ENEMY'S ARTILLERY AND AMMUNITION

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2423, 31 March 1915, Page 5

ENEMY'S ARTILLERY AND AMMUNITION

MARKED DETERIORATION Paris, March 29. The French official review of the war (continued)' states: —"Beyond all disputo the cadres of the German army are in bad proportion, and the oflicers, notably the professional oflicers, are enormously redticed. "The markings on shells show that the guns are much worn. Tho artillery notably lacks munitions, and the quality of the projectiles used during tho last three months has been mediocre, those that did not burst ranging from Iwoliftlis to two-thirds. The shrapnel explosives are weak, and tliey are loaded with broken ghss. "fSimr. liir ftiilui'r (0 ciipiun; Warsaw, marked mjwuuisim has characterised the

correspondence which has been found on dead Germans." THEIR WANING MORALE CHANGED VIEWS OF THE GERMANS. (Roc. March 80, 5.20 p.m.) London, March 29. A neutral correspondent discloses a marked change in the views of the German General Staff, many of whom had previously declared that they could promptly take Paris, Calais, and Warsaw, without effort. Now they do not belicvo in an absolute German victory, and are pondering ovor tho probability of :i drawn war. The Cniv. n I'rinne's private life during the war has not given satisfaction, and all manner of rumours arc ulloat about bis failures on the battlefield, and notorimix allcgotiojis of looting French hutucs.

General Joffra and General Franch are now objects of fear, the result of wounded soldiers bringing back 6tories of the bravery and tenacity of the French, and tlio imperturbability of the British. The Germans no longer make tlio longlegged Highlanders the butt of their cartoons. The recent industrial strikes, however, encourage the hope that Germany can prolong tho war until she can gradually buy off one or more of her enemies, and then concentrate her efforts upon Britain. It was believed earlier in Staff circles that the mines and submarines would cut off British imports and compel Britain quickly to sue for peace, out now tho efficiency of the blockade is doubted. Reports from Geneva declare that the enthusiasm of the Germans is waning daily. The greater part of those called up for service refuse to leave Basle. The report states that the Germans are preparing for a great attack on the Western frout on tho centenary of the birth of Bismarck. —"Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services. STRAWS THAT SHOW THE WIND. (Reo. March 30, 5.20 p.m.) London, March 29. German stamp collectors are eagerly buying stamps of the German colonies' which have been captured by the Allies, y indicating that thev do not expect Germany to recover them. Tho five-mark Samoa stamp is selling at fifty marks (a mark is worth lljd. in English money).—"Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services^