Hokitika Guardain & Eveing Star And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times TUESDAY ,JULY 30th, 1918. THE FRENCH PUSH.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 July 1918, Page 2

Hokitika Guardain & Eveing Star And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times TUESDAY ,JULY 30th, 1918. THE FRENCH PUSH.

Tut: singularly successful push on the Murnc front which has broken up the German offensive lor Par s, and placed the enemy on the defensive, is n great tribute to the French soldiery. After four years of bitter warfare,,to find the French a’rmios still in the forefront and bearing n large burden ot the court ict, is a record of great achievement. France has covered herself with glory in this great war. She has won undying fume. In every great battle of the eastern offensive the French have participated. and won great' honour The second battle of the Marne now in progress, which like the first, worsted the onomv designs of entering Paris, will go down into history for the decisive event it is in defeating German militnry aims and ambitions. Another great, name to he associated for ever with French history, is Verdun, where the gallant sons of France by a tenacity of purpose unmatched in all history, held the German hosts at bay, anil finally flung back the enemy sorely defeated. The continual efforts ol the French in the thickest of the fighting has come to be one ot the wonders ol this war. Now, helped by Britain and American forces, the rout of the enemy along the Marne front is being made a, reality. The heavy captures of enemy force and guns indicate the measure of success the Allies are mooting with. The initiation of the counter offensive is due to General Foch, the Generalissmo of the Allies. This great French military commander will occupy a niche in hist or v all to himself. He.’ has outwitted the German High Command which has made the strategy of war its constant study. General Foch knew how to wait, before delivering his master stroke, and delivering it, he is following it. ui> with a degree of success altogether hopeful. This offensive lias had”the effect of delaying the German offensive against the main British forces to the north on the western offensive. The losses inflicted on the enemy will result, it is not unlikely, in the reserves intended for the other front being heavily drawn upon and in this way the French success has a double effect which is of marked advantage . The enemy appear likely to get bacn. to the Vesle, where with the high country behind they may be able to make a stand. The French leaders’ initiative will not bo exhausted, and further developments are certain to ensue befoie the close, of the favourable season of the year in the northern hemisphere. The Allies jf they can retain the initiative for the time being, will have a great advantage with continually growing forces. One element not mentioned”often of late is the. aircraft activity, in regard to which the Allies are growing in strength very rapidly. This conjoined with the increasing military f'reiigth.. gives assurance that the present French push will bo back up by solid Allied support and this notable strength which will grow as the weeks go by, will give the superiority to ensure the final victory. Just at present, the French are preparing the way for the still more decisive events to follow, though those transpiring now are very’ material ns forcing a turn of the tide, and making the opening for the final victory to be secured by the united strength of the Allies.