The Daily News. TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 1918. THE WAR SITUATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 April 1918, Page 4

The Daily News. TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 1918. THE WAR SITUATION.

For three weeks the Germans have been hurling dense masses of troops and shells at the Anglo-French forces in a series of terrific attacks. Sir Douglas Haig, in his recent special order, clearly indicates the objects of the enemy —to separate the British from the French, take the Channel ports and destroy the British army, yet, despite his 19G divisions and reckless sacrifice of manpower, the magnificent resistance offered by the Allies has prevented the enemy from succeeding in his desperate efforts. The British Commander-in-Chief put the po-Mon very plainly when he said, "There is no other option to us but to fight it out. Every position must be held to the last man. There must be no retirement." The only conclusion td be derived from this impressive order is that the retirement has gone to the limit of safety; that the last ditch has been reached, and that the Allies must fight" with their backs to the wall. That they are doing this and will continue so to do until the opportune moment arrives for an offensive movement is indicated by the later news which shows that the enemy is held, but there is no slackening in German efforts; fighting is still proceeding with great intensity, so that it is evident the weight of the Allies' reserves, which are now reported to be in action, is turning the scale, or, at least holding up the enemy advance. Although it is of no service to harp upon the fateful weakness of General Gough, who allowed the Fifth Army to be pressed back because of the omission to make preparations of fortifications behind the main lines, thus relying solely on the counter-offensive, yet the crisis dates from the snapping of the weak link, and the great part of the trouble which lias ensued is more or less traceable to that source, for having lost the line, which should have been held at all costs, General Gough was unable to stem ,tlie enemy's onward rush, enabling him in a week to recover the whole of the gains of two campaigns south, of the Scarpe. The critical position to-day Is the result, and the task of the Allies has been greatly intensified, so much so that Sir Douglas Haig has impressed on his forces that "The safety of our homes and the freedom of mankind depenu alike upon the conduct of each one of us at this critical moment." The present actual position does not appear to bp quite clear, especially as regards the luessincs ridge, although there does not appear to be any doubt as to the position of the armies. The higli ground of southern Flanders runs from the

vicinity of Dixmude to the Passchendaele, then along the Wytschaete and Messines crests past the back of the British line, retiring frpm Armentieres and the Lys Valley. Behind this line are Neuve Eglise, Bailleul, Hazebrouk, Cassel and St. Omer, the highest crest being at Cassel. The ground here, which is suitable for defensive trench work, curves round towards Givenchy, meeting the Vimy ridge from Arras to Lens. It is this line which Sir Douglas Haig presumably means as the limit of the German advance, and it is to capture this

high ground that llic enemy's desperate ell'oits have been directed, for between twenty and thirty miles neliind lie Hie three northern Channel port., through which the British troops paw and repass. The later newt indicates that the Allies are holding their own, and it is stated that the enemy cannot maintain his advance, so that if he is held he is defeated. With (he enormous strength possessed by the enemy it is only to be expected that further violent assaults will be made, but the edge lias certainly been taken oil' the crisis and the spirit of confidence which is manifested augers well not only for the success of the present defence, but for the still greater struggle that has yet to decide the final issue in the war.