WESTERN FRONT.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 February 1918, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

CALM CHEER!NESS PREVAILS. GENERAL SMUTS CONFIDENT. London, Feb. 24. A special correspondent states that the "round 011 the We-I (rout lias hardened, and that the worst period of mud and winter is over. Calm eheerine.ss prevails, and everything is in readiliens for the new campaign*. Nobody at tlie front'believes that die Central Powers are eapable of breaking the Francol'ritisli linesGeneral Smuts, after an inspection ol the l'mos, reported that tliey gave tin Doclie no chance in an offensive. The arrival of Turkish troops in Bel gitim is interpreted to mean that thi divisions formerly used against tin Russians are being brought westward J'he Austrian troops are apparently in tended for reserves. Their number i: unknown, but there is reason to Velievi that Austria-Hungary lias been nig gardly, ON THE FRENCH FRONT. ENEMY ORGANISATIONS PENETRATED. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc- and Reuter Received Feb. 25, 5.5 p.m. London, Feb. 24. A French communique states then has been fairly great artillery activitj in the regions of Vauxaillon, Chavignon Luttc du Mesnil, and on the left banl of the Meu.se. Our detachments ir upper Alsace valiantly penetrated tin l'ontiasigach region, north-west oi Aspaeli le Has, and destroyed Gerjnai organisations. TANKS v. TANKS. BRITISH HAVE ADVANTAGE OF EXPERIENCE. Aus. and N.z,. Oable Assoc. and Reuter Received Feb. 2(!, 1.30 a.m. ~ London, Feb. 25, Air. I hihp Gibbs reports that the enenvy is preparing to bring tanks into action and has been training troops to attack behind them. We may see tanks fighting tanks, but with the long start in ex penenee, the advantage is immensely ir our favor. 1