RUPPRECHT'S DISAPPOINTMENT

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 22, 25 July 1918, Page 7

RUPPRECHT'S DISAPPOINTMENT

THE FIASCO IN THE CHAMPAGNE

BRITISH ARMY KEEN AND READY

(AUSTRALIAN-NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.)

LONDON, 23rd July. , The United Press correspondent states : "The situation oh the British front is one of .prepared waiting. The enemy may strike at any time, but the British will not be caught less prepared than their brilliant Allies at Reims. /It is an open secret that Prince Eupprecht's plans were perfected weeks ago, and that great masses of storm troops; a terrific power of artillery, and crowded aerodromes qnly await the cue from Yon Hindenburg. This doubtless depended on the events on the French front, where, since the drive in May, things have been ?oing from bad to worse. -Prince Rupprecht had actually fixed the date of his offensive against.the.British several times, the attack being intended as a -.mashing blow to be delivered as the sequel to the expected success in the Champagne. That fiasco has necessitated postponements. Recent events have ;6 lessened the confidence of the army and the people in Vori Luderidorff and Yon Hindenburg that some dazzling stroke is needed as soon as possible. Although the German position at Reims approaches a rout, Prince Ruppi-echt's ■eserves have only been slightly cut down, and his onslaught will come whenever Yon Hindenburg considers the immediate danger of the disaster in the Champagne is past. The Allies, with ordinary luck, should be able henceforvai'd to give something of their own trend to developments. The Allies possess '.s many or more trobps, and it is merely a question of the best way of using them. General Fo.c'i has proved his ability in this respect. The speeding up of the Americans has put Genera] Focli in a position to defend or fight as he thinks best. Of two hundred German divisions on the West front, only onefonrth are worthy to be called shock troops. Although there is much 'heavy fighting ahead of the Allies, they can breathe more easily. The British are keen and ready."