The Daily News. SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 1917. WAR DEVELOPMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 April 1917, Page 4

The Daily News. SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 1917. WAR DEVELOPMENTS.

To-days cable news concerting the war will be read with very great interest, for it marks a new stage of the long and bitter struggle. The decision of the United states Senate to adopt the President's proposal to accept the position of a belligerent against Germany has naturally caused much gratification in Britain and France. Practically, the struggle has become a world's war, for now that America is aft war with Germany there is no country of importance that is not taking part. President Wilton has taken a long .time to make up his mind, and has exercised a patience that has not always been regarded as justified, but having once come to a decision there can be no question that lie will bo inflexible in his purpose of seeing the war through, and assisting the Allies to the utmost possible extent. It would be unreasonable to expect the 'United States to furnish expeditionary forces for the West or any other front. For some time to come it will need all the United States' available resources to deal with plots and agitations engineered by the unscrupulous Germans, especially in Mexico and South Americn. It is gratifying to find that the State Departments are losing no time in grappling with the question of supplies and armaments, so that they are in thorough earnest and not by any means halfhearted over the matter. America is a great nation in every sense of the word, and her entry into the ranks opposed to Germany gives a timely emphasis to the outstanding feature of tlio struggle, which has now become dynastic rather than territorial —democracy against autocratic military despotism. The outcome of sucli a fight cannot possibly be In doubt, and it means the dawning of a world-wide era of freedom and progress. In this connection the cable which is published this morning concerning the Kaiser's fatal illness, and its probable

tfiect on the future of Germany, will attract considerable attention, but it is as well to bear in mind that there have been so many rumors as to the Kaiser's illness, that this last one will have to bo accepted with caution. There are two very grave statements from Britain, the one concerning food supplies and the ether referring to the urgent need of a further half-million men. It is evident that the submarine policy of Germany is •a serious menace to British food sup[•lies, and though there is probably no actual danger of these supplies failing, yet it is only prudent to face the prospect of a considerable shortage and to take drastic measures in order to meet a crisis should it arise. The call for more men is not by any means unexpected, if the war is to be concluded this year. It is well known that Germany has been rigorously combing out (lie population for the purpose of putting every available man into the firing line, with the result that she is considered to be now stronger than ever, but so are the Allie.% yet if a supreme effort is to be made it is imperative that the man-power of the Allies must be utilised to the fullest extent in a similar way to that of Germany. M e are entitled to look to Russia to make large contributions of men from her vast population, rind it would seem that we shall not look in vain. At the same time the call is insistently urgent, and all parts of the Umpire should give an 'iftimediate response. It will be observed that Admiral Jellicoe gives some interesting information relative to the submarine campaign. The arming of merchantmen has brought about the necessity for submarines to discharge torpedoes whilst submerged, and this apparently calls for Ihe use of ships of small draught, but it also makes the presence of the enemy more easily detected by aircraft. The position of affairs on the sea may be regarded as not so grave as might be expected. On the West front all is going well. Tlie French have carried cut successfully a formidable drive of the on the whole front of the Somine and the Oise, giving the enemy 110 time to attend to t'lio wounded or remove material. This is one of the most important offensives of recent date and emphasises the splendid work performed by our gallant Ally, who holds all her gains. The British forces nave also made a notable advance and captured more villages. Encouraging news also comes from Mesopotamia, where the long-looked-for junction of the Russians ivith the British lias taken place. This should speedily lead to the clearance of the Turks from the country, and pave the way for an advance on Constantinople, if deemed expedient. On the whole, the position of affairs in the war zone is satisfactory, and though the need for further sacrifices is evident we may loofr 'with confidence to the future, provided there is a determination on the part of everyono in the Empire to do his or lier absolute best to help in the time of need.