MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 May 1918, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

WAR REVIEW. MINOR OPERATIONS IN FRANCE. WHERE THE ENEMY EXCELS. ALLIES' AIR SUPERIORITY. Received May 19, fi.fl p.m. Londofi, May 18. A "High Authority" has explained that his statements might be regarded as the considered opinion of the considered opinion of the general Btaff, a3 far as can be published. Operations in France have been purely of a minor character, and were more or less in the nature of sparring. On the whole the balance was with us. The enemy has been extraordinarily good in filtrating himself and staying in the position taken, often widening the breach, until he was able to hold it. This comes from the exceedingly good brains of the regimental officers and the subordinate staff in this respect. All through the war the Germans have been better than we have at this game.

The chief feature has been our air work. Between May 9 and May 15 we brought down 71 c-nemy machines in flames, as against nine of our machines missing. We are infinitely better in the air this year than we were twelve months agt». Aviation played a very important part during the first phase in bringing the German offensive to a standstill. SUCCESS OF TANKS. In tank attacks at Villers Bretonneux our seven tanks, with a crew of 20, put 400 Germans out of action and broke up the advance of a complete brigade. GERMAN EXAGGERATIONS EXPOSED In reference to the German statement that the 56th Division was almost wiped out, the fact was that the Division lost 43 officers and. 1425 men. The enemy reported that the 4th Yorks were captured completely, when only 191 were missing, and that the sth Berkshires were annihilated, when four officers and 100 men represented the loss. ENEMY BOILING UP FOR BIG EFFORT. With regard to the position in France, the enemy is now boiling up for a big effort, and if he waits a little longer he will probably be able to resume ill the same strength as ho did on March 21. On the other hand, the longer he waits the more we have for preparation in co-operation with our allies. GERMAN FEAR OF AMERICANS. The Germans are trying to belittle the American factor. They did the samw with the "contemptible little army." If they had nothing to fear from the Americans, there was not any particular reason 'why the Germans should have hazarded everything on the present offensive. There was every confidence that the American army would make good.

SUCCESS OF PALESTINE OPERATIONS.

General Allenby's main object in Palestine has been very greatly fulfilled. There was no intention to occupy much country east of the Jordan, but merely to ease the situation for the Arabs down south in smashing up the Iledjaz railway.—Press Association. "

WOOL SUPPLIES.

SHORTAGE OF MERINO AND COMBING WOOL. THE POSITION EXPLAINED. Received May 19, 5.5 p.m. London, May 17. Mr. Arthur Goldfinch, Director of Raw Materials, has predicted that before many months the shipping programme would not be complied with. It was estimated on the maximum arrivals of wool- There would be no difficulty regarding clothing, as wool was coming in. The British clip would keep supplies of crossbred and combing wool within safe limits, with small New Zealand assistance, but stocks of merino and combing wool did not {five the requisite margin of safety. This was still less satisfactory, because France was badly off for combing wools, and was pressing for British assistance.—Press Assoc.

AN UNFOUNDED REPORT. AS TO BOMBARDMENT OF DOVER. Received May 19, 5,5 p.m. New York, May 18. Passengers from England report that Dover was bombarded from Ostend by a German super-gun. London officially denies the report. THE EXPLANATION. Received May 19, 5.5 p.m. Montreal, May IS.

In connection with the Dover bombardment, it is stated that three shells fired were mistaken for an air raid. —Reuter.