The following telegraphic information has been received from the Sumatra Director and Manager of 'The notable British advance near Lille has excited widespread enthusiasm on the part of everyone including the troops, who. are' delighted at the chance of activity. The striking sucoces gained ood omen. Our men are confident that the German hold upon northern France will not be of long duration. Nevertheless this advance is not @ part of the great movement arranged for the spring.
The German losses on the western front have been very heavy. It is estimated that their losses total 40,000 in the Champagne district alone during the Inst fortnight.
The operations in the Dardanelles are proceeding vity Satisfactorily, and, according to one estimate, about ten days to a fortnight will elapse before the reduction of the forts has been completed. It is re-
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.