DEPRESSION IN GERMANY

Gisborne Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 4952, 20 August 1918, Page 5

DEPRESSION IN GERMANY

THE MENACE IN THE EAST. ALLIES’ POSITION IN RUSSIA. Press Association Telegram. WELLINGTON. August 19. The official war review received by the Governor-General states: Recent military events have had a markedly depressing effect upon German public opinion, despite all attempts to camouflage the real state of things. The conviction obviously grows that not only has the German summer campaign on the Western front failed, but German in the East has assumed an . impossibly heavy political burden. From the chaos in Russia emerges the fact that the Bolshevik regime is falling, while no succeeding Government, of whatever form, is likely to be friendly to German Imperialism, which supported the Bolsheviks. Germany took advantake of temporary revolution and destruction to sow the seeds of trouble in Russia and now will reap a whirlwind on her own account. Meanwhile the Czecho-Slovaks are valiantly contending against superior forces and superior armament and have maintained their hold in an extremely critical condition while anxiously awaiting the adequate Allied help on which their very existence depends. Unless we are to sacrifice this heroic Allied nation, which Britain has just recognised as such. The Ukraine peasants, exasperated by German military methods, are giving obstinate trouble to then - oppressors, while Bulgaria and Turkey almost openly reveal their dissatisfaction with each other and Germany. In Austria conditions are going from bad to worse. Even barmless women and children assembled before ti shop for breud are reported to have been fired upon by tioops, while disaffection in the corrupt army and open revolt among units is not uncommon. Nevertheless these symptoms must he discounted, for Germany is still the pillar of the Central Alliance, and only understands such physical arguments as a crushing military defeat. . . . In Northern Russia . there is increasing evidence to show that the Germans contemplate an early attack on the Murman railway. Before long, it is most probable that Finland will declare Avar. The Bolsheviks’ rearguard occupies positions about a hundred miles south of Archangel, and is apparently largely officered by Germans The situation. in the rest of European Russia remains obscure, lie reported defeat of the Czechs m the Samara region is unconfirmed, though their peril m Eastern Siberia still makes most urgent demands The arrival of the first British battalion in eastern Siberia and the advanced guard of the Allied contn - gent at Vladivostock was greeted enthusiastically by the Czechs and oui prompt aid, together with oui recognition of their national •■ 1 ‘ tions, should have the strongest appeal to all their compatriots all ovei th fn\°m - th-AVCst Persia and the Caucasus, the British right flank m Mesopotamia has been extended to the Caspian Sea to assist the Annonia ns and pro-Entcnte elements m the Caucasus and to form a banner across Persia against the Tnrko-Ger-man penetration. . , A British contingent has arrived at Baku and is helping to defend the place. The other forces are o* smaller military value, though a Russian general has now been appointed, and it is hoped may pull them into shape. • -