VIOLENT BLOW PREPARING.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 May 1918, Page 5

VIOLENT BLOW PREPARING.

ACTIVITY BtilllNI) ENKMY LINES. WHAT ANOTHEIt FAILURE MEANS. Received May. 13, 5.20 p.m. London, May 12. Mr. Gibbs writes: The present quietude means that the Germans are preparing for another violent blow. Our guns are doing most of the firing. On many parts of the front the enemy gunners are scarcely replying, and are economising ammunition, filling up dumps, and unloading shells from light railways. Our airmen report unusual railway ae. tivity behind the German lines. There is a continual tide of rolling stock, and sometimes long columns of marching men, but the movement is greatest at night, when it is not observable.. We may assume that fresh divisions, with field batteries and heavy guns, are taking up positions nearer our lines in readiness for an assault. Our armies are awaiting expectantly, believing that if the enemy again fails, the Germans' great hopes will be utterly destroyed.-—(Ptess Association.

STRENGTH OF ENEMY. EVERY AMERICAN WANTED. New York, May 12. Tho New York Times' correspondent with the American army in France states that authentic figures show that the German army is now approximately 5,300,000 men, exclusive of the Austrian army. This year the Germans have been able to add 600,000 men. The Allies, from Calais to Belfort, are facing 3,654,000 Germans. He points out that the great task before the Allies requires every available American soldier. Tho estimated rate of German losses is more than a million annually.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.

GERMAN MOVEMENTS. LORRAINE RANKS THDJNED. Received May IS, 8.5 p.m. New York, Hay 12. The United Press correspondent on the American front says that information obtained by aviators flying above the German lines indicates that the Germans have thinned their ranks in Lorraine, and that the German lines opposite Verdun are sparsely occupied. Prisoners report that the lowest grade German soldiers are holding those positions.—Press Association.

RECIPROCAL ARTILLERYINC. MIST HAMPERS AIR WORK. Received May 13, 8.30 p.m. London, May 12. Sir Douglas Haig reports: There has been nothing happening except reciprocal artillcrying. The mist is interfering with air work. We downed four more enemy machines.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Association and Router. A GERMAN REPORT. Received May 13, 8.5 p.m. London, May 12. Wireless German official: Wo stopped an attack on our lines northward of Kenimel. We downed iu two days nineteen machines—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. and Reuter. GERMANY AND BELGIUM. DIRECT PROOF OF SINISTER AIMS. The Belgian Government has obtained direct proof of the aims pursued by Germany i n establishing, against the will of the (population, the administrative separation of Flemings and Walloons. An important document has fallen into its bands. It is the text of confidential instructions given to the personnel of the German Army in Flanders. These instructions are dated from Brussels September, 1917. They contain:— "1. Prejudiced information with regard to the history and social situation of the Flemings. (-2) Statement on the advantages to be gained t>y Germany by exploiting the language question in or--der to further her political aims. (3) Explanation of the tactics carriei out in the interests of Germany by the so-called 'Council of Flanders.' (ill)' Rules to be fallowed by Germans billeted in Flanders." The following striking phrases occur: "Administrative separation is now on the road to completion. German agreement with the Flemish movement is approved of and ordered by his Majesty the German Emperor. It is, therefore, the duty of every German to uphold it with all his power. German policy in the occupied territory is a policy of preparation. The political status to be given eventually to Flanders and Wallonia will be decided in the future. Consequently every individual German must hold aloof from any divergence of opinion which may occur among the Flemings as to the ultimate aim of administrative separation, and must stick to the official utterances of the Imperial Government on the subject." The document ends with this assertion, revealing the whole policy now pursued by Germany towards Belgium: "It is the duty of every German, as a. German and as a soldior.'to do his share that Fiandovs, reconquered by Germanism and turning to Germany, may be the security for the western flank of the Empire in future." These instructions unmask the duplicity of Germany, and show at the same time the.unshakable patriotism of the Flemings, who, in spite of the attempts made during three years to gain their sympathy, have constantly repulsed the German oilers, and have never ceased to claim the restoration of an independent and united Belgium.