NEXT PHASE AT HAND.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16217, 21 May 1918, Page 7

NEXT PHASE AT HAND.

AIR RAID ON LONDON.

4th YEAR—293rd DAY.

THE WEST FRONT.

INCREASED ACTIVITY

THE OFFICIAL REPORTS

(By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Iteuter's Telegrams.-) LONDON, May 10. Sir Douglas Haig reports: — "We made successful raids on the Morlancourt sector, and south of Hulluch, taking a number of prisoners. Tho artillery is active in the Villers-Breton-neux sector. "Successful minor operations improved our position in the neighlxiurhood of Ville-sur-Ancre, nortTi-west of Morlancourt. Wo made a successful raid north-west of Albert, in tho neighbourhood of Hamel, and repulsed a raid north-east of Eethune." An American communique states that hostile raids in Picardv and Lorraine wore repulsed with loss to the enemy. There is continued aerial activity. A French communique reports lively artillery activity north of the Avre and in Champagne, in the Massiges region. A Belgian communique states: — "There has been violent artillery activity in the direction of Nieuport, Merckem, Weidenreft, and Houthulsb Forest."

(Received May 21st, 1 a.m.) NEW YORK, May 19. General Pershing's communique states that Gorman raiders were repulsed on the Picardy'and Lorraine fronts. Three more enemy aeroplanes were brought down. (Received May 2Uth, 8 p.m.) LONDON, May 19. The evening French communique states that there is active mutual artillery activity north of" the Avre.

THE NEXT PHASE

MAY OPEN AT ANY HOUR

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.)

NEW YORK, May 18. A Now York correspondent with the French Army states that the German blow may fall any hour. There is evidence that the Germans have completed arrangements for the socond and greatest offensive, and have massed forces of picked troops.

PARIS, May 18. M. Marcel Hutin says:—"lt is reliably estimated that the enemy concentrated 80 divisions for an attack on the French and British lines. Ludendorff cannot much longer postpone the resumption of the offensive."

(Received May 20fli, 10.20 p.m.)

NEW YORK, May 19

The Navy Department lias information that Marshal von Hindenburg is trying to force the German Navy to cooperate in the second blow of the great offensive.

(Received May 20th, 8 p.m.)

LONDON, May 19

An exchange telegraph message from Paris states that the Germans have apparently completed preparations for another 1 attack. It is likely to be a general rush on the greater part bf the front. The Germans have multiplied their network of railways everywhere. General Foch a few days ago said:— "Ask me nothing, for I shall tell you nothing, but know this: l have confidence."

(Received May 20th, 8 p.m.)

The "Petit Parisian" says that the German staff aims at a victorious rush, followed, by a decisive war of movement. The enemy has organised mass formations, deeply echeloned, in tho hope of producing a prodigious shock. A great number of mitrailleuses have been assembled to follow up the infantry. Each assaulting column will occupy a two kilometres' front. The General Staff has ordered the troops to push forward, no matter at what cost.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received May 21st, 12.50 a.m.)

NEW YORK, May 19

Tho United Press correspondent states that the Germans have been perfuming various gases, endeavouring to conceal the deadliness of various new gases. The smells resemble apples, bananas, pineapples, and oranges. Formerly the distinctive odours were readily distinguishable by gas experts, who have now warned the Americans to beware of fruit smells. (Received Mav 20£h, 8.35 p.m.) NEW \ORK, May 20. The Australians captured Ville sur Ancre, taking 230 prisoners and 20 machine-guns. The Australians' casualties were light. LONDON, May 18. Mr Charles Russell, the American publicist, and personal friend of President Wilson, while being entertained at luncheon in London, announced that America would have 10,000,000 men under arms bv the end of the year. * AMSTERDAM, May 18. The German authorities in Belgium have ordered that German be the only official language after to-day. This means that nearly all the officials must be replaced by Germans or pro-German Flemings.

(Renter's Telegrams.) LONDON. May 19. Ileuters correspondent at British Headquarters states:—

"Our line has been advanced over useful ground in the direction of Dernancourt, considerable losses being inflicted on the Germans. Two hundred prisoners were taken."

THE OUTLOOK

REVIEWED BY GENERAL SMUTS. 'Australian and N.Z. Cabla Association.) LONDON, May 18. General Smuts had an enthusiastic reception on visiting the Clyde ship-

BLOW MAY FALL ANY HOUR.

yards. Addressing tho workers at Fairiield, he said that tho Germans liad achieved a success that few had thought possible. "Wo used to talk a lot of nonsense about defeating tho Boche," ho said, ''but Brother Boche luus knocked that kind of damnable nonsense out of us. If we strain every nerve, I don't feel a moment's doubt atxiut the result. A\ e suffered in men in tho great battle on the West front, but tho results compensated the losses." Continuing, ho said that the Government had asked him a year ago to visit France. He had reported that tho most necessary thing was a big army of manoeuvre, and an army of strategic reserve for contingencies. The Americans were now coming in thousands monthly, the submarines being powerless against the transports. The enemy would como within an aco of victory, but- could notsecure it, though the situation would bo most anxious for many days to come. If the last British soldier wore to bo driven out of Franco the Germans still would not have won, bccauso they must •win on both sea and land.

General Smuts did not believe that an out-and-out victory was possible for any group of nations. He considered they had fought to a stago where tho enemy was now ready to consider and concede terms. ]t would be a most dangerous thing to go to the Peace Conference before they knew the principal terms to be considered. The Government would do its duty, knowing what we were fighting for.' A conference would ultimately be called and would settle details, after the principal combatants had agreed to the main issues.