The Daily News. SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 1917. THE COMING- GREAT BLOW.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 March 1917, Page 4

The Daily News. SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 1917. THE COMING- GREAT BLOW.

The recent statement made in the House of Commons by the Financial Secietary of the War Office, as set i'orili in tliis morning's cables, draws pointed attention to the .forthcoming great blow which Germanyj is preparing to strike on one or more Vif the war fronts. Tlio victorious advance of the British on the West front and the retreat of the Germans has its significance, inasmuch as it way be, and probably is, a part of Teutonic tactics. The world now knows that the German peace proposals were merely bluff, but it is not generally u cognised that there was method in this madness, the real purport of which was to induce the Allies to slacken their preparations for the coming campaign and so allow Germany to have a decisive victory that would place her in the position of being able to dictate, instead of negotiate, terms of peace. The Allies, however, were not to be hoodwinked, anv more than they are likely to be terrilied at submarine frightlulness. Those who can, from.experience, read between the lines of German professions and threats, can discover the cunning of the various tactics which have been brought into play. They all fit in with some deep scheme which will he apparent in the near future, and this view is borne out by the fact that the British have been allowed to advance in the West with only a faint show of opposi-

tion. The German authorities have in-; dustriously circulated rumors of a groat offensive being about to be carried out, but have carefully done their best to conceal their actual intentions. Writing some months back, Mr. Lovat Eraser said: If we would know what the Him proposes to attempt next, .we must look | for a fresh blow on land. Remember always that Germany has no time left for what Mr. Leo Masse calls "aideshows." The Roumanian campaign was to a great extent a side-show. It produced a considerable amount of booty, it raised the spirits of the enemy, but if) did not bring' Germany perceptibly nearer the kind of victory she craves. She IV,list now deal knock-out blows or find herself acknowledging failure within a few months. Where can Germany attempt to deal knock-out blows? Five courses appear to be open to Marshal von Hindenburg. He can—(l) Attack General Sari-ail anil endeavor to thrust Mio Allies out of Macedonia; (2) coiitinuue his pursuit of the still undestroyed army, and make for Odessa and the rich corn-lands of Southern Russia; (3) strike at Riga, from which his outposts have never been very far, and try to advance to Petrograd later on; (4) hammer the Italians; (S) try to strike again in the West. The idea of an early blow at Italy can doubtless be dismissed, as an enemy attack on the Upper Isonzo would not bring the end of the war much "nearer. The Germans have to end the 'war—if they can. They will not do it by hitting Italy any more than we shall do it by hitting Turkey. It cannot in the least be believed that the enemy will materially improve their position if they try to penetrate to Odessa. Russia has liuge concentrations of troops and guns in the south. Odessa would be another "brilliant" episode in Germany's roll of successes, but it would not spell the approach of peace. The Austro-German armies might march over half the world, but whilo they have failed to defeat the principal armies of the Entente Powers they are nowhere near victory. Xo cnlooker can pretend to say what Germany will do, but it is possible to discern what she may do if she adheres to her own principles. The tradition of ■Prussia is to attack the strongest point. Germany overwhelms minor States but does not win the war. Iler principal enemies arc massed in the west. If she wants to end the war quickly she must strike hard and repeatedly in the west. However much von Hindenburg is attracted by tho eastern front he will be compelled to turn again to the West. But the Allies, who hold and retain the initiative in the West, may save the Girinaiu the necessity of making a choice. Practically Germany has no choice, although it is not long since she boasted that slie could choose the when and the where of the final Wow. That she is making phenomenal preparations is certain, and it is for the Allies to do likewise. In a stirring address to the Ulster Association at the end of last November Sir Edward Carson remarked: ''l say solemnly to the Government that when the crucial moment comes next spring, as it undoubtedly will come, because we know what the Germans are doing—if they failed from taking any action that may be necessary to keep up; £hc necessary, supply of heroes to win this war this country and the Empire will never forgive them." The Government has not failed to do its best, nor should the Empire fail to make a supreme effort to assist in every possible way, so that the Allies can meet the enemy with a blow that will shatter his strength and pave the way to a peace worth having.