WESTERN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, 24 January 1918, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

■pTVT.TTVF FROM FIGHTING,

LONDON, January 22,

Mr Philip Gibb states that tbe relief frpm the incessant infantry fighting is reflected in the clear drop of the casualties aifd the splendid emptiness of the wards, even cases of sicknes are not heavy, and despite the weather the health of the troops is wonderful. The muddy scarecrows from the enemy’.s waterlogged trenches, tell miserable tales of discomfort im flooded dugouts, and the shortage of food owing to difficulty in getting supplies. Undoubtedly there is relaxation from discipline in the German army, apparently tuo officers are afraid to punish severely even the gravest offences and it is noteworthy that deserters arc not shot, but sent back to prisons. The German High Command is trying to build up a mighty bogy that there arc masses coming from the East, hoping to demoralise the Allies, who are unlikely to be deceived by such camouflage.

Mr Gibbs ’ personal opinion is that there, will be no great operations for at least a month, while No Man’s Eand is flooded and the roads and tenches are bogs.

SERIOUS DIFFERENCES

BETWEEN HINDENBURG AND

ludendorff,

Received 9.15,

WASHINGTON, Jan 23

The Chicago Daily News’ correspondent on the French front says serious differences are reported between Hlndenburg and Ludedorff. It is believed the latter is opposed to a big offensive.

SUCCESSFUL PATROL ENCOUNTERS. AIR RAIDS ON GERMANY. Received 8.45. LONDON, January 23. Sir Douglas Haig reports successful patrol encounters last night eastward of Ypres. The enemy raided one of our posts south of St. Quentin. Hostile artillery is active at Cambrai. Our aeroplanes during the night dropped over 200 bombs on aerodromes near Courtrai billets at Roulers and Ruxnbeke. We also air-raided Germany, dropped two tons of bombs on steel works at Thienville railway siding and at Bersdorff and Arnavillc. junction.

THE COMING OFFENSIVE.

DOOMED TO FAILURE,

FRANCE CALMLY CONFIDENT

Received 9.15. NEW YORK, January 23

Thr> New York Times’ Paris correspondent says France is awaiting confidently the great German offensive on the West Front which is believed to be imminent. This will be the decisive, perhaps the final battle of the war.

31. Joseph Reinach and other writers are ef opinion that Fancy will Jo one of the principal objectives. It is known that the Germans are heavily concentrating forces in Lorraine, but France has perfected Her defences, and the attack is doomed to failure.