ENEMY PREPARES FOR A DEFENSIVE CAMPAIGN

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2828, 20 July 1916, Page 5

ENEMY PREPARES FOR A DEFENSIVE CAMPAIGN

GENERAL RETIREMENT ON THE EASTERN, FRONT VON HINDENBURG SUMMONED TO THE WEST ■ x •' —~ . r (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright). Australian-New Zealand Cable Astociation. (Eec. July 19, 5.5 p.m.) i i ■ ' London, July 18. The "Daily-Telegraph's" Rome correspondent lias received a highly significant telegram from Petograd, announcing -that a general retreat on the Eastern front has commenced. The Austro-Germans aro retiring, laying waste the country and burning tho Tillages. . T . This telegram is one of tho many indications that Sir Douglas Haig's offensive has aroused the first fears in the mind of the German Goneral Staff in the suggested possibility that they must revert to purely defensive strategy in order to secure tolerable terms of peace. Field-Marshal, von Hindenburg has already been.sumnuraea to the Western front to disouss the situation with tho Kaiser anil General Falkenhayn (the Chief of Staff). It is understood that von Hindenburg has been given complete control of the Ehstern front, including the Austrian command. Von Hinder,burg's appointment is essential to the carrying out of the work of shortening the Eastern front, which is already in progress. Russian' exports point out that von Kindenburg's sector in tho Riga district is now organised solely for defonsiye warfare, and consists of concrete trenches, &M from ten to twelve lines defences, near which mines are laid. The Germans are still building a series of field railways connected with Milau and Windau and the other railway organisations. Von Hinilenburg's rear represents the last word in military science as regards the rapid transference of troops and the supply of munitions and food. t CHANCELLOR AND PARTY LEADERS IN CONFERENCE PEACE TERMS DISCUSSED. (Rec. July 19, 8.35 p.m.) Copenhagen, July 19. ■ The German, newspaper "lokal Auzeiger" states that Hen- von Bethmann Hollweg had a lonj conference with the party leaders of the Reichstag. The Chancellor in his speecn dealt with the military and political situation, and afterwards had a lengthy discussion on peace terms. ATTACKS ON THE CHANCELLOR v RIVAL' PEACE PROPAGANDISTS. (United Service.) (Eec. July 19, 11.20 p.m.) i London, July 19. Germany's troubles are precipitating the two political parties. Herr von Bethmann Hollweg' is spreading the idea of peace without annexations, whilst the Conservatives, who supported Prince von Bulow, insist upon firm frontiers, and are bitterly attacking Herr von Bcthmann Hollweg. A movement had commenced to secure Herr von Bethmann Hollweg's resignation, but the Deutschland episode oc'curred while the movement was at its height, considerably restoring the Chancellor's popularity. It is suggested that the slackened submarine and Zeppelin campaigns were partly due to tho chancellor's policy in producing an atmosphere conducive to pwce. Prince Wedel, President of tlie German Honourable Peace Committee, has announced tlie dispatolv of one, hundred lecturers on a tour of Austrisl, Germany, Turkey, and Bulgaria, to advocate peaco with no annexation, claiming that they have, the Chancellor's support. , Count Reventlow replies that tho Pan-Germanists are sending one hundred lecturers on a similar tour. These movements have a certain significance, though there is not the slightest sign of any possibility of peace being reached without a complete victory.