Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star TUESDAY, APRIL 9th, 1918. THE AMIENS THRUST.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 April 1918, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star TUESDAY, APRIL 9th, 1918. THE AMIENS THRUST.

The enemy thrust at Amiens will be the turning point of the war if it fails. It it succeeds, the situation will be a lever to greater things on the part of the enemy. The selection of the central sector of the long defensive line in France as the point of main attack has served the purpose of the enemy well. From what appeared in the cable news yesterday, it would appear that the Fifth British - Army fell back too soon—not to put it stronger. The retreat from the gt. Quentin region appears to have been premature, and an inquiry is being held into the circumstances of t lie case. It will be remembered, that the British line was broken, and the re-

treat was not checked or the enemy tide stemmed, till the French troops came, to the rescue of the British forces. After that the French took over a portion of the broken British linc ) and then came news of the appointment of Genera] Foch as Generalissimo. There was also word that the/British General —Gough— has been succeeded by Rnwlinson. These items joined up and pieced together suggest that the British at the point indicated, sustained a more or less inglorious defeat, justifying the first news sent out, but afterwards modified in ton© by the general descrip-' tion of the heavy fighting over the long front. In connection with the enemy thrust towards Amiens, it is interesting to recall some features of the southern or right half of the British line now m--

ing so sorely tried. Behind the whole of the British front when the offensive began was country which the enemy occupied until a little over 12 months ago. Behind the greater part of the centre of this front now attacked lie the ruined areas over which was waged the battle of the Somme. This centre is also marked by the salient immediately south-west of Cambrai formed by General Byng’s offensive of November last.- This salient, which is not as pronounced as it was before the German counter-attacks necessitated a readjustment of the British line, is still the most prominent feature of the Brit, ish, line between the Scarpe and/ the Oise. These facts regarding the front attacked might give us some indication of the enemy’s reason for electing to

launch an offensive here. It is the portion of the British front where the enemy has been able to select his own defensive,line, and where the British have been compelled to accept more or less inferior positions. Northward of the >Scarpe recent British offensives have given them a marked advantage in positions. but southward of that river they are. for the most part, holding a line which they were forced to accept as a result, of the 'enemy’s retirement on to the Uindenbnrg lino from the Noyon salient and the Somme region. Communications behind this section of the British front, although greatly improved since the enemy’s retreat-, might s*"' he 7-egarded as weak cbmpared with those in the back areas further northward. The enemy lias, 'therefore, chosen what he probably regarded as the weakest part of the British line. This he in o- s o, he must effect a breakthrough if his offensive is to prove worth the cost. as he can have little reason for attempting to gain a few miles only of the ground which ho voluntarily abandoned a year or so ago.

The British salient south-west of Cambrai certainly contains ground the possession of which would strengthen the German defensive line. The hitter fighting on the northern side of this salient suggests that part of the German plan may be, as one of the correspondents suggests, to pinch it off. This objective is one of the most dangerous features for the British Northern Army holding the Belgian end of the defensive line. To succeed in the Amiens thrust y will mean the jeopardy of Paris, for Amiens is actually west of Paris. If the Franco-British forces arc forced apart by the German wedge at this point, the battle situation will grow more serious, and add to the duration of the war. The French forces appear to bo holding well, and the northern British Army i.s now being engaged in operations of a useful character. In regards to this work the commanders and, linrresptondents 'are fall hopeful, but still the danger is actually past, the situation on the Western Front is one of the gravest concern to all parts of the Empire.

since then, and affairs on the Western Front show that men, more men, and still more men, are required to win the war, and retain lor Ireland the peace and freedom sho now enjoys. In the extremity Ireland has been brought into the Man Power Bill. This indicates that the British Government, are prepared to face disorders and oven rebellion in Ireland for tho sake of getting more men for her Armies. It is a great test for Britain, and tbe hour is a decisive one. Sir Oonau Doyle has expressed in plain language for. the edification of his countrymen what they should do in the time of crisis, and the British statesmen are themselves prepared to tread the straight and narrow path. Really, this action has been too long delayed for tho. national safety. Tho Shift that has gone on has been harmful to Ireland itself, creating a spirit of unrest because of the uncertainty. How far the Man Power Bill ' will reflect on the Convention’s report ■ cannot be said just yet, but devaljpI meats will quickly show. What is • happening on tho desperate battlefields I of France disclose that above all Britain must have national organisation of its man power, and the pity is that it lias taken so long to wake up—the eleventh hoilr in fact—to the seriousness of the greatest of occasions in our history.

Matters on tho battle front are such as to warrant the folk in this country' providing the sinews of war to carry the conflict to a successful issue. 'Jim appeal in connection with the wir loan is still going on, but it s not meeting with a great deal of enthusiastic success. According to some newspaper correspondents in metropolitan centres, a certain amount of indifference is being displayed in quarters where support should be forthcoming very readily. The loan closes on Monday next, and one way or another the money must be found. New Zealand must subscribe the money required, or the Government will step iu and acquire the amount compulsorily. Remembering that the present is not the last loan, it is not improbable that the compulsory clauses of the Act will have to he put into operation sooner or later. When compulsion comes, the terms are not likely to be as advantageous as the present loan. The investment is a safe one, having behind it the Government cuiarante© which stands for the stability of the country. Hie interest offered is quite reasonable under the circumstances, and the purpose of the loan should appeal to all. The money is required to help build up the safety of the Empire, and the Dominion must bear its share of the cost of the waT uncomplainingly. In the past- we have relied far too much on England’s ever ready financial help. The spirit of selfreliance which the war has brought out in matters financial, should he good for the people of this country in the future. There is much to profit from, in the experience. New Zealand must go on bravely to the end, assisting'as in the past, aud doing her duty to the Empire with conspicuous loyalty.

Mr Wads ted, of' Melbourne, ConsulGeneral for Denmark in Australasia, has (been spending a few days in Westland. Ho left this morning overland for Nelson.

Ou Sunday afternoon a serious loss by fire occurred at the Consolidated Cinpany’s Energetic Wealth of Nations Mine. The ongjno and boiler rooms and the poppet Loads and a vast amount of mining material and winding ropes were totally destroyed by fire. It is understood there is some insurance on the buildings and plant This mine at normal times employs over one hundred men. At tho present time some 60 men aro employed It is estimated that it will take several months before the mine is again in working order.