Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times SATURDAY, AUGUST 10th, 1918. THE WEEK

Hokitika Guardian, 10 August 1918, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times SATURDAY, AUGUST 10th, 1918. THE WEEK

The week’s operations have disclosed tho genuine value of the Allied stroke on the Western Front. General Foch’s first onslaught broke and drove back the German offensive which was destined to menace Paris. Decisive results | followed, the Allies winning a clear vie- | tory us revealed by the effective way the enemy were thrown hack, and so disorganised as to discount any serious fears) as to an early renewal of a German attack in that quarter. In this highly important operation, the French, Americans and British participated freely. The gallant French forces opened with a brilliant and unquenchable attack, ably supported by the Americans, who passed through tho greatest battle ordeal they have yet faced in this groat- war. Keen and eager for flic fray, they pressed on with undeniable force, aud added materially to tho fruits of victory, though at- heavy cost to themselves for whicn their impetuous advance was chiefly accountable. At the critical stages of this newly created battle, the British were called to the support of the Fran-co-Amorican forces, and very gallantly, and no less tenaciously they performed their part. The commanding officer on the battlefroiit- has passed the highest encomiums upon tho British help the timely assistance turning the balance of the battle in favour of the Allies, and affording a fruitful victory. The material advance made over the broken and devastated country was checked only by the unfavourchange in the weather which impeded itjransport and delayed the adequate reinforcing of the victorious troops.

Tiik lull on the R.heims-Soissons front had hardly been announced, when a Franco-British offensive under General Haig is reported from the Amiens region. The first, news of this surprise attack is exceedingly good—a substantial advance a. huge haul of prisoners—material evidence of the reality of tlie surprise. This welcome push hack is no loss important on the aspects of affairs on the Western front that the Marne battle. The Marne region was the danger point affecting Paris. The Amien region was the danger point affecting the Channel points and the northern part of France. Amiens situated on the river Somme to the southwest, of Albert was a somewhat dangerous salient. It was saved from the enemy advance in March and April, only by great tenacity on the part of the Allied troops following General Haig’s famous “hack to the wall” fighting order. Tt was in this Amiens sector, where the enemy sought to cut the Allied line in two, a stroke of strategy, which was so self apparent that the Allies used every effort to circumvent it. In the trying days of March and April, and even May, when the Ai- j lies felt their weakness in man power,

the situation round about Amiens was very critical. It was probably to save the Allied line in that direction that General Foch was prompted to give ground further south and permit the pocket created at the Marne, to relievo pressure at what was the real danger zone. The severance of the Allied line of connection would have been serious indeed. To prevent it was worth other sacrifices and these the French command cheerfully took, quietbiding their t-imo for the counter stroke which has come now.

Gen'krai. Focit’s strategy lias not been an adventure of empty purpose.' It is clear now why he held his hand in the dark days, and conserved his forces for the important stroke, prepared over so wide a front. The enemy admitted their surprise in being turned back from the Marne. Their surprise will he. intensified now when they find their advance towards the French coast line nullified, and their hosts thrown into confusion by the renewed vigor of an enemy which they have been led to bolieve, was largely spent and not likely for some months yet to be in a position to strike back. Success in warfare is naturally borne by the element of surprise which can be introduced into the tactics. In planning an offensive, the arrangements must be of an elastic character so that should the first fruits not be readily gathered, other supports or diversions will be at hand to make good any defects which might not have been anticipated. The enemy plans were built upon the certainty of success which had grown up from their feeling of dominant man power. They did not count upon the recuperative powers of France, and Britain in a few short weeks, and till the Manic disclosed the strength of the Americans in the firing line, did not believe that- Great Power to be competent to take a serious partin the war this summer. The extent of all these miscalculations indicates why the well timed Allied attacks lmvo been so successful. The proof of the expiring cause and hopes, of the enemy will be brought home to the Central Powers by the stern relities of the results—results which count- so materially for the end of the war at a rapidly approaching date. *

