Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5th., 1918. THE WEEK.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 October 1918, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star SATURDAY, OCTOBER sth., 1918. THE WEEK.

Thu Hon. Mr Bonar Law thi 9 wcok summed up one phase of the outlook of the war, when he remarked that as a result of the surrender of Bulgaria, Germany’s dream of “Alittel Europa” had gone for ever. It wa s the design of the Central Powers to take a huge hold of Europe, sheltering from the North Sea right across Europe, by way of the Balkans to Asia Alinor, and thence to penetrate towards India. Even a s late as two years ago, a Viennese writer put it: “Front the Bosphorus deep into Asia we shall drive a highway for Kultur and for the freedom of all nations. What “freedom’’ means under the shackles of Germany would make, is well understood by the world at large now. But before the- war. for many years German agents >" one disguise and anchor, were busy in the east. When the war came, their activities and numbers greatly increased. It is wellknown how quickly and simply Germany captured Turkey, and a similar attempt was made with Persia. Documentary evidence from exploded German missions have been recovered, indicating the. designs on Persia, Afghanistan, Baluchistan and India. The special mission which was broken up into parts set out from Constantinople in December, 1914, but ended in disaster agd capture. Tile diaries and documents recovered, recount the efforts to fiuceed. No tool wits too mean, no act too wicked. They spread false information, trumped up charges, threatened. intimidated to gain their ends. The dairy record is another confession of German methods n,t intrigue. If “Aliltel Europa" has gone, so also lta K “Mittol Asia,” its complimentary adjunct, and thus do wo lind the East- once more secure.

The security of the East is now guaranteed by I lie splendid Allied success in Palestine. The rapid and successful advance on Damascus, was another very lino military feat, and the ride of Allenby's cavalry in its swift advance through Palestine forms one of the most striking episodes of the*war. It will be one- of the outstanding features of the history of the war vet i:> be written, (lonoral Alhmby lias done so well, that it seems asking 100 much to expect him to do more at this juncture. The fruit, s of his victory are already substantial. The Turkish armies in Palestine have been broken up, and those not killed or captured, have been scattered over the countryside. Whether the Allies can advance further remains to be seen. Reinforcements may bo hurrying down, but generally speaking . the Turk appear* t 0 have had enough of war, and his next-door neighbour in Europe, Bulgaria, has withdrawn from the war, creating a new bat tlefront to protect nearer home. Turkey, it is confidentially expected, will soon go out of the business of the war. Meantime, if Genera) Allonby has reserve forces available sufficient for an advanec on Aleppo it would be a useful move in hastening the Turkish decision about surrendering. Aleppo is a railway junction of the highest importance, sewing both Palestine and Mesopotamia. The surrender of Turkey at this juncture would leave Allenbv’s Palestine force free to move to the Black Sea, a s it would leave Marshall’s Mesopotamian force free to proceed towards the Caspian Sea. With this aid so handy, the restoration of law and order in portion of the more distinct parts 0 f Russia could be taken iu hand cfc once.

Tiib Allied forces in the. West continue their magnificent efforts to force an early decision upon the enemy. Along a great front, extending for over 100 miles ,a fierce - battle has been raging throughout the week. The Belgian advance was substantial, the enemy resistance being weak, relatively, owing to the depletion of reserves for other sectors where earlier the pressure had been heavier. The effect of the pressure elsewhere assisted also the advance south of Armentieres, as far ns Lens, thus, suggesting that, I.illc might soon be out of the enemy hands. The loot that Men in is burning indicates the first phase of an enemy retirement, and Monin is actually east of Lille, though much to the north. Menin gone from the enemy grasp, it would bo the basis for an encircling movement affecting Tumung and Roubnix, as well as Lille, 'fho Arras front has remained somewhat stationery, but the movement about Lens, suggests activity at Arras, and this being so, the fate of Douai will soon be iit jeopardy. The heaviest of the fighting this week lias been in the Cambvai-St. Quentin theatres, where in the terrific onslaughts, the Canadians and Americans have had heavy louse*, Substantial gains have

been in.'.ci*, tiespico ibe snwg sueir.y defence. It is realised that Cambrai,and St-. Quentin are. two bastion 9 in the enemy strong line oi defence that can be broken, and the enemy defeated only by a suprme effort. That was done and the great Hindenburg line, as well as some of the successive defensove iineg wa s pierced. It was. a task involving groat courage and sacrifice. The super-men constituting the Allied armies in action there displayed the ; highest courage and made the noblest ' sacrifice to secure the necessary victory, and the effort, was not in vain.

