The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1918. THE WAR SITUATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 February 1918, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1918. THE WAR SITUATION.

In view of the awful turmoil and chaos in Russia, and the impending gigantic operations on the West front, the news from Palestine is likely to be passed over as a mere incident in the titanic struggle, but the latest blow struck by General Sir Edmund Allenby is an achievement that deserves special consideration. The Turks had ample time and opportunity to recuperate after their retreat, but Jerusalem foil with almost dramatic suddenness, though between the offer to surrender and its formal acceptance there was sharp lighting on the outskirts of the city. The Turks wore then driven further northward, but with the British close upon their heels, up the valley of the Jordan, and we have lately received the news of the capture of Jericho by the Australian Light Horse and New Zealand Mounted Rifles. The British and Dominion forces have certainly upheld their reputation in Palestine, and the result of their advance so far has been the capture of Beersheba, Jaffa, Jerusalem and Jericho. Apparently it is General Allenby's intention to advance through Moab and Gilead, cut the Medina railway, and join up with the Arabs of Hedjaz, who have been for some time past harassing the Turks in the vicinity of the Dead Sea, so that it is probable that Damascus will be the next objective. After a rather prolonged absence of news from Mesopotamia, there has now come to hand a report of a further successful advance of the British forces under Sir William Marshall, and it is possible that before long tho renewed activity in this theatre of the war may yield important results, for it is evident that the defeat of the Turks in Palestine is having an effect on their forces in Mesopotamia. As regards Russia, there is little that can be said, except commiseration for the people who .have been so woefully misgoverned since the extremists seized the reins of power. The Germans are making meteoric dashes from one town to another, seizing everything of value, but it is quite conceivable that even their presence is welcomed as a lesser evil than the 'terrorising Red Guards, whoso appetite for blood and plunder seems to be insatiable. It is quite possible, however, that the Germans may be laying up a store of {rouble that will seriously interfere with their operations elsewhere, especially on the West front. It is on this front that the eyes of the world are focussed, and though the Germans are screwing up their courage to face the most awful carnage that history has known, there are not-wanting indications that they fear the strain will prove too great for their men, and that surrenders will be made on a brgu scale. It is significant that a campaign has been instituted in

Germany to prepare 'lie people for tlie appalling losses that must inevitably ensue from this supreme effort in which the fate of Germany is to be determined, but those who are organising and carrying out this campaign have evidently failed to grasp tho fact that the German people are not so ignorant of events as they were during the early stages of the war. The intense undercurrent of German feeling in favor of peace is not likely to be lulled into a false slumber by the absurd assertion that the guilt of causing the great loss of manhood lies at the Allies' door, nor by the specious proclamation that Germany must either conquer or go under. The people are realising that it is a struggle for the supremacy of democracy and the suppression of military despotism, and though the repressive system is still dominant, they are gradually learning the lesson that opens the gates of freedom. Germany has been far more successful than was ever thought possibly could be the caße. but that lias not been due to her vast strength so much as to Russia's intense weakness at the critical period of the war, and this fact has to be borne in mind when considering the issue of the coming conflict. At the moment, Germany's main objects in the Eastern programme have been achieved. The "Central Empire" is not merely a convenient description of the enemy belligerents; it has become an accomplished fact. German military and economic domination is Bupreme from Hamburg to Constantinople, from Strassburg, to Riga, and is now being extended to Petrograd and Odessa. As soon as the rigorous winter conditions on the Italian front give place to those in which military operations can be carried out, we may expect to have satisfactory evidence of the reorganisation and fighting power of the Italians. The main point, however, which attracts absorbed attention is the West front, and the air of mystery as to when and where the chief offensive will take place adds to the teusio[i which is already in evidence. It is possible that the view taken by the Manchester Guardian may be near the mark, namely, that' "an attack on the Western front is still probable, but unless the Germans gain a remarkable initial success, they will not attempt a formal break through, or keep up tho attack month after month, and that any attacks will be local and brief." One fact appears to be certain-tbe war «an only be ended by force of arms; but the sooner the decision is arrived at the better it will be for all the belligerents America is doing her best to hasten the "id, but we must possess our souls in patience, being confident, that, in the end right will triumph over might.