INTENSE INTEREST IN OFFENSIVE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue LXXIV, 27 March 1918, Page 7

INTENSE INTEREST IN OFFENSIVE.

REPORTS, COMMENT AND SPECU-

(Received March 27, 9.45 a m.) •n, xr ?EW YORK, March 26.: IJ|eNeiy York Sun interviewed Hudson Maxim, who admitted it would be possib/e to fire a projectile sixty miles by using a small shell with a large base the latter automatically becoming de- ** the Pr°iectile leaves the gun. A shell that reached such an altitude would traverse rarefied air. thus in creasing its range. The New York Stock Exchange showed small early declines, but recovered later.

The American public is following every move of the great offensive with the tensest interest, and extra editions ot the newspapers are rapidly bought up, but the first feeling of excitement has been replaced by growing confidence. The newspapers do not deny the seriousness of the situation, but are confident that the British line will not be broken. Officials at Washington point out that the offensive will result in an almost unbelievable speeding up of America's preparations, and will stop useless debates in Congress and unite America in throwing every .resource into the struggle. It is realised that America's aid will be one of the most important factors of success. •

The New York Tribune says that the one great, fact to remember is that Sir Douglas Haig has retained his organisation and still presents an unbroken front

Henry Ford urges America to meet the German offensive by mobilising the United States' machinery and producing small tanks at the rate of 1000 daily. A high British, officer says the British have a strong reserve trench system fifteen miles behind the lines Much, interest has been aroused by a report that the Americans participated in the big battle, 'but no confirmation of the news has been received at Washington. ' The New York World's Paris oorres■pondent emphasises the splendid confidence of the French people. He says it has been learned that 1,160,000 Ger-ma-fls are engaged in the drive.