Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star SATURDAY. MARCH 17, 1917 THE WEEK.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 March 1917, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star SATURDAY. MARCH 17, 1917 THE WEEK.

The fighting in the western theatre appears to have developed this week into the giant offensive the world has been waiting for. Last week the British line stretched away south to Roye, taking in the Somme area, in addition to the Ancre area. Something like 2,000,000 British troops are in this main theatre of the war, and the fact that this is not regarded by the enemy as “a contemptible army ” is evidenced by the steady retirement ot the hitherto strongly entrenched German forces, Two millions of British troops ! That is a total double the entire population of New Zealand engaged on a front not longer than the width of the South Island stretching from Hokitika to Christchurch. That is “ some ” force, and the fact, further, that it is backed by an overpowering volume of artillery and munitions, suggests at once the reason for the German retirement. For upwards of two years the enemy has been , at great pains to entrench itself in the French territory now being slowly cleared. The only reason to account for the retirement from the stronghold is the superiority of the British. The Germans picked their camping ground in France, and they strengthened it in every possible way. The wooden hills and dales were admirably adapted for defensive purposes, aud they are not being abandoned now, except for the reason of stern necessity enforced by enemy strength. The main British offensive appears to be directed at Bapaume, an important headquarters held by the Germans -at a very convenient junction. The latest fighting was at Loupert Wood, which appears to be tho last and main obstacle in the

way of direct attack on Bapaume. Irles, the latest village taken in that direction, was a small place of 279 jiopulation. Pys, in the same region, held a population of 300. These statistics indicate that the towns are small, but they are, or were, important enemy stations, tlie Germans using the cover to plant guns of all calibre in such places to stay or check the enemy. There is not any news of progress in the Somme region, furthei to the south, but Mr Gibbs predicts larger things to happen. It might be that while tlie Bapaume fighting is definite in its, purpose, it does not cover or disclose the real objective in the present onslaught. Engaging the attention of the enemy as much as possible in that direction, the deciding blow for the scheme in hand might be delivered in quite another locality. We shall not know this till the operations are sufficiently developed to disclose the main scheme in hand. There is,' however, quiet contentment and confidence at the front that all is going well, and with that feeling we must rest assured and await the outcome with the same brave patience that has marked the experience of the nation throughout the progress of the war. The enemy acknowledge the advance in the west, but minimise its importance by explaining the manoeuvre is part of a development to shorten the German front. This, in the light ®f the facts as to the months oceupied in entrenching, is an excuse for a palpable fact, rather than a reason. The enemy cannot be viewing the general outlook with aoy satisfaction at all, Submarining is not taking the toll, r.cr having (be effect it waa intended. Mesopotamia is not the blessed circumstance it recently was to the Central Powers. Nor can it be cheerful fo know that the Chinese are throwing in | their lot with the Entente Allies. These are the outstanding events, apart from the position in the immediate theatres of the war, which must be having a very disquieting effect throughout (h 3 Central territory. The loan prospects on (be sixth time of asking cau well be understood not to be promising. JEt'Solution to withstand the pp.Dga of hunger or submit to national inconvenience will grow lees firm in the face of passing events. So wo see the course shapiug to that inevitable end the Allies have sworn to achieve. There is no doubt tho nest month or so on the Western front will have a very important bearing on the duration of the war. If tho general success is maintained there, and the steady retirement continues the forte of circanittances elone will awaken the peoples of the enemy countries to.the true state of affairs, There is momentous news from Russia, where a revolution ban passed over the country and led to the abdication of Czar Nicbo'as. Tho Government of Russia is an autocracy, the Czar being the supreme ruler, la 1905 the Czar created a Duma or Parliament “to take a constant and active part in the elaho r auon of laws.” The following year the Council of (he Empire, or Second dhambir, was created. The Duma appears to have taken control in the recent happenings. The total members of the Duma number 442 and have a'life of five years. The last election was in September 19 L2, so that another election/ would be due this year. The Duma’s powers extend to all questions* reiati«g to new laws and the modification of existing laws, as also to matters 6Hbmitt6d by Imperial decree, It is provided, however, that “the fundamental laws of the Imperial Administration” shall not ba touched, The Ocuuoil and the Duma have equal legislative powers, and both can initiate measures. The President of the Duma was M. Rodzianko. There have been frequent changes in the Ministry of late, aud serious charges of maladministration. The Czar haa always appeared to possess the confidence of his people to a remaikab'e degree, while the royal members of his household have been devoted to the welfare of the sick and wounded siccjj the outbreak of war. Russia appeared to be the one country where some genuine effort was being made towards national efficiency, so that the news of such sweeping changes which carries with it even the Czar is startling in its suddenness’.

The later news received overnight in regard to the Russian revolution shows it to have been remarkably complete in its sweeping effect. Best of all, the news tends to show that the radical movement is entirely antiGerman ; that in fact the pro-German element which appealed to be overrunning high places, is quite extinguished. The reasons leading up to the abdication of the Czar are not jet too clear, except it be he was too pliant in the hands of his Council of Empire, and agreed too readily to the suspension of the Duma, just <whea that national institution was about to take in hand the re-organisation of the food supplies. The fact that at the extreme momeut the Czir should be councilled by bis leading generals io the field,points to the gravity of the situation. There seems to be a very buoyant opinion as to the general outlook and the revolution having achieved its main object of putting aside the Cabinet and high officers considered necessary to remove, the leadeisof the radical changes are now busy urgirg the people to resume their employment so that “ the troops on the verge of victoiy will not be hampered by the need for supplies.

It is a mighty change to bring to pass in a few short hours, and has been accomplished without very greet bloodshed for so far reaching a result. Truly we are liviog in remarkable times. The unrest ond determination mil t have been very deep toafced in Ri-sia, but it was well bidden troin the autho' i‘:ee, w! o could lave bad no real inkling of the history making eff ct of the decision to adjourn the Duma without, consulting the desires of the people’s representatives. It is to be hoped that further news will confirm all that has gone before, aud ru ike it plain beyond doubt t hat the new Russia will be no less resolved than the old of seeing the war through with fixed determination.