Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star SATURDAY, APRIL 14 1917 THE WEEK.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 April 1917, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star SATURDAY, APRIL 14 1917 THE WEEK.

Mr Lloyd George is always an entertaining speaker. He dresses bis subject in such apt language, and his eimilies are always so thoroughly apropos. He bad a congenial task set him this week to compliment the United States on its entry into tbe war, and he performed his task admirably. His points were all good, and his effective speaking provoked what was no doubt a thoroughly representative audience, to the highest pitch of enthusiasm. The British Premier is an inspiring speaker, and the fortunes of war are such now that he waß able to pitch his speech in a most optimistic strain. Following so close on the HindeQburg interview, Mr Lloyd George was able, with his knowledge of tbe faots, to adopt a thoroughly defiant tone, and his comment when it is circulated in Germany will not be palatable reading. It is clear that the Prime Minister of Britain believes the end of the war to be within measurable distance, and he is pleased, it will be noted, that the United States is to have a seat at the conference when the peace terms are fixed. War is to be no more, and Germany is going to find herself confined within hßr “legitimate” borders ; also she shall have a democratic government. There are essential matters when peaee rumors fill the air egain,

and they must have ibeir moral effect on Germany’s fighting forces. The speech we refer to seems to be well timed, and the matter is so excellent that the authorities should be at pains to see that it is well circulated in enemy countries. The offensive continues ard is progressive. It is not the fall great offensive yet, after all, for the weather is again fighting on the side of the enemy, and the fuT vigor of the attack cannot be launched in the unfavorable weather conditions which prevail. Notwithstanding, the results have been great, and they are remarkable as disclosing the fact that the attack has surprised the enemy, who in some quarters were emote hip an.d thigh. The captures have been large, and they are very material, not only disclosing the vigor of Iks attackers, but what is certainly significant the failing morale of the enemy. The war along the western front is passing out of the Btage of stalemate. The trenching and tli9 burrowing are passing away, and the battles rage more in the open. The objective is more readily ditesrned now, which ib all to the advantage of the British, possessing as they do the superiority in artillery. It is a remarkable fact above all, that on no occasion of late has the enemy been able to seriously check the advancs of the British. Even where the Germans fought tenaoiously along Vimy Ridge, they could not do so victoriously, but had to succumb to the ever advancing forces. Snccass of this nature must have its effect with what already appears to ba a dispirited foe. Also, the British geneia'.-ship seems to be decidedly superior to that of the enemy. Yes, the advance is progressing very satisfactorily indeed. Wiih this great question of generalship is bound np the date when the great offensive will really begm. That decision is not governed by the weather alone, but also by the success which attends these minor advances. Sur-

prise is ibe essence of success in warfare, and a big surprise carried out in one of these advances might easily precipitate the time for the grand attack, which it is hoped will be such a deciding factor this year. Mr Gibbs has talked of “ fate being kind ” as a means to lead up to the general advance, but if fate is stoied up in weather conditions only, tka prospects ate not as yet too kind. Bat they are ripening. That is very clear. V?hile the assault was working its efftor. north of Arras, we may be sure that the British were busy making goad the advance covered south of Arras. Thera must be a lot, to do in that quarter to secure the gains obtained there last month, aud this territory covered with proper lines of communication for supplies of men and material we may be sure that there will not be a moment’s delay to pUihonand fuither harry the enemy. All eyes are turned to the west watching developments, for it is there no doubt whera the decisive blows arc to be sGutk. The offensive as far as it has gone has succeeded wonderfully well, and fiom the confidence exp-tsied ly those in high places, tkeie is uo react. □ to doub‘ that so it will continue to the end, for Britain is now prepared. Deepite the fact !h,it defeat meet ba staring ibe enemy in the face, the Hun pumaes his with what appears to be but added vigor. The crimes with which he affrighted the world at the outset of the war are as nought to his diabolical deeds ;s the war has progressed. There are no

bounds to the lengths he will not go

to wreak his wretched vengeance on his honorable foes. When he tore np the scrap of paper, he did a trifling thing compared with the manner in which since he has outraged all conception ef human decency and honor. Nothing is sacred to the German, Even the lives of his own misled countrymen he is prepared to sacrifice to t?y and stem the tide of events which is osrerwhelming him. It would not be possible for any human judge to fix a punishment which could at ail adequately fit the crimes the national leaders are guilty of. The German in authority for the time being has no respect for anything. He is guilty of unspeakable crimes. It wonld seem as though an epidemic of insiuity had brokeD out among modern Hun?, and it is altogether difficult to understand how a professedly nultuied people could descend to crimes which even a heathen would not attempt Bgainst a foe. Some of tbo latest crimes of Germany appear to be unbelievable, were it not for tbe vile record already so fully established against this nation galloping to its own destruction.