THE GERMAN EFFORT SPENT.

Taihape Daily Times, 12 September 1918, Page 4

THE GERMAN EFFORT SPENT.

There are yet no signs of the,British Army settling down to trench warfare, or, that the great battle is finished. With armies moving up to the much-boasted invulnerable German strongholds at Laon, St. Quentin, Cambrai and Douai there is considerable important work ahead, fraught with sensational issues for the coming few weeks. The British army is very much out of trenches just now, and there are the strongest of evidences that they will not be seeking cover of that description until the whole line of strongholds is in their hands. The British are making phenomenal advances from the Scarpe to the Somme, and the French are making equally, or more phenomenal advance on the Aisne and the Oise. No correspondent, or expert at Allied Headquarters believes that the Germans can succeed in holding either place on that line of fortresses. Flanking operations are well advanced, and in front the Allies are within a very few miles, so close in fact, that a hail of shells can be poured in at any minute. In moving up to striking distance of Cambrai-and St. Quentin the British collected 75,000 prisoners and 750 big guns, in four weeks, .but what sheds a brilliancy over the whole struggle emanates !ivm the notably taciturn General Haig; he told his armies that the Huns had spent their effort, and, he added, "we can rely confidently that each one of you will turn to full advantage the opportunity your courage and resolution has created." What is that opportunity that General ,Haig knows the British Army will turn to full advantage; will exploit to the last extreme, and how did that opportunity arise? In realising how the opportunity was created we become fully cognisant of what its real nature is. It came through the daring, determined prowess of British soldiers in defeating the enemies of their country and; civilisation. Those enemies have spent their power to resist the Allied armies that are now opposed to them, and the opportunity now presented consists in allied power to drive them right out of France and Belgium to beyond the Rhine in thenown country. The results of the opportunity will be commensurate with the degree of advantage that is taken of it; by the measure of determination, bravery and persistence witn which it is exploited. The opportunity is that condition that the Allies have been striving and dying for during the past four 3 r ears; and, now that it has r.rrived, we venture to think the gallant Frenchmen, whose land has been invaded, and on whom all the diabolism science could suggest has been barbarically . practiced, will strain every means in their power to rid themselves and the world of the hideous Hun incubus that has grown up around Prussian militarism, for ever. France will be the goad, if any is needed, to keep the exploitation of opportunity going by British and Americans till Germany is completely crushed,or, at least, manacled securely against ever again attempting such a breach of the peace of the world again. The German effort is spent, while that of the Allies is growing at the rate cf a quarter of a million new soldiers. each and every month. Germany was indeed hardly presed when its fortunes were trusted to a victory by piracy and murder. That faiJoa* and the German armies. are everywhere in flight, their effort spent, while the Allies are taking full advantage of the situation, and have set about clearing France of Hun presence before Christmas.