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Hokitika Guardian, 20 November 1917, Page 2

Tin: sweeping advance of General Allenby in southern Palestine is proving of material advantage. It opened with the turning movement in the direction of Beersheba, and the initial success at that point had an effect on the Gaza front, where, ill February last, the enemy, thanks to natural conditions favouring them, held the advantage. The pressure from the inland flank, combined with the naval support along the sea coast, shortened the enemy front very considerably and being unable to adequately resist, a strategic retreat was begun. This lias continued since, the British force s pushing on untiringly Jaffa being entered, gives the Allies a good sea coast base, whence they can operate over the southern region of Palestine, including Jerusalem. This further secures the Suez Canal and Egypt, hut the advance is still in t-e infancy so far as affecting the campaign in Mesopotamia is concerned. Alleppo is the Junction on the station on the Constantinople-Baghdad route diverting to Palestine, and Aleppo is still far removed from the effect of the Britisli advance. There is a stretch of. territory to occupy before Aleppo can he, endangered and the direct line of communication of the Turks to the Far East cut. At the time of writing Allenby’s advance continues, and many things are possible . The time is long overdue for the Allies to achieve a distinctive land victory but whether there are the troops available for the Palestine offensive which now seems possible j's doubtful . In the meantime, however General Allenby has made good and achieved a use fill victory by his advance.

The Australian Press Association representative who ha’s been visiting Ireland lifts the veil to some extent on the course of events in that distressful country. It i s not- surprising to learn that the situation is critical. That condition has been manifest since the rebellion of Easter of last year. The correspondent adds that while critical the outlook is hopeful, but he does not supply any direct statement to war rant the optimism. On the contrary, ho relates the facts which came under his notice, and which seem to indicate that affairs in Ireland from a political point of view, must be very much worse before they can ho better It is clear that in Ireland a disloyal spirit is rampant. The rebellious spirit of twenty months ago, is not lessened to any degree, but actually extended. The old political demand for Home Rnlp, as voiced through the National -Irish party, is stifled by the plain outlawry of the Sinn Fein organisation, which is preaching disloyalty boldly and nakedly. Through it all the authorities hold their hands with wonderful self-control. The phlegmatic British maintain their coolness to a degree which suggests that the Irish Convention now sitting on the Home Rule question have a’ peacoful ,and practicable method in view of allaying the situation and reducing Ireland to a satisfactory scheme of self-Govern-ment. This may be the hope of the press correspondent—we trust it is, because it is the only probable, way to bring peace and contentment to Ireland. If the Convention fails, the situation will he one of grave extremity leading up to a possible condition of affairs such as prevail in Russia. From such a catacylsm may God defend Ireland.