THE H.B. TRIBUTE. SATURDAY, AUG. 10, 1918. THE LATEST OFFENSIVE.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume VIII, Issue 213, 10 August 1918, Page 4

THE H.B. TRIBUTE. SATURDAY, AUG. 10, 1918. THE LATEST OFFENSIVE.

The further cable news received overnight almost warranted an inference that, the purpose of tne Anglo-French offensive under Sir Douglas Haig having been accomplished, the movement was practically at an end. Sir Douglas Haig’s own dispatch stated that the greater part of our “final objectives” north of the Somme were gained before noon, and that south of the river the Allied infantry gained their “final objectives” on their whole front during the afternoon, cavalry then passing on and making the most of the success gained. Mr. Bonar Law. too, in the House of Commons, spoke of “all the objectives sought” having been gained before three o’clock in the afternoon. But the impression thus formed has been quickly removed by the first cables received this forenoon. From these it is made apparent that the attack is being pressed most vigorously, - azd more especially in its central _ section, where the French and British elements join up- Here we have news of the capture of a number of further village positions carrying the advance some eleven or twelve miles from the line of departure, with strong indications that the end is not yet. The conclusion we may draw is that the assault has probably met with considerably greater success than was anticipated, and that the Allied command is taking speedy advantage of what may really be revelations of unexpected weakness in the enemy’s defences. This idea is strengthened by a reperusal of Mr. Bonar Law's statement in the light of subsequent information, which leads to noting particularly that he spoke of the objectives which were sought “when the attack began.” The general impression now gained from the news to hand up to the time of writing is that the /Allied attack caught the Germans at a time when they were themselves making preparations for an early withdrawal of portions at least Oi their line, and this assumption would help materially to account for the vei v large number ci prisoners that fell'to the Allied forces as the result of their first .swoop. The latest advices so far to hand speak of the French as having captured Beaufort, and as this village is something more than ten miles iiort'.i-ea'-t of Montdidier, there is some reason for accepting the suggestion made in another cable that the enemy will be compelled to evacuate the latter place. Great significance must necessarily attach to the abandonment of Montdidier. should it come about, as it has been , the south-western corner post of the German salient for something like four months now, and was the pivot upon vhich General von Hutier swung his twentymile offensive of June last. lie then hoped to bring his left wing down ths Oise as far at least as Coinpiegnc and compel the Allies to abandon all the valuable, wooded counbv north of the Aisne, and eventually, with the co-operation of the Crown Prince, then endeavouring to work down the Marne, to force them also to give up the forest areas between the two rivers, always regarded as outer defences of Paris Montdidier is also a great road-rad .ant. and, more important still, a railway junction, through which runs a line connecting with Amiens. It will therefore be rearlily understood that the enemy would let go of this position only ‘with the greatest reluctance, unless he had some general scheme, of withdrawal in execution. Possibly on account of preno-ses-sion bv tne new offensive, we have as yet but little news to-day Horn the Aisne-Vesle front, where the Germans are said to be still under the compulsion of bringing in further reinforcements. So far, however, there is no word of any change in the situation here. The apprehension which has been aroused in the Geiman mind by the pronounced success of Geneial Foch’s counter-offensive between the Aisne and the Marne is finding practical expression in the big salient south-west of Ypres. The enemv, evidently impressed with the need‘for setting his house in order for the possibility of being put on the defensive here also, began some withdrawal movements necessary for the rectification of his front. Bub these he has not been permitted to carry out undisturbed, the Allies launching local attacks, which must have caused him a. good deal of uneasiness, not likely to be allayed by a contemplation of events on the Somme induced by similar conditions. There are, of course, speculative suggestions that the enemy has in view some still more drastic reforms in his general line, invoh ing the possibility of very substantial retirements from positions which h.y.c most obvious dangers once the Allies establish an assured numerical superiority. But, although these suggestions cannot be wholly dismissed as being chimerical, still there is not sufficient evidence yet before us to make them easily acceptable as of probable early realization, so that they’ may be allowed to remain m nbr-vance till matters develop a little/ While things arc going exceedingly’' well with >ta at the present moment, it would still uc _ fuolisn to listen to the ovcr-oplinii»tie iorecast' that are being scattereu about. Our readers, for instance, will not adow themselves to place too greav a teliance upon opinions cited _ as proceeding from American military circles. They 7 have only to try and count back the months that hate

passed since, on allegedly like an thority, we were told to expect General Foch to make an almost immediate double flank attack on the German sahent south of Arras. Th.s was announced in the most positive and confident manner, but has not even yet materialised. Nor, as was said yesterday, should we accept without reserve the theory that the initiative has finally passed out of the hands of the Gt nnaii High Com mand. It is quite sufficiently: satisfactory to feel sure that this position is being very’ rapidly’ forced upon him and that we may at least expect that any further aggressive movements he mav still be able to undertake will not be capable of the deliberate and uninterrupted preparations he has hitherto had opportunity ot making. As for the talk of a “Last Stand Amiy” tor the defence of the Rnme. we mav resign ourselves to a good deal of hard fighting ere ever the Allies will come in contact with it there.