WESTERN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, 27 May 1918, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

ENEMY ARTILLERY ACTIVE. ON WESTERN FRONT, LONDON, May 24. General Haig reports: The enemy’s artillery was active last night westward of Lens, and in the neighbourhood of Givenchy and Festubert. They gas-shelled our position in Nieppe Forest. STILL WAITING FOR THE GERMAN OFFENSIVE. LONDON, May 24. Mr. Phillips writes: “We are still awaiting the great German offensive. The respite is welcomed by the Allied troops. Artillery has poured in steadily to the front areas of the British zone, and trains laden with timber and wire have been brought up. The infantry are enjoying a much-needed rest, and the new drafts will have field training.” IMPERIAL WAP CONFERENCE. MORE IMPORTANT THAN LAST ' year. Received 9.5 a.m. LONDON, May 26. The Government regards the meeting of the Imperial \yar Cabinet as of considerable importance, coming at a time’ when tbe war is likely to reach a decisive issue. Many matters of Empire concern will engage attention, which can only be dealt Avitb by personal attendance of Dominion Ministers. Since the last conference many new points of interest have arisen, demanding settlement. It is generally believed the meeting is far more important than last year’s session, occupying weeks, and it may be necessary to extend the period if affairs in the war theatre call for prolonged consultations. WHY IS OFFENSIVE DELAYED? WAITING FOR AUSTRIA. ALLIED AIR SUPERIORITY A FACTOR. Received 10.40 a.m. LONDON, May 26. It is now twenty-six days since the Germans ceased attacking on the West front. Critics suggest the reason the offensive is delayed is that the ' ! erraans are awaiting the Austrians. Meantime the Allies’ air superiority is so marked that the Germans are experiencing the greatest difficulty In completing preparations. A correspondent of the “Echo de Paris” learns from a good quarter that the air superiority will shortly be on such a scale that Allied aeroplanes will be able to isolate considerable portions of the enemy’s armies during the attack. Groups of aeroplanes are acting as air cavalry in such numbers as to turn the flanks of whole divisions. GERMANS OUTCLASSED, Received .10.20 a.m. WASHINGTON, May 27. The New York Times’ correspondent with the French Army interviewed the commander of an important aviation unit, who declared the German aviation force had lost its dash, and avoided combat wherever possible. The German bombers invite disaster when they attempt to fly over our lines in daylight, so they attempt only night attacks. French bombers enjoy almost complete immunity, and bomb certain concentration centres day and night. “I would not be surprised,” be added, “if the Gerau sir weakness is the chief cause os tli 3 delay in the offensive.”