The Taihape Daily Times. AND WAIMARINO ADVOCATE SATURDAY, MARCH 2, 1918 THE WAR.

Taihape Daily Times, 2 March 1918, Page 4

The Taihape Daily Times. AND WAIMARINO ADVOCATE

SATURDAY, MARCH 2, 1918 THE WAR.

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

To'keep the people in Germany in a frame of mind that will permit the Military party to continue the war it is necessary there should be a constant supply of sensational victories. It does not matter where the victory is, or who it is that is conquered, for knowledge of what is taking place on the various fronts is not allowed to reach the German masses. There seems no doubt about German intentions in Russia; the country is to be overrun, the chaotic Bolshevik rabble subdued or driven away into Asia. ( Then the Kaiser's sister, the Czarivdtch is to be made Empress, and the forces of Russia that can be marshalled by compulsion or otherwise, are to join the German army. Russia is to become an ally of Germany, that is, of course, if nothing happens in the meantime to prevent it. The unarmed, disorganised, foodless Bolsheviks can offer but little resistance, therefore Germany will be able to pursue her course with a minimum force From the commencement of the Russian defection it has been obvious that Japan could not permit Germany, or those in Russia that were the tools of Germany, to get possession of anything to the eastward of the Ural mountains. Japan and China are now pressing the Allies to be allowed to enter Siberia to save the huge stores of war mater-' ial at Vladivostock, and along the Siberian railway route. The Kerensky party in Russia is calling upon the Allies to save their country from Germany. From this attitude it seems that, at least, a considerable portion of the Russian people would welcome help from the east, for, of course, Kerensky knows quite well that Allied help cannot be sent from any other quarter. Japan is ready; China is ready, and all that is being waited for is for the Allies to decide whether American and British troops in the Philippines and in India are to join in the expedition so that no difficulties about territories invaded may in future arise. It is unbelievable that the Allies will do nothing while Germany takes complete possession of Russia. There is only one explanation of non-interfer-imcc with the Hun raiders in Russia, and that is if the Allies are absolutely certain of quick victory on the western front_ With such a victory it would matter little what Germany did in Russia or anywhere else. It has been demonstrated time after time that defences Hindcnburg and company have

I placed dependence upon as being impregnable, quite beyond the possibility of assault and capture are taken with a comparatively small expenditure of life and munitions by the British. That there is the utmost confidence in the Allied camps in France and Belgium there is no doubt. Neither commanders or men are perturbed at what is to come. In fact all branches of the service are eagerly waiting for the commencement of the struggle that is to end in final victory. Our enemies are not a happy family, and it is now obvious that Germany is prepared to sacrifice her allies; even Austria is being used more as a dependency than i a free country. Germany is prepared to» sacrifice Austria if that would make an alliance with Rpumania possible. Germany wants soldiers and armies, and as Roumania is the only country in the critical neighbourhood that has a virile, well-equipped army, those used up countries, whose armI ies arc depleted and worn out will be I jettisoned without compunction. But ' all these designs of Germany require time that will not be available. If Germany docs not soon commence the offensive she has so long been boasting about, Hindenburg cannot possibly ,be in Paris on All Fools' Day, unless the Allies take him there. The western front will very soon be in a state that man has no words to describe and even a description of the nethermost hells can give no conception of. It is then that the little trips into Eussia wfil be of' very little significance. If Germany can conquer on the west front she can retain her Russian possesion if they are not disputed by Japan and China. Germany is the 'greatest storm centre, France and Britain and America will prevent the storm spreading westward and Japan And China will stop it from going dangerousily to the eastward. Both east and west there are forces that Germany cannot break through. When her armies were fresh, confident and fed to luxury, they could not break the British line, even although they ' were three to one of the British, had a superiority of guns, and used all those hellish inventions including new gases, liquid fire, tear-shells and other inhuman devices that the Allies had not commenced to use. What better can Germany do now when the superiority of numbers and equipment are on the side of the Allies, when her soldiers have lost confidence, are tired illfcd and disheartened by the terrible slaughters they have from time to time been subjected to by the B'ritish and French. Austria has refused to send soldiers -to the west front shambles, knowing weir what would happen to them. Germany is either I playing her final game of bluff, or she j is entering in desperation upon a for- ( lorn hope. An offensive is being stagemanaged in Italy, presumably, to prevent th'e Allies from drawing assistance from the Italian front when the great blow falls on the west. Italy awaits it with the utmost assurance and confidence in her power to smash it. What resistance Germany will meet with from Russia it is utterly impossible to indicate, and it is idle to venture an opinion thereon. We do know that President Wilson stated definitely to the world that the war must , end in 1918 and that it would end in final victory for the Allies. In that case Germany would not have time to use Russia, and therefore Russian operations would have but little influence in the arena where final decision is being sought. Experiences of

the past throe years all combine in giving cause for feelings of supreme confidence in Allied countries. In 1915 all Germany was shouting "victory" and clamantly demanding huge

indemnities from the people with the "contemptible little army." They arc not doing so in 1918. The contemptible little army has grown into * the greatest ogre that Avas ever used to frighten German childen. It has taken v:ings, and it flies incessantly, day and night over the German lines, dc- ; stroying munition dumps, aerodromes, and above all, it spies out all that Germans arc doing in preparing for the final death-grip. On the other hand the 1915 German enthusiasm is dead; German armies are spiritless and without hope. They will doubtless fight sullenly, but it is very doubtful whether the pace and punishment will not complete the revolt that is now in comparative Encipieney'. In Germany people are downcast, despite the sham victories with which their spirits are being fed. In Britain's Parliament there is a ring of masterfulness and confidence that neither we, our Allies, or Germany make any mistake about; it is the nightmare of the Hun military high command, and the ogre of their officers. We ate on the eve of

great events; our governments and our military leaders have no fear for final results, therefore, Ave in New Zealand need only foci concern for the cost. i n valuable life that is involved.