The Taihape Daily Times. AND WAIMARINO ADVOCATE WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1917. THE WAR LOAN.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 5 September 1917, Page 4

The Taihape Daily Times. AND WAIMARINO ADVOCATE

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1917. THE WAR LOAN.

(With which is incorporated The Tar hape Poet and Waimarino News).

There arc but few people who will not feel some surprise at the unquestionable success of the Twelve Million War Loan, and there are none except enemies of the land they live in' that will not be supremely satisfied with the result. Regrctably, we are y-et compelled to think there are some -enjoying the freedom and privileges our armies ar-e fighting to maintain that should be in internment. When on last Friday night it was published at the seat of .Government that only about four millions were in sight w-e began to feel some anxiety about our faith in the patriotism of our people having been somewhat misplaced, and we were by no moans alone in such

thoughts. The final figures, however, have quite dispelled any lapse from belief in that genuine patriotism and loyalty which is put to a severe test when we ar-e asked to put our hands in our pockets to the extent of twelve

millions. In a little over a fortnight—very short notice —the upholders of Empire in New Zealand have handed to the Government, fon war purposes solely, sixteen millions of money, while ■only being asked for twelve millions. Do we comprehend the splendour and magnitude of the -effort. An achievement that would have been highly creditable to an older and bigger country. From 20th August, 1916 to September 3rd, 1917, little over a yean, this loyal little country has contributed thirty millions for war purposes alone, over and above all other taxation, and what has been so very generously given to the Ecd Cross, Wounded Soldiers’ and other patriotic funds. Sir Joseph Ward Regards the loan as an unqualified success. The time given was considered short, he said, but the result showed what the community could accomplish in answer to a national call. He Regarded New Zealand’s readiness with money as simply magnificent. The High Command in Germany knows this morning what we have done. They have had ample experience of how our men can fight, and now they know that the determination of New Zealanders at home to win the war is not going to be

weakened for want of money; they now know how we can find the money; that New Zealanders will both fight and pay to maintain the freedom for their children that they received from their fathers. We need not under-estimate the moral effect of the brilliant success of oun w T ar loan; our enemies nowknow that we are prepared for another year of w-ar, the ranks of our fighters full, and ample money w-herew-ith to keep them in the highest condition of fighting efficiency. Men and money arc needed to win the war; this country has furnished both to an extent not parallelled, proportionately, by any oth,er Dominion, and the Germans have to-day one other assurance that the 'Allies, despite all the cruelty practiced with that brand of intrigue that is so detestable and repugnant to human beings generally, intend to fight on till a peace in accordance with allied views can be dictated. This country is entitled to fjCel some pride in the splendid showing it has made in its subscriptions to the War Loan. The Motherland will rejoice at such testimony to our. loyalty; our Allies will fe ( el satisfaction w-ith fhe evidence of our determination to see the w 7 ar through to victory; Neutrals wull have another reason to abandon their nosidedness, and to a hand in attaining an early peace; and our enemies are given another cause for depression of spirits. New Zealanders were asked for twelve millions and in less than three weeks they have sent in sixteen millions.

CHANGED MILITARY SITUATION.

Later cables indicate that the Italians engaged on the Isonzo front have a much more pretentious work on hand than was in the early stages discernable. They are not only fighting southward over the Brestovica plateau, but they have conquered many raises of territory eastward of Gorizia as well. They captured Mont Santo, and it was thought that this was to open up to them another main road and railway to Trieste, but there are unmistakeable evidences that the Italian plans are of a much more ambitious character. They have demoralised the enemy scrum and are now going through the backs with the ball at their too; they are approaching their twenty-five and menacing even their opponents goal posts. They are not very far on the road to Vienna it is true, but they all but in possession of the key. They are possessing themselves of all railways leading in that direction and if tljey have numbers to enable them to follow up we shall soon hear of them having passed through the Julian Alps and arriving at Klangcnfurt, on the Austrian Alps, holding every railway leading from thence to Vienna. Italy’s marvellous success has greatly altered the military situation, and an Allied War Council is being held in Paris to determine upon a modification of plans that will result in Austria being forced right out of the war. Cadorna is satisfied that the most rapid attainment of complete victory is from the Italian front, and it seems that Allied commanders are impressed with that view sufficiently to meet in conference to discuss and make the most of it. Without assistance Cadorna’s armies arc moving rapidly in every quarter of th„e compass—southward on Trieste, eastward on Schonpass and by Tqlmino, and northward, across the sinuous Isonzo, on Ternova. As they move farther into the epemy country, ample reserves and guards will be essential to continued progress towards Vienna. The Austrian line is hopelessly broken; there is a rent from eleven to sixteen miles in extent through which tbp Italians are operating. The result to 'Austria, it seems, must prove disastrous, and much more so to Germany. We shall know what can be made of Italy’s brilliant thrust of arms after the Allies ’ Conference has deliberated upon it.