SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S CHALLENGE TO THE ENEMY

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3005, 16 February 1917, Page 5

SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S CHALLENGE TO THE ENEMY

1 TERRIFIC OFFENSIVE . ■'. ' IMMINENT

AMERICA AND THE PIRATES

THREE SHIPS DARE TIE BLOCKADE

HUNS FACE A FIASCO

The most cheering thing for many a long day is the ringing challenge which Sir Douglas Haig has publicly thrown at the Germans through the medium of an interview with tho French war correspondents. Sir Douglas Haig has 'been notably silent in tho matter of public expressions of opinion, and his frank direct confidence on the approaching campaign is for that reason the more surprising and sustaining. He speaks unreservedly of a terrific offensive and a smashing victory—the utter and absolute destruction of the German armies, no less. Meanwhile the German > military railway servico schedules are already crowding the regular passenger services, and the staff train, arrangements i>oint to the resumption of general hostilities at the end of tho present month. With tho pirates at sea, the situation, for the Germans, is rapidly assuming the nature of a fiasco. The elements of a disaster which' may fire the smouldering war mine between Germany andl America are involved in tho voyage of three American ships—one tho hig liner St. Louis—which have sailed for the war zone. The'dispatches representing German intentions in Tegard to these vessels, are conflicting. A semi-official message from Berlin indicates that no mercy will he shown. Another message suggests that the German s may pass the ships, but aro screening themselves from responsibility by pointing out that their radiograms to the submarines at sea may not reach their destinations. Very heavy fighting is reported from the Russian southern front, where the enemy, by furious, desperate, and prolonged efforts, has compelled the Russians to give ground for a short distance. A message from Sydney states that owing to land-line interruptions, the cablegrams are greatly delayed. This explains tho fact that no messages dated February 15 have come through from the European side. , i .