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Hokitika Guardian, 23 November 1917, Page 2

The good news of tho very material 'advance in Palestine continues to carry tho British further north day by day, and General Allenby continues to make good in a very satisfying way. This success is of material value at the moment, for the Allies stand in need of the favours of fortune, after the hard turn of events of late. Apropos of the campaign in Palestine, tho truth of the Gaza fighting in April last is at last

disclosed. The publications or GeneraL Murray’s despatches of this seven months old battle, indicates as was rather expected, that the effort at that time to capture Gaza', while not actually a defeat, was a costly drawn battle. Up to a certain point at the time, the accounts of the fighting trickled through favorably, and then the veil was drawn aiuFtiothing official was to he obtained. 'I he ominous silence portended a reverse, and what ever it was the authorities kept the true position a secret till a more favourable opportunity to enlighten the people presented itself. Now that Gaza has been won with comparative ease, and the British forces are sweeping north in unchecked victory, the occasion is seized to circulate General Murray’s state despatches on the serious hold up, when the coup was first attempted. It- is not pleasant to think that these somewhat unpalatable events are bottled up for so long. It is tho old story of not trusting the people and worse, of leaving them in the dark as to the true position of the war. It is to he hoped that the worst ha s been told, and that there is nothing else hidden in respect to the situation in the Ear East.

The ether main theatre, of the war today is the Italian. In that quarter the Italian army is rapidly recovering, and is getting back to its best combat-, able form. The successful operations of the British forces in the triumphant victory in the west, and the material advance in Palestine, will give further buoyancy to the Allied fighting in Italy, just as the news will have a depressing effect on the enemy. The material value of the enemy success in Italy will he serious discounted by 1 the sterling value of the western operations, where the solid British forces are operating to such advantage. This latter success is achieved not-with-standing that men and munitions have been detached from the western 1 ront lor the Italian theatre. The position in Italy appears to be that the Piave line is holding out- better than- was expected. The chapoes that the river will he crossed and another stretch of Italian territory threatened; ;.re mainly however in favour of the enemy at the moment. The debauching enemy troops from the Trentitio are the most likely to threaten the Piave line, which might have to be abandoned because of the flanking movement. The Italians appear able to hold the frontal attacks along the river, and the chief fear is from the mountain side. Every day counts in favor of the Italians now, for behind the Piave the supports and reserves from the Allies are massing to. take the pressure at the next line of defence. The Council of "War will have re solved long ere this on a unified course of action, and in the strength o. that lies the hopes of saving Italy, and again turning the tide —for already there are preparations for a winter campaign of violence.