WEST FRONT WAIT.

Evening Star, Issue 16626, 8 January 1918, Page 3

WEST FRONT WAIT.

- i 2ERMAN ALTERNATIVES. 1 A DESPERATE 810 FOR PEACE OR VICTORY. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association, 1 . . ■ i _ - LONDON, January 7. 1 . r ThilxpOibhs writes: " The enemy at this moment are not, doing much. They are snow-bound l and ice-bound, like ourselves. There is little activity behind their lines, but their gunfire is still fierce, with sudden bursts of fury against Pas- \ schendaele and the back areas of the Ypres salient, and also Havrinoourt and Cam- ( brai. The opposing armies are waiting for j the snow to melt, and after that there . will be another little wait until the thaw is complete and until the mud, ooze, and slime which fill, the trenches will have dried. " Prisoners say that the enemy will strike a blow ‘in the event of the peace efforts failing. We cannot ignore the menace of the possibility that our armies, when the ground has hardened, will be put on the defensive against a great concentration of . guns and men, moving forward in massed attacks, in a last desperate attempt To • . gain a decision at any cost. ' “ My personal opinion is that before that happens the enemy, knowing the strength 1 of our defence, wall make a desperate bid for pence. Germany cannot face the utter and permanent ruin, of the race, which would follow that pouring out of a river , of blood from the last reserves of her , manhood.” Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter. LONDON, January 6. Sir Douglas Haig reports: Despite the weather yesterday, our aeroplanes dropjKid half a ton of explosives on the Ramegnieschin aerodrome, obtaining direct nits. They also dropped a ton on Conflans station, causing a big explosion and a fire. They also dropped a further half-ton on Couroellcs station. Admiralty per Wireless Press. LONDON, January 6. German official: We penetrated the French lines westward of Bezonvaux, and captured numerous prisoners.