Hokitika Guardian and Evening Star THURSDAY, AUGUST 23rd, 1917. THE MILITARY SITUATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 August 1917, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian and Evening Star THURSDAY, AUGUST 23rd, 1917. THE MILITARY SITUATION.

The nows from the battle fronts continues to confirm tin- general view thav the military situation is positively inassuring. The Western Front, the deciding factor of tho war, affords the best evidence for this conclusion. General Haig has expressed for a long time past the most confident optimism as to the ability to strike where and when he wished with advantage, and this assertion he lias confirmed by his tactical efforts all along. The initiative has been with the British for a long time past now. Even lately when the enemy massed on the Belgian coast to deliver a blow on their own account, the Allies wore able to forestall them with a discomforting attack. The ability of the Allies to bold their own under the varying circumstances of modern warfaro, has given

their armies groat heart, and they enter the fray with the greatest confidence. The whole trend of the long drawn-out battles on the West-front, are in favour of the Allies, who are. wearing down the enemy with relentless attacks. It is good news to learn now of the renewal of the offensive on

tho Italian Front. Fighting in that quarter is by stages, somewhat spasmodic. But here again the initiative is with the Allied belligerents. The Austrians havo been heavily punished in the latest battle, which is useful because it will lessen the pressure to somo extent. on the Russo-Routnaninn forces. It is not possible to accurately guago tho courso of events along those perplexing fronts, the news being so contradictory. Thero is comfort in the knowledge that Russia is .so vast, and that if discipline can he forced upon her heroic troops they are capable of great performances. This might mean delay which would at least spell disaster to tho Roumanians, ae it would be of assistance to the enemy, who, by over-running the grain regions of Southern Russia, could replenish their supplies of corn—a material aid no doubt, when tho rigors of the otherwise tightening blockade are making themselves felt in other quarters. But the situation on the Eastern Front only

magnifies the importance of the course of events ou the Western Front. There we know, from report upon report, that all is going well. The wonderful results now being achieved by the aerial fleets of the Allies is another ground for satisfaction. It is not unlikely that by this time, the Allies mo deriving the benefit of the interposition of the American forces, both in flying men and supplies of machines. We

know that the balance is. in our favour in the West, and with the United States marshalling its forces, our greatest Ally will soon be in the fray now ‘‘with both feet,’’ as the American General tersely expressed it. The military situation is thus clearing most satisfactorily, and the general outlook soems to he giving the clearest endorsement to the opinion expressed by the Japanese- General, who regarded victory as certain for the Allies by staying in the fight, and continuing it to the one end which will servo best this generation and tlioso to'come after.