The Daily News. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1918. THE WAR OUTLOOK.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 October 1918, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1918. THE WAR OUTLOOK.

Events *re moving with almost dramatic rapidity in connection with the war, and ever increasing interest is being manifested from day to day in the war cables. For a time the subtle peace offensive by our enemies created anxiety, it being realised that there was a danger of Germany getting the better of President "Wilson in diplomacy. Fortunately the President proved himself more than a match for the astute and cunning Huns, who must now be convinced that the humiliation they have been so strenuously striving to stave off must be drained to the dregs. The two main objects of the Germans' move consisted, firstly, in endeavoring to obtain an armistice which would relieve them from the insistent military pressure of their enemies and give them time to recuperate and reorganise; secondly, failing success in that direction, they relied on enthusing the German people in favor of a final rally "to defend the Fatherland from invasion," yet in reality to prepare the people for the day of reckoning. The German Government is finding that evil practices come home to roost. The parade of sham constitutional changes has been all in vain so far as the Allies are concerned, for they are not to be deceived byx such hollow paper promises that can be dissipated by the stroke of a pen, yet the mere promulgation of the scheme has caused a significant change in the people themselves, so that the de-; mocratic movement is rapidly spreading, and the demand for the downfall of the Hohenzollerns is growing in -intensity. Even Ludendorff's downfall carries no special indication of ike trend of events in Germany, except as a sign that final defeat is inevitable. There is not the slightest indication of repentance on Germany's part, or any desire to be commonly honest. On the contrary, the same persistent falsehoods and misrepresentations are in evidence, together with the characteristic bluffing tactics. Nothing but military defeat—absolute and decisive—will effect the purpose which the Allies have undertaken to achieve. Germany's isolation is in progress of completion. Bulgaria has fallen away, Turkey is at her last gasp, Austria-Hungary is rent asnnder, and the clamoring for the severing" of the alliance with Germany is startinerlv pronounced, and will probably end in the breach being made, Meanwhile the Allies are breaking through tlie German defences on the west front at all points, capturing vast numbers of prisoners and maintaining a relentless pressure that is bound to win through in the near future. Every day sees the German forces dwindling. They are fighting in places with great' determination, but that takes a heavy toll on their man power, so that each succeeding battle finds them with weakened forces, and the faster this state of affairs proceeds the sooner will the end be reached. The resumption of the Italian offensive should tend to hasten the Austrian surrender, while the Allied successes in the Balkans may be expected to expedite Austria's elimination from the conflict. The Poles, the Oeeho-Slavs and other oppressed nationalities are asserting themselves in a way that can not fail to aggravate German difficulties, and it will not be surprising to find a revival of sanity in Russia that will result in putting an end to German influence in that quarter. The ring of steel is closing on Germany instead of being closed by Germany on the other nations. Even the advent of winter will not bring any respite, for the Allies will give the Germans no rest until they, have either surrendered or been finally defeated. The release of Allied troops from other theatres will hasten the end on the west front. The nearer they get to German territory the easier will it be for tlieir air forces to raid German towns, and there are few who would not be glad to hear that Berlin had experienced the horrors of bombardments akin to those which London had to suffer. The German press is being inspired to stress the matter of humiliation, which is evidently so repugnant to the authorities. Humiliation is essential to the Allies* ends, and the extent thereof must be regulated by the arrogance and brutality which' has characterised Germany's treatment of hei&sißlania ia the yssr. : At pre*.

ent the Allies are driving the fenerny ever backwards towards !■ his own borders, All his so-called impregnable defences are being shattered day by day. The process may take some time, but it will be comparatively a small period as compared with that which the war lias already covered. Now that the end is in sight and the ..outlook is so favorable from all points of view, the Allies can confidently finish the huge task they have entered upon, while at any moment the end may come with amazing suddenness, but it is as well not to reckon on anything except a fight to a finish, for that would be the most fitting close of the most wicked war that was ever forced upon peaceful nations bv a monarch who will ever in the future be regarded as Wilhelm the Culprit. "What the punishment of the German malefactors will be may be left till after the close of the war.