THE WAR SITUATION.

Taihape Daily Times, 17 July 1918, Page 6

THE WAR SITUATION.

THE PAto*-

WEEK REVIEWED,

WELLINGTON, July 15.

The folio telegraphic review of

the general ». -; situation, lor the week ended July 13, has been received by the Governor-General from the Secretary of State for the Colonies:— - THE RuoSIAN SITUATION.

In Russia, public" TCeiing against national humiliation by the Brest Litovsk peace treaty found vent in the assassination of the German so-called Ambassador, Mirbach, at the hands of Social Revolutionaries", Czecho-Slo-vaks have taken control of Vladivostok, owing to the attempts of the Bolshevik authorities to exterminate them, and also to send arms and munitions to the west to enable German and Austrian prisoners to fight the remainder of the Czecho-Slovak troops in Siberia. The general feeling in Russia is well evidenced by the fact that tranquility reigns already at Vladivostock under the new regime 6t the ;combined ■ Siberian Governmemit and the Czecho-Slovak troops, whereas.the rest of Russia isTJtill in the throes of anarchy and bankruptcy. The Bolsheviks are leaning more and more to the purchase of one more hour of precarious life by any discoverable means, even handing over the rest of Russia to German domination. THE DECAYED OFFENSIVE. The past week has been chiefly remarkable for the continues delay of the German offensive, although this is now regarded as cerfain. The only doubt remaining is" as to when 'and where it will be launchetTT Of course, the Germans can afford a certain delay yet. It would pay thm best to start their offensive at the earliest j possible moment, since presumably they hope for success, which will need propitious campaigning weather to exploit it. Indeed, the offensive would probably have been started before now but for certain delaying factors, i such as the failure of the Austrian offensive in Italy, and now it is a known | fact that the German troops are suf- j fering very heavily from influenza, j We may guess, too, that internal disagreements between Ludendorff and Kuhlmann contributed to the delay. Kuhlmann seems to have been so sceptical of the chances of military success that he wished to open peace negotiations while the German army was still in a position to offer offensive menace. Ludendorff probably thinks that peace terms, including annexations and indemnities, could not "be got from the Allies until the Alliec armies are decisively crushed, since without such terms Germany would be ruined. Ludendorff must have argued that the necessary military triumph is obtainable, provided every assistance is placed at his disposal. Kuhlmann's resignation indicates the triumph of Ludendorff. He may yet need time to organise resources hither. to withheld. He will certainly then launch the most desperate offensive possible. Meanwhile the British, French and American troops are working at high speed in preapring and strengthening themselves against prboable enemy lines of attack, which will help the defence and handicap the offensive. THE AUSTRALIANS' ACHIEVEMENTS.

The most notable of these local achievements was that of the Australian Corps under General Monash, covering the approaches to Amiens, on American Independence Day, assistee by American detachments and sections of Tank Corps. As the Australians succeeded by surprise in recapturing Hamel village, and drove out the Germans from Vaire Woods, 'between Hamil and Villers s'retonneu::. simultaneous attacks on the right bank of the Somme enabled the lert "wing to" advance east of Villers-Corble. The attack was planned and carried out with mechanical perfecti6n,~~three German divisions being easily defeat. "Id, and losing 150(5 prisoners.' The Australians and Americans advanced with a splendid line, the way being opened by a strong bombardment from concentrated batteries. Sir Douglas Haig specially mentioned the contribution of the tanks to the victory. During the next night the Australians made yet further advance, and so far the Germans have maoeTho "attempt to regain the lost ground. The position which secures us the m"6st important tactical position is Villers Bretoivneux.

FINE WORK BY AMERICANS. "While the Australian and Ameriean troops- were here combining with admirable effect, the Americans northwest of Chateau Thiorfy also carried out successful local operations unassisted, and the French followed up last, week's success on Cutry Plateau in a brilliant atack on Wednesday morning, with another in the evening, which penetrated the German position between Mollin-sous-Toutvent and Autreches. The preliminary bombardment was heavy, b ut still the Ger-

mans were taken by surprise, and made a poor fight, leaving over a thousand prisoners with the French. Throughout, the enemy defence was noticeably weak and dispirited, whicn probably means that the best enemy storm troops are undergoing preliminary training for a big offensive.