LUDENDORFF'S DREAM.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 4768, 16 January 1918, Page 5

LUDENDORFF'S DREAM.

THE COMING OFFENSIVE.

ATTEMPT TO 4 FORESTALL AMERICA, THE STRATEGICAL POSSIBILITIES. INTERESTING FRENCH VIEW. Australian and N.Z. Cabla Association PARIS, Jan. 14. M. .Marcel Hutin believes the Germans will endeavor to exert pressure on tlie Franco-British front generally, hut that the real offensive will bo on two wings, the first- from Si. Mihiel to the Swiss frontier, and the second from Armentieres to the sea. Ihe strategic plan is to take advantage of the St. Mihiel spur, and so _ manoeuvre the two wings as to bring about a general descent on Paris. This is Ludendorff’s dream to impose peace before the Americans get to work. WITH THE NEW ZEALANDERS. STANDING THE WINTER WELL. READY FOR THE GERMAN PUSH. (Special Cable.) i (From the New Zealand Government

War Correspondent.) FRANCE, Jan. 10. There has been another snowfall and bitter cold, but the troops both in and behind the lines have stood it well. The weather is now mild, and the thaw has made the roads and camps muddy. Our boys fake turns in the front line, and much work lias been done repairing trenches. Whether the enemy will attempt a renewed offensive or not we cannot say, hut if he does we shall he ready for him, and in any such attempt his losses are certain to he heavy. For the moment we may be said to be in the position of a cricket team playing out time in a bad light, knowing that on the morrow we shall be able to resume the initiative with greater confidence.

The morale of our forces is still strong. On the other hand there are evidences of a weakening in the ranks of the enemy, and we learn that his accessions from the Russian front are already showing a disposition to desert.

In the meantime the New Zealanders are alert and active on the sector they are holding.

THE FRENCH FRONT.

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association (Received Jan. 16, 1.10 a.m.) LONDON, January 35. A French communique reports:-'— Our accurate fire dispersed an enemy detachment trying to reach our lines in the sector of Goose Hill, on left of the Meuse.