The Daily News. SATURDAY, MAY 1, 1915. THE GERMAN OFFENSIVE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 276, 1 May 1915, Page 4

The Daily News. SATURDAY, MAY 1, 1915. THE GERMAN OFFENSIVE.

, Little by little we are obtaining scraps of news of what are described as the biggest and most sanguinary battles of the campaign. It is evident that both sides are strenuously endeavoring Lo ■ make the Nieuport-La Bassec line the i turning point of the war. Germany knew that the British offensive was tim- ■ ed to begin in May, for had not Lord Kitchener said; —"I don't know when the war will end, but I do know it is going to begin in May." As a matter of fact the Britisli offensive began with the terrible battle for Hill (if), which is not far from Hollebeke (south of Ypres). Between Dixmude and Ypres is the middle sector of the line, and it is regarded as a danger sector —that is where trouble might be expected—and as events turned out it was just where the Germans made a supreme effort to break through. It is possible that the enemy made all preparations for anticipating the Allies' offensive movement. The latest cable news seems to indicate that the Germans prepared to deliver a paralysing blow —not at one point only, but at every point they considered advisable. It was known that German troops were pouring towards the Yser, but it was not known when and how «heir attack would be delivered. It seerjis they were only waiting for a favorable wind that would carry suffocating fumes of chlorine and overwhelm the Allies. Apparently they uAixru not advance relying on the recognised means of warfare, but they let loose poisonous gases which not oniy bu(located our troops, -Out create! for the moment a panic that might, if unchecked, have turned the scale and crumpled up the Allies. Taking advantage of this deadly curtain of fog and of the surprise it had caused the Germans swept on and charged a practically unresisting enemy, causing a retirement on St. Julien. For the time being the British line was overwhelmed, and some guns were lost, but after the first effect of the gas panic was over tin; retirement became a movement well worthy of the best traditions of our army, every step nf the way being contested until the reserves arrived, when a brilliant forward move was made, the Germans being driven back and the guns recaptured. In one way it was distinctly unfortunate that the Canadians should have their first experience of the fighting under such diabolical conditions, but it gave them the opportunity of proving their metal and this they did in a manner that will for ever redound to their lienor ar;d glory. There is no doubt that every available man of every available engine of destruction that Germany could bring to bear on the Allies was utilised.. Had (hey got through, as they confidently expected to do, they would be in a position to turn the Belgian position on the one hand and the British position on the I other. In spite of their tactics they were forced back, and it may be safely anticipated that their resort to poison- i cms gases as a prelude to an attack will only serve as a stimulant to the Allies ■ to crush those who adopt such horrible methods. The Germans may have gained a temporary footing at one or two ] points, but the tide has turned, and we j may regard the future with confidence. •,