Tin-; gallant French continue their remarkable success further down the attenuated line. Their advance is no less important, and brings home to the enemy the completeness of the Allied triumph. Then there is the Ameiican sphere beyond Verdun, which’ threatens German territory. The past brilliant successes are maintained and are being added to by degrees. The importance of the present great battle cannot bo guagod at its true value yet. The war correspondents, as far as they may, indicate its great value, and Reuter’s account, in particular, supplies a picture of the splendid mettle shown by our troops in the face of all kinds of discomforts and a well organised defence. To secure victory in these circumstances is to justify the belief that the final triumph is near at hand. The cable news indicates the evident desires for peace in Austro-llungary, and the discontent in Germany itself is now at is serious ferment. The political situation in Germany is quite up-side down. The Prussian Ministers have tendered their resignations, an indication of the hopelessness of the outlook from their point of view. It can he well understood that the Berlin populace are clamouring for peace, and that feeling will he spreading all through the enemy territory. The remaining days of this month are pregnant with great possibilities. If the favourable weather continues, General Foeli will he able to deliver further smashing blows, and when the military situation is further demoralised for Germany, the prospects of a sudden request for peace are most hopeful. Altogether the week closes with a very bright outlook as affecting the prospects for a final peace almost immediatelv in store.

Tiik result of the Wellington Central election was a very decided one. Mr Fraser will prove a thorn in the side of the Government. The election of that gentleman by so substantial a majority should suggest to the National Government that something has hen left undone on their part. The accredited Government candidate stands not only third on the list, but with only about one-sixth of the total votes polled, to his credit. It was not that Mr Hildreth did not put forward ail enticing pro-gramme-nothing could have been more radical. But he was judged by the sins of omission on the part of the Government, and has found himself decisively defeated, which ill-success reflects certainly oil the Government. In the 1914 election. Air R. Fletcher (Liberal) with 5.208 votes defeated the Hon. F. M. Fisher, Minister of Marine (Reform) with 2,879 votes. Labour on that occasion threw in its lot with the Liberals to secure the defeat of the Reform .Minister. At that time over 8,000 votes were polled. On Thursday the number of votes polled were under 5,000. Whether the Reform vote was not exercised remains to he seen, but there was evidently a large number of votes with hold. That does not affect the result which stands, and the Got" eminent should take the lesson to heart An election in Wellington is not necesc sarily a reflex of tho political -’union in the rest of the Dominion, but- polling such as that now announced must have some influence on the general body ol electors. It. will he for the Government to correct their delinquencies at the forthcoming session. It is certain now that a general election will he held next year, and the Government will need to put. the political house in order hv a wise programme of domestic legislation to meet the demands of the times.

If, as the figures for Wellington Central disclose, the alliance for national purposes of the Reform and Libeial parties is more honoured in the breach than in the observance, the discovery, might •load to some interesting developments at the forthcoming session. The outlook for ail early peace being so promising, there will lie less occasion fol" the political truce L> lie so rigidly observed. The Radicals on the Liberal side will sooii be showing a disposition to break from the present political entanglement which has jeopardised the future fortunes of the party as a whole. Sir Joseph Ward’s early return will be the occasion for a searching enquiry by his followers in tho House as to his subsequent intentions. Tt is generally believed Sir Joseph Ward will take a position at Home as representative of tho New Zealand Government'. On this point the Liberal party will require explicit information, and if correct, the re-organisation of the party Will requite to be taken in hand at once. There are various aspirants for the leadership, arid these claims hardly will bo settled before the General Election is upon us. When that event arrives, politics in the Dominion will be largely unorganised. Tlio free lances are likely to be most numerous. The outcome will be a more advanced programme, in which domestic legislation of a radical character will predominate. As a prelude to tho major enactment, the coming session will be of peculiar interest, as disclosing how far the ruling party in power now will seek to anticipate the course of events, and so prepare for political eventualities.