WESTERN ATTACK.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 February 1917, Page 5

WESTERN ATTACK.

THE COMING OFFENSIVE. SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S VIEWS. READY FOR THE ENEM*. GERMAN FRONT WILL BE BROKEN. Received Feb. 15, 5.5 p.m. Paris, Fob. 14. French war correspondents interviewed Field-Marshal' Sir Douglas Ilaig and asked whether a great offensive was imminent. Sir Douglas Haig replied: "It matters little who commences. If the Germans begin by attempting an offensive at points in the north and south that they consider the most favorable, we are ready. Their folly will cost tliem dear. We possess trained armies, and our cavalry is in full working order, so that' 'defeat may bo turned into a rout, preventing the possibility of the Germans, even in the far rear, re-entrenching. "We most certainly shall break the German front severely and at many points. The Germans have the advantage of a powerful network of railways behind their front, which will be helpful to them in their defence against our first attacks, WE WILL STRIKE WITHOUT RESPITE. "Our great offensive may be limited at some points and indefinite, but we will strike without respite until the German armies are totally destroyed." VICTORY, THEN PEACE. Asked regarding the prospects of 1917, Sir Douglas Haig said that this year will see upon the -battlefield the decisive event of the war, namely,: showing that Germany is beaten from the military viewpoint. Possibly, also, we may see the peace we all desire. "We are doing everything in our power to it. Peace can only come with absolute victory attained by the force of our arms. The Allies must not itllow thomselvc-s to bo deceived by Germany' 3 suggestions and threats. Germany in offering peace only thinks of making preparations for her next war. If we unfortunately yielded to such perfidiioits appeals, the tragedy would recommence in three years, and the soldiers understand that. I have entire confidence in my theory, and their morale is above suspicion. Regarding peace, we are all square-jawed, meaning that we have an 1 indomitable will to fight until the end. NEED OF RAILWAYS AND ARTILLERY, "Our two most serious preoccupations at the present time are railways and artillery. The war not merely ( calls for armies; we have had to construct during the last few months in tho rear of our lines over 350 kilometres of railways. I recently showed, some managers of the greatest English railways wjiat had been done, and what was still required. They understood the urgency and extent of tlic task. HEAVY GUNS WANTED. "Regarding munitions, we hive reached the maximum, and can now supply the Allies in excess of their needs; but we must have more artillery, especially heavy guns.. We must not merely equal the enemy, but must overwhelm him with the whole of our strength." WAR DECIDED ON WEST FRONT. Sir Douglas Haig added: "We mast not forget that the West front is, and will remain, the principal front wherein, I am convinced, the decision of the war will take place, hence the necessity for making it defensively the best. Trench warfare must give way to a war of movement, which alone can procure the advantages we count upon. WHY VICTORY MUST BB COMPLETE. "An incomplete or a halting peace would leave Germany able to take a terrible revenge in the near future, when, after having attacked England, she would be again on the French frontier, greedier tlian ever for blood and con-