The latest accounts of the end of the Czar presents a more heroic report of the final hours than did the earlier news. The Czar appears to have been n very much misguided man, largely in the hands of some of his entourage. When ho abdicated he prayed that- God might help Russia. When lie died at the hands of the reactionaries, he prayed that his blood might save Russia. As became a leader of a great people, he thought of his Country first and last .and Russia needs much atoning for. There are signs that the enforcement of law and order in much perturbed Russia will soon begin to take steps. The Allies are co-operating at last at three points—far distant necessarily from the heart of the Russian Empire. But the moral effect of the advance made, combined with the restorative results which the occupied territory will quickly manifest-, should he helpful in impressing the remainder of Russia with what there is to gain from the same and sensible rule which can lie brought to pass under Allied tutelage. It is of the greatest importance for all the future'that Russia should he removed once and for all from all possible influences of Germany. To this end it is not improbable that the vast Russian territorial will he cut up into suh-divi-siems giving each separate governments according to national aspirations. In this way only can Russia be saved from herself ami from the heel of the enemy. The Allies have moved slowly hut is is an intricate problem, and there must still he much adjusting before International feelings can he supremely calm about the outlook. Tile task is probably the most difficult which could he undertaken and its success augurs well for the union and confidence which has grown up among; the Allies. T.ite visit of the Acting Prime Minister .supplied an interlude which has been a pleasurable one this week. The Hon. Minister during his short stay hero appeared very much at home. In politics this has been a centre essentially Liberal, which is an opposition platform, to that occupied bv Sir .lames Allen in pre-war-times. But in these warring times politics are submerged, and all parties true to tho Empire’s needs stands on a: common political platform which knows not party divisions. That is tho ideal, and Westland has lived up to that ideal with praiseworthy practice. In two previous visits to Hokitika since the outbreak of tho war. the Minister of Defence had no occasion to doubt- the running over loyalty of this little centre. He had no occasion to doubt it- this week. He frankly said he was always heartened hv his visits to the district-, and in return it might he said, his-pleasing and frank address hero on Thursday night- was heartening to the people also. But war apart, the district- always knew how to receive its visitors distinguished or otherwise, and make them very much at home. £sir James came amongst as before the Ministerial mantle fell on him, and in less influential days he had no occasion to doubt- the warmth of our hospitality or the desire to play the game of life fairly. The district has had always many influential friends in the past, because of its genuineness.. This was shown no less in its loyal nttiLude to all authority than to those who eared to make friends with us. The old spirit is still rampart in the district and the people are proud always to give honour where honour is due, arid to recognise the public service of its foremost men. There was thus a particular reason to give and . show all honour to Sir James Allen.

The scope of his address on Thursday night dealt with war matters, particularly the; part of New Zealand in this great war. None could speak with more intimate knowledge of the Dominion’s part than Sir James Allen, the* Minister of Defence prior to and since war broke out. The Hon. Minister is much attached to the department. He might have been at Home now with Sjr Joseph Ward in the place of Mr. Massey, but that he felt he could he of greater service here at his post where he was familiar with the whole work of his war department. The past four years must have been a strenuous time for Sir James. The state of sustained war, the Dominion’s part growing in dimensions as the months went by, must have taxed his energies very greatly. The whole business had to he organised from a condition of playing soldiers, as it were, to the stern realities of war. War is a huge business, and needs tremendous organisation through a long string of departments, one dependent upon or necessary to others. The work had to be undertaken at short notice and at great speed Mistakes were made ; shortcomings were manifest; troubles arose here and there—but Sir James Allen held on, and out of chaos has produced order, and has delivered the goods with wonderful success. How successful may

fee gleaned from the Defence Commission's report, or from the greatest testimony of all —the comment on the New Zealanders at the front, wherein the Western theatre they have proved the crack division of all the great armies marshalled there. The satisfaction for this great achievement is a great reward for Sir Jamc-s Allen and he has well earned it.