SECOND EDITION

Nelson Evening Mail, 5 April 1917, Page 1

SECOND EDITION

GERMANY'S PLANS

COLONEL REPINUTON'S VIEWS.

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.)

(Rec. April 5, 3.10 p.m.) LONDON, April*. Colonel Repington, discussing the mystery of Germany's plans, give the views of various authorities, who incline to the belief that Germany, having gained more than she needs, intends a gradual withdrawal from Northern France and a portion of Belgium, even- ■ tually making a Stand on the line Aut-werp-Brussels:Nariiur-Mezieres - ',Ve'rduJ\ Metz, and on the East Front defensive- „ ly fighting and gradually retiring to the ■ Niemen-Bug line. She hopes to exhaust England during the summer by ruthless submarining. Meanwhile she expects the other Allies to weary by the autumn and she will'then enter into peace negotiations, rather than face another winter in the treiiches. Germany will ' then be prepared " to make France big concessions, including a portion of Alsace and give Russia Courland, a free hand to Italy in nor gains from Austria. England will be granted (Mesopotamia and Palestine, if captured, and German colonies, except East Africa. She will offer to open" the. Bosphoras and the Dardanelles,, but refusing to open the Straits. Thus her / poor dupe, Turkey, and the German colonies will pay; the peace price. If mor e lias to be paid, Austria will bo compelled to- make' sacrifices. Colonel Repington points out that German press statements somewhat support this conception.