THE WAR REVIEWED.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 June 1918, Page 1

THE WAR REVIEWED.

AN INTERESTING SUMMARY. [PER press association.—copyright.] WELLINGTON. June 17. The following telegraphic review of the war situation has been received by the Governor-General from the Secretary of State for the Colonies for the week ending June loth : The German idea of a world of peace is illustrated by her recent manoeuvres in Russia, Roumania, and Finland. A similar process is taking place in the Caucasus. Attempts to establish an Independent C’aueasion Republic, in which, Christians and Mohommedaus alike, will share,, are threatened by the advance of Turkish and Gorman forces which has continued during the progress of peace negotiations. An Independent Georgian Republic has been proclaimed, and Germany’s object is to completely separate that all important district from Russia and bring it completely into her economic and military system. Probably with this object Batnni, which was previously promised to Turkey, has been assigned a new Georgion State, giving Germany control of the. Black Sea oilfields, which are similar to the oilfields in Roumania, and a base for the penetration of Central Asia. Austrian conditions continue to grow worse, and according to the “Zeitung.” a Vienna Burgomaster recently declared that the faults of our Governments of the last centuries will bitterly avenge themselves. High treason and boundless ingratitude are now rampart, and the Government proves weak and unsteady. The supreme duty of the German parties is to show a united front against the Slav treachery. The Austrian weakness enables Germany to reduce Austria to the position of a vassal State. The new treaty fetters Austria for a generation. It proposes to complete the unification of the two armies, the. eo-ordination of mobilisation, munitioning, transport, food supply, and the merging of economic resources. Tho German policy of domination is increasingly proved to he the menace to freedom.

All the countries of the United States are daily taking an increased part in the conflict. The American war spirit has only been accentuated by the sinking of ships off the American coast, the tonnage of which will soon he replaced many times over. Efforts and self-denial have _ boon exercised in Canada, and the united result is substantial increases in cereal and other imports; Rationing gives general satisfaction an evidence shows no increased consumption in bread or other unrationed articles.

The Air Ministry reports considerable aerial activity during the past week on the Western front especially in the battle zone. Fine weather favouring our aerial operations must somewhat have hampered reconnaissance work, nevertheless an immense number of aerial photos were taken during the close, and distant reconnaissance*.

Bombing operations into Germany were carried out with vigor. Seventeen raids were undertaken oi which five on Dielenhofen, Coblenz was also raided. During the week, approximately 20 tons of bombs were dropped on German territory. Our aircraft co-operated with French aviators in bombing to enemy railway junctions, roads and concentrations.

In air lighting, G 3 German machines were brought down, and 33 driven down out of control. Twenty of our aeroplanes failed to return. Aerodromes on the Balkan front and hostile ammunition and supply, dumps in the Struma Valley were subjects to frequent heavy raids. In Palestine, hostile troops, m trenches and camps, were attacked by our aeroplanes with bombs and machine gun fire. The Ammon railway station, aerodrome and bivouacs wort the objectives of a very successful raid oil the 4th inst. Considerable damage "as caused to tho troops, rolling stock and hangars.

In Italy, the weather conditions were somewhat hampered for flying operations, but a considerable amount of work has been accomplished. The enemy offensive in the Aisno salient was definitely arrested on the evening of Monday. June 3rd. On the two fallowing days, enemy attempts to advance, further, were severely punished and tlie French regained certain tactical points. The Crown Prince was obliged to either obandon the operation to bring up considerable reserves from other parts of the. front, or to start a complimentary offensive elsewhere. Tho latter course was evidently decided on, and at dawn on Sunday, June 9th, the enemy opened an attack on the Sfontdidior-Noyon front, with fifteen divisions, three of which were from Prince Rupprccht’s reserves. The Allied Higher Command was fully prepared. Some ground was gained by the first shock to a maximum depth of four miles in the centre, while tho flanks held firm. The enemy losses were exceedingly heavy. On the second dav, with proportionately even greater losses the enemy gained only another two miles in the centre, while tho flanks still held. The Carlepont salient being endangered, the French withdrew their line at that- point fighting clever rearguard actions, and dealing severely with the enemy, who attempted pursuit along the Noyon-Compiegne road. The French left counter-attacked simultaneously. and regained a considerable strip of ground. Fierce fighting continues. It is again evident that the enemy can achieve no decision here without heavy calls on his reserves and divisions from other parts of the front. The main enemy reserve, on Prince Rupprecht’s front between the Somme and the sea is still entrenched. How does the enemy intend to use this reserve ? The enemy is certainly determined to force a decision before the end of 19l«. The original, main objective was the destruction of the Allied Armies by slrulogical penetration in the Allied centre at Amiens, while drawing the reserves outwards to the two flanks. The operations in March April .and May were undoubtedly all part of this plan. Germany has drawn heavily from every source, and is unable to a train reconstruct her armies to thenpresent strength. The Allies must make every possible man available to maintain the armies to full strength. This applies equally to the Dominions whoso'contingents are among our first troops. Thus, tho re-made armies, with the full-sized fresh American Army added, will end the war with a decisive victory. The International Scientific Commission after meeting in Paris, and Rome are now sitting in London, lhe Com-

mission has already reached valuable conclusions and the minimum food requirements of the average man have, been computed for Allied countries. The Commissioner has recommended that a uniform average of milling extraction be adopted as far as possible, throughout the Allied countries. The men should always, take preference over animals in this allocation of food.

By the Government’s registration, tea. dealers throughout the, United Kingdom have been completed on a basis of two ounces to each member of a customer’s family.

The milk prices have been increased to fourpenee per gallon. Except as regards fruit, the Homo harvest prospects are good. The fruit crops are expected to be seriously short and if tonnage is available, importation to supply the deficiency will be essential.