OFFENSIVE WILL BE RENEWED

Taranaki Daily News, 7 June 1918, Page 5

OFFENSIVE WILL BE RENEWED

With Bitter and Terrible Violence Greater Odds in Our Favor. A Bloody Summer Likely. Received June 6, 7.30 p.m. London, June 5. French commentators agree that the Geriuaus intend to continue the battle. The pause is only due to fatigue and the need for bringing up artillery and supplies. The offensive is certain to be renewed with bitter and terrible violence, in the hope of gaining a decisive success. Marcel Hutin anticipates a rapid development further west, probably on the Montdidier-Noyon front. The Figaro states it is a great mistake to assume that the Germans will not make further furious efforts to reach Paris. The time was never more favorable, as the enemy is now concentrated on a single front. Reuter's correspondent with French headquarters, writing at midnight on the 4th, 'says the battle has reached a similar stage as marked that of Picardy j when the enemy's march was definitely arrested. Now, as then, he cannot hope to make progress until he has brought up artillery, but renewed attempts, more violent than before, must be expected, but with far greater odds in our favor, as the surprise stage has passed. The Americans so far engaged have borne themselves so well as to justify tho most optimistic forecasts. The enemy must have noticed their number and efficiency. Therefore he is likely to exert the utmost effort to reach a decision before autumn, when increased American numbers will have wiped out the enemy's present numerical supremacy. Europe is, therefore, likely to experience the bloodiest summer ever known.—United Service. GERMANS BACK ACROSS THE MARNE. Holding Them in Check. Americans Distinguish themselves. New York, June 4. A message from Paris says that Franco-Amercan troops pushed the Germans back across the Marne.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. London, June 5. Reuter's correspondent at French headquarters, writing yesterday afternoon, states that the enemy is still pressing heavily the whole line from the Aisne to the Marne. Neully-la-Poterle has been taken and re-taken several times. Our counter-attacks are holding the enemy in check, and his gains have been purchased at an excessive price, American troops again distinguished themselves in the fighting at Neuilly. Their machine-gunners co-operated in minor engagements at Jaulgonne, on the Marne, on the night of June 2, when a party of Germans who crossed the river were surrounded and captured. —Reuter. New York, Juno !>. A United Press message from Paris states that American troops on the Marne pushed back the Germans who were attempting to reach the Neuilly Wood.—Atts.-N.Z. Cable Assji, London, June •". Sir Douglas Haig reports considerable hostile artillery activty this morning between Albert and Serre Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. and Reuter. A DESPERATE BATTLE. Slight Ground Given. At Tremendous Cost. London, June S. A French communique states: Between the Oise and the Aisne the enemy was held by our energetic resistance, and he made no progress between the Aißne and the Ourcq. The battle continued during the night with equal desperation, from seven o'clock in the evening. Violent attacks occurred in the region Pernant, Saconin, Missy-aux-Bois, and Troesnes. Pernant fell into the enemy's hands after an obstinate resistance, in which the enemy lost heavily Further south we yielded a, little ground west of Saconin and Missy-aiu-Bois.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc, and Reuter. THE CANTING KAISER. Professes Sorrow for Fruits of His Own Doing. Amsterdam, June 5. The Kaiser on Saturday accompanied Hindenburg and visited the conquered regions north of the Marne. Standing amid the ruins of a French village he said: "Whenever I see these horrors of war which have rendered thousands homeless and changed prosperous regions into awful deserts, I cannot help thinking with grief what sorrow France might have spared herself if she had not rejected my peace offer in December, 1918." The Kaiser then visited the Soissons battle front and returned to headquarters via Fismes.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. German Official. Received June fl, 9.45 p.m. London, June 5. Wireless German official: Wc threw the enemy back towards Amblenycutry. We captured positions northward of Dbmmiers.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. CASUALTIES IN AN EXPLOSION. Paris, June 5. i A hundred were killed and fifty injured in the explosion at the Beauseuq minitirv. voriu at Mar»elll«|.r^fmteE.