A CRUSHING VICTORY.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 August 1918, Page 5

A CRUSHING VICTORY.

NOW IN SIGHT IIF WE BUT HOLD OUT. REVIEW OF THE WAIt SITUATION. Received August 9, 8.20 p.m. London, August 8. The Germans hold the Vesle line in considerable strength. Although it is reported that they have withdrawn their heavy guns, and that some of the forces, are over the Aisne, no preparations for a general retirement are apparent. Tie Germans on the Franco-British front between Montdidier and the sea retired at various points in varying depths. This is probably explainable by 'the desire to improve their defensive positions. The withdrawal on the Lys* section is due to the marshy ground, and; the fact that our positions dominate him 'but it is difficult to understand the > slight retirement at Givenchy. It is probable that the Lys retirement may be the preliminary to a general withdrawal. On the other hand, the enemy's scheme may only be to strengthen the front •between Bailleul and La Bassee Canal. The effect, however, reduces the probability of danger of a renewed offensive. A SUBSTANTIAL ADVANCE. The Franco-British, between Moreuil and Moriancourt, have made a substantial advance to a 'depth of about four thousand yards. It is reported that Demuin, Abancourt and Moriancourt are in our hands,; also the heights •west of Cerisy and south of Moriancourt. General Rawlinson commands the Fourth Army, and General Anthoine the French Army, Our recent air raids forced the enemy to detach a large number of fighting machines from the front as a protection for German towns. During the raid on Saarbrucken our aviators encountered forty enemy machines, FOCH'S PATIENCE REWARDED. A review of the Marne offensive reveals General Foch's remarkable patience and foresight. When the British sustained a severe reverse, and when the position on the Western front was compromised, General Foch met one German blow after another, but refused to make p. premature counter-offensive until the psychological moment, when the Germans were exhausted. At Rheims, and after they made a success on the Marne front, it required great firmness on General Foch's part to disregard the danger of throwing the whole of his reserves intj a great counter-thrust, which proved successful. Had it failed, it wovld have been disastrous to the French, and the Germans would have gained the Marne without difficulty. The splendid response of America in throwing into the battle troops who were only partially trained, and were unaccustomed to war conditions, reflected the greatest credit on the nation. SITUATION NEVER MORE FAVORABLE. We _ are justified in saying that the situation is more favorable than at any time since 1914. We have overwhelming evidence of the Germans' declining man-power, and can say that the end is in sight, because of our growing resources from America. Humanly speaking, if we hold fast we can achieve a crushing victory over Germany in the field, while the political and moral situation of the Central Powers may tend to hasten the end. ON OTHER FRONTS. The Italians in Albania have been forced, to further retire near Berat, causing the French left wing to fall back in conformity. (The retirement has ceased, and it is expected that the Italians will hold the present position. The population of Northern Russia warmly welcomed the Allied occupation, Which was effected without casualty. The Bolsheviks withdrew to the southern bank of the River Dwina, from which they were driven by shell fire. The Allies have since, pushed rapidly along the railway southward towards Vologda. The hostile forces number about 8000, including 1500 armed Maximalists, four hundred Letts, five hundred seamen and a large force of workmen. Considerable Russian forces are reported to be co-operating with the Czechs in Western Siberia. These are good-quality troops, with many Cossacks, and the peasantry is also co-operating. It is believed that the Turks have been repulsed at Baku, which remains in Armenian hands, although we cannot depend upon their ability to hold on. Nevertheless, their situation has 'been improved by the widespread anti-Bolshevik rising in Transcaucasia. It is believed the Caspian fleet remains friendly towards the Entente—Press Association.