UNITED STATES.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 March 1918, Page 5

UNITED STATES.

SHIP CONSTRUCTION WORK. BRITISH UNDEFEATABLE. EARLY AND SUCCESSFUL COtOTEttOFFENSIVK ANTICIPATED. Received March 29, 1 V.'JO p.m. Now York. Ma re] i 2S. Mr. Hurley (chairman of die Shipping Board), in it speech, stated Hint America lmd :17 steel ship yards when she entered the war, hut had since established an additional 81. We have fj.KiO.UOO tons of shipping under contract, of which 2,121, 000 is completed. We also have 3,000,000 tons of requisitioned vessels, whi<;h we have placed at the Allies' service, and 112 German-Austrian \ e'ssels totalling SOO,0(10 tons. We have 7:10 wooden and steel ways, as compared with 21!) in England. 'We have increased the number of sliip--.vorkers from 5000 to 2:1(1,000. We will have a shipbuilding machine within eight months which will be able to defeat Germany. Ofiieiiil despatches from Paris state that the French view developments with calm confidence that the Germans will be stopped. Official observers state that the Germans attacked in even closer formation than in 1!) H, resulting in indescribable losses. German prisoners admit that their advance was clogged by heaps of their own dead, and that several regiments which were advancing on open, ground were completely wiped out. The damage by the xj.• 1 osii>n at Jersey City is estimated it two million dollars. "

Official opinion and the tone of the newspapers throughout the country reflect unshakable confidence in the ability of the British to hold the Germans. The, newspapers are optimistic, and anticipate ,an early and successful counter-offensive. Cartoons depict Britannia hard pressed but indomitable. There was great enthusiastn at the British announcement that Americans were participating in the lighting at lloye. It is believed the) comprise the fresh American troop's which were trained in England. The New York Times says that Germany's object was not to drive back the British; it was to lout them, but in this the Germans failed. The British, thovgh retreating, are undefeated, and, we believe, are undefeatahle.

The New York Times' military expert states that the British are holding the high ground taken in the battle at Vimy Ridge. This means that the end of the German advance is in sight. Sir Douglas Hftig's retreat north of (he Somme was not compulsory, he has waited for the right moment to strike back, and the hour for the great counter-attack is fast approaching.

American headquarters state that the American artillery, by incessantly shelling- the Germans 011 the Toul'sector, forced the Germans to abandon the town. Colonel Iviehecourt, acting chie; of stall, in March made a statement that llie Allies are determined to see the great battle through to a finish. He declared that the Allies will win.

Colonel Roosevelt;, addressing a Renublican State Convention at Portland, Maine, said the Allies must beat Germany to her knees to get a righteous and lusting peace.