BATTLE LIKELY TO CONTINUE FOR WEEKS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 10867, 4 June 1918, Page 5

BATTLE LIKELY TO CONTINUE FOR WEEKS.

AMERICAN TROOPS MAY ULTIMATELY HOLD BALANCE. Australian and N Z. Cable Association. WASHINGTON, June 1

General Bridges, head of British Military Mission to United States, commenting on the situation on the west front, said that the American troops had become a vital factor in the great battle, and may hold the balance between defeat and victory. The objectives of the Germans appear to be threefoldthe capture of Paris, the separation of the allied armies by a drive through Amiens, and the capture of the Channel ports. \\ e must now expect a resumption of the offensive in the north soon or the withdrawal of German divisions from there to exploit the new successes southward. The battle is likely to continue for weeks or to become a struggle for man power.

American army men are confident that the German drive will stop at the Marne. They do not believe that the enemy will seriously attempt to cross the river, but expect German attempts to straighten the line from the Marne to Amiens and Rheims. There are some suggestions that important allied events are impending. A British high official says— "The situation has not yet reached its crisis. Before autumn we will survive more critical periods and suffer even greater losses, but these will not change the ultimate decision."

French military officials are optimistic,