The Taihape Daily Times AND WAIMARINO ADVOCATE SATURDAY, MAY 13, 1916. THE NEW OFFENSIVE.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 112, 13 May 1916, Page 4

The Taihape Daily Times AND WAIMARINO ADVOCATE

SATURDAY, MAY 13, 1916. THE NEW OFFENSIVE.

(With which is incorporated The Tai hape Post and Waimarino News.)

There is no room for doubt now, that during the whole of the past winter there -has been a hustle in getting ready for war only to be fouailod in intensity, not in magnitude, Ilio first I few weeks after war was declared. It created some surprise'in New Zealand when it became known that New Zealanders and Australians had . actually been in France since the second of April and had actually been in eonfliet with the Boehes. Russian forces are no doubt taking up responsibilities in France on an equality with other, forces. The other day we learned that the Sout.h Africns had also landed in France, and intelligence comes to hand of an abundance of new equipment. The Belgians are to move out of their conspicuously colmred uniforms into a shade of khaki, in fact every change and device is being utilised to make the equipment of the whole of the armies on the western front almost beyond suggestion of improvement. What does it all edn? The very fact that we are allowed to know where our army and other armies are i s conclusive evidence that some great work is near at hand. We believe the curtain is now well up disclosing to us the opening scene of a drama more vital than humanity has ever witnessed. We see the armies at Salonika getting into action with artillery work that precedes the forward movement of infantry, in fact the French -have already occupied a position a few miles south of Monastir and over fifty miles, from Salonika. Fighting will be made or such a pace that neither Germany, Austria or Bulgaria will be able to take a single man away to help in stemming the western torrent. In all probability early cables will advise forward Russian movements all along the eastern front; the Muscovites have already told us that the preliminary setting i n order is completed and v that their troops were never better equipped for either, making or withstanding lengthened assault. When , the' enemy has on hand more than he can cope with on the Russian front, at Salonika and in the various Asiatic fighting arenas, then will the curtain rise to the second act, on the western

front. We are to see the result of Vie rapidly growing intimate relations, coordination, and concentration of unity of directions and control of all the Allied forces in France and elsewhere. France singlehanded, has won & gloriously decisive victory against the very utmost Germany could do, and we may well view the coming scene with calm confidence. Coordinated British, French, Russian, New Zealand, Australian, and Belgian forces are in such numbers that they can keep Germany engaged at her points of greatest concentration and still have -ample force to attack where it is impossible for Germany to r.esist to prevent a breaking through. The forces of the Allies will move as one man, or as one hugely co-ordinated machine, and we may truly hope that the end, as predicted by America's Ambassador in Italy, will come more sudden than most people expect. However, much we may regret the capitulation of Kut el A?.nara, with our attendant sorrow for its brave defender that incident is uite a side issue and has next to no bearing on the main issue. The eyes and the attention of the world will be on France in the very near future, for, if anything decisive is to be done this summer it is absolutely essential that no time be wasted. Everything now seems to be in readiness; new troops are feeling their new positions and gaining an understanding of their new -opponents. Rearrangements of the whole front have taken place and are being tested, and what is equally satisfactory is that the men are a s lilt as men can be and in the best of spirits, longing to .have the leash slipped. They haven't room for any doubt about their ability to

beat the Bodies. With such numbers, equipment and spirit defeat is impossible. Misfortunes may, and probably will happen but there is little doubt of ultimate victory nesting wit?! the Allies, Events of most vital moment are about to commence; they will crowd in upon u s in rapid succession, for the tables are -turned. It was Germany that had to act with rapidity in the early days of the wai-, for she was then strong and the Allies were weak and unprepared; now Germany is not sufficiently strong to hold all points of the various lengthy fronts and it is to the Allies interests to make the fighting fast. The co-ordinat-ed drama has commenced, the curtain having risen disclosing operations at Salonika. In only a few months the second and third acts will be presented if the curtain is not unexpectedly rung down in the meantime.