London, Apr. 12.
With naval guns roaring in the Skager Rak and the waters of Norway, itary experts here assert that the operations undertaken by the Allied forces have, for principal objectives, the destruction of the German fleet, the interception of German reinforcements in men and material, and the mopping-up of German elements in Norway as soon as important Allied landing parties set foot in that country.
British and French Admiralties are reluctant to disclose much information, but it is understood that the German fleet is at present in a helpless state. Powerful Allied naval units make it impossible for Germany to send troops convoys to Norway by the North Sea, the Skager Rak, or the Kattegat. British and French minesweepers have been busy clearing up the Skager Rak and the Kattegat and making them safe for warships.
Attacks on positions occupied in Norway by German troops are being prepared by the Allied air and naval forces by conquering and consolidate ing positions at which the mass landing of Allied troops could take place.
Scandinavian operations compelled the Germans to use thir air force in bases far from the centre of the war. By thus diverting part of her air force, Germany has somewhat depleted her strength, thus jeopardizing the decisive action decided upon by the German General Staff.—Havas.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.