itussia has re nounced all Ideas of territorial expansion, according to a Petrograd dis patch to Reuter's, quoting a statement of Minister of Justice Kerenski, who, In the course of a speech delivered on Monday before the military delegates.

declared that while Russia wished no more territory, she would defend to the end the liberty which she had won. Reuter's correspondent also reports that the new Governor-General of Finland, Gen. Fedro Rodllchcff, denounced Russian peace advocates In an address before the congress of the Constitu tional Democrats, tho party which ho formerly led in tha Duma. General Rodltcheff, after referring to the saerl flees made at Galllpoll for Russia by France and Britain, aald: "In retrograd there Is a body of bold persons which dares to spenk of peace In tho name of the people. Rut the people themselves are silent.

Our duty toward the Provisional Government Is to ralsj our voices and say 'Russia Is with you. Yield to nothing which con- Ama hni VAntilrAmnnti Anil ltitAitei.ta Damaged Slightly Off Liverpool Bar; No Casualties; Passen gers Landed Washington, April 10. The Ameri can liner New York struck a mine at 7.40 last night five miles off the Liver pool bar. No casualties were reported. The vessel lpter proceeded to Liver pool.

Consul Washington, at Liverpool, re porting the Incident to the State De partment to-day, said: "The American liner New York struck a mine at 7.40 last night five miles off the Liverpool bar. Company reports passengers landed at Liverpool, except four, who are still on the ship. No casualties. Vessel proceeded under own steam and is now (1 o'clock this morning) entering her dock." The New York docked safely at Liverpool at 1 a.m. (English time) and all passengers are safe, according to a cablegram received here to-day by the American Line.

Damage Slight, The damage to the vessel was slight. the message stated. The mine came in contact with the ship about 200 feet from the bow, but the message did not say whether on the port or starboard side. The bulkheads of the New York ore longitudinal. There are IS of these compartments, and the mine struck at hold No.

4, which has a cargo capacity of 209 tons. The cablegram said the damage waa confined to this small space, no other compartment being damaged. It was stated here that ao strongly is the New York built In the construction of Its bulkheads that whenever a plate Is removed for re pair purposes It has to be dynamited, and to this strength Is attributed the small damage caused by the mine. GS Passengers. New York, April 10.

The American liner New York left this port on March 29 for Liverpool with 68 passengers and, mail The passengers Included seven American citizens. She carried a naval crew of gunners and waa armed. The ship's crew of 234 men Included 144 Americana, The New York Is commanded by Captain W. J. Roberts.

The gun crew was In charge of a naval lieutenant The vessel, of 10.79? tons gross, waa the third armed American passenger hip to leave a United States port. LLOYD GEORGE WILL BE QUESTIONED ABOUT PEOPLE OF GERMANY London, April 10. Joseph King, Liberal member of the House of Com Dions, will ask Mr. Lloyd George next week whether the differentiation mndo by President Wilson between tho Oer man Government and the Qermnn peo pie In his address to the American Congress recommending war with Ger many Is endorsed by the llrlllsh Gov ernment, and whether, with a view to encouraging the German people to throw off the Muhenxollern regime the Prime Minister will take steps to show unmistakably British sympathy wltb the German people. the village of Fampoux and neighbor-.

ing defences north and south of the Scarpe. "The number of prisoners taken yesterday exceeded 9,000 and more than 40 guns have been captured. From High Ground. "In the neighborhood of St. Quentin the enemy has been driven from the high ground between Le Verguier and Hargicourt.

"Fighting continues throughout the whole battlefront. "After an intense bombardment, ene my troops made a strong attack last night on a narrow front southeast of Ypres and succeeded In reaching our support lines. They were immediately ejected from our trenches, leaving several dead." Better Than Reported. London, April 10. The British offen sive between Lens and St.

Quentin with which the spring operations on the front in France have been opened and which is still in progress has proved even more successful than the earlier accounts indicated. Haig to-day reported that yesterday's captures exceeded 9,000 men, while 40 guns fell into the hands of his troops. The Canadian troops, who had one of tho hardest bits of the front to contend with, are now In complete occupation of the famous Vimy ridge, even its eastern slopes having been cleared of tha enemy. The Canadians also have repulsed German counter-attacks. Look Down on Plain.

These reactions by the Germans In dicate the Importance they attach to this position, whence the conquerors look down over the plain of Don a I. With tlie ridge gone, the wholo German line covering the French towns and Industrial districts to the north becomes a wavering one and any leisurely retreat the Germans may have planned In made uncertain and precarious. With the capture of the famous rldg the British made a considerable atrldi along: the road to Doual, whh tho capture of the high ground nirthwost of St. Quentin tightens tho cha'n which the Anglo-French force.1 are drawing around that town. A -German diversion southeast of Ypres met with no success.

Offensive Orowlng. Correspondents at the front report tho lighting continuing keenly throughout last night, with the British offensive gradually cxtonrilng northward, there being fighting thl anting In tho direction of La n.i.iuoo. Some 150 ofllcers are among tin prtf oners already taken, these Including five battalion commanders. Alihouith 40 guns captured Is tho ollli'lnl count thus far, tho number Is expected to reach three figures, while numbers trench mortars, bomb-throwers and machine guns and quantities of ammunition also have been raptured. The Gorman destroyed grenl quantities of supplies at tha last minute to prevent tlulr capture.

Tho weather continues bitterly cold, with know flurries, but the British forces are clad hi shecpsktus and are kept well fod..