BRITISH AND GERMANS DRAWING NEARER.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LX, Issue 16949, 10 April 1917, Page 5

BRITISH AND GERMANS DRAWING NEARER.

WEATHER IMPROVERS AND FIGHTING ACTIVITY INCREASING. BIG BATTLE PENDING. I . ■ WILL THE ENEMY HOLD THE HiNDENBIiRG LINE? BRITISH SUCCESSES IN FLANDERS. EXTRAORDINARY AERIAL FIGHTING REPORTED.

The war news this morning is very brief, but it is nevertheless most Interesting. If all reports be true the Germans are nob at all happy in tegard to the safety of what has been called "the Hindenburg line." Emdenburg himself is said to be disappointed^ arid there is a consensus of opinion that the Germans have already retreated too. far. A few days more should show whether the Germans caa hold the lilie. The weather is now improving, and the fighting activity is increasing. iTnough the British infantry are not yet m contact with the main German army, they are daily getting closer. To-day we are told they have mad,e important progress on a 3000- yards front north of Louveral, which indicates very plainly that the British army will soon be face to face with the German army defending the Uimbrai-St. Quentin line. When all is ready, tnere will come a shock of battle on the result of which will largely depend the issue of the war. Germany is undoubtedly getting into a dissatisfied state, and if the forthcoming battle ends in her army's defeat she will not need much encouragement to discuss peace. . , yVe bave heard a great deal lately about the victories which German air men Have been gaming over our flyia^ men, but it is only now that we are told the real cause. The Germans dumb "adnu.-u.sdiy greatly improved their aerial service, but it is pointed out that our men have gone far behind the enemy lines—in some instances casualties have occurred 40 miles back— whereas there has been no fighting over the British lines. This surely accounts for the casualties.

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