Cuba declares war against Germany.

Two German destroyers are torpedoed off Zeebrugge, one of them being sunk.

The British torpedo gunboat Jason is sunk by a mine off the west coast of Scotland.

April 8 (Easter Sunday)

Austria breaks off diplomatic relations with the United States.

Mesopotamia:—The British capture Belad Station, and occupy the left bank of the Shatt-el-Adhaim.

April 9 (Mon.)

Brazil breaks off diplomatic relations with Germany.

The First Battle of Arras begins: the British advance on a fifteen-mile front between Lens and Arras, and capture the Vimy Ridge with 6000 prisoners (see May 16). On the Bapaume-Cambrai road they take Deniécourt and Havrincourt Wood, and, north of St. Quentin, Fresnoy-le-Petit, Pontru, and Le Vergnier.