The Taihape Daily Times. AND WAIMARINO ADVOCATE SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1917. THE WAR.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 8 September 1917, Page 4

The Taihape Daily Times. AND WAIMARINO ADVOCATE

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1917. THE WAR.

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

News from the various battlefields gives but little indication ,of the real progress that is being made, except, perhaps, that on the Isonzo-Itallan front. For some good no doubt, only minor actions are taking place in France and Belgium, It is a notable fact, however, that heavy pressure is kept on the enemy from the sea to Switzerland. The French are persisting with strong determination in the Verdun region, and the enemy is frequently losing ground. It now seems that a jump from Verdun is to be an important part of the promised great things to come. We know that while raids, sorties and other minor attacks seem to be the order of the day, that great concentrations of men, guns, and munitions are being built up at many points which seems to indicate that a battle of such a magnitude is pending that it will dwarf all that have preceded it. It did appear that a rapid decision was to be sought on this front, but things have happened on the Italian front that are said to have greatly changed the military situation. It is obvious to those who are not experts that fighting east and north-east of Gorizia and east of Tolrflino would be likely to lead to most momentous issues. It is also very apparent that the enemy is fully alive to what he has lost and he is hurrying up troops from somewhere to stem the tide of Italian victory. Italy, with all the force at her command is keeping up the pressure against the muchstrengthened Austrians. In the meantime the Allies are holding a Council of War to discuss the changed situation and to determine what actions is practicable to push home the thrust which Italy has so courageously carried to a critical pass. It now looks as though operations in force 'major will be transferred to this front, and Austrians are > shepherding their whole strength to meet it. A cable yesterday conveyed the intelligence that the Austrians were lying low till forcibly attacked; that any cessa-

tion or slackening of artillery work could not be taken to indicate that there was any shortage of munitions, for when pressed they were fairly well able to give shell for shell and bayonet for bayonet. If there is yet time to drive the enemy out of the Julian and Austrian Alps before winter sets in, the Allied War Council may furnish a very interesting, if not a sensational programme. What spe-. cial facilities the Allies have for sending additional troops to this front is not quite clear, but there

seems to be no great aimcuity, and it is likely that men ? guns and all other war materials are not now far from where it may be determined the death blow is to be struck. When it is realised that the little Roumanian army is able to hold up the great beat him at his own game, we know beyond any shadow of doubt that there is a great scarcity of fighting men, and that the probab- > ility is that every available unit has ! been, or is being, juxtaposed to the Italians. During the week two very ' significant movements have taken' place; the Italians have captured Monte San Gabrielle, which dominates the whole of the valley or flat ground over which all the Austrian communications with their country run. Ihe possession of this eminence gives the best possible starting point for successfully and most cheaply carrying their successes northward, and if they go no further till Allied help arrives, everything will be in their favour for dealing the knock, out 'blow. The other event is the removal of the chief naval base from Pola to a place somewhere to the

probably Fiume. Pola is some fifty miles south of Trieste, but the Italians have made it too dangerous a place for harbouring warships and storing what warships require to render them of any value. This indicates that the Italians are rendering the country to the southward of Trieste militarily unsafe for their enemies, in addition to waging a wonderfully successful offensive northward, on the way to Vienna. From recently arrived newspapers it is apparent that the best of feeling is not obtaining between the Germans anc Austro-Hungarians. It is now freely realised that German plans have been to largely utilise Austro-Hungarians to add to their victories and conquest of new country, to carry the fighting off German soil on to that of the Allies, while caring nothing for what happens to Austria. They have persuaded Austria to throw in her men to save Germany, but when the Austrian cry goes up ? however pleading and pitiably, Germany has no

help to give. While Germany is fighting on her enemies’ ground, Austria’s enemies have invaded and are laying I desolate hers, and Germanyhas good as said that it is not of sufficient con- .I cern to her to lend help. This feat- I ure of the fighting i s impressing the 4 , Austro-Hungarian people and a growing bitterness is the result. Conditions are coming about which are likely to amplify the old saying, “When thieve s fall out, honest men come by their own.” Whatever the Allied War Council decides to do, it must be something that can be accomplished as winter is too near to permit of anything requiring . delay.

THE MINISTERIAL VACANCY. It is rumoured in certain circles that the Rev. Leonard Isitt, Member of Parliament for Christchurch North, has been selected for the place in the Cabinet rendered vacant by the death of the late Hon. Dr McNab. It i s said that the House is to be kept in ignorance of the exact position till after all licensing and liquor questions have been disposes of. Whether this rumour from a usually well-informed source is true or not there can be no doubt about the fact that the Rev. Isitt never loses an opportunity to tell the people what a fine, honest, disinterested lot of fellows constitute the National Government, and now that the question is raised we must admit that it has seemed peculiar to find a professed Liberal so persistently belauding an adminstration in which Conservatism preponderates. No one will say that Mr Isitt has not the ability necessary for making a Minister of the Crown, but his sectarian and factional occupations, must necessarily and naturally vitiate his opinions for and against many matters of vital interest and importance. As a churchman, there is nothing in Mr Isitt but what one can admire, and the world would be better if there were more like him. By his own strength, ability, energy and fixity of purpose he has worked up from an obscure Methodist parson to being somewhat a world celebrity, and however unfit he may be for the position to which P is rumoured he is to his talents and acquirements, culturally, must inspire admiration. To become a successful member of the National Cabinet Mr Isitt will have to keep

very much of his sectarian and factious conviction smothered, almost to abandonment. To legislate successfully and satisfactorily for a people built up of every conceivable human element will be found fraught and beset with pitfalls and difficulties that do not trouble any sectional leader, in the one instance there are the few to please, in the other justice must be meted out to everybody. While freely admitting the strength, as a talker, Mr Isitt will be to the Ministry ? we believe his appointment will raise such a storm in the House that will result in its cancellation.