THE SITUATION REVIEWED.

Taihape Daily Times, 10 August 1918, Page 5

THE SITUATION REVIEWED.

THE END IN SIGHT. LONDON, August 8. The Germans hold the Vesle line in j considerable strength. Although it is reported that they have . withdrawn , heavy guns and some forces over the Aisne. no preparations for a general retiretment are apparent. The Germans on the Franco-British front between Montdidier and the sen. retired at' various points in varying depths. This is probably explainable by a desire to improve their defensive positions. The withdrawal on the Lys sector is duo to marshy ground, and the fact that our positions dominate them, but it is difficult to understand the slight retirement at Givenchy. It is probable that the Lys retirement may be preliminary to a general withdrawal. On the other hand, the enemy’s scheme may only be to 1 strengthen his front between Bailleul and La Bassee Canal. The effect, however, reduces the probability, or danger, of a renewed offensive. The Franco-British, between Morenil and Morlancourt made a substantial advance to a depth of about 4000 yards. It is reported that Moreuil, Demuin, Abancourt, and Morlancourt are in our hands, also the heights, west of Cerisy and south of Morlancourt. General Rawlhison commands the Fourth Army and General Anthoinc the French army. Our recent air raids forced the enemy to detach a large number of fighting machines, from the front as protection for German towns. During the raid on Saarbrucken our aviators encountered forty enemy machines. Review of the Marne offensive reveals Foch’s remarkable patience and foresight. When the British received a severe reverse, and when the position on the Western front was compromised, Foch met one German blow after another, but refused to make a premature counter offensive until the psychological moment when’ the Germans were exhausted 1 *at Rheims and after they .made a success on the Marne front.' Mt required great firmness oh Foch’s part to disregard the danger of throwing the whole of his reserves into a great counter thrust, which proevd successful. Had it failed, it would have been disastrous to the French, and the Germans would have gained the Marne without difficulty. The splendid response of America in throwing in troops who were i only partially trained and unaccusi ! tomed to war conditions, reflected the | greatest credit on the nation. We are justified in saying that the situation is more favourable than at any time since 1914. We have overwhelming evidence of Germany’s declining man-power, and can say the end’is in sight, because of our growing resources from America. Humanly speaking, if we hold fast we can achieve a crushing victory over Germany in the field, while the political and moral, situation of the Central Powers may tend to hasten the end. The Italians in Albania were forced to further retire near Berat, causing the French left wing to fall back in conformity. The retirement has ceased, and it is (expected the Italians will hold the present position. ! The population of Northern Russia warmly welcomed the Allied occupation, which was effected without casualty. The Bolsheviks withdrew to the southern bank of the river Dwina, from which they were driven by shell fire. The Allies have since pushed rapidly along the railway southward towards Vologda. The hostile forces number about 8000, including 1500 I armed Maximalists, 400 Letts, 500 seamen and a large force of workmen. Considerable Russian forces are reported to be co-operating with the Czechs in Western Siberia. These are good quality troops, with many Cossacks. The peasantry are also co-operating. It is believed the Turks were repulsed at Baku, which remains in Armenian hands, although we cannot depend on their ability to hold on; nevertheless, their situation has improved by the widespread anti-Bo*-shevik rising in Transcaspia. It is I believed the Caspian fleet remains friendly towards the Entente.