The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1916. TWO SMASHING BLOWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 September 1916, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1916. TWO SMASHING BLOWS.

On the We 4 front and in the Balkans, the lilies have been administering 011 liie ei'omy blows that will not only give them considerable military advantages, but cannot fail to have an immense e.feet 011 the morale of the Central Powers. It 1:- on these two fronts that the t.-iain issues of the war are being fought, so that any success gained materially assists the desired end, but audi decisive operations as those which have been cabled during the last few days ;ndicate with much emphasis the t 1 end of events leading up to the final chapter of the struggle. 011 the Somnie the British have struck the Germans a more severe blow than they have received since the war started. It was a magnificent and brilliant achievement to capture a series of large villages one after the other and to secure all the dominating heights on the sector. Just bow 'much of the credit is due to the new armored "tanks" cannot be estimated, but they appear to 'have been largely responsible for the decisive victory obtained. It is gratifying to know that the Dominion was represented at this historic battle, and that Sir Douglas Haig writes in' terms of high praise of their services. Our boys are now having their heart's desire in attacking the Germans, and the Way in which they are acquitting themselves is just what\ve out here expected of them. The French liave also done splendidly in getting near to iFeronne, the capture of which will give the Allies the command of a large stretch of country beyond. It is very significant that the German rejoicings over the untoward events in the Balkans should have fizzled out on receipt of the news of the rßitish victories 011 the Somme, leaving the people more gloomy and downcast than ever. This depression cannot fail to be increased by the news of the British victories 011 the by the .Serbians in Fiorina Valley. The Serbian attack was so rapid and impetuous that it not only broke the Bulgarians, but gave them no time to reform their shattered forces, which are now in full flight to Monastir, though it is every probable that Monastir will fall in the course of a few days. The Serbians are now coming into their own again, and their success is therefore all the more gratifying. These is another aspect that has an important bearing 011 these two great blows struck oil the enemy, ! namely, the great loss- sustained by tin 111 in T...11 power. This constant and ever increasing drain on their resources is one of the great factors that will tend to shorten the war. The people of Germany are being rapidly disillusioned, and though it is not prudeat to attach anj treat importance to the reported spread of disaffection among them, it is one of the signs 'which denote the .nurse of events. The Allies' outlook lias never seemed more promising, and the goal is becoming more clearly visible. It is extremely probable that Russia will be making another big' move before It'g, for the policy of the Allies is to continually worry the enemy' 011 every front, giving him no rest and no time for rushing troops from 011 c point to another. Now that the Allies' offensive has been .started, it will, without doubt, continue with unabated vigor and determination.