War News.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 29, Issue 36, 11 May 1917, Page 6

War News.

THE GREAT OFFENSIVE. EXPERT’S SUMMARY OP RESULTS GERMANY’S LAST RESERVES. LONDON, May 6. A military expert, summarising the remits of the Western offensive, states that it is not at present a question of breaking through, but of smashing the German army. The plan of Sir Douglas Haig and General Neville is to wipe out the German reserve of a million men which von Hindcnburg had massed for the great German offensive in 1917. About half of it is already gone, so von llindeuburg’s plan is spoilt. He was unexpectedly compelled to use the reserve for defensive batles in 1 ranee. The reserve represents the last fit men obtainable by Germany from any source except youths and recovering wounded. If the present rate of wastage is continued on the rest of the front the last of the reserve will be used up in a few weeks. BRITAIN’S WAR AIMS. VINDICATION OF RIGHT AND JUSTICE. PETROGRAD, May 6. There were great demonstrations in favour of the Allies on Friday outside the British, French, and Italian embassies. The British Ambassador (Sir George Buchanan), in a speech, outlined Britain’s efforts in the war. Her only object was the solemn vindication of right and justice. He called upon the Russians to support the Government, which was the sincere defender of the people’s interests. In consequence of a further collision between the Leniests and soldiers, the executive of Workmen’s and Soldiers’ delegates have forbidden meetings and demonstrations. The executive has asked that no further soldiers shall be scut to the. capital without a written request from the delegates. SUBMARINE PROBLEM. SOLVED BY NAVAL CONSULTING BOARD. NEW YORK, May 6. The New York “Evening World” states that the Naval Consulting Board has solved the submarine problem and has submitted the plan to the Navy 1 Department. The general opinion of the proposed solution of the. submarine menace is that it will consist of a system by which Britain and America will cooperate in the more complete blocking of the North Sea, oven if it entails greatly diminished supplies for neutrals. RUSSIA’S WHEAT. GERMANY’S AFTER AVAR SUPPLIES. LONDON, May 6. Newspapers in Germany point out iho importance of endeavouring to secure Russia’s wheat, because Germany ’s enemies will have a wheat monopoly after the war. GERMAN LOSSES. 150,000 MEN OUT OF ACTION. MANY YOUTHS AT THE FRONT. LONDON, May 6. It is estimated that the Germans vnee April Ist have brought 33 divisions against the British and French, fifteen of which wore shattered and withdrawn after the battle of Arras. At least twenty are broken now, allowing for the reduction in the strength of the divisions since the autumn. This means 150,000 men, of whom 20,000 are prisoners.

The casualties behind the front line must have been tremendous, owing to the weight of our artillery. Another notable fact is the number of youths, half the prisoners from two divisions being youths of 19. Their statements show that half the troops of 19 are already serving at tho front. Tho Germans appear to no longer employ the Guards in solid divisions, but use regiments thereof to stiffen other divisions. Apparently the Germans, despite the lavish use of troops against the British, are employing every expedient to make the most of tho available man power. On the other band, the German artillery is greatlv increasing. The British artillery fire is as tremendous as before, but we are more economical of men.