THE MILITARY SITUATION.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXVII, Issue LXXVII, 4 January 1918, Page 5

THE MILITARY SITUATION.

--REVIEWED BY HIGH AUTHORITY

GERMAN OFFENSIVE IN WEST TO

BE EXPECTED

BUT NO CAUSE FOR UNDUE AP-

PR__-ENSION

(Reuter -Service.) LONDON, Jan. 2

A Ihigh British 'military authority, in ius weekly review, after stating that ■enemy offorts to .get f3ie ridge on the t Tight flank of the Cambrai battle-front •were almost a complete, failure, and that •our .position was satisfactory, remarks ■that while at -is true that troops are •steadily ooming -from tne East front, •-they are -not coming in hundreds of • thousands. Such.talk omits to take ac-t-count -of -the transport and coal difficulties. Th© enemy is still a long way j -i^km being-superior to the Allies on the I west front. However, we must expect -a German on a more consider--•able^scale^than formerly, but there is no J ■reason -to suppose •it will inflict such j -casualties on us as we inflicted on him ;in our •■offensive. Reviewing the.year's operations, he i the Allies hold most of the high aground-and ridges their positions be*ing .better '.than ever before, but the be.prepared for the possibility; of losing some of our ground and •.guns!in:the. event of a big enemy offensive. IThe Italian .position has improved. Time as on our side there, and alto•gether.the;.position is satisfactory. As: regardsiPalestine, General Allenby iisrno.vt eleven;.miles north of Jerusalem. The difficult country and unfavorable weather will^prevent a considerable for-ward-movement until the weather has j improved.