AUSTRO-GERMANY.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 January 1918, Page 5

AUSTRO-GERMANY.

THE GREAT OFFENSIVE. AGAINST VERDUN, CALAIS, AND ITALY. - - GERMANS' LAST DESPERATE THROW. deceived Jan. 15, 12.15 a.m. Paris, Jan.. 14. A well-known neutral, just from Bcr- . lin, states that the great offensive has been decided upon, to be launched directly the weather conditions will allow. The main blow will be aimed at Verdun, and secondary offensives at Calais and Italy. The Crown Prince and General von LudendorfT have regained all their old influent Ludendorff opines that there are three out of four chances that the coming offensive will be successful. Other generals point out that the last effort at Verdun failed owing t»> the mud. This time they will be careful lo choose a favorable season. Apart from the great army entrusted with the offensive, twenty divisions are to be held in reserve and used at the last extremity, aB this morale is poor. ■ The neutral added that although the German machine is aB powerful as ever, it is liKcly to coliapsc at the first military failure. Then the masses of pacifists in the army and civilians will bring the responsible parties to account.

PRESIDENT WILSON'S SPEECH FORMS BASIS FOR PEACE. Received Jan. 14, 8.50 p.m. Berne, Jan. 13. The Vorwaerts announces l that 2000 electors at Bieelfed passed a resolution urging the Government to reply favorably to the Pope's recent note, and to refrain from any open or secret annexation demands. A similar movement is being organised throughout Germany. The Vorwaerts declares that although President Wilson's speech hardly inspires the whole-hearted confidence of the German people, it should serve as a basis of peace if the other members of the Entente will formally give their adhesion.