THE BALKANS OFFENSIVE.

Taihape Daily Times, 17 July 1918, Page 5

THE BALKANS OFFENSIVE.

Not since the Bulgarians were driven out of Monastir in November, 1916, has the Macedonian theatre been the scene of operations conducted on so large a scale as the present offensive, in Albania. It now appears that while the main attack has been delivered by Italian and French troops, Greek forces are co-operating on the right wing of the active battle-front. There is not as yet any indication that more than "Austrian troops, have been en,gaj:ed: in the defence,, but it is clear that if the .offensive continues to develop the right wing of thelßulgarian army north of Monastir must soon be involved in the retreat/ There is in fact a suggestion from America that the advance in Albania will presently be supported by a aggressive niovemetn on the Macedonian front proper. This idea is- necessarily based on the presumption that the Allied CSmmarid has allotted to the army at the disposal of General d'Esperey a definite task with far-reaching consequence. It has always been understood that suf- ! ficient forces were operating in this i theatre to resume the offensive at the first favourable opportunity, provided a sufficient reinforcement in munitions could be furnished, and it is reasonable to presume that the reorganisation of the Greek Army has given the Allies in this field a positive "superiority in numbers. The advantages of a sustained offensive, with a promise of recovering Servia and carrying the war into Hungary, are apparent. Not only would it directly menace Austria, already shaken by her failure in the Italian theatre, and deepen the existing despondency in Bulgaria,. but it would have far-reaching political effects throughout the "Balkans, now stirring in response to allied assurances of sympathy with the Slav \ cause. There is, However, a hint In the semi-official statement from Rome that the immediate purpose has been to shorten the Allied front between Lake Ochrida and the sea. It will soon he aparent whether having attained' so much, the Allies will be content to secure their gains, or encouraged by the breaking of the defence, will press on towards more important objectives. -WHAT THE NAVY DOES. .; ;"\The.-.Briti-sh jNTavyrin 1917; comprises some -1000 vesels of all classes, and that number is added to all the time. The personnel has increased . from ! about 140.000 men in 1911 to over | 350.000. Apart from thc arduous and continuous work of the cruiser squadron, in home waters —work that goes on all thc time, night and day, summer and winter —Britain's 'cruiser sqoiadrons in home waters —work that goes on all the time, night and day, summer and winter —Britain's cruiser squadrons are at work in the North and South Atlantic. Our East Indian squadron which is working from Port Said through the Suez Canal and Red Sea, is helping the army of Egypt and Palestine and safeguarding communication with India, and thence to Far Eastern waters. In the Persian Gulf and up the Tigris numerous gunboats •are assisting in the campaign of the Mesopotamian army. Our ships assisted the Rmssians in the White Sea and in the Baltic. They are working with the French and Italian navies in the Balkan campaign and in the Adriatic In the early days of the war British Navy co-operated with the Japanese in the capture of the German stronghold in the Far East—Kaiau Chau; and it is still working in co-operation with the Japanese in the Pacific. British Navy took an important part in the fighting in the Camcroons; and indeed our naval forces, including river gunboats, monitors and aircraft, haverendered great service throughout to but South African kinsmen.