WESTERN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, 26 February 1918, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

THE COMING OFFENSJVE. HUN SOLDIERS TO RETURN TO DUTY BEFORE . FEBRUARY 28. Received 8.50. LONDON, Feb 25. Mr Pirie Robinson writes that the indications of an early offensive include reports that all Germans on furlough have been ordered to return not later than February 28th. Thereafter no leave will be granted for three months. These reports may be a form of camouflage, but the soldiers themselves believe them. Meantime tremendous enemy preparations are going on.

MORE GERMAN OUTRAGES ON REFINED FRENCH GIRLS. Received 11.55. PARTS, Feb 25. The newspaper "L'Homme Libre" states that a thousand hostages were selected from prominent French people, including refined girls, were taken from their homes and sent to Holzmenden camp as a reprisal for the air raids, when they were exposed to the scandalous treatment. When the girls refused to make sacks for the enemy, they were locked up without proper food and light for over a month, and mattrasses, bedclothes, and even woollen underclothing were taken. It was only when the Spanish ..inspector arrived to visit the camp did the Germans make an effort to hide the outrage, but the Spaniard learned the facts. - •