GERMAN “ROAD TO PARIS.”

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1541, 20 April 1916, Page 2

GERMAN “ROAD TO PARIS.”

Thk suggestion that the new German offensive against Verdun is really the beginning of another attempt to secure a decision on the Western front is strongly favoured by the German press. “ The advantages we obtained in the local operations lately on the Western front sink into insignifiance when compared to the success north of Verdun,” writes Major Moraht, the military correspondent of the Berlinger Tageblatt. Since the days of the Marne, hope has always existed in Germany that this great projecting fortress of the French eastern defence line would be taken. For a year we have threatened Verdun on three sides —north, south, and south-east. On the northern front of the fortress the French, supported by the Meuse, had an exceedingly strong position between the villages of Consenvoye and Azannes, the distance between the two places being 15 kilometres. The latest attack was made against this position. Excellent communications by road and rail made our preparations easy. Describing the German positions as partly encircling Verdun, the writer continues: — The French defence may perhaps expect danger from all sides equally. For many months I have pointed out the importance of Verdun to the whole of our line on the Western front. In the hope that in the district of Verdin we would find a point of attack, J referred to a pivot tor our army, and pointed to th k e old historic road of advance to Paris. It Is possible that anxiety is at the moment filling the French Army leaders. Besides this attack, they have had to meet other attacks which have given us

tactical results. The English and French press have for some time been plagued by doubt as to whether and where, we might attack. They had- in mind the so-called decisive offensive in the West, and still they are not certain whether their fears are justified that we shall advance in the West whilst they are sending troops to Salonika. What the enemy has just experienced in the West is, perhaps, only a foretaste ot what may follow. We must leave it to the clerveness of the enemy to find for themselves the solution of the riddle.