REVIEWS OF THE WAR.

Otago Witness, Issue 3330, 9 January 1918, Page 15

REVIEWS OF THE WAR.

A strong fighting note marks the reviews of the war and the prospects for 1913. Colonel Repington (The Times war critic} says: "Wo must admit that, owing to gravo political and military misfortunes, we aro liable to bo hard beset in the west. It is also nearly certain that in the case of a desperate decision the German naval arm will . not remain unused." Discussing the prospects, Colonel Repinaton states that tho last thing the German Government desires to allow is anarchic, disruptive, and Bolshevik notions to percolate Germany. Consequently tho eastern front of 1200 miles must bo closely guarded. He estimates that between 30 and 40 divisions will be released for the -west, where Germany urgently requires a decision, owing to the impending arrival of large American forces, and to Germany's weakening internal conditions. Colonel Repington admits that tho maintenance of German strength throughout 1918 is assured, assuming that operations will be similar to those during this year. Thus it will bo 1919 before attrition operates. It is to be expected that 10 Austro-Hungarian divisions will appear in France, probably in Alsace, together with Austro-German reinforcements. These will equalise the fighting strength in the west, but they do not provide the superiority needed for a decisive offensive. Tho Allies have won the best position in the west. Their airmen's initiative and their greats artillery, and machine-gun strength will render "attacks costlier than even' Verdun. Tho enemy may shear away our always too narrow margin of numerical superiority; but they have not that crushing superiority in men and guns which war has shown to be necessary against entrenched and confident troops. xi high British military authority, in .his weekly review, after stating that th 9 enemy's efforts to get the ridge on our right flank on tho Cambrai battlefront were almost a complete failure, and our position there is satisfactory, remarks: The enemy aro still a long way from superior in strength to the Allies on the west front. However, we must expect a German offensive on a more considerable scale than formerly, but there is no reason to Buppose that they will inflict such casualties on us as we have inflicted on them in our offensive. The public must be prepared for tho possibility of our losing some of our ground and guns in the event of a big enemy offensive. The Italian position lias improved, and time is on our _ side there.Altogether, the position is satisfactory.

KAISER'S NEW YEAR ARMY ORDER The Kaiser, in the New Year army order, says: "Tlie Germans, on land and sea, achieved great deeds in 1917. The enemy still hope, with the help of new allies, to beat you, and then destroy for ever tha world-power we so hardly won. They will not succeed; therefore, forward, frith God, to fresh victories."

NEW ZEALANDERIS AND f CHRISTMAS. (Special from the New Zealand GovernmentWar Correspondent.) *

Christmas festivities ended on. Tuesday,' ? when the troops holding the line on Christmas Day enjoyed their Christmas dinner in peace and comfort. The weather has been wintry, the ground being covered with snow, and then frozen hard after a partial thaw.

One of the Rifles' bands visited Headquarters and played carols on Christmas morning. There was no lack of good things for the Christmas dinners, including plum pudding and even turkeys, 600 of which had been imported from Southern France. Tha various messes*were gay with decorations appropriate to the season. Sports, kinemas, variety entertainments, and a pantomime provided entertainments for officers and men. The pantomime, which is one of the best performances ever given at the front, is still record houses of over 800 in a large marquee. The costumes were procured from London, and the scenery was painted on the spot. It is difficult to get scats, and hundreds nightly turned away. Except for a time of heavy enemy shelling, which on one occasion increased the normal casualties, the festive season, so far as tho New Zealanders wore concerned, passed without special incident.