THE GERMAN WITHDRAWAL.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 268, 20 April 1917, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE GERMAN WITHDRAWAL.

It is beginning to look as if the enemy's withdrawal on the Western front is destined to take him right back to tho line of the Bhine, and that, too, without any choke on his part. The news this morning indicates his ability to held St. Quentin, and, contrary to expectations, he is apparently preparing to abandon the place without a fight. In other words, he seems to have arrived at the heroic decision to effect % further strategic advance towards tho rear, instead of waiting for the inevitable smash and break-through on tho part of the Allies. Since the enemy commenced his withdrawal by evacuating the positions around Serre on February 25th last, there have been many pauses on his- part, and advantage lias been taken of all opportunities to hold i.p tho Allied advance by rearguard actions. Positions offering defensive facilities, such as the Bucquoy and Bapaume ridges, were not handea over to th? Allies without some opposition and occasional counter-attacks. But although during the past week oi so, the enemy's resistance has been increasing, he has not ytt shown himself able to call a halt and hold a new line against the oncoming Allies. There now seems to be no prospect of his making such an attempt along t'ne Arras-St. Quentin-Laon line, and it is quite on the cards that within the very near future his troops will be compelled to achieve another "strategic victory" by withdrawing from Belgium altogether.