THE WAR IN 1916.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 January 1917, Page 6

THE WAR IN 1916.

•SACRIFICES NOT IN VAIN. GERMANY'S DESPERATE PLIGHT. IDelayed Cable). London,, l)ec. 22. hi a special article for Tilt Sydney Sun, Lord Sydenham, under the head, ''The War in 1*110," says:— Christmas brings no peace and goodwill to the distracted nations, no rest from the tremendous efforts that the Empire is making in the cause which it regards as sacred, but the hard sacrifices of the past have not been in vain. _ "This year has seen three great offensive movements by the enemy, beginning with a desperate attack on Verdun, launched in February. The first has been finally shattered byitlie magnificent aallantry of the numerically "inferior French army, which, in two brilliant counter-offensives, has won back most of the lost ground, and established dommating positions.

"The second offensive, that of the Austrians in the Trentino, ended in a disastrous retreat. The third recited m the successful over-running of the greater part of Wallaehia, but the Roumanian armies, thanks to the strong support of the Russians, are unbroken, and although some sorely needed' slipplies have been obtained, there is no decisive military result ta compensate the enemy for the increased strain thrown" upon his troops, armaments, and' resources.

"Elsewhere the offensive has been with the Allies. There has been no failure. BrussilofT has not, it, is true,"taken Novel and Lemberg, but he holds the ground gained by breaking the AustroGerman lines after manv drivin« blows, and capturing of hordes of prisoners. His troops in the Carpathians will threaten Transylvania when the spring comes.

"In a scries of great attacks, beginning on the Sommc in July, the British and French armies captured the strongest defences the Germans ever created. Here and before Verdun more (ban 100,000 prisoners surrendered without "rea't reluctance. The Italians, following up their victorv in the Trentino, achieved notable military successes, capturing Gor:'. and breaking the strong Austriar. positions in the Carso, In Macedonia the reorganised Serbian army, with the support of the Allies, most gallantlv forced its way beyond Monastlr. inflicting severe losses oil the Bulgarians, and capturing strong positions. In Mesopotamia the British forces have turned the Turkish defences on the left bank of the Tigris, and can take Kut-el-Amara when the General decides to do so.

"Except in Roumania, where they met troops uninured to war, and ill-provided with heavy artillery, our enemies have been outfought. In the west the Allies have established a moral and material ascendency. Only barbed wire"; earthworks, and mud saved file Germans from disaster. The deterioration of the quality of their troops has been plainly demonstrated during the year.

"The blockade, tardily established lias at length become a real factor in the war. The lucent peace proposals were the result of the growing strain. The Germans' available material for making good the enormous losses of the war has been exhausted, but the average quality is changing for the worse. The levy en masse of the civil population indicates the increasing difficulty of securing the necessary production of munitions. in which Germany had immense initial advantages, but which now does not kc-ep pace with the demands which are constantly augmenting. Germany's food supply and its equitable distribution dees not satisfy the needs of the population. There is now real hardship, deepening here and there into starvation, which the Roumanian supplies cannot greatly mitigate. "All the belligerents earnestly desire peace, but to the Germans and Austrians especially the time draws near when peace will be an. imperious necessity. The spectacular success in Roumania with the bellringing and the flag displays following, was believed to have created psychological conditions which enabled tlie German Government to assume the pose of a magnanimous victor, ready to end the sufferings it, deliberately inflia4«d upon the world, but characteristically threatening new developments of frightfulness if the Allies proved unwilling to fall into the snare. Tin pathetic anvietv of tire German people for a favorable response is the best index of the real situation, proving that Untruth which their rulers denied them b beginning to prevail.

"We have now to deal with the sub marine menace, which the unfortunate escape of the German fleet at the Battle of Jutland has permitted to reach serious proportions. If the problem liatl been vigorously attacked a year ago, at least a .partial solution could have been found.' Meanwhile wo can use no. effort, and spare no sacrifice to secure the righting of intolerable wrongs, in so far as reparation is now possible, and place tin . security of the Empire on a lasting foundation. When Germany is prepared to suggest terms which fulfil these conditions and provide a reasonably hopeful basis of negotiations. sio Allies will not be found wanting in their duty to humanity.

'•For the Central Powers ana their ilnpas the New Year will dawn dark with menace, domestic and external. They will find the British people in all lands firmly united with our gallant Allies, and inspired by the deeds of I heir heroes to tlie stern determination that no sacrifice is too great for attainment of a just and honorabe peace." Lord Sydenham will be remembered in Australia as Governor of Victoria from 1001 until 1004. This was when he was Sir George Sydenham Clarke, his elevation to the peerage not occurring until 11113. He service and is honorary colonel of the 03rd Australian Infantry. He has written profilselv on military and naval matters. Vud his 'views have always commanded great respect.