THE SPRING CAMPAIGN

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume VI, 16 February 1917, Page 5

THE SPRING CAMPAIGN

On the Western Front. Allies Prepared to Strike At Many Points. Sir Douglas Haig’s Answering Confidence. [PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT.] [AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION AND BBUTER] ' Paris, February is- . f reach war correspondcn,ts interviewed Sir Douglas Haig and asked him whether the great offensive was imminent. Sir Douglas Haig replied that it mattered little who commenced. If the Germans began, attempting points north or south which they considered most favourable, we were ready and their folly would cost them dear. We possessed trained armies and cavalry, m full working-order»-so that the enemy’s defeat may be turned into a rout, preventing the possibility’ of Germans even far in the rear rc-entrenchinp*.

We most certainly shall break the German front severely and at many points. The Germans’ advantage in the powerful network of railways behind the front was helpful to the defence m the first attacks. Our great offensive may be limited at some points and indefinite at others, but we strike without respite until the German armies are totally destroyed.

Asked regarding the prospects of 1017, Sir Dougla> Haig ->aid that this year would sec upon the battlefield the decisive event of the war, namely, showing Germany beaten from a military viewpoint. It might also possibly see peace. We all desire it, and are doing evciytbing in our power to achieve it. Peace can only come with an absolute victory attained bv’ the force of our arms. Ibe Allies must not allow themselves to be deceived bv Germany s suggestions or threats. Germany in offering peace only thinks of preparations for the next war. If we utifortimately yielded to such perfidious appeals the tragedy would recommence 111 three years. The soldiers understand that. I have entire confidence in my theory that their morale is above suspicion. Regarding peace, he said we are all squarejawed, meaning we have an indomitable will to fight until the end.

Our two most serious pre-occupations at the present time are railways and artillery. The war not merely* calls for armies. We have had to construct in the last few months in the rear of our lines over 350 kilometres of railways. We recently showed some managers of the greatest English railways what had been done and what was still required. They' understood the urgency and extent of the task.

Regarding munitions we have reached our maximum, and can now supply the Allies in excess of their needs, but we must have more artillery, especially' of the heaviest kinds. We must not merely equal the enemy, but overwhelm him with the whole ol our strength. Reuter’s Agency states that Sir Douglas Haig said: Do not lorget that the west front is and will remain the principal front whereon we are convinced that the decision of the war will take place. Hence we are making it defensively. The best trench warfare must give way' to a war of movements, which alone can procure the advantages we count upon. An incomplete or halting peace would leave Germany able to take a terrible reve i”F? * n ie . near future. After having attacked England she would be again on the French frontier greedier than ever for blood and conquest. [AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION AND HEUTEIi] (Received 16. 10.5 a.m.) . . London, February' 15. A blench official message states:—We made a successful coup-de-main in the Prosers sector, east of Rheims. There is reciprocal artillery activity in the Champagne and on the left of the Meuse.

FURIOUS GERMAN OFFENSIVE ON LAND AND SEA FORECASTED BY COLONEL RE PINGTON. (Reccivel 16, 11.30 a.m.) London, February' 15. Colonel Repington (the “Times’ ” military critic) forecasts an outburst of furious German offensives by' land and sea. They must be prepared for a T 917 campaign early. Germany is thoroughly' sweeping up men in occupied regions and enforcing industrial conscription, forming fifty-six new divisions. If these are concentrated on the west we will have a difficult job during the three months in which flic Russians will be able to do comparatively little. The Germans’ efforts will represent her maximum endeavour after which drafts will not be obtainable. Colonel Repington insists 011 the necessity tor maintaining strong home forces owing to General von Hindenburg’s temptation to sacrifice the German fleet in securing temporary’ command of the channel to invade England. TO BEGIN AT THE END OF FEBRUARY. ["THE TIMES.”] London, February 15. Troop movements in Germany are 111 full swing. The ’ restrictions on the ordinary' railway services are increasing, and the entire suspension of ordinary passenger traffic is contemplated in March. The railway schedules indicate that the German General Staff expects the opening of the 1917 campaign at the end of February. The submarining campaign was intended to interfere with the Allies’ troop transports. PROGRESS OF THE FIGHTING. BRITISH PENETRATE GERMAN THIRD LINE. [AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION AND REUTER] London, February 15. Sir Douglas Haig reports: —We captured a strong point south-east of Grandcourt and penetrated 250 yards of defences north-east of Arras, reaching the third line. Many* were killed in the dugouts, which they refused to leave. Our casualties were very light. We entered the enemy' lines northward of the Somme and north-east of Ypres. The enemy’s attempted raids eastward of Armenticres and southward of Messines were repulsed. We exploded three ammunition camps eastward of Armentieres. WITH THE NEW ZEALANDERS. ft VERY LITTLE FIGHTING. (Special from the N.Z. Official War Correspondent.) Northern France, . For three weeks Northern France has been held in the grip of the Ice King. Canals and ponds are frozen. The New Zealanders have had little fighting. The Germans attempted a raid which was promptly' stopped by’ artillery barrage. We made two small raids. One corporal and fifteen men cleverly cut out an enemy sentrv post, killing eight and capturing two, our casualties being nil. Another brigade captured three of the enemy without casualties. Once the Germans entered our front line’, but our casualties were only two slightly* wounded. The health of the force continues good. THE FRENCH REPORT. Paris, February 15. A communique reports: The enemy attack in the sector of Baccarat in Lorraine failed. We made a successful coup-de main east of Metzeral, in Alsace. . . . German aeroplanes bombed the Dunkirk region, Pompiey in the Murthe-and-Moselle. Two civilians were killed. THE GERMAN VERSION. London, February 15. A German official message states: We repulsed two English attacks south of the Serre.