CAN THE HUN LINE BE BROKEN?

Oamaru Mail, Volume XLVII, Issue 13049, 11 January 1917, Page 6

CAN THE HUN LINE BE BROKEN?

SIR HENRY RAWLINSON SAYS "YES:"

: Ne\v Yorfc,'November, 10. ■ "Can the Hun line on* the Western front be broken?" Next-to Sir Douglas ;Ha.ig, few. British, soldiers are in a better position to 1 judge than General fikr'Henry R&wlinson. General H&ig's righthand man in the Somme offensive, says >Mr Frederick Palmer in art Associated: Press despatch headed "With the British Army in' France." "Undoubtedly it- can," was Gener-a-l Rawlinson's reply to the question which' the whole world is-asking. "Undoubtedly it can, and -it will be sooner or later. All that is necessary is to keep on hammering. In this war, as in every other war, victory must come as the result of moral and 1 physical - superiority continued for a. sufficient time at a decisive point. The first .step is to force the enemy-to-defence"; then superior shell fire; superior man-power, and relentless pressure in attack must so depreciate his organisation and morale that' one. d'a-y he will break.

"The Allies', in close sympathy and co-operation, will keep on- pressing simultaneously on all fronts-, until at some-point the enemy gives way. It- is difficult to say what the results _ of a break -might be,-.-but it will seriously weaken liis whole system' of defence. "Our army -has not yet reached "the zenith of its power, nor • will it have done so until next _ spring, Or possibly next slimmer. I think we have reachedthe top of the-hill, but there is an undulating tableland to cross before we really get-on the down grade portion beyond.

"This may be steep; it- may! be quite a gentle slope. It~ will be down-hill work, however, and comparatively ea9j'. It was in March last that the present offensive was planned. Sir Douglas and! I looked over the iground, and' I received_ orders to 'prepare ithe -men and'material for my u part of - the enterprise. Instead of undertaking a premature offensive . with -our : unready armyv ii was-decided to take "over more ■front from "She French.

"The decision was most fortunate! and' -a- tribute t-d the judgment of the French' that they could hold the Germans at Verdun. Not only could they hold the Germans, but they were able, after giving the enemy the severest handling lie lias had so far in this war, to join. usi. in the Somme offensive, with results' which we air know."