The Taihape Daily Times. AND WAIMARINO ADVOCATE THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1917. WAR ON TWO FRONTS.

Taihape Daily Times, 8 November 1917, Page 4

The Taihape Daily Times. AND WAIMARINO ADVOCATE

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1917. WAR ON TWO FRONTS.

(With which is incorporated The Taihapo Post and Waimarlno News),

’Lead by Canadians another' attacking force pushed on into the German linos along the railway from Ypres to Roulcrs, on Tuesday. At latest reports the progress made was quite satisfactory; several villages had been captured and the gallant Canadians were, last seen victoriously going eastward. Full details of the fighting and the extent of the captures will probably reach New Zealand to-day. One must be struck with the rapidity with which attacks in the Ypres-Roulers neighbourhood follow one upon the other, and with their uniform success. Despite the official reports issued by the enemy, minimising their losses and in fact, making it appear as though the Allies were running their heads against a wrnll which hurts them more than it does the Germans, one has only to look at the map to become surprised that Ypres has been so far left behind, and how perilously near for the Germans the Allies are to Roulcrs, once the headquarters of the German Staff. Ypres, at present, is the centre of the thick end of a huge wedge, the point of which has been driven well in on the way to Roulers, and everyday this wedge is being driven further and its point is becoming more acute. Yesterday, the Canadians were at work lengthening the w-edge, the resistance of the Germans not being at all comparable with that given in the earlier efforts to take posession of the Passchendaelc ridge, from which the Canadians now seem bsnt upon pushing off the last German, left there. Ypres, St. Eloi, Wytschaete and Messines have been loft well in the British rear. This old time German line is the reserve ground of our forces, and still onward go our men still farther eastward, -fcnd vGermany' Realises she is powerless to stop -them. A German writer in the Berlin Zcitung asks, what were the of the Somme, Arras, Aisne, and Champagne, against these earthquakes in Flanders? Millions of capital are blown into the air and explode on the ground. It is like a Cyclopean concert of unheard of brutality, having reached a stage of universal madness. The pity of it is that Germany did not realise the madness until 'Allied guns and bayonets

were driving them from their boasted position and the persistent force with which the wedge pointing towards Roulers is being driven seems to indicate that the British Command has some very definite' object In view. With the system of railways around Eoulers in Allied hands it would be ve'ry doubtful indeed whether Germany could retain her hold upon the Belgian coast for a very long distance. Under ordinary circumstances it would be considered impossible,, but taking every aspect into consideration some most vitally important movements arc likely to eventuate in France* and Flanders in the near future. The battle now being waged may more clearly indicate coming events in their true nature and perspective. It is proved that German defences cannot withstand Allies attacks, that they are being destroyed and their defenders are being slaughtered or driven northward and eastward at a pace they never anticipated.

THE POSITION IN ITALY. The position in Italy is much more hopeful than it was a few days ago. Britain and France have given the Austro-Gernjans f a great surprise! ijn the rapidity with which they came to Italy's assistance. Throe years ago the women and civilians in Fvance, were enthusiastic over the anVal of British soldiers to help in crippling the wild beast of Germany. To-day flowers, fruit and all acceptable offerings are being showered on British and French soldiers by the Italians. The most intense passion is being displayed in the welcome our men are receiving from the Italian people. Britain’s second greatest General in company with General Foch, of France, has gone to Cadorna's assistance; they were conferring with Cadorna some days ago; and Mr. Lloyd George and M. Painleve, British and French prer miers, were conferring with the Italian Cabinet on the political and supply aspects of stopping the invasion of Italian territory. There is no doubt left in anybody’s mind about the Franco-British determination that Germany shall no more invade Italy than she was permitted to invade. France. As sure as the battle of the Marne saved France so sure will some battle save Italy. Information that has up to the* present been allowed to reach the outer world has been yefy conflicting but Colonel Eepington tells tis that this is the greatest .Allied disaster of the war.' Why it is so;is not at all clear as enemy forces are described as" a'mere handful. Is it that the withdrawal of men from the western grand strategic coup that was humanly certain of accomplishment? Has Ger many arranged this sudden descent upon Italy to' stave off a crushing blow that appealed to be too inevitable? of the position in France and in, Belgium compels one to realise that some great crash was near at hand, and - it maybe that which Colonel Eepington terms a mere handful of troops has been sent to, Italy more with the object of creating a diversion than with any thought of invasion. Will it succeed? Colonel Eepington does not say definitely that it will, taking in the context the intensity of the disaster depends upon the magnitude and completeness of the rout. If the rout is -over ,and the Italian army is taking up the positions it feels certain of being able to hold with French and British assistance, then it must go hard with the enemy that is so far removed from Its source of supplies. On the other hand, shoulu the AustroGermans victorious then it will indeed be a disaster that may compel Italy to accept terms of peace. This 1 going a long way, and, at present, there is no cause to anticipate any such calamity. We are inclined to the view that the real disaster is in the possible hold up of plans in the West that were being already led up to, rather than to any other general aspect of the war, for all the world is agreed upon the one point, that final decision must come from the West Front. We can only await the result of the stand that is being made to stem the Austro German onslaught. t