THE CAMPAIN.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 April 1917, Page 1

THE CAMPAIN.

A iMilila y Critic

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Asaocia io n and Heater), LONDON, April 12. Professor liedu the lainous military critic of the journal “Dos Debats” publishes an article in “Land and Valor.” Discussing the 1917 campaign he says that it is obvious that General Hindenburg is-preparing an offensive, die retreats being his favourite preliminary, liiudenburg hopes the offensives will not resume, and that war movements will be suspended on tho Western front. For 2j years the Germans have, been training froops in tho rear in exercises where trench warfare is quite a subsidiary part, they arcs also greatly developing their medium artillery which is both powerful and mo.hile at tho expense of artillery in position. The alarming pulverisation of , the German positions on tho Somme showed that no position was safe from the British artillery troops. From the shelters there wa s no time fo come ou f n,n ( ] moot itlie assault. Whole units were thus raptured. The'Germans now realise that men must lie withdrawn from dug-outs as guns are withdrawn from a fortress. The Germans intend to refuse battle and yield ground when the, offensive is disclosed they thus gain several weeks before a new attack Is possible. The German medium artillery will reach perfection in' Juno if they can avoid defeat. Until then Hindenburg intends to meet the offensive with masses of manoeuvres created by deducting four regiments from a division. Tho re-organisation which will produce 13 new divisions will be armed with extremely powerful artillery.

IN RUSSIA PKTROGBAD* April 12. Adt pufftion * from tho armies has auived. They demanled the disolution of tho Workmen's Committee; declaring that it "'as unlermining discipline. M. Criedzkc replied that the comfit tec was necessary to secure a full programme for the democratic revolution. The deputation issued a prouauiution emphasising tho Army’s firm attitude.

A Patrol Lost

LONDON, April 12. The Admiralty reports that a patrol vessel was mined and sunk in the Channel. Two officers and fourteen men are missing.

Building Ships * • WASHINGTON, April 12. Reuter’s correspondent at Washington, fomenting on the war preparations, says President "Wilson believes he will do the greatest service to tho Allies in providing an Armada ui merchantmen to invalidate the undersea campaign. The country’s entire ship-building facilities, including a hundred now plants will construct a float of wooden ships of 20Cj tons and upwards. The first year’s production will average three ships daily. The vessels will bt armed. Colonel Goethals, the builder ot me Panama Canal, will be in charge of the scheme. Argentine Preparing. BUENOS AYRES, April 12. Government is increasing her effectives in the army and navy. A Worker's Message(Australia <£ N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, April 12. Tilt Press Bureau reports that the Woolwich arsenal workers have sent the following message to the munition workers of Russia: “Comrades, now that you have overthrown the autocracy we know we win win. Lot us all work hard and help our' brothers in the trenches, whose sacrifices are greater every hour. Our work may save lives while idleness would mean murder. Long live a free Russia, who has risen her might finally to free her people still enslaved. In Brazil. RIO DE JANIERIO, April 12. The Governments are equipping a strong contingent which will be concentrated in the States of Rio Grande, Dosul, Parana^ and Santa Catherina, where the Germans are numerous. Peace Move. COPENHAGEN, AprD i2. Danish papers publish an alleged German peace proposals including the aanoxejtinu of portions ot Western Russia the neutralisation Dardanelles isjnder Turkish pn|toctoi*uito They are organised as beiing / mo.e balloon sent up in the desert.

Dispute Settled. LONDON, April 12 * The Railway Dispute has been settled the men accepting a os increase in the war bonus. Tjw Hon. IV. F. Massey and Sir J G. Ward attended the Anglo-American banquet. Insurance Rates. SAN FRANCISCO, April 1? .Despite the understanding that Japan and the United States would/ co-operate and protect the Pacific Shipping, marine insurance rates rose one hundred per cent. The Australian rate is expected to increase from 121 cents 1* one dollar per hundred dollars. value of a passenger business is already affected. An Enquiry. LONDON, April 12.;' Tli© Imperial Committee appointed to enquire ip to poet-war emigration consists of thirty two member*. U include* High Commissioners agents and a small working Committee wheropn the agents nominate one member.