EVE OF ARMAGEDDON

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 132, 21 February 1918, Page 5

EVE OF ARMAGEDDON

THE GERMAN BLOW IN THE WEST

LONG-PREPARED OFFENSIVE NOW IMMINENT

m _ London, February 19. Ine German offensive on the West front is expected immediately. The enemy will use tanks and new gases.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

"I WILL BE IN PARIS BY THE FIRST OF APRIL"

VON HINDENBURG'S BOAST TO PACIFY THE PUBLIC,

(Rec. February 20, 5.5 p.m.)

London, February 19. Reuter's correspondent at Headquarters says: "The political and domestic situation in Germany is now croating' internal excitement, 'causing pressure to be brought to bear on the militarists, who are forced to endeavour to pacify the people. • Von Hindenburg, who was recently interviewed by a number of newspaper editors, said in reply to their statement that there would not be any food in Germany next May: "I shall be in Paris by the First of April."—Eeute'r.

WHAT PRISONERS SAY AND AIRMEN SEE.

: london, February 19. Mr. Philip Gibbs writes: "At auy moment we may see the beginning of the enemy's last desperate effort to end the war by a decisive victory. Undoubtedly the offensive which the Germans have long been preparing is now imminent. Detailed information from prisoners leaves no doubt about the matter. Our aviators for some time past have reported terrific industry and nervous tension behind the German lines. All leave has been stopped for German officers and men. The Germans are drugged under the spell of a frightful secret hope. Germany to-day is a nation with the bloodshot eyes and the high temperature- of fever, buoyed up to its last resistance against a despair that is eating into its heart. Our men will not fail, whatever the cost."— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

THREE RAIDS BY THE BRITISH

GOOD WORK AND SLIGHT CASUALTIES,

London, February 19. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "Wo successfully raided three sectors of the Front. Irish troops entered the trenches south-east of Epehy, and brought back prisoners. The Canadians, in a successful raid, captured five prisoners south of Lens. Lancashire, Border, and Yorkshire troops raided positions on a wide front in the southern portion of the Houthulst Foreet, killing a large number and capturing twenty-seven prisoners and a machine-gun. Our casualties were slight."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. HEAVY GUN-FIRE ON THE FRENCH FRONT London, February 19. A French official communique states: "There was violent artillery fire during the night in the region south of ths forest of St. Gobain, in the sector of Chavignon, and north-west of Bezonvaux."—Aus.-N. Z. Cable Assn.Reuter. i NAVAL AIR OFFENSIVE ON THE BELGIAN COAST London, February 19. The Admiralty reports: "Our aircraft on the night of February 17 dropped several tons of explosives on the Zcebrugge mole and docks, and the Bruges docks. Bombs were observed to fall alongside the submarine shelter and in the vicinity of the lock gates and quays. Our aircraft on the forenoon of February 18 attacked an aerodrome at Vaissenaere. Several hits were registered on hangars and sheds. Three of the enemy's aircraft were destroyed during patrol work. All our maohincs returnsd."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter.