The Times. PUBLISHED ON TUESDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOONS. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1918 THE COMING OFFENSIVE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 355, 26 February 1918, Page 2

The Times. PUBLISHED ON TUESDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOONS.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1918 THE COMING OFFENSIVE.

''We nothing extenuate, nor set down auaht in malice.'' 1

During the past two or three weeks the correspondents have shown a disposition to speculate with considerable assurance as to impending offensive on the Western front. It appears to have been generally accepted that Germany lias been preparing tor an early offensive during the present year, and some correspondents have ventured as far as to predict that the blow will fall within the next few days, and that it will be struck on the Verdun sector. That the Germans have been heavily concentrating for some time is well known. The British airmen have been remarkably active during the present mouth, and as the result of their observations they have reported great .massing of troops beind the enemy's lines. Their evidence has been corroborated by prisoners captured in raids and subjected to rigorous cross-examination by officers trained to get the truth. If there is to be an offensive it must be on a front on which a decisive victory may be gained. The Germans have been many times disappointed in their hope that by occupying more territory they might force tlie Allies into a conference without defeating one ol theirmain armies The Polish and Servian campaigns wen each of them confidently expected to jud in i German peace. They failed, and the conqueror* set otil to win their crowning victory at Verdun. Having failed there again the defeat of Roiiiuan.a carried them no iitare! their goal. Tin y may still rely on wai weariness ot the Allies, as one ot the correspondents suggests |Jut if they hope to end the war quickly they must attack on the West, wheie the main forces i ; the Allies are concentral? d and th« v \dl find thee that then coming i- awaited with confide-. ■:■.-. As to wh nt he blow will be struck, that must, of course, depend on the German preparations and the -tale of the ground. I'ru edenl ~u,.w" sis thai then can be lillle imporlant .':. :>•- iiic. until the end ■ ; i'.-brmc \