FRANCE’S SALLYPORT.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 January 1917, Page 3

FRANCE’S SALLYPORT.

Amsterdam, Oct 2 7 B 7 a happy coincidence some of tha _ German papers last evening published 0 a long Wolff Bureau communique J from tha western headquarters explaining tha importance of Germany’s brilliaoa successes before Verdun, with the obvious object of rahabilititiog General Falkenhayn and the Crown . Prince. I quote from tha Dusseldorfar Anzsiger. Verdun ia described in the article' as France's most important pillar of dofenca and al;o the moat dangerous sallyport against Germany. The French progress from Verdun meant that the Allied troops would be strategically in the rear of the German linea in North-East France and Belgium. A further advance might mean the recapture of the important coal and iron district of Briey. It would threaten Metz aad - gravely threaten Germany’s own steel industry in Lorraine. “In one word, it was France’s sallyport against Central Germany.” The communique explains the absolute necessity for Germany to close this gate. “Up to the spring of 1916 we were unable to close the gate. The wat on two fronts had hdid up a considerable part of our forces on the Russian and Balkan fronts. Only when these forces were freed by the temporary completion of theHtusisian and Balkan campaigns could we tackle the destruction of Verdun with the strategic objective first, of barring and bolting France’s eallyport towards Germany and, later of beating it in and opening a road into Franca.”