THE FLUCTUATING BATTLE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17341, 14 June 1918, Page 4

THE FLUCTUATING BATTLE.

The latest war news offers no judication of any relaxation of the intensity of the battlo between Montdidier and tho Oise. At a. prodigal cost to themselves, the Germans arc maintaining the pressure, and tlie fact that General von Hutier is continually throwing in fresh shock divisions in massed formation is considered the strongest possible evidence of the enemy's determination to carry tho present enterprise through, if that be possible. The particular aim of the thrust that wa3 launched five clays ago has been variously interpreted, but tho authoritative verdict seems to bo that it has the limited objective of straightening out tho battle-front between Montdidier and Soissons. Strong and effective French counter-attacking lias become a feature of the battle; but the commentators are expressing some concorn at the menace which the enemy is offering to the positions which constitute the key to the Oise Valley, while the Germans are also drawing closer to Compiegno than is desirable. Further south, fnrious fighting seems to have again developed between the Aisneand VillersCotterets Forest. The Allied interpreters of %o. strategy of tho Germans have surmised that, Paris being their ulti-

mate objective, the plan will be to thrust powerfully south-westward down tlio Oiso Valley, and also westward from the Otireq lino, thr-roby encircling the Coinpiogno and Villers-Cotterets Forest areas. As theso areas are impregnable o gainst a frontal attack, the onemy probably designs to pass to the south, either cutting off or forcing the retirement of the Fninco-American forces which havo been holding him up in this region. It remains to bo seen whether the Germans can carry through any such scheme; and the obstacles in their path aro of such a character that the chances should remain strongly against them. Wider views of tho military situation on the western front impress un with tho attention which is being given to the problematical element. It has beon suggested that an effort is being made on the onemy's part to eliminate as far as possible the Allies' reserves as a preliminary to the capture of Paris and the Channel ports, and to the separation of the Allied armies. According to a London message, all the critics agree that if General Foch is compelled to throw into tho present battle the reserves which ho lias been carefully husbanding, and thus to weaken his defence elsewhere, in order to hold the Oise Valley, General von LudendorfF will take the opportunity to launch another attack in the direction of tho Channel ports. All these surmises indicate the uncertainty of the situation, and the disadvantage at which the Allies aoi'e placed in having to sustain the pressure of heavy enemy attacks on one front, wliilo maintaining the strongest possible army of manoeuvre in order to be ready to meet the emergency of an onslaught in some new quarter. General von .Ludendorff has, in short, as must be realised, more than one string to his bow, and the possibility of his ringing the changes upon them entails upon the Allies the need for a ceaseless vigilance along their whole front, and for the pursuance of the tactics that are best calculated to defeat the enemy's aim of securing the immobility of their reserves. While the immediate scene of interest, not unalloyed with anxiety, though the confidence of tho Allies is unwavering, is tho battle-front between Montdidier arid the Oise, speculation is in the meantimo being directed to the possibilities of future developments. It has been frequently hinted that one of the enemy's aims, not usually mentioned in the list of his objectives, is to break down the nerve and morale of the Allies; and it is suggested, not without a show of reason, that if the Germans think they are winning they will risk everything in a wild effort to increase the strain everywhere. To this argument some weight would seem to be attached in British naval circles, where M. Marcel Hutin's view jp supported that a seabattle may synchronise with the next great Gnemv attack on the northern front of the western theatre. Official Swiss despatches credit Germany with preparing a heavy naval offensive, and Admiral von Tirpitz has been talking in his usual strain; but these very circumstances leave us doubtful as to the intentions of the Germans. The enemy does not usually commit the error of disclosing his plans for tho information of the world. On paper the Kaiser and his navy have driven the British off the seas many a time; but the Grand Fleet is still there, and undismayed.