GERMANY PREPARING.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 14244, 12 March 1917, Page 3

GERMANY PREPARING.

CONCENTRATIONS IN WEST.

HINDENBURG^ PLANS.

t? -^ L °NDON, February ab. Further DnUch stories tell of vast German concentrations in the West News from Petrograd also confirms the reports that numerous German divisions from the Northern Russian front are disappearing and Austrians replacing them, partly with a. view- to stiffening th« Austrian section of 'the front opposite Brussiloff, with Germans, and partly with a view to the offensive in the West. Expert^ view as imminent the loosening of .the vast accumulations of men and munitions, and discuss the prospects of a. 1 German blow, agreeing that the offensive; against the French will possibly come at Soiasons. The critic of the Manchester Guardian says that an offensive towards Calais would help the. German, submarine campaign, and explain the concentrations; but he thinks that Hindenburg is likely to fight shy of the British lines, using some of his reserves to meet the British offensive whilst ' launching a real campaign against Italy. French war correspondents are enthusiastic over the frightful execution; by the British artillery on the Ancre, the deadly slaughter they_ say, demoralising the German batteries.

The newspaper *iLa Victoo-e says: "The more the war advances the. more it vdli. be for Britain to 'bear '{be. great weight of it. Tlie Colossus is ready. His helping hand will hot hurt us after, our generous shedding ot blood."