THE NODAL POINT.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 December 1917, Page 7

THE NODAL POINT.

WAR ON THE WESTERN FRONT. "Watch Cambrai," waa a remark stressed by the Hon. T. M. Wilford, a keen student of the war, when he lectured in Wangauui «, short time ago. Of late, Cambrai has come into great prominence, and at present this point on the Western front is the scene of desperate fighting.

"Cambrai is a nodal point," said the Hon. T. M. Wilford to a Chronicle reporter on Saturday "as both the Germans and the Allies realise what the cutting of the four lines of railways—two to the north, and two to the south—v/hich terminate there, would, mean. "Passchendaele Ridge., Cambrai and Laon," continued Mr. Wilford, "are the three vital points on the present line. Verdun was the point of danger to Franco from February of 1916 until the middle of the present year, but it is now safe, as the German troops have been driven back seven miles from the city. Now the French are endeavoring to advance along the Mouse to dominate Lorraine and the iron-ore fields area, and the result will be incalculable benefit if they should do so. Territory does not matter on most, parts of tho Western front except territory that gives dominating strategic position*. "There is no doubt that the American preparations are colossal, real, and are going to be effective," continued Mr. Wilford. "Nobody knows that better than the Germans. They realise that if they cannot get a decision on the Western front before next March, the crushing process will begin. To them it is now a question of time alone, and I" do not think, therefore, that there will be a cessation of the German offensive.

"Points of great interest on the Western front are Passchendaele Ridge, Houthoulst Forest, Staden, and Roulers," concluded Mr, Wilford. "When they arc captqred by the' Allies it will mean that tiie Germans will have to evacuate Zechnigge and Ostend, on the Belgian coast. The Allies' policy of attrition is. proving effective. What' they are trying to do is to crush, not to rush."