THE AMERICAN DIVISIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 October 1917, Page 5

THE AMERICAN DIVISIONS.

NOT YET 'READY FOR SERVICE.

GERMANY'S WANING STRENGTH,

REVIEW BY COLONEL REPINGTON.

Times Service. Received Oct. 25, 10.37 p.m. ' ■ London, Oct. 25. Colonel Repington, who has visited the Americans at the front, gays that General Pershing could not put his divisions into the line now, but is resolved to perfect his armies before lie undertakes a gigantic battle, excepting in the air arid water. All supplies for the troops are coming from America also, even great quantities of rolling-stock. Dealing with the general position, Colonel Repington says that ascertainable figures show that the ehanees of Germany winning by dint of numbers have long since passed. The German fighting strength is now 5,750,000, whereof 2,200,000 are in the West, 1,200,000 in the east, and. the balance in depots, garrisons, and administrative services. There are .probably half a million reserves, including 380,000 partly trained of the 1319 class, which, with those recovered from wounds, are tlie only men available for reinforcements. If the 1918 fighting is on a similar scale to this and last year, Germany will be compelled to use the 1920-21 classes next year or weaken or reduce her divisions. She will probably make superhuman efforts this winter to equal the British artillery output and beat us in the air, but this will not make easier the maintenance of her infantry strength.