CONFIDENT COMMENTS

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue LXXIV, 1 April 1918, Page 5

CONFIDENT COMMENTS

GERMAN PLAN HAS FAILED

WAVE OF OPTIMISM IN FRANCE

PARIS, March 29. M. Clemenceau (French Premier) stated that it doeg not matter what convulsions occur during the next few days, the German plan has already tailed. The battle has not yet finished but the Germans will not obtain a road to the sea or Paris.

M; Clemenceau'e confidence has given the keynote to a great wave of optimism that is swelling over France. Military experts point out that the German offensive is coming to a standstill without attaining its objectives. The Entente generals beat the Germane at their own game. The Entente reserve is ready to strike when and where required. The initiative of the next move rests with the Anglo-French. Marcel Hutin says we have proof that General yon Ludendorff ordered Prince Rupprecht that he must capture Amiens, Abvevill, and Autrelors. Anglo-French co-operation is working methodically. We await the results of the Amiens battle with confidence. M. Hanoteaux, in the Figaro, says the Germans are reverting to their original plan of August arid November, 1914, consisting of an attempt at accupying Dunkirk and Calais, and adds: "To cut off our communications with the. British is absolutely necessary to them. _' Prince Rupprecht was entrusted with this enterprise while the Crown Prince was protecting the hind flank."