THE ENEMY RE-FORMING IS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 192, 3 May 1918, Page 5

THE ENEMY RE-FORMING IS

FRESH PROGRESS. IN • Another lull has supervened on tlio groat battlefront in the West, and the enemy in the meantime is collecting his shattered regiments. This last tfial of strength has inspired fresh confidence in tlio Allied ranks. "Wo havo got tho measure of 'tho new enoiny divisions," says Router's Agency. Thero has been some severe fighting on tfie French front, but tho enemy has gained nothing. The dispatches from Iho Eastern ' theatres roport a fresh advanco in Palestine on tho Jordan front, and further progress in Mesopotamia. The Dutcii crisis appears to have passed the acute stage, but the possibility of serious friction is by no means over. Holland's real trouble with the enemy is the Limburg railway, which can relieve the pressure on the Belgian lines at critical periods. "WE HAVE TAKEN THEIR MEASURE" ARMIES INSPIRED AND CONFIDENT ANOTHER LULL IN THE BATTLE By Megraph-Press Association-Copyright. London, May 1. Eeuters Agency summarising the newspaper comment says: - 'It is pointed out that the public is apt to reckon victory in terms of offonsive success; but a defensive victory like that achieved on Monday may contribute equally towards the ultimate object of the campaign. From this viewpoint the Germans, despito their spectacular successes, can be regarded as having had tho worst of tho balance in nearly six weeks' fighting. The English and French troops havo now got tho measure of the new enemy divisions. Other strokes will doubtless come, but confidence is expressed that wherever the enemy tries he will find the Allies ready. The enemy has been, broken in a sheer trial of strength, where the ground was none too favourable, by a thinner Allied line. There is a growing hope that Ypres will not be abandoned."—Eeuter. , BOYS PILLING THE HUGE GAPS IN THE GERMAN RANKS (Eec. May 2, 11.15 p.m.) London, May 1. Eeuter's correspondent at British Headquarters writes: "The German field recruit depots are being heavily drawn upon to replace tho recent casualties. The Thirteenth Reserve Division has just received a company of 250 boys of the 1920 class, who have only had eight weeks' training. These will not be engaged in the fighting unless it is absolutely necessary, but the fact that they are now with the divisions in the battle-lino suggests tho anticipation that they may havo to be used.—Renter. ALLIES IMPROVE THEIR POSITIONS SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S-REPORT. London, May 1, 12.30 p.m. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "We repulsed an attack on a post in tho neighbourhood of St. Juheu. Wβ rushed enemy posts in the Meteren sector, taking a number of prisoners. The French improved their positions in the neighbourhood of Locre."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. CRec. May 2, 7 p.m.) London, May 1. Sir Dougtos Faig reports: -'The enemy's artillery is active against the back areas in tho -neighbourhood of Bethume, and also heavily shelled the French position at Locre. Otherwise there oto only local encounters to report. Wo took 1081 prisoners during March, of whom 59 were officers. During April we captured 5241, including 1.% officers. These figures are exclusive of tip French captures."— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. ON THE FRENCH FRONT SHARP FIGHTING AT NOYON. London, May 1, 2.30 a.m. A French communique states: "Thero was a violent bombardment in the Tegion of Hangard. A German attack in the Noyon sector was resisted, with heavy fighting. We ejected the enemy from the advanced elements where ho had gained a footing in the first rush, and re-established the lino. There is violent artillery activity in tho region of Villers Bretonneux, and on both banks of the Avre."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Keutor. (Eec. May 2, 7 p.m.) London, May 1. A French communique states: "There isn fairly lively bombardment north of Montdidier."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Kouter. OPINION IN FRANCE. y>, Paris, May 1. "Lβ Matin" slates: "The greatest rush in history has been stopped, though General Foch keeps the majority of his rosorves unused."—Router. Tho "Echo do Paris' , says: "Our losses sinco tho beginning of fho battle are not one-tenth of the enemy's."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE GERMAN REPORT ;Ecc. May 2, 7 p.m.) London, May 1. A wireless German official report states: ''We repulsed French assaults against Dranoutre."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Eeutei , . NO SIGN OF NEW TYPES OF POISON SHELLS. (Roc. May 3, 0.35 a.m.) Sneaking in the House of Commons, Mr. J. I. Macpherson (Undersecretary 'of War) said that the hospital reports did not suggest that tho Germans wore us'ing. new chomical or gaa shells in tho present offonsive.-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.