PREPARING FOR WINTER.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 December 1917, Page 8

PREPARING FOR WINTER.

AUSTRALIAN CONFIDENCE. GERMAN PROPAGANDA. London, Deo. 10. \Vriting from the Australian liead'(uartcrs, Mr. Keith Murdoch says: Here anil throughout the British armies in France tliere is clean honest optimism—not, the thoughtless optimism which scorns the military skill and steadiness of the Germans, hut a stalwart youthful confidence in the capacity of British manhood to achieve and secure Ihe pc;>ce of the world against all-com-n.rs. Passing along the lines, through the British, Canadian, and Australian units of cheerful, lusty soldiers, I was impressed again by the magnificence of the armies, and the fact that however feeble and querulous the people at Home may become, these will make regeneration assured.

More of the Anzacs are busy discussing the inter-battalion football matches than the Russian collapse. They hear reports of strong drafts of picked men arriving from Russia,, and ask what is going to happen to Roumania and Greece, and wonder whether Hindenburg will attempt a decisive effort in the west. But the soldier does not worry. He knows that Jiis homegoing is indefinitely postponed, but is absorbed in his task of keeping comfortable under wintry conditions. The Anzacs are plunged into the second v-'iiter under immensely better •:ondifions than those of 191 H. The work is lighter, and the shelter better. The men are in glowing health, and their spirits are high. .

Since the Passehendacle push the flglitin? of the Australiaiiwhas been limited 1.0 a fo-,v successful raids—one of,which, on a large scale, in which new methods were used, gave brilliant results. Some of the Australian artillery also had a !imal) share in the achievement of the tanks and the splendid work of the flying squadrons in the Cambrai battie. Heavy fronts make the ground hard and the air biting, giving t.iie force the appearance of ruddv liealth. Exercise is •lagcrlv sought, and is keenly enjoyed. TJie Australians' offensive spirit persists. The Germans are distributing ,rom the air an extraordinary amount ol propaganda, doubtless following the roil-tine-like system which succeeded in Italy. Aeroplanes unloose tinv balloons, which come down in the Australian lines, scattering leaflets and newspapers printed in much and English, telling of the victories in Italy, and the blessings of the <«erman system of government, The Australians hope these crude and illspent efforts continue, as they provide interesting souvenirs.