THE WESTERN FRONT.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 January 1918, Page 2

THE WESTERN FRONT.

HEALTH OF TROOPS GOOD

GERMAN DISCIPLINE RELAXED

[AUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION]

LONDON January 22

Mr Phillip Gibbs states that relief from incessant"! nfantry fighting as reflected in a dear drop of casualties. There is a splendid emptiness oi wards and even oases of sickness are not heavy. Despite the weather the health of the troops is wonderful. The muddy scarecrows from the enemy’s water-logged trenches have 'miserable tales *of discomfort- to tell of the flooded dug-outs and shortage ot food, owing to the difficulty to get food. There is undoubtedly a relaxation from discipline in the German Army and apparently the officers are afraid to punish the men severely. | Even the gravest offence is not worthy lof punishment. Deserters are not shot hut sent, back t° a prison in Germany. Tlie ■ higher (command is trying to build up a mighty bogey that masses are coming from East, hoping to demoralise the Allies, who are unlikely to he deceived by such camouflage. Mr. Gibb’s personal opinion is that there will be no great operations this montn, while No Man’s Land i s flooded and all roads and trenches like hogs. OFFICIAL WAR NEWS. (Received, This Da.v at 8.50. a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 23.

General Haig reports successful patrol encounters Inst- night eastward of Ypres. The enemy raided one of our posts, southward of St. Jucntin.

There is hostile artillerying at Cambrni. Onr aeroplanes during the night dropped over 200 bombs on the aerodromes near Courtrai. We also airraided Germany, and dropped two tons of bombs on the steel works 'at TTiionvillc. the railway siding at Bernstorf and Arnaville junction.

THE COMING CLASH OF ARMS,

(Received This Day at 9.15 a.m.) NEW YORK, Jan. 23.

The New York Times Paris Correspondent says that France is awaiting confidently the great German offensive on the West front, which is believed td be imminent- This will he the decisive. perhaps the final battle of the war.

ONE OF THE OBJECTIVES. (Received This Day at 9.15 a.m.) NEW YORK, Jan. 23. Joseph Roinach and other writers opine that Nancy will he one of the principal objectives. It is known, that the Germans are heavily concentrating their forces in Lorraine hut France has perfected her defences, and the enemy attack is doomed t-o failure.