The Taihape Daily Times AND WAIMARINO ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1916. THE WAR.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 48, 26 February 1916, Page 4

The Taihape Daily Times AND WAIMARINO ADVOCATE.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1916. THE WAR.

(With which is incorporated The Tai tape Post and "Waimarmo News.)

Excepting the Western front and operations in Turkish Armenia nothing of a startling character is happening. On the West, however, the promised German offensive has broken out violently towards the southern end of the line. The northern end has refused to do more than slightly bend, and now the next most vital point is being tested. Paris was not to be reached via B'elgium and now the more direct, natural, route is being tried. The costliest form of attack is being prosecuted and it seems that the French are calmly meeting it in the old attritive style. French Generals are confident of their power to withstand any attack Germany may launch, and they are expressing the hope that the present effort" will be continued as it must end to their advantage. Germany is taking her own time, no doubt believing that the Allies are waiting for spring and are consequently, in some measure unprepared for a supreme effort to break through. Some two months ago, cables advised the world of great transport commotion in Belgium 'and over the German borders; railways Avere entirely given up to the conveyance of big guns, war munitions and troops. The Belgian and Swiss frontiers were closed, and it became evident to neutral military 'authorities that another effort to smash through to Calais was being prepared. In fact everybody felt that an enemy offensive of a colossal character was in preparation. At their own time Germans commenced a persistent cannonade at points along the whole four hundred mile front, which w'as looked upon by the Allies as nothing more than a little deeper feeling for weak places. The cannonading, however, reached an extreme pitch of violence, and an unprecedented number of trench mortars cast in profligate numbers of sixty pounds weight shells, but just a s people were reaching the tiptoe of expectation they were disappointed and disgusted to learn that the Teuton bolt had been shot; that the exhibition had fizzled out with only another change in the holding of what is know as the "international trench." Just as our men had realised that something more interesting was happening, and had .commenced girding up for something more than an ordinary "brush" they find themselves "too Tate for the bus"; the game is over while they thought their opponents were only indulging in a little blood-warmer. The sequel is ; pleasant to think upon? an enemy that ! ftannot put up a better first round in an attack chosen in his own time is going to fare badly when conditions are reversed. The effort, militarily considered, was a failure, the losses hugely outweighing the very slight advantage gained. They failed against the British line lit Ypres, and now they are trying their prepared strength against the French. So far they have occupied a wood about a mile deep, but, although the action commenced last Monday, no news cf 'a full development has yet been cabled. From the number of Germans engaged it looks like being one of the biggest battles yet been fought, and, if in confidence of victory, the French should leave their trenches, it will prove one cf the bloodiest. The outcome must be awaited, but from the colossal nature of the German attack, it cannot continue very long. No doubt the French will fight 'attritively as long as any doubt exists about the result of an open fight. Important happenings, in which Russia is taking a gloriously significant part, are proceeding on the Eastern front and in Armenia. A spirit of exuberance and optimism pervades Russia and her ar. mies. They are confident of being able to push back the Austro-Germans into their own country. The present successful campaign in G'alicia cannot be stemmed with the help cf all the reinforcements the enemy has been able to spare for that arena; , this fact indicates what„ib expect ]

when roads 'are passable. It looks as though the brilliant success at Erzeroum is being followed by a rapid movement towards Constantinople. It is singular that neither Turk or German ha s had anything to s'ay about the pew possibilities, beyond blaming each other lor the misfortune. This success will liberate many Allied troops held in readiness for attacks which can now never come. The new developments in Armenia are exercising an influence in Roumania and Greece, and yesterday a most satisfactory interview between General Sarrail and King Constantino was cabled to us. Greece and Roumania are readjusting their views in connection with whom ultimate victory will rest. From the persistently growing peace talk, it is doubtful whether Germany will prove herself to be a nation of courage, whether she will fight to the last, and succumb only when compelled and then be counted out. It rather looks from this maudlin peace talk as though Germany had commenced whining 'and crying to neutrals to save her from just retribution for her diabolical machinations. On the other hand there are almost daily reiterations by Allied kings and statesmen that peace can only come when Germany a»d her Allies are rendered impotent to effect any mischief for at least a century to come.