ANXIOUS MOMENTS

Gisborne Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 4870, 16 May 1918, Page 5

ANXIOUS MOMENTS

WAITING FOR THE BIG PUSH

German Offensive Delayed.

ENEMY’S MAN-POWER PROBLEM.

(United Ptesa Assoc:

'iatiau—''Copyright.)

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association LONDON, May 14.

The Morning Post’s Paris corretK pondent says it is believed that General Mackensen could provide as a maximum six hundred thousand men, but this would denude the Russian front of practically every man. The correspondent learns that the Austrians are unlikely to agree to the German demand to send an army from the Tyrol, but are determined to maintain their forces there in readiness for the Italian counter-offen-sive.-

Germany’s reluctance to withdraw her armies from the Russian front is easily explained. Germany would then he powerless to enforce the claims for food supplies which she hopes by fair or foul means to extract from the occupied provinces. In the event of German withdrawal these supplies would probably _ fall into the hands of the Austrians, who are- much nearer absolute famine than the Germans. The Austrians regard the Russian grain as the most important factor. Undoubtedly Austria, in the absence of German troops, would secure the bulk if not all the 450,000 tons of wheat Ukraine has promised to deliver to the Central - Powers jointly. Austria regards the question as vital. She must secure additional foodstuffs before August, because her own supplies are dangerously near exhaustion.

Colonel Repington, writing in the Morning Post, says: Though the next most critical stage in the German attack may be expected this or next week, it is uncertain whether the Austrians will be able to comply with the German desire for a concurrentattack on Italy owing to the lateness of the season. The Italian rivers are still flooded. „ The mysterious element is the whereabouts of Mackensen’s divisions, which were on the East front when the German attack began. Colonel Repington’s view is -that the idea that an oversea attack against Britain may he revived is improbable.

CAUSE OF THE DELAY.

SOME INTERESTING THEORIES \ .

Australian and N.Z. Cable Assocation NEW YORK, May 14.

The New York Times’ Paris correspondent reports that there is much speculation as to the reason for the continued delay in resumption of the German offensive.

Experts believe the Germans are considering whether they will bring half a million men from the Russian front or Austrians from the Italian front. , , It is stated that the Kaiser asked the Emperor Charles*te bring half a million men from the Tyrol, but Austria is afraid to deplete the Italian front. She also fears an immediate revolt of Czechs and Jugoslavs. .It is believed another factor in postponing the offensive may be fuitlier mutinies, which are reported among German divisions on the Wesu front. \

HAIG’S LATEST REPORT.

ENEMY ATTACK SMASHED. HEAVY LOSSES INFLICTED. Australian and N.Z. Cablo Associatioia and Reuter’s. (Received May 15, 8 p.m.) ’ LONDON, May 14. Sir Douglas Haig reports at 10 P After heavy artillery fire, the enemy attacked" on a mile front southwest of Morlancourt and entered our positions at one point. The Australians counter-attackec. and completely re-established the llT The attack was repulsed at other points with ’hear) loss. Our casualties were very light. The French, in local fighting, repulsed an attack in -the direction ot Klein vierstrast.

MUD-BOUND enemy.

ACUTE DISCOMFORT OF HUNS. HEAVY RAIN IN FLANDERS. Reuter’s Telegrams. (Received May 15, 11.15 p.m.) V LONDON, May 14. Reuter’s British headquarters correspondent, writing on the 14tn, Heavy rainfall in the past 24 hours must have seriously impeded tlie German plans and preparations. The enemy is now confronted wmli the same conditions in the Flanders battlefield as when our former °l- - was heavily handicapped. We know definitely that he is in many places having a really bad time. This knowledge will enable our soldiers to bear their share. or discomfort with cheerful equanimity. AVhile our communications everywhere are good and supplies abundant and regular, tho Germans have in some places to flounder across wide tracts of slush and brimming shell craters. ENEMY REINFORCEMENTS TROOPS FROM BOUMANI A. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association (Received May 16, 1 a.m.) AMSTERDAM, May 15. A report from Liege states that troops are arriving on the West front from Roumania, including cavalry.