THE ENEMY AT BAY

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 33, 7 August 1918, Page 7

THE ENEMY AT BAY

SHORTENING THE FRONT HERE AND THERE

ONE MORE EFFORT MAY BE MADE

{AtrSTBALIAK-NB\T ZHAtANi) CABLE ASSOCIATION.) LONDON, sth August. The United Press correspondent states :—The Germans are now at bay and in full retreat to the Aisne. They were forced to abandon their positions on the Avre and Ancre, and also near Givehchy. Besides the failure of their summer campaign, there is a steady disappearance of their reserves. The Germans are equalled, if not outnumbered, by eager forces which are weekly increased by tens of. thousands of absolutely fit Americans. Hindehburg and Ludendorff are seeking to rearrange the Western front and. shorten their line here and there, by adopting a defensive attitude behind rivers and other natural barriers. They have one chosen spot where they will collect all" their available remnants for one last try for a decision. Meanwhile the oppressive shadow of defeat hovers over their army. Prisoners admit that the spirit of hopelessness is spreading. The following letter from a soldier on the M&rne to a friend newly arrived on the British front from Germany, fairly represents the sentiment among a large part of the enemy : "You will be in the thick of things how ; Shirk ■all you can. We are only fighting for the bigwigs. Now we are in the Mame fighting. We did not get far. Our regiment was nearly wiped out, This war is becoming tho biggest massacre that ever'was. Germany is slowly drumbling to pieces." „ There are indications that Germany is making desperate efforts to coerce Austria to help in France, and is soliciting neutral labour and assistance from Austria, Bulgaria) "Turkey, and Russia with a view to freeing German workmen for military duty. German prisoners frankly say they do not believe it is possible for Germany to continue the offensive. Entente opinions at the front go in the direction that the fifth year of tho war ought to see the finish.