The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 1918. THE WAR SITUATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 June 1918, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 1918. THE WAR SITUATION.

The news of the defeat of the Austrians 011 the Piave places a far more favorable complexion on the outlook of the Allies. Germany forced Austria to make a great offensive on the Italian front, in order to enable the Germans to make a final and decisive advance on the "West front. This grandiose scheme to crush Italy and defeat the Anglo-French at one and the same time has entirely collapsed, while the Austrian armies have suffered a defeat the consequences of which may be very far-reaching as far as the Central Powers are concerned. If, as seems to have been the case, the German high command considered that a great offensive against Italy would lead to the withdrawal of Allied troops from the West, they were very much out in their reckoning, and the debacle which has just taken place proves this conclusively. Although the Austrians were able to make a forward move and cross the Piave, instead of gaining any of their objectives, they went to their doom. At the psychological moment the Italian counter-attack was launched, and the Austrians were pushed back to the swollen river, only to find themselves without the means for passing back to the other side. The temporary bridges which they hastily attempted to construct were wellregistered targets for the Italian gunners and American aviators, and a horrible carnage resulted, the passage ways being finally blocked with Austrian dead. Late cables state that it is not yet possible to calculate the extent of the Austrian disaster, but there is little doubt it is one of the greatest that have occurred during the war. The enemy is still being pursued, and a gallant rearguard fight is being maintained with the object of protecting the main army. It is stated that the Austrians have stiU twenty divisions in reserve, having already used seventy divisions, hut an army in a retreat f ollowing such a disastrous rout as that which the Austrians suffered is naturally demoralised, so that a determined pursuit may cause a stampede in which the enemy may lose most of its munitions of war. General Diaz deserves the heartiest plaudits for his successful mas-ter-stroke. He lias not only delivered a crushing blow, but has put heart into the Allies on the West front, where Germanv was eagerly waiting for Austrian reinforcements flushed with victory. The remorseless pressure exercised by the Italian commander has met with a fitting recompense. That this victory of the Italians will have an effect on the West front operations may certainly be anticipated. In the remarks made by Mr. Lloyd George, appearing in another column, it will be seen that the spirit of confidence has been materially enlarged and strengthened by the happenings on-,the Piave. Now .that the.rela-

tive strength oL' the opposing armies is about equal the Allies can regard the renewed German offensive more complacently, especially as the ranks of the Americans are being extensively increased from week to week, and the numbers ready to take a place in the fighting line are correspondingly greater. It is on this question of manpower tliat final victory hangs. Germany is almost at the end of her reserves, while the economical conditions render it necessary to retain a considerable military force in Germany itself. There is a manifest advantage accruing to the Allies. This is enhanced by the splendid morale and unswerving confidence displayed by the Allies'. Tlie note of optimism struck by I lie British Premier reflects the general view, and prevent conditions justify that attitude. Without in any way magnifying the Austrian debacle, it can fairly be claimed that it is the most encouraging war news that has come to hand for a long time, and there certainly exists a desire throughout the Empire that the success of the Italians against the Austrians may be followed by a similar success against the Germans on the West front.