The Daily News. SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 1916. AWAITING THE CRISIS.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 June 1916, Page 4

The Daily News. SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 1916. AWAITING THE CRISIS.

To those who know how to wait, everything comes," says an old adage which bids fair to be again verified in the pre* sent war. The Allies have been waiting and preparing for the time when a combined blow can best be struck on all the fronts, and the striking of that blow will mark the crisis of the war. That the psychological moment is not far off seems to be generally understood by those who may be regarded as well versed in the subject. Germany had-four decades in which to make her preparations for world conquest, and she certainly made good use of the time. With the Allies it was entirely different, for the war descended on them like a cyclone, meeting them totally unprepared with men and munitions, and yet within two years they have by the most strenuous efforts raised and equipped armies of several millions, which are now available to crush the enemy. Meanwhile they have withstood the furious attacks of the foe and slowly, but surely, made great inroads upon the fighting strength of the Central Powers, with the result that while the forces of the later have been gradually depleted, those of the Allies are reaching their full strength, and the requisite supply of munitions has been accumulating. The loss of life has been very large, but under modern conditions of warfare we must expect that there are

bound to lie very heavy casualty lists, though we firmly believe that the price entailed will be far outweighed by the advantages thai will accrue to the civilised world through a victory which will remove the perpetual mc*aee caused by German militarism. Bussin >.as been, the first to move in what may, we hope, be anticipated as the final phase of hostilities, and it is a movement that, when fully developed, will, in all probability, result in the complete destruction of the Austrian armies. A French deputy (M. Cochin) proclaim that the hour for British intervention has struck, and that England's immense and well-equipped army, with its most powerful artillery and enormous supplies of munitions, will now give efficacious aid to France. There is every prospect that this mighty force will soon be following the example of the Russians and striking irresistible blows on the vital sectors of the enemy. One of yesterday's cabled messages confirms the view of M. Cochin when it says that the crisis of the 1916 campaign is approaching, and that pressure is increasing on every front, concluding with the significant statement: "The general military situation is such that g- eat decisions may be expected shortly." That ably expresses the conviction that cannot fail to have taken root in the minds of all who study the position of affairs intelligently from day to day. It is as yet much too early to entertain any hopes of a speedy ter- ! mination of the war, for even after great decisions have been accomplished in our favor there will still be a formidable task ahead, but a stricken Germany will be far easier to crush once the Allies push forward a vigorous offensive, for Austria will be powerless to help her, and Turkey will only be too glad to throw up the sponge. This may be considered somewhat optimistic, but the outlook is now so cheering that there is a reasonable excuse for buoyant hopes and sanguine belief in the turn of the tide that will now carry the Allies to their goal. The news that has lately come to hand from the various fronts is replete with the elements that make for optimism, and it certainly indicates that while the past has borne witness to the determination and tenacity of purpose of the Entente Powers, the future will show the wisdom of the waiting tactics they have "adopted. Once the crisis is past there will be the most intense relief, and the courage that has sustained the burdens and terrors of the past will carry the Allies on to final victory and the dawn of a new era wherein the horrors of war will cease and the weaker nations of the earth be enabled to evolve their destinies untrammelled by the sword of the oppressor, while the outrageous doctrine of "might is 1 right" will have to give way to that of "right is might." These and many other advantages are all awaiting the issue of the struggle, the crisis of which appears to be at hand. i