ALLEGED SHORTAGE OF SHELLS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXV, Issue 9155, 1 June 1915, Page 5

ALLEGED SHORTAGE OF SHELLS.

A WAR CORRESPONDENT'S STATEMENTS.

SITUATION ALTOGETHER

EXAGGERATED,

FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES

(Received June 1, 9 a.m.)

LONDON May 31. The " Morning Post's" correspondent in the North of France, Avho made it his particular business to inquire into the question of shell supply for the Army, says:—"l was assured by a number of reliable sources that the artillery was doing splendidly, and while the high explosive shells were certainly required in ever-increasing quantities, the situation is altogether exaggerated in some quarters, to quote an expression from the front." The correspondence goes on:—"We are dynamiting our way through tinGerman defences much the same as the French are blowing their parapets to bits, and doing it rapidly and well. In certain instances we were into the German trenches and bad'the occu-

pants trembling with fear. Their dug-outs and trenches were concreted and steel-plated, yet notwithstanding this they were rendered absolutely untenable.

"I find among the soldiers widespread indignation against the attacks on Lord Kitchener, and it is logically urged that if the matter is really meant patriotically, serious representation in the right quarter would have" sufficiently called attention to any grievance."

Prom other sources it is stated that the alleged scandal of a shortage of shells has been grossly exaggerated for political purposes, and that tho crisis is solely the result of personal quarrels at the Admiralty aud War Office.