The Daily News. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1917. THE 1917 CAMPAIGN.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 February 1917, Page 4

The Daily News. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1917. THE 1917 CAMPAIGN.

It is probable that the reported interview accorded .by Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig to French war correspondents will cause considerable surprise, ia view of the fact that the British Com-mander-in-Chief on the West front has been exceptionally reticent with regard to war matters. At the same time there may be, and possibly is, a particular reason why publicity should be given to Sir Douglas Haig's confidence in victory. Regarded from an Empire point of view tho statements made at the interview should be considered as inspiriting. The point that really matters is that the Anglo-French forces arc not only ready to meet any German offensive, if made, but the armies are now fully trained for successfully attacking the enemy and pursuing the flying hosts, so that a defeat may be turned into a rout. The ability to follow up an advantage in war is of the first importance, for we have now arrived at a stage when it is essential to strike hard and give the enemy no breathingspace until final and complete victory is achieved. If Sir Douglas Haig is "correctly reported he certainly has no misgivings on the score of a victorious and conclusive campaign during the present year. "We shall," he said, "certainly break the German front severely at many points ~ . . and we will strike without respite until the German armies are totally destroyed." That is exactly what should be done, though we hardly expected Sir Douglas Haig to make the assertion. Those who are looking for a speedy termination of the war will hail with tho utmost satisfaction tho assertion that "this year will see upon the 'battlefield the decisive event of the war on the West front." Sir Douglas Haig is not so positive on the question of peace being proclaimed in 1917, but there is no doubt in his mind as to what that peace should be—a peace founded on absolute victory, not a temporary cessation of hostilities which would enable Germany to recommence the tragedy in a few years' time. "An incomplete or halting peace," said Sir Douglas, "would leave Germany able to take a terrible revenge in the near future, when, after having attacked England, she would be again on the French frontier, greedier than ever for blood and conquest." The peace-atany-pricc croakers should heed well that pronouncement, which is an absolutely correct estimate of what would happen unless Germany and her allies are rendered impotent for further frightfulness. Apparently the only pressing need of our army on the West front is that of an adequate supply of heavy guns, and these must be provided so that our forces may hew their way through the German defences and iwin a conclusive victory, or, as Sir Douglas Haig puts it: "Overwhelm him (the enemy) with the whole of our strength." It ia very that the first notification of

this remarkable interview should have come from America, and that the interview itself should have eventuated at a time when the new submarine campaign | la causing such a commotion and tension amongst neutrals. It is quite possible that there was a distinct object to be served by proclaiming- at this critical period of the war that victory was iwithin sight, and it may have been Intended as a stimulant to American hostility to Germany. Whatever may be the reason for the. course taken, it must be admitted that the statements made- by Sir Douglas Haig are doubly welcome just now. Germany's submarine campaign required an, antidote, and the world at large required a tonic to prevent an attack of nervy panic. Both these medicines have been administered, the one by Sir Douglas Haig and the other 'by Lords Lytton and Curzon in the House of Lords. It is easy to understand that Germany's studied measures of frightfulness and empty bombast might create undue alarm, but we now know that on land, on sea and in the air the supremacy of the Allies is obvious. We do not look for miracles, and wo know there must be fighting until the end arrives. The armies of the Allies are doing and will do all in their power to achieve success, and their indomitable courage and determination may be relied on. German threats have been prolific throughout the struggle, and if me had not got the measure of the German resources we might feel extremely scared, but in the light of our knowledge of her potentiality and our own strength and resources we may accept Field-Marshal Haig's confidence as a pattern for our own. Whether Germany begins the offensive or not is immaterial. Whether America takes action or not is of no consequence. The one important consideration is the achievement of that final victory for which our forces are now preparing, in order that the only peace that is worth having will, it is sincerely hoped, be proclaimed before the passing of the current year.

DIRECT SHIPPING. At Friday's meeting of the Now Plymouth Harbor Board the important announcement was made that Captain Clnulley, marine superintendent of the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company, had, as the result of a visit of inspection, expressed himself as well pleased with the work done by tho Board, whilst a declaration was made on behalf of the Board that the work would meet with the shipping companies' approval, and that at no distant date direct liners would call at New .Plymouth. This means that the harbor has been passed by tho principal shipping officer as fit for the accommodation of oversea vessels, which will be calling at Moturoa shortly to take away our produce sup plies. It is an open secret that the Board has provided a depth of water and shipping facilities in excess of the shipping companies' requirements, and it therefore comes as no surprise that the harbor, as it stands to-day, meets with the approval of the marine superintendent of ons of tho . principal of these companies. The Board and its officers are to be congratulated upon the success of their labors. It has been a long, and, at times, disheartening work; the difficulties met with have been considerable, but the Board has overcome them all, and now sees success achieved, as tho fruition of many years of well-directed effort. What this boon is to Taranaki only the few realise, yet the settlers will receive very considerable benefits therefrom both as producers and consumers. There is just now a good deal of uncertainty about shipping, otherwise no doubt the Board would liavo 'been able to definitely announce the arrangements made for calling at the port. Meantime we must rest satisfied with the intimation that the harbor is ready, and that it has been passed by the shipping companies. The Board set up a committee to consider a proposal to erect transhipping sheds on the wharf. The harbor has always been handicapped by the want of sheds, and the wonder is that long before this they were not provided. Without them, Moturoa can never be anything as a ' distributing port, or be the headquarters of a local shipping company, a project which 'has for years been advocated in these columns, and which now, we are glad to see, is being revived and strongly recommended by members of the Board. We are sura that if properly placed before the public the necessary support will be forthcoming, as it would have been years ago when vessels were available at low cost. By way of making a practical start in this direction a meeting is to be held in New Plymouth on Thursday evening next to consider this question of establishing a local shipping company, and wo cannot too forcibly impress the settlers throughout the province with the advisability of being present, so as to mako the meeting thoroughly representative of all interests. Producers have found the benefit of co-operation as regards the butter, cheese, and meat industries, and the Taranaki Executive of the Fanners' Union have already pasesd a resolution in favor of acquiring ships to transport the produce, instead of being dependent on private enterprise. There should no longer be any doubt as to the wisdom of this move, and it is extremely desirable that tho people of Taranaki (for all are interested) shoidd lose no further, time in linking up the transport industry .with those of projductiou and manufacture. We are conjfident that the project, when properly Ipuo before the public, will receive "their

sympathetic consideration, for they are only too conscious of the disabilities the port has been laboring under for some time past, and fully recognise that if tho port is to fulfil its proper mission in connection with this growing anil prosperous province it. must control its own steamers.