GERMAN BLOW DELAYED.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16213, 16 May 1918, Page 7

GERMAN BLOW DELAYED.

IMPROVED FOOD POSITION IN BRITAIN.

OFFICIAL STORY OF OSTEND RAID.

4th YEAR—2Bsth DAY.

THE GREAT OFFENSIVE.

LULL CONTINUES.

FRUITLESS GERMAN ATTACKS

(By Cable.—Precs Association.-- Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received May 15th, 7 p.m.) LONDON, May 14 (10 p.m.).

Sir Douglas Haig reports:— "After a heavy artillery bombardment the enemy attacked on a mi e front south-westward of and entered our positions at one paigV "The Australians counter-attacKgft, and completely re-established Mfc "The attack was repulsed at otner points with heavy loss. "Our casualties were very light"The French, in local fighting, iepulsed an attack in the direction of Klein Vierstraat.'^ >Ni>oN) May u Sir Douglas Haig reports:— "Wo successfully raided north-east-ward of Robooq. We repulsed with loss, an enemy party westward of Me V 1 "There is hostile artillery fire on the Somme and Ancre sectors."

THE NEXT PHASE.

REASONS FOR GERMAN DELAY

NEW- YORK, May 14. The "New York Times" Paris correspondent reports that there as much, speculation as .to the reason for the continued delay in the resumption of the German offensive. Experts behev© that tho Germans are considering -whother to bring half a million m©n froni th© sian front, or Austrians from the Italian front. It is stated that the Kaiser asked the Emperor Karlto bring half a million, men from the Tyrol, but Austria is afraid to deplete the Italian front. She. also feare an immediate revolt of Czechs and Jugoslavs. It 19 believed that another factor in postponing the offensive may bo tho further mutinies which, are reported to have occurred among German divisions on the West front. LONDON, May 14. The "Morning Post's" Paris correspondent says it is believed that General von Mackensen -could -provide as a maximum 600,000 men, "but this would denude the Russian front of practically every man. The correspondent learns that the Austrians are unlikely to agree to the German demand to send troops from the Tyrol, being determined to maintain the forces there in readiness for an Italian counter-offensjve. Germany's reluctance to -withdraw armies from the Russian front is easily explained, as Germany will then be powerless to enforce her claims for food supplies, which she hopes, by "fair or foul means, to extract from the occupied provinces. In the event of a German withdrawal these supplies would probably fall into the hands of the Austrians, who aro much nearer absolute famine than the Germans. Austria regards the Russian grain as a most important factor, and undoubtedly Austria, in tho absence of German troops, would secure the bulk, if not all, of the 450,000 tons of wheat which the Ukraine promised to deliver to tho Central Powers. Austria regards the question as vital. She must secure additional foodstuffs before August, because her own supplies are dangerously near exhaustion.

Colonel ltepington, -writing in the "Morning Post, says:— "Though the next and most critical stago of the German attack may be expected this or next week, it is uncertain -whether the Austrians will be able to comply with the German desire for a concurrent attack on Italy. Owing to the lateness of the season, tho Italian rivers are still flooded.

"A mysterious element is the •whereabouts of von Mackcnsen's divisions, which wero on the East front when the German attack began."

Colonel Eepington's view is that the idea of in oversea attack against Britain being revived is improbable.

(Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association.) (Received May 16th, 1 a.m.)

AMSTERDAM, May 15,

Reports from Liege state that troops are arriving on the West front from Koumania, including cavalry.

RAIN IMPEDES GERMAN PLANS.

, (Beater's Telegrams.) (Received May 15th, 11.35 p.m.)

LONDON, May 14.

Keuter's correspondent at British Headquarters, writing on May 14th, states:—

"Heavy rain lias fallen during tho past 24 hours, and mttst have seriously impeded the German plans and preparations. The enemy is now confronted with the same conditions in Flanders as we experienced on the Sojnme battlefield, when our ' former offensive was heavily handicapped. We know definitely that he is in many places having a really bad time, and this knowledge will enaßlo our soldiers to bear their share of tho discomfort with cheerful equanimity. While our communications overywhero aro good, and supplies abundant and regular, the Germans have in some places to flounder across wide tracts of slush and brimming shell cratere."

SIGNIFICANT ENEMY NAVAL PREPARATIONS.

(AustTalian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received May 15th, 7 p.m.) COPENHAGEN, May 14. Tho Germans have been busy during the last few weeks, blocking the approaches to the Cattegat. Extensive minefields have been laid, especially in the vicinity of Gothenburg.

USE OF POISON GAS

(Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association.) (Received May 16th, 1 a.m.)

PARIS,

AMERICAN TROOPS

WAR OFFICLVLS PUZZLED

The "Gazette Lausanne" says that, the Entente has replied to the Geneva Red Cross with reference to the disuse of poison gas, pointing out that the Entente did not begin the use of poison •gas, but had been obliged to havo recourse thereto. 'Ihe Entente had ro confidence in Germany's promises, but as Germany accepted the Geneva proposal the Entente would not refuse to consider it. Nevertheless in tlio absence of effective guarantees the En--4*511 to must take all necessary measures , against the enemy.

(By Cftblo.—Press Association.—Copyright.) (Australian ahd N.Z. Cablo Association.)

WASHINGTON, May 14. Officials are puzzled at the Ottawa statement attributed to the British Cabinet regarding the utilisation of the American forces. Lord Heading says: "The statement is diametrically opposed to all information received by the Embassy. _ 1 am quite in the dark as to the origin of the statement, but I am convinced it was not issued with the knowledge of Lloyd George or the War Cabinet. Military officers point out that there* have been two distinct schools of military strategists sinco the German drivo. One school favoured the immediate utilisation of the American troops, the other favoured making a complete strong force before striking a blow.

The following is the statement referred to in the above message: The summary of the war operations received from tJio British Cabinet states that the Allies are so confident of their ability to hold the enemy that they have decided not to use the whole of the American army until later, but to convert it into_a complete and powerful self-supporting force." The statement complained of is a summary or the official review of last week's operations, supplied by the Secretary of State for the Colonies, and printed in "lhe Press" on Monday.