FROM OTHER SOURCES.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 August 1918, Page 3

FROM OTHER SOURCES.

GERMAN INTENTIONS. WILL RETIRE TO SHORTER LINE. (PEK PRESS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.} LONDON, August 29. Latest developments make it sufficiently clear that the Germans intend to retire to a shorter line, where they will obtain a better defensive position and to economise troops, a necessity which his man-power situation maker, urgent and probable. He will retire to the Hindenburg line, but there is reason to think he will try to postpone this as long as possible and Tie may-hope to defer it until the weather makes active operations impracticable. The moral effect of such a retirement, both in Germany and on the German Army wlil be very great. The enemy’s pre sent intentions, therefore is to make a stand on some lino west of the Hiti- ■ denburg line. There is a very favourable line along the Ailc-tte, Oise, Somme and Tortille rivers.

AFTER FIVE months, german pessimism. (Received Tin’s Dnv-at 9.15 a.m.l NEW YORK, August 30. The New York “Times” Washington correspondent says Tardioti ha 3 cabled from Paris a summary of the military events of the past five months, as bearing on the present situation. He says Paris is no longer threatened/ Direct rail communication between Paris and Calais, and Paris and Nancy have been re-established. The Allied have wrested the initiative from the Germans forcing the German High Command to fight a defensive campaigns and admit the seri „ ousness of the situation. Judging from reliable documents, there are apparently only 24 freslf divisions that now compose the German reserves, and 23 others are being reformed. Prisoners statements secret documents and letters reveal great discouragement among the German troops. They no longer believe that a victory is possible. Germany now realises that the French and British reserves are not ffsotUnp and they are forced to admit the value of America’s army.