ENEMY MAY REVERT TO PURELY DEFENSIVE POLICY

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 172, 20 July 1916, Page 5

ENEMY MAY REVERT TO PURELY DEFENSIVE POLICY

TO SECURE TOLERABLE TERMS OF PEACE. PRISONERS ADMIT AN INSUFFICIENCY OF RESERVES, LONDON, July 19. One of many indications that Sir Douglas Haig's offensive has aroused the first fears of the German General Staff is the suggested possibility that the Germans must revert to the purely defensive in order to secure tolerable terms & of peace. General Hindcnburg has already been summoned to the westernyfront to discuss the situation with the Kaiser and General yon Falkenhavn. It is understood that General Hindenburg has been given complete control of the eastern front, including the Austrians. General Hindenburg's appointment is essential to the carrying out of the operation of shortening the eastern front, which is already in progress. German officers made prisoner on the west front admit that the Gernans above all fear a British and French offensive at fresh points on the front, for . which the Germans have not sufficient reserves. They say that every man in Kitchener's armies seems to be a sharpshooter, and his courage is equal to that of the best-trained soldier. The Cologne-correspondent of an Amsterdam newspaper writes: "On all sides it is becoming apparent that not a single German aim will be achieved. The military operations on the west front are severely criticised, particularly the death march towards Verdun. The Crown Prince is openly accused of tiie .uicletc ac|jßßi*JAtio» pi troop* iaagU?g a- *ictorieM s cgganive ipn-pgjfticjr ;■