WITH THE AUSTRALIANS.

Taihape Daily Times, 24 September 1918, Page 2

WITH THE AUSTRALIANS.

TRIBUTE BY THEIR COMMANDER THE IDEAL DISCIPLINE. LONDON, Sept 21. Mr. Price Bell, tlxe “Chicago Daily News’ ” correspondent on the West front, interviewed General Monash (Australian commander). He safd: “The German morale is low, but we are doubtless a long way from The end of heavy fighting. The Germans are beaten. If the weather is favourable it is conceivable the Germans will be pushed out of France by Christmas. I cannot say the same for Belgium. The Hiifuenburg Line will be taken in due course.” While the correspondent was with General Monash, they passed by some Australian soldiers working in the field They did not salute. General Monash said: “They did not salute me, but they are carrying on. We make too much of these symbols as signs of discipline. There is one supreme final test of discipline, It is that every man appointed to time and place shall

be on band, resolute to do his job. By this test the Australian passed 100 per cent clean.” ;? Mr Price Bell continues: ‘Ton can travel two hours in a fast automobile due east of Amiens without reaching the end of the ground from which the Australians have driven the since April.” ~ * He describes General Monash as pre-eminently positive, with unwavering confidence in his soldiers, his own ideas and himself. His military aspiration is a pertinacious offensive. General Monash said the Australians’ successes were due largely to junior officers, many of whom had risen from the ranks, and he particularly praised the speed of the engineers in “bridgebuilding. Mr. Bell concludes: “General Monash has daring and genius written all across all the landscape of France, from Amiens to the Hindenburg Line.” Mr. Price Bell is one of the most brilliant American correspondents in. Europe.