Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star MONDAY. MAY 21, 1917 THE ITALIAN CAMPAIGN.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 May 1917, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star MONDAY. MAY 21, 1917 THE ITALIAN CAMPAIGN.

The movement on the Italian front is pleasing news, after the long pause whioh baa taken plioe in that theatre of the war. The latest news is to the effect that the Italian forces have been stiffened by the presence of British artillery, while a lass pleasing message of events in the Adriatic indicates that there, also, the übiquitous British Navy is also in foror. These two faots show what a burden Britain is bearing in the war. One cm feel certain that room could be found for the British artillery on the western front, jußt as one could be sure the British nav»l units would have work to do round about Britain’s shores. Apparently it is necessary to stiffen the Italian forces, land Britain has to stand the drain. The time taken to perform this stiffening operation has accounted probably for the period of marking time which has taken 1 place. Nevertheless it is good to have the eo-ordination of foroes close to the western front. There can be some valued co-operation from points so close at hand, and the military value of the movement seems to be of the greatest purpose. The line of battle is now far-flung, and for decisive purposes it is clear there must be a large measure of concentration. The Italian front is adjacent to the European operations on the western front, and it will be of national service now if an advance can be made from Italy. Events in the west have been brought to a standstill by military necessities. It ie oiear that there the enemy have brought up their foroes to the fullest extent, and to hold the positions woo is as much, apparently, as General Ha ; g is disposed to do just now, except at great sacrifice of men. Since the battle of Arras commenced there has been not any marked British advanoe. With the exception of Fresnoy, the British have held or secured their more advanced ontposts, and the giant atlaoks of the enemy have all been tepnlsed and broken. But the fierceness of the tight still rages, the enemy receiving their counter-attacks untiringly, despite the toll they are paying. This method of German attack doubtless suits one phrase of Geoeral Haig’s campaign, and he is content to hold on and wait for the fnry to expand itself know, ing that in that task the enemy is wasting the strength of the pick cf its great armies, In this oiroumetance a division on the Italian front is nsefal as limiting the reinforcements the Germans can bring to the wes*. If in the ordinary circumstances as was generally expected, Russia would now be on the offensive, the forces opposed to the Franoo-Britisb troops would be probably a third or more less, The

effect of this numerical deduction would have made all the difference to the course of events in the west. The Italian offensive will not counteract to sach an extent, but it will help, to some extant, and so assist in carrying out the general campaign on the lioes originally laid down. Tha Russian difficulty has so upset the plan of campaign for the Allies, that the immediate position will be serious for a time, till the new situation is mastei-

ed. The Ital an offensive will be some help to that end, and it is for this material purpose that it is to be so much welcomed at this juncture.