THE WESTERN BATTLE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16870, 7 June 1918, Page 4

THE WESTERN BATTLE.

Since the enemy's advance was definitely arrested there has been little change in the front. The fighting has died away on the eastern flank of the battlefield ; but between Noyon and Chateau Thierry the enemy is still expending a great deal of energy in local attacks which have generally been negative in their results except in adding to the already heavy cost of the offensive. The effort to penetrate the forest of Villiers Cottorets has been completely beaten, and it- now appears that the Germans have some hope of craining <ti advantage by throwing their weight against the allied line aeivss the more open country to the north and south of the forest. In the sector between the Ourcq and the Marne the French have been joined by some American troops who haw already given evidence of th» fighting qualities. Towards the Aisne there has been a gradual withdrawal of the allied line during the past ft w days, and the acute salient towards Soissons has practically disappeared. Attention is now being directed to the possibility of a new offensive by the enemy. The statement issued by the Allied War Council confirms the less authoritative forecasts, though it naturally makes no comment- on the large body of opinion which regards the Montdidier-Noyon line as the probable seem of the next battle. These warnings should not be overlooked. The Germans profess that they are determined to fight to a finish, and it is not unlikely that the allied nations will have to face fresh demands on their courage and endurance. But the success of the allied armies in preventing the enemy from accomplishing his full purpose Ins now been demonstrated for the third time in a manner that warrants a confident anticipation of the enemy's next onslaught. From the allied Intelligence Service it, is known that cmsidi table • reserves were held in readiness to exploit the success which the Crown Prince war? intended to obtain, and it. is not unlikely flint the Herman High Command may over-estimate the effect of the last battle on the allied disposition®, and decide to launch another attack immediately.