A THAW IN THE WEST

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 90, 9 January 1918, Page 5

A THAW IN THE WEST

THREATENED ENEMY OFFENSIVE

THE BRITISH WILL EXACT A FEARFUL PRICE

(Rec. January 8, 8.40 p.m.)

London/ January 7. Mr. Philip Gibbs writes that the frost is breaking, and thero are signs that the great thaw now begun will soon transform Flanders into a quag? miro. The indications are that January may pass without big battles, and, with luck, February also, and probably in March we may look for the'opening of th'o enemy's threatened offensive. His preparations behind tho l'nes include hospital accommodation for scores of thousands. By the ides of March (March lo'') other counsels may prevail, for it is only on a last hazard that the onemy order for this new sacrifices of Gorman manhood is nude, and the German nation may refuse to countersign tho order for that blood. Our defensive lines are strong, and if subjected to massed attacks similar to those at Verdun wo will exact a fearful '< price.— West front—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S REPORT London, January 7. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—"Thero is occasional hostile artillery firing from south-east of Messines."—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. (Rec. January 8, 11.10 p.nu) London, January 7. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—"Wo repulsed a raid to tho south-east of Ypres. Tho hostile artillery is active at Tasßchendaele. We have brought down eight enemy machines. One of our machines is missing."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. 75,000 GERMANS FROM THE EAST Paris, January 7. The "Journal's" war correspondent ostimates_ that 76,000 Germans from the Russian front have arrived on the Woir, front,-Aus.-N.Z. Cable As«n.