The Daily News. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1914. SUCCESS OF THE ALLIES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 89, 10 September 1914, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1914. SUCCESS OF THE ALLIES.

The latest war news is the most eieerful we have had for some time. The Allies, who had been slowly retreating until one end of their line rested on Taris, the other in the neighborhood of t Verdun, attacked the Germans and succeeded in driving them back several miles. The fighting, as we can well imagine, was of a violent nature, but in no place along the main battle-line, ivhieh extends for 150 miles, were the enemy successful. On the contrary, they were heavily defeated at several points, and obliged to retreat. The main German armies operating along this front consist, according to the cables, of two and a-half million men. This is a huge force, and it is quite possible, in a general movement forced by the Allies like this one has been, that there may have been a dozen battles of great dimensions fought. Evidently the Allies have been preparing for the advance, and stiffened their forces at the vital points. The left wing of the Allies, with the British in j tho r ,centre, is making progress without Imucli opposition against the Germans, whose right wing has been curled baclci wards some twelve miles. This is a ] notable achievement, and marks, it is to be hoped, the turning-point iii the j French campaign. In Belgium the posi- ' tion has also improved. The Belgians ■ have had several engagements with the invaders, whom they have defeated, and who have been discomfited and trapped by the Belgians flooding a part of the country. The Allies have also succeeded in putting a Russian army into Belgium—an undreamt-of possibility. The Russians were brought from the White Sea to Scotland, thence railed to Dover and shipped to Oatend. It is as wonderful a performance as it is startling. The Russians should prove a welcome addition to the Allies' forces in Belgium. Probably Lord Kitchener has had something to do with this little move. Now we would not be surprised to learn that a second British army is in Belgium. Co-operating with the Belgians and Russians, a flank attack on I the German forces is no longer a remote possibility. The Allies in France will no doubt keep the Germans there busy. A determined attack by a strong force on their communications would hasten their retreat and perhaps give the Allies a chance to deliver a smashing blow. On the other frontier, tho Russians arc gaining ground steadily. The Austrians have been reduced to a negligible force. The Germans, however, are assembling great armies to the Russians' tack. The main trial oi strength—and skill—has yet to be fought on German soil. Its issue will have an important bearing on the course of the campaigns being fought in Germany, Franca and Btlgium.

I THR FEDERAL ELECTIONS. The Federal elections have resulted, contrary to expectation on this side of the Tasman, in the return of the Labo! l'arly. Mr Fisher has been given a de-' cisive majority. At the last election, held in 101:1. the Liberals had a majority of only one, a result that caused legislative deadlocks by reason of the Labor majority in the Semite, 20 against seven. Such a state of affairs could only have one ending—a double dissolution. Both parties faced the electors with the most taking programmes they could devise, and the voting has given the Labor i Party a return to power, thereby indicating either that the Labor organisation was better or that Fisher's policy is the more acceptable to the country. It is for the future to reveal whether the electors have decided wisely or not. There can be no doubt that Air Fisher's main platform is socialistic. Still it is equally certain that it is not revolutionary. He favors re-submitting the Referenda Bills as a means of obtaining tho much-desired industrial peace, and for dealing with the trusts and combines which have obtained a foothold in Australia. Other proposals are in the direction of State-owned overseas steamers, an Atlantic cable, national insurance, initiative and referendum, development of overseas markets, a Federal bank, uniform railway gauge, opposition to borrowing for defence, but a careful development of the naval and military forces, and several humanitarian provisions, such as providing funds for the prevention and cure of cancer, consumption, and the "red plague." It might be urged that it was a dangerous experiment to bring about a change of Government at a time when all eyes and hearts are centred on the fate of the Empire, but to have a stable and responsible Government with the requisite majority in both Houses is far more necessary at such a time than a Government with a majority of only one in the House and a large, hostile majority in the Senate. Labor will now have the opportunity of justifying the confidence the country has reposed in the party. First of all, Australia expects Mr Fisher to do his duty, as Mr Cook has done, by the Empire in its hour of trial. All domestic matters ma; well be given a back scat meantime.