THE WAR SITUATION.

Taihape Daily Times, 12 June 1918, Page 3

THE WAR SITUATION.

0 OFFICIAL REVIEW. WELLINGTON, June 10. The following telegraphic review of the general war situation has been rereceived by the Governor General from [ the Secretary of State for the Colonics: OFFICIAL NEWS, JUNE S. AUSTRIA'S INTERNAL TROUBLES Reports from all sources prove that but for German control Austria would collapse by economic bankruptcy and the disintegration of diverse nationalities under the Hapsburg dominion in | riots due to labour troubles and food j shortage.

Near Prague, Bohemia, three hundred persons were recently arrested. The Arbeiter Zeitung's report of the trial describes 37 of these persons as weeping children, on their laps, and half-grown lads and girls. Growing fear of revolution has driven the Austrian Emperor more and more into tiie power of Germany. German conditions are less critical, but sufficiently bad to force the military authorities to seek an immediate decision and ensure success. Once failure to achieve the annihilation of the Allies' armies becomes apparent to the German people, an important reaction of Gcrm.au opinion will follow At present partial military successes enable German) statesmen Ito rAv.vu-t to their ambitious schemes of dominion in Europe and Asia.

The only effective counter-measure is the defeat of the- German armies, which is assurrcd now the United States has thrown her decisive weight' into the scale. The military committee of the House of Representatives has authorised the President to call up an unlimited number of men. Over 250,000 tons of new American ships were put into service during May. Ovier 20 .milljfon (Sterling- were Subscribed by American citizens in a recent campaign to aid the : Ameican Bed Cross

The British Mission to South America was received with marked sympathy. In Buenos Ayres, there was a remarkable street demonstration in its honour, following the official welcome. ■ The enemy offensive on the Aisne. which 'on M/onday l ,, 27th May, reached the end of the first pause' by the following Thursday night. Hitherto the direction of 'the attack was due south, and had penetrated to the Marne, the north bank of which was in the enemy's hands for over ten miles, but Eheims was still held by the Allies, and on the other flank, although Soissons was captured, the enemy was unable to drive the French from the high ground to the west. The enemy then attempted to advance in a westerly direction, cither desiring to widen the deep salient in which lie found himself or to march on to Paris To attempt to cross the Marne with his front still pinched between Soisson and Eheims was dangerous and unprofitable. By May 31st the Allies had the situation so well in hand that in the next four days of fighting, the enemy only succeeded in advancing his .frontsbetween JNToyon and Chateau Thierry to a depth averaging less .than six miles, whilst west of Soissons the French regained considerable ' ground by counter-attack. From I 'Tuesday, June 4th, onwards, it was j '•':!("rr that the enemy advance was held (