Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 1917 THE OFFENSIVE

Hokitika Guardian, 12 April 1917, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 1917 THE OFFENSIVE

The spring offensive is now a reality, and the results show what n real thing it is. Since February the main fighting was in the Somme area, where a pronounced success was gained. The enemy fell back before the British fire and left the way olear for a very material advance whioh resulted in the Department of the Somme being cleared of German occupation. To mark their exit the Huns pursued their ruthlessness and destroyed everything they could. The enemy seemed to hope that by falling back rapidly to a netv line, and destroying the conatry evacuated, including roads and bridges and railways, the British advance would be delayed. The advance was continued in such a way that the British artillery was able to pay close attention to the retreating troops, who deserved to suffer heavily for their crimes on Frenoh soil. When Easter came, General Haig, who continues to control the great front he now holds with consummate skill, delivered a fresh attack at a new point north of Arras, The previous fighting and success had taken the kinks out of the western line from Arras to St Quentin in the south, and this hsd meant the recovery of great tracts of country. As part of the schemo the British Commander® in-Chief now jr cpoaed to advance his line north of Arras, This was achieved

with an advance which has proved to bo the most remarkable success in the British campaign. It appears to have been largely in the way of a surprise for the enemy, and as surprises are the stepping stores to success in warfare, bo the British profitted by the onslaught. It was an attack over a wide front, and something of its success is indicated not alone by tbe thousands of German prisoners taken, but more by the heavy gnns captured, lu this instance the enemy cannot claim to be evacuating the country as part of a preconceived scheme. Much as the enemy would liked to have retired, no doubt, they found themselves unexpectedly face to face wuh the British troops, and craven hearted, they- surrendered in thousands. The toll is mounting up. Already it equals in number the total of men New Zealand sends to the war in six months, and this will soon be exceeded. It ssema dear that the enemy has lost his dash. Tbe the Germans as a fighting force is depreciating rapidly. This will not be true of the entire German army of course, bnfc it seems evident that within tbe ranks there is , a readiness to surrender as opportunity offers, and the more the British are able to keep up th 9 pressure at this opportune stage, the more will this fact be borne home. General Hindenbnrg has permitted himself to be interviewed at this juncture. It is noticeable that he has very little to Bay about the situation of the western front, He sets oat to put forward the best case he oan, but at best it is built on surmise. What the United States will do we cannot measure just yet. We oan only think upon what Britain did in a few months of war, and then realising what the giant potentialities of America are, we might imagine what the States will do. It is the bast thing that could happen for Hindenburg to jeer at America. The taunt will put tbe sensitive people on their mettle, and tho result will have some surprises for Hindenbnrg. The significance of the absonce of comment in the course of events on the western front on the part of Germany ia therefore remarkable. There is no doubt events are going well there. The inspiriting messages which are boing received from the front teU even more than actual resulis what a fins vielorions spirit is permeating the British force. We know that it ia in that quarter where victory i 8 to coma from, and all seems to be going singularly well. The leadership appears to b 3 excelieut, while the glorious sacrifice of the men of all ranks, including the great work by the aviators, set one’s blood tingling with pride that the highest traditions of tho race am being more than emulated. The offensive so long delayed waiting for men and munitions stems to be now in full blast, and is being carried forward with whet reads like signal success. The full measure of eucetma cow depends on the pressure being maintained, in which event it teeros likely that a very decisive v : c cry wil: crown

the great work now nroo suing along tha extended western fron ,