Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30th., 1917. A NOTABLE RECOVERY.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 November 1917, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30th., 1917. A NOTABLE RECOVERY.

Tiie remarkable recovery of the Italian Army is a matter for very pleasing thoughts in connection with the progress of the war. In a wonderfully 'diort time the great disaster which overcame the Italians with the suddenness of a sweeping avalanche, has been arrested, and the Army placed on a ! footing rendering it capable of stealing the tide of war once again. The work of thirty arduous months was lost .in thirty terrible hours. Lives and property went by the board, the sudden stroke delivered by the enemy being so overwhelming. The broken and spent- ranks of the disorganised Army it seemed impossible to get- together again sufficiently soon to face the victorious enemy advancing from two quarters with all speed. No doubt the relief felt by the enemy on the Russian fronts, enabled the enemy to rush forward fresh troops to increase the advantages gained so unexpectedly against the Italians. The disaster had its remarkable effect on the Italian mind. Overwhelming though it was, the people were steeled to renewed energies, and fortified by the readily proffered aid from neighbouring Allies, the giant task of re-organisation was taken in hand with a new-found vigor. Still the enemy pressed on, and the ability of the Italians to hold their foes at the Piavo was in the balance for some days. Time fought- on the side of the Italians eaeh day giving the defenders renewed strength and increasing hopes as the march of the Allied relief began. The enemy attempted a strategic stroke hv way of iho Asia go Plateau, and the Brenta valley hut the Allies strove valiantly to hold the enemy to the mountain regions. Tins saved a flanking attack for the Piave defenders, and so assisted to secure Venice intact, the los s of Avhich would have been the culmination of the disaster. To hold the enemy as has been done, and save Venice is indeed a victory for the Italians. It is a success of tremendous import to the Allies and plays a most important part in the march of events at present shaping the end of the war. It is clear that great losses have been imposed on the Austro-German forces in the sanguinary fighting. The enemy would have liked to seal its victory with the capture of Venice and the utter demoralisation of the Italian Army. So great a victory would have been worth a tremendous sacrifice. Now, they have been shorn of the fruits of victory, after spending their fullest available military power to crush Italy There is little doubt hut that the Italian front will present a stronger posi- j tinn than ever to the Central Powers. Reinforced bv the Allied troops the Italian front will become a centre of likely activity all through the winter months. Tt will he possible to continue the fighting over the Venetian Plains, and in that quarter the season will hot impose restful tactics on the belligerents. The swing of the pendulum has thus taken on an even stroke again, and once more the Allies will be organising to sot out on the clear road to victory. Unexpectedly perhaps the recent Italian disaster may yet prove a blessing ip disguise to hasten the end.

The British effort ha Palestine may be judged to have slowed down, by rea- - son of the absence of “pushing on” news. The rapid advance from Gaza j covered so much ground, however, 1 that tibe British commander would he sure to secure his line of communications before pressing unduly northward in which region the enemy are known to be massing. Although the residential population would receive j the British forces in a friendly spirit, it is not likely there would be much available for the emancipators in tho way of supplies—the enemy’s ways are too thorough to leave much behind. In the matter of suppl'ie R and replenishing requirements, General Allenby will now be able to draw from Jaffa, where the British transports will bo able to land supplies thus avoiding the long trail across the desert from Egypt. The vigor and brilliance of the advance enabled the British to capture large supplies from the enemy, but these would not be usable always by the British. The invading forec deserve the highest credit for the great success achieved, a success which i R likely to be crowned bv the capture of Jerusalem. The military value of the work is likely to he far-reaching for its sets British prestige o n a higher pedestal than over. The defeat to’ the enemy is a serious one, carrying disorganiation through tho ranks, and breaking up the arrangements which were going forward for a grand enemy offensive in Mesopotamia.

The local Swimming Club ha s held its annual meeting, and there are-expecta-tions that the opening of the season will be duly celebrated to-morrow. It fits in with the extremely genial weather we are now experiencing somewhat ahead of seasonable dato hut none the less welcome all the same The Swimming Club desires well. Tt lia R filled a useful purpose, both in regard to co-operating in establishing the local baths, and in the efforts to encourage the young people of both sexes to become proficient in the art of swimming. The town is fortunate, certainly i n having these baths available for public utility, the only regret being that the water supply is at time* inadequate to maintain the required quantity. Just now when tho weather is so very favourable the baths should ‘ be fully utilised, but the want of water has compelled public use to be made of both tlio river and the ocean beach. Both localities are dangerous for young people particularly, and to avoid the personal risk the Borough authorities should strain every point to keep an efficient supply of water in the baths One or two lives sacrificed and there would he an outcry and an insistent demand in the direction we have sug gested. To avoid so unpleasant a contingency. the authorities should free tliemselvps from all risks 'to liability ' by striving in every way possible to make the baths popularly usable and of that essential value to the community they were intended to be.