THE PUZZLING CALM IN THE WEST

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 203, 16 May 1918, Page 5

THE PUZZLING CALM IN THE WEST

VIEWS OF THE WAR CRITICS GERMAN ATTACK AT MORLANCOURT By Telegraph-PreßS Association-Copyright. 1 London, May 11. The "Morning Post's" Paris correspondent, commenting on the causo of tiio prolonged delay in tho resumption of tho German offensive, says that the question which is puzzling tho Germans is whether the reinforcements neoessary for a great success shall be drawn 'from tha Russian or the Austrian front. Von Mackensen could provide a maximum of 000,000 from the Russian front, but this would denude the front of practically every man. Oα the other hand, the Austrians are believed to have naif a million men massed in tho Tyrol- The conferenco of Emperors has significance owing to a report that the Kaiser is urging tho Emperor Karl to send these reserves to Slanders. The Austriane are unlikely to accept the demand, and are determined to maintain tlio armies in the Tyrol in readiness for an Italian counter-offensive. Germany's reluctance to withdraw armies from tho Russian front is easily oxplained. Germany would then be powerless to enforce her claims for the food supplies which sho hopes by fair means or foul to extract from the occupied provinces. In thu event of a Gorman withdrawal , these supplies would probably fall ; nto tho hands of the Austrians, who ore much nearer to absolute famine than the Germans. Austria regards Russian grain as a most important factor, and, undoubtedly would secure the bulk, if not all. of the 450,000 tons of wheat which tho Ukraine has promised to deliver to the Central Powers jointly. Austria regards tho question as vital. Sho must secure additional foodstuffs before August, bcciniso hvr own supplies aro dangerously near exhaustion.—Aus.-N.Z. Gable Assn, MYSTERY ABOUT VON MACKENSEN'S DIVISIONS May 14. Colonel Eepington, the military correspondent of the "Morning Post. , " writes that though the. next and most critical stage of the German attack is expected this.or next week, it is uncertain whether the Austrians will be able to comply with the German desire for a concurrent attack .on Italy, owing to tho latonesa of the season and/the fact that tho Italian rivers aro still flooded. The mysterious element is the whereabouts of Von Mackensen's divisions, which were on the Bast front when the German attack began. Colonel Repington's view is that thn idea of an oversea attack against Britain may be revived, improbable though it may seem.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

•AMERICAN OPINION. New York, May 14. The Paris correspondent of the New York "Times" rays: "There is much speculation as to the reason for the continued delay in the resumption of the German offensive. Experts believe that the Germans are considering whether to .bring half a million men from the Russian front or Austrians from the Italian front. It is stated that the Kaiser has asked the Emperor Karl to bring half a million men from tho Tyrol, but Austria is afraid to deplete the Italian front, and also' fears an immediate revolt of Czechs and Jugo-Slavs. l It is believed that a factor in tho postponing of the offensive may be furthor mutinies, •which aro reported among the German divisions on tho West front."—Aus.-W.ii. Cabe Assn. t SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S REPORT London, May 14. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "We made a successful raid to tho north-east of Robecq, and repulsed with loss an enemy party,, to the west of- Mervillo. Tho hostile artillery is active on the Somme and Ancre sectors."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter.' (Rec. May 15, 7 p.m.) London, May 14. Sir Douglas Haig ropoTt3: "At ten o'clock this cvenintr, after a heavy artillery bombardment, the enemy attacked our lines on a mile of front south-west-ward of Morlancourt, arid entered our positions at one point. Tho Australians counter-attacked and completely re-established tho line. Tho attack was repulsed at other points with heavy loss. Our casualties were very light. The French in. local fighting repulsed an attack in tho direction of Kleinvierstraat."—Aus.-W.Z. Cable Assn.-Eeutor. GERMANS HAVING "A REALLY BAB TIME" IN THE SLUSH OF A SHELL-TORN BATTLEFIELD. (Eoc. May 15, 10.35 p.m.) ' ,', '_ ...,. , , ,_ , , London, May 14. Eeuter s British correspondent at Headquarters, writing on Mav 14 says • "Tho heavy rainfall of the past twenty-four hours must have seriously impeded the German plans and preparations. The enemy is now confronted with tho samu conditions in Flanders as we experienced on the Sommo battlefield, whon our former offensive vas heavily handicapped. Wo know definitely that he is in many places having a really bad time. This knowledge will enable our soldiers to bear their share ot the discomfort with cheerful equanimity. While our communications everywhere are good, and supplies abundant and regular the Germans have in some places to flounder across wido traots of slush and brimniing shell cratere."—Keuter. AND STILL THEY COME

(Eec. May IG, 1 a.m.) Amsterdam, May 15. Reports from Liege state that troops aro arriving on tho West front from Rumania. Theso include cavalry.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. USING THE AMERICAN TROOPS

i , Washington, May 14. j Tho officials hero are puzzled by the statement from Ottawa attributed to the I British Cabinet regarding tho utilisation of tho American forces. Lord Heading ' (tho British Ambassador) saTS: "Tho statement is diametrically opposed to all the information received at the Embassy. lam in tho dark as to tho origin of the statement, but I am convinced that it was not issued with tho knowledge of Mr. Lloyd Georgo or tho War Cabinet." Military officers point out that there havo been two distinct schools of military strategists since tho German drive opened. Ono school favoured the immodinte utilisation of tho American troops; tho other was in favour of making a completo strong forco before striking a blow. —Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. i APRIL AIR. LOSSES ACCORDING TO GERMANY. j London, May 14. I Admiralty, per Wireless Press.—A Uerman official message states: "Tho onpiny jlost in April 271 aeroplanes, of which 122 fell behind our lines. Vfi lost 123."— j Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Reuter.