ON THE WEST FRONT.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLII, Issue 11443, 24 January 1918, Page 5

ON THE WEST FRONT.

LITTLE FIGHTING DOING.

A GREAT RELIEF.

(Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.) London, Jon. 23.

Mr Philip Gibbs states: Thejrelief from incessant infantry fighting is reflected in the clear drop of casualties and tho splendid emptiness of the hospital wards. Even cases of sickness ere not heavy. Despite the weather" the. hc.’.lth cf troops is wonderful. The muddy stream of deserters grows from the enemy’s waterlogged trendies with miserable fc-Jes of .discomfort in the flooded dugouts and shortage of food owing to tho difficulty of getting supplies. Undoubtedly'there is a relaxation from discipline in the German army, app.rently tho officers are afraid to punislTthc men, even for the gravest offences. It is noteworthy that deserters are not shot, but are sent buck to the prisons. The German higher command is trying to build up the mighty ♦Tgey that masses are coming from the east and are hoping to demoralise the Allies, who are unlikely to be deceived by such camouflage.

Mr Gibbs’ personal opinion is that there will ho no great operations for at 1v st a month or while “No Man’s Land' 1 is flooded and tho roads to the trenches are bogs.