IMMEDIATE DANGER OF LAST ENEMY THRUST OVER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16872, 10 June 1918, Page 5

IMMEDIATE DANGER OF LAST ENEMY THRUST OVER.

LITTLE CHANCE OF DIRECT ATTACK ON BHEIMS. EXPECTATION OF EARLY OFFENSIVE IN ITALY. Australian and N.Z. (Received 10.40 p.m.) LONDON, June 7. The Australian Press Association learns that the enemy's progress for the time being has been checked. The immediate danger is over, but until it is known where Prince Rupprecht's reserves will be thrown in anxiety will continue. The Germans show reluctance to make a direct attack on Rheims, where the defence is well prepared, as an assault would involve the enemy in heavy losses. He has nothing to gain by the capture of the city unless he is able to drive the French sufficiently far back to enable him to make use of the good lateral communications between Soissons and Rheims. Since June 3 the enemy's efforts have been merely local, made in the endeavour to improve Lis positions and secure river crossings. The Germans have used 41 divisions since May 27. A few of these belong to armies to the east of the Crown Prince's, but the bulk are the Crown Prince's own reserves. The Germans are still quite free to concentrate for an advance on either Paris or Amiens. The allies labour under the disadvantage of maintaining a long line with a large number of vulnerable points, such as Paris and the Channel ports and lines of communications. We are not able to keep large concentrated reserves on these points, but must spread them over a greater extent than we could wish, while the Germans are able to concentrate rapidly on a definite point. The allies must expect an early Austrian offensive. The Piave now offers no obstacle, while operations in the mountains are also possible. The efficiency of the Italian Army has enormously increased during the winter and spring. No Germans are operating on the Italian front.