ALLIED MAN POWER.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 May 1918, Page 2

ALLIED MAN POWER.

BRITAIN'S NEW EFFORT. INVASION NOT FEARED. London, May 3. The Matin, discussing the eventuality of the withdrawal from Ypres, points out that Germany is preparing to hail what would merely consist of the occupation of a sector voluntarily evacuated. The Petit Journal, referring to the recent conference in France of Mr Lloyd George, Generals Foch, Haig and Pershing, says that Britain and America, recognising the necesaity for intensifying military action were placing greater ltfin-power resources at General Foch's disposal. The newspaper, after .dwelling on "the almost insuperable difficulty'' of the invasion of England, declares that Britain now relies on this, and is acting accordingly. Mr Hamilton Fyfe says that the heavy artillery defence south of Ypres, combined with the mud and the cutting up of roads, has increased the disorganisation behind the enemy lines. There has been considerable confusion in mixing units, and the German gunners in some places, firing widely, have killed their own men. One of their airmen had to ascend to show the position of the front line. . I

A siiell frightened a pair of mules attached to a limber. These bolted to the British lines, bringing in two. helpless and terrified gunners; also a bagful of correspondence proving that the reports of distress in Germany over the losses are not exaggerated. Almost every letter shows consternation and hopelessness, and refers to the severity of the food conditions.

Mr Lovat Fraser, reviewing in the Daily Mail the losses and gains in the west, says the jubilation over a single successful defensive shows a defective perspective. It is quite certain that the enemy has not yet used the whole of the reinforcements he can obtain from Russia. The offensive has not reached the maximum weight and driving power. The prolonged and comparative quietude in the south veils the hxwant preparations against Amiens and Paris. .Sthiens and Fazebrouck are still threatened. TJnder the heading, "Enemy's Hope Deferred," the Times publishes an estimate of the situation.' It says:—After the bloody check at Mont Houge the Hermans have had to reconstitute their decimated units, and await the arrival of reinforcements to All the frightful gaps. This regrouping has caused a marked lull in the .fighting, but it does not mean that Ludendorff has abandoned the sledge-hammer blows, the results of which Germany is still tensely and enthusiastically expectant. Our soldiers will know that future ordeals are awaitinar them, may be fiercer than those from which they have just emerged. The full effects of the Eussian withdrawal are now manifest. The meaning of it is that we must fight tenaciously at a disadvantage until the Americans enter the field in strength. On the other hand, enemv peonies are unquestionably resuffering the bitterness of disappointment. Germany Is beginning to doubt whether the splendid, errhilaratim? vision of a crushed British army will not prove illusory, like the submarine successes and the capture of Paris.

Mr Perry Robinson states that the Germans since March 21 nave used over a hundred divisions on the Soratne and 36 in the north, apart from many which have heen refitted and thrown in a second time. He notes the appearance of many new drafts of youngsters of the 1018 class and younger, and also of garrison troops.