ALLIES CONFIDENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3250, 28 June 1916, Page 19

ALLIES CONFIDENT.

LONDON, Jane 20

Colonel Repington, writing from the North of France, says : "There is no doubt that a feeling of confidence in -regard to the 1916 campaign increasingly prevails amongst the best informed. We are continually growing in numbers of men and guns and better preparation for the next effort. The French are justly proud of the fact that they are holding the Germans in an unfavourable position on the Meuse, giving the Allies time to complete their preparations, whilst the Russian successes have put more than half ihe Austrian eastern armies aside for a considerable time. Moreover, the blockades are increasing the strain, and will bring Germany to her senses and make her understand what cur past enemies have learnt —what it cost to incur Britain's hostility. The arrest of the Austrian offensive and the resuscitation of tho Serbian army are causes for real satisfaction. Only one Austrian division, it is believed, remains intact. The reserves under General Cadorna have been collected in adequate masses for a counterattack, which is beginning under the most hopeful auspices. There is no sign of new formations from the interior of Germany; indeed, indirect proofs show that the creation of new units is most difficult. Tho French recently captured many youths of the 1917 class—lads of 18 years,* who had

had only three months' training—thus showing that good reserves are running short. Germany has called the 1918 class to the depots, and there is evidence thatGeneral Von Hindenburg has been drained of supplies for Verdun. Germany has compelled prisoners to work in munition factories, and is indenturing the male population in Poland in order to free men for the field. We can confidently say that the conditions arc favourable to us, and it remains for generalship and hard fighting to seize the advantage."