Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10th. 1917. THE WEEK.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 November 1917, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10th. 1917. THE WEEK.

'i'lfK shipping losses for the past- wee k show a material drop. IT this diminution can he imiiiutained it will he a line tribute, indeed to the silent service of the Navy. The German Government who cheerfully promised their people that the U-Boats would bring England to her knees by August, are now heartening thorn up by claiming to sink between 450,000 and 500,000 ton s net British shipping a month. The word "net” is important, for it means that i this i$ the figure after allowance has

been made for all new shipping. The Prime Minister of Britain lately rebutted this claim with figures of actual losses: In April( the worst month), 560,000 tons. In July, 320,000. In August, (on basis of the first fifteen days), still less. But these are all gross figures. British losses during the six months have been under 250,000 tons, and during the last two months 175,000 tons. That as to say, British net losses during the six months have been one-half what the Germans claimed them to be, and only one-third during the last two months. In fact, the losses are diminishing awhile the building is increasing and this even though more 'Gcitaan submarines are operating. This result in due to the effective measures taken by tho Admiralty and to the admirable work of Sir Joseph Maclay, who in spite of considerably diminished tonnage, ha s yet contrived to carry 150,000 more tons in British ships. Mr. Lloyd George gave some surprising figures, as to the amount of new shipbuilding for (tie mercantile marine: In peace time the normal Output is anything under 2,000,000 tons. In 1915 Britain built 688,000. In 1916 Britain built 538,000. In 1917 (first six months), 484,000. Second six months (estimated), 1,420, 000. The last figure includes 330,000 tons purchased from abroad; hut. if the estimate proves correct as much new shipping will be put. into the water thi s year as in a normal year of peace. At the same time naval construction output will also he up on Hast year by somo hundreds of thousand tons and the Uni ted States is also building hard and her first big ships were to he launched this month at. the rate of a 5,000 tonner per day! The marked success of the AustroI German offensive on the Italian battle front has been made more painfully evident during the week. Not- to put too j fine a point to Abe situation, the Italj ians were completely ;out-genera)led. It is difficult, indeed to believe tin* German propaganda' could have tindermined altogether the morale of the Italian troops, hut when they wore • smitten hip and thigh by the unexpected onslaught, they lost courage and

crave ground. The rapidity of their flight, meant more than the sacrifice of strongholds. They gave to the enemy valuable booty in guns and ammunition that they themselves needed. The unfortunates who were left to gallantly stem the onrush are without artillery support, and using up their own ammunition had to rely in the final con fliet on the butt ends of their rifles. Bayonets versus machine gun fire are a poor substitute, and so the most gallant of the Italians, those who could be spared least of all in a time of such extremity, were sacrificed. How far the Italians with the help of reinforcements moving from distant places to their support, can stem the advancing tide, rcmain s to he seen. The position is not a promising one. The enemy are overrunning the Venetian Plains so far without, any adequate check, and Venice may he threatened at any time now. The serious dislocation of the Italian campaign might easily have a very untoward effect or the progress of' ft be wav. The need for reinforcements in that, quarter wil affect, the western theatre at the mo. ment when the latter should fie receiving all possible aid. The position grows worse confounded fi.v the still more complicated position with ‘Russia. The Great Steam rollei

threatens to come to rest, if not to bo a partner with the Central Powers. Russian precipitation in (he last days of July, 1014, wa K the excuse given by Germany for hurrying the commencement of the war. Xow Russia is the first to quit tlie arena , evidently. 'l'lie enemy ha's played its eards extremely well again. What Is styled diplomacy, the enemy can use with intriguing success. For weeks now, since the revolution ended in interna] confusion, the enemy ha's been using the Russians to reach the object ivos now in sight. The naval display at Riga was the final pressure to win the goal of ambition, and to remove from Tli e Allies, what will prove the most useful Power of all to the Central Powers. A separate, peace I moans that in juxaposition to enemy i soil, there will ho territory capable of . giving enormous advantage to the enemies of the Allies. The whole system of the blockade of the enemy power , will bo imperilled. Vast enemy armies will he relieved for other theatres, j Xaval force may now concentrate on other quarters. The general position will be improved markedly for the enemy. Russia may break out into internal strife, and the revolution will continue within, involving, great bloodshed and a most serious draining of the resources. The dismemberment of the

country is even possible. The war as we know it will assume a new phase, lor the enemy must he heartened and will use every endeavour at this s ta'ge to patch up a peace which will he to the best advantage of the Central Powers. WlTir.u these untoward eventg are coming to pass the Western fighting continues in favour of the 'Allies, and there is a substantial victory recorded also from Palestine. The latter is the result of superior military tactics, General Allenby, though much criticised when he went to that front, fully justifying Ms appointment. When it is recalled that General Allenby was Haag’s right-hand man for a period, nod has had always the reputation of a dashing cavalry leader, it is not surprising that he has succeeded. His success will be helpful to the Mesopotamia campaign, ns the course of events in Palestine will assist in relieving the pressure expected in the Baghdad region. . On the Yores front- the British forces have distinguished themselves as the French have done in the offensive throating iT.aou. The Allies in these quarters appear always well able to hold their own. 'Hie initiative continues entirely with the Allied forces, ’ and now that- the American troops arc being blooded, a great force wil he available for the Allies to draw upon all through the coming year. Whatever may bb the ominous outlook on o flier fronts, the west shows a situ a-

tion entirely satisfying and indicating again and again that the hopes of final victory to bo achieved in that quarter are not without good foundation. The j Allies are to sit in conference Lmmcliately. The meeting is opportune in the light of passing events elsewhere. By the date of the sitting the air will bo clearer perhaps, and the international delegates will be able to make a better exposition of the European situation. Jt was a year ago at the end of last month since Australia defeated the conscription issue at the polls. Since then a general election has taken place and Mr. W. li. Hughes in the course of that campaign in the Bendigo speech made a idedge to keep the revival of the conscription issue out of politics. And as. the weeks have gone by and after giant efforts at recruiting have failed to get the men, the Cabinet has resolved upon a conscription vote again. It is to be on a different issue, the details of which are to be announced on Monday. There are in Australia two very extreme parties—loyalists and disloyalists. The former prevailed at the general election, as also in the St!ate Elections. These victories encouraged an agitation for a fresh voting test, in order that Australia may redeem itself of the stigma of October 1916. The' task of winning the . war i's still a hard one. It is harder to-day on the face of it than it was a week ago. But with resoluteness the | war Can he won. The (Allies have the resources and power behind them • to force the victory they would finally have. But all resources must he utilised. Tt is now more needful than ever for the British Empire we belong to, ,to join whole heartedly in winning the war. The Federal Cabinet has come to realise this task and the duty it imposes—‘hence 'Che new move with rej gard to conscription in Australia. There are two courses open to Australia, as to the Allied forces for the matter of that. Mr. W. H. Hughes himself propounded those in a win-the-waT speech dn May last. They are; “The high road to duty, honor and national safety; or the low.road to national dishonour and dest'ructibn.” There should he really, no trouble i n coming to ■ a . decision on the course to Tie followed.