A VOYAGE THAT MAY END IN WAR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3005, 16 February 1917, Page 5

A VOYAGE THAT MAY END IN WAR

AMERICAN SHIPS SAIL FOR WAR ZONE

NEW PIRATE POLICY A FIASCO

By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.

~„ ' , • ' ■ , Pans, February I<J.. Die I'rencli war correspondents who interviewed Sir Douglas llai"'asked him whether the great offensive was imminent. ° Sir Douglas Haig replied: It matters little, who commences. If tho Germans begin by attempting attacks at any points, north or south, which they may consider most favourable, we aro ready. Their folly will cost them dear Wo possess trained armies and cavalry, in full working order, so that defeat may be turned into rout, and also preventing tho possibility of the Germans oven far in rear, re-entrenchmg. We most cortaiuly shall.break tho Gorman front severely, and' at many points. The Germans have tho advantage of a powerful network of railways behind the front, which are'helpful to defence. The first attacks in our great offensive may be limited at some points, and indefinite, but wo will strike without respite until tho German armies aro totally destroyed:" Asked regarding tho prospects for 1917, Sir Douglas Haig said: "This year will see upon tho battlefield the decisivo ovent of the-war, namely, tho showing up of Germany as a beaten nation from tho military' point of view. Possibly, wo shall also sec that peace wo all desire. We are doing everything in our power to achieve it. Poape cau only como with an absolute victory attained by tho force of our arms. Tho Allies must not allow themselves to be deceived by German suggestions and throats. Germany, iu offering peace, only thinks of preparations for the next war.- If wo unfortunately yielded to such perfidious appeals, the tragedy would recommence in three years, Our soldiers understand that. I have entire confidence in my theory, andi the' morale of our soldiers is above suspicion. Regarding peaco, wo are all square-jawed, meaning that wo have the indomitable will to fight until tho end. Our two most serious pre-occupations at tho present timo are tho railways and artillery. AVar not merely calls for armies. Wo have had to construct in the last few months in rear of our lines over 350 kilometres (about 219 milos) of_ railways. I recently showed some of the"managers of tho greatest English railways what wo had done, and what was still required l . They understood tlio urgency aud extent of tho task. Regarding munitions, wo have reached tho maximum and can now supply our allies in excess of their needs, but wo must have more artillery, especially heavy guns. We must not merely bo equal to the enemy,, hut overwhelm 'him, with the wholo of our strength."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

WEST FRONT THE PRINCIPAL ARENA

(Ree. February 15, 5.45 p.m.)

_. _ . _ PaFis, February 14. Sir Douglas Haig, m his interview with tho war correspondents, said' "Do not forget thai the West front .is, and will remain, the principal front on which, I am- convinced, tho decision of tho war will take place, hence the .Germans are making it defensively the test. But trench warfare must give way to a war of movement, which alone can procure tho advantages wo count upon. An incomplete or halting peace will leave Germany able to tako a terriblo rovcngo in the near future. After having attacked 'England, sho will ho again on the French frontier, greedier than over for blood and conquest."—Koutcr.

OPENING OF THE 1917 CAMPAIGN

OJiRMAN INDICATIONS POINT TO ISND OF FEBRUARY.

London, February 14. Troop rnorancnlß'iu Germany aro in full swing. Tho restrictions on the ordinary railway rorvicos aro increasing. Tho entire suspension -of the ordinary pft's;mr/f«sr traffic ifl contemplated in March. The railway schedules indirei'l/i that th'! German General Staff expects tho opening of the 1917 campaign at tlir> ond of I'Vliruary. Tlio submarine campaign was intended to interfere with' tho Alliws' troop transports.—The "Times."