GERMANY’S DILEMMA.

Manawatu Times, Volume XL, Issue 1372904, 26 October 1917, Page 5

GERMANY’S DILEMMA.

Waning Fighting Strength. WHAT REP IN GT ON THINKS. (Received Thursday, 8.30 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 24. Colonel Ropington, who visited the Americans at the front, says:—General Pershing could put some divisions into the firing line now but is resolved to perfect his armies before he undertakes a gigantic battle. Excepting air and water, all the supplies for the troops are coming from America, as are also great quantities of rolling stock. Dealing with the general position, Colonel Repington says: Ascertainable figures show that the chances of Germany winning by dint of numbers have long since passed. The German lighting strength is now 5,750,000, whereof 2,200,000 are in the West, 1,200,000 in the East, and the balance in depots, garrisons and administrative services. o'here are probably 500,000 reserves, including 380,000 partly trained of the 1919 class, which, with recovered woundeds, are only available for reinforcements. If the 1918 fighting is on a similar scale to this and last year’s, Germany will be compelled to use the 1920-21 classes next year, or else weaken and reduce the divisions.

She will probably make super-human efforts this winter to equal the British artillery output and beat us in the air, but this will not make any easier the maintenance of her infantry strength.