Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star THURSDAY, MARCH 28th, 1918. THE ENEMY OFFENSIVE.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 March 1918, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star THURSDAY, MARCH 28th, 1918. THE ENEMY OFFENSIVE.

Thk cabled news of the progress oi the enemy offensive as received during the past few days has proved that the long promised offensive is now in full operation. Pushing forward with an immense army, and with an utter absence of the value of human life, Hiudenburg and his officers have put into active operation his attempts to carry out his threat to reach Paris by April Ist, Despite the heroism and gallantly of the Allied troops, the enemy Army have forced their way along a lengthy front, and this in spite of what are constantly reported to he enormous losses, and though they have not broker the British front opposed to them they have had such great success that the line has been forced hack to practically the original line held by the Allies before the advance' made in the Spring of 1917. The toll of human life has been a very heavy one, and the gallant troops who have barred the way of the German hordes, in such a determined manner, have had to pay a price that “must have been extremely heavy, even if the toll they made the enemy pay was far greater and heavier. The eyes of the whole world are on this great struggle, and its outcome is going to have a great effect on the Course of the terrible war, which has now grown to an intensity that the world has never before known. The great German drive must be stopped very soon, or otherwise the great strain on the Allies line, which lias in the past few days been so sadly strained, will lie in danger of breaking. With the position /as it

is known to us at the present moment, it is satisfactory to know of the quiet confidence of the Allied leaders in their ability to stem the enemy tide. We have every right to give the leaders our cQnfideiice. The High Command has had ample time to arrange their campaign programme, and after the first rush of the great enemy drive has been stopped, there will probably be a move made that will prove the confidence is not misplaced. The God of war is loose and we can hut trust that the valour and morale of our troops which have been tried once more in the terrific ordeal that they are so gallantly taking part in, will prove tliat in spite of superior numbers the enemy hordes have found that their desperate attempts to break through have ended in failure. Suspense must continue to hover over the outcome hut our heroic defenders can he relied on to do the utmost to defeat the plans of the enemy.