WAR NOTES

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 20 September 1917, Page 5

WAR NOTES

ADVANCE AT WESTHOEK.

EVIDENCE OF FOOD SHORTAGE. August 11. A correspondent at British headquarters writes: Early this morning the Germans reefcved as definite that their newspapers are ui error when they declare that the British offensive in Flanders has come to a standstill. That their high command did not think so was shown by the strenuous advantage it has taken of the conditions the bad weather imposed upon us to strengthen their front and rear defences. We learn that no fewer than 10 enemy divisions have been withdrawn since July 31, which is a fair criterion of the losses on that date, since we know that most of these troops were fresh in the line on the eve of the attack.

The operations this morning were not ,of the first magnitude, but rather a battle for position, and to try to complete our partial dominance on Wetshoek ridge. Following the usual thunderous preliminaries by the gunners, the infantry “went over” at 4.30 on a front of about two miles. We carried the advance to an extreme depth of 500yds. The following order dated July 6 to the Ypres group of Prince Rupprecht’s armies is interesting and enlightening:—“The fact that economy of the stocks of bread and cereals is necessary makes it essential to sanction an increased ration only to those to whom it is really necessary. All officers are requested explain again to their subordinates the really serious nature of the economic strain in Germany, and to instruct them that the strictest economy of supplies must be exercised. Nothing must be consumed beyond the necessary, and even the smallest particle must not be wasted.” WAR-WEARY GERMANY. The attitude of the German people to wards the war was recently described in the London Times by “a competent neutral observer, who has been a long resident in Germany.” He wrote: Germany is tired of the war—there is no question about that. In spite of themselves the Germans long ardently for peace. One hears nothing more of the lust of conquest; but I must say that I h ave never heard anybody in Germany say, “We must give it up.” I do not know what the people imagine will the end of the war, and I believe they do not know themselves. They are depressed, and how can it be otherwise with the frightful losses that they have suffered? I have never heard terms of reproach associated with the name of the Kaiser, any more than with those of the statesmen of lower rank, although a general Democratic if not Socialistic, spirit has penetrated the people. I have heard dignified men of high position say that all this fuss about princes must be done away with after the war —that the times would not admit of so much being wasted in this way any moire. Tl\e worst is expected of the demands which the people, especially the soldiers returning from the field, will make after the war. There is no question of the prevalence of a revolutionary spirit in Germany, but that there is sometimes tension here and there is a fact. England must console herself for losing first place in the matter of being hated. America now stands at the top. The explanation of the intervention of America is generally this —America was afraid that England would not win and was then alarmed about her ammunition orders. That is why she came in; but also because she wanted to sit at the green table when the peace negotiations came on.