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

Hokitika Guardian, 14 July 1917, Page 2

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

Tin? week’s losses from submarines, though still large shows a small reduction as against the previous week’s total. Fourteen vessels over 1600 tons have been sunk as against 15 in the last summary, and three vessels under 1600 tons, as against 5 for the previous period. while for the week be fore that the figures were 21 and 7.

The week’s figures represented a reduction on those of the week'before, and apparently we liavo onoo more struck the down grade. How long it will last it is impossible to foretell; but, judging, by past experience, a period of decline in tbo sinkings is likely to l>e followed by a sudden rise again, just, as wo appear to bo getting the upper 1 hand of the submarines. Tho reason for these periods of decline followed by sudden increases is a mystery. Tho fluctuations in the weather conditions do not seem capable of accounting for them. Possibly, however, the Germans train their submarine crd,ws in squadrons, and send out their new boats, ill fairly large fleets. If so, then a sudden rise in sinkings would be accounted for by the entry into action of a powerful fleet of new submarines, and the subsequent decline by their being gradually thinned out again.

The news being received of the Russian offensive continues to bo of a very satisfactory nature. The news of the capture of Halicz and the further advance of General Korniloff’s troops on a broad front on tho wav towards Lemberg tends to show that the Russian steam roller is ready for the great work it has left, undone during the early spring. The news of the consternation that the advance,.has caused tho German-Austro headquarters tends to prove that tbo Russian advance is of a substantial nature, giving their plans an unwelcome shock and necessitating tho rushing in of troops that would have otherwise been available for other danger points on their long, extent of battle front. The latest news of their steady advance and tho heartening of the Russian nation makes very good reading.

It is very evident that there has been a tree and frank discussion of military matters in the French Chamber of Deputies and the air will be an t,ho clearer in consequence. M. Pajnleve, tho Minister-of War, has already made one or t"'° public statements on the subject of the April offensive and on the general condition of tho French armies, and how, after a prolonged secret session, ho lias admitted that the losses sustained in the offensive were excessive. Seeing that the Chamber carried a vote of confidence in the Government by an overwhelming majority, it may be assumed that the secret session marks tho conclusion of th« sustained attack on the Government which has been tho feature of the French political history for the past two months and more. The dissatisfied group finally dwindled to twentythree, whose votes were recorded against (the Government, but ’the critics were very much more nomorous at the commencement of the discussion. The Ministry did not wait for the attack to develop, but virtually presented its defence, in advance, for before the end of April it was announced that General Detain had been appointed Chief of Staff, and a little later came the announcement that General Detain "'ns to take control of the French armies, This was an intimation to the French ptopis that ths Qompnjcnt

itself was dissatisfied with tbo conduct.,’ of the offensive. i o■ ' ' 1 1, Tho restoration of the monarchy of' ’ China, must have been a farcical affair. I The militarist party, headed by General 8 Chang Hsun, clearly made a serious mis- 0 calculation. It achieved a temporary " success and brought off a sensational “coup d’etat,” but it has found itself I insufficiently strong t? maintain its ad- h vantage. The Republic has shown an ° unexpected vitality and has refused to collapse. Superior in numbers, the s republican forces have marched on the a capital, driving the monarchist troops ]■ before thorn. Official despatches stato c that the Republic is firmly re-establish- i c ed, with a new President and a Pro- ' visional Government. The outlook for c the would-be Emperor-maker General Chang Hsun looks unpromising, since a j very high valuation has been placeed . on his head which he seems disposer! j desperately to defend. There will no ( doubt be. some more bloodshed, as ho j and his followers can expect little quarter at tho hands of the angry Re ■ publicans. It all presents the appear- ’ ar.co of a' storm in.a teapot rather than of a revolution although such events j as have occurred indicate the existence df a strong element of unrest. Militarism and constitutionalism have had 1 a brief passage at arms in China which has ended in constitutionalism securing a handsome victory. It would bo interesting to know how large or small < a fraction of the huge population of *< China is implicated in or concerned with t,ho surface troubles and political distur- 1 bncos which seem to encircle the Chin- ■ esc seat of Government. , • ——— ■ini ; I