REVIEW OF THE WAR.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXIX, Issue LXIX, 20 May 1915, Page 5

REVIEW OF THE WAR.

XORD KITCSENER'S STATEMENT

TROOPS' SPIRIT AND MORALE

Nj&VISK HlUjeLttß

'TRIBUTES TO OUR ALLIES AND COLONIAL .KOItUES.

LONDON. May 19. Lord Kitchener, in nis review or the war, paid a tribute to the bravery of the Canadians at *pres. The ordeal was one to try even tne hnest soldiers in tne world. Tne offensive at Aubers was in pursuance of a plan concerted, between General Joftre and Kir' John .French The forward, move of our brave Allies had been a complete success, lhe British attack was not attended with the same immediate success, owing to the Germans' elaborate arrangements to defend the lines after their expeai--ences at Neuve Chapelle. but the .British effort on the 15th drove back the .enemy two miles. The action was proceeding. The British and.French losses were, heavy, but the spirit and morale of the troops had never been higher. There was a considerable concentration of German and Austrian troops in March and April south of Cracow, which develoved active preparations -against the Russian 3rd Army between Tarnow and Gorhce to the Rostoki Pass. This offensive was necessary owin<» to the Russian capture of the Uszzok Pass threatening to give access to the Hungarian Plains. The AusfcroCJerman offensive commenced on the night of the 26th, and there was a desperate battle for several days, the German big guns overwhelming the Kus-. sians. Despite the greatest gallantry they were forced to fall back, fighting -with their well-known tenacity. They retired to previously prepared positions, -sind are now holding a strong line from -the eastern Carpathians to Przemysl, thence along the San to the Vistula The Russian counter-offensive in JsuIcovina had driven hack the Austro•Ctermans to the Pruth. The German losses in killed and wounded were undoubtedly enormous. The Russians captured many thousands of unwouncled men. - , T The British, Australians and iNew "Zealanders co-operating, with the French in the Gallipoli Peninsula, effected a landing in the teeth of great natural difficulties and skilfully prepared obstacles. The landing was a •masterpiece of organisation, ingenuity and courage, which would long be remembered. Progress was necessarily slow .since tin* country wps most difhtrntt, but xhe Turks were being gradually forced to retire froti positions ot strength. thouen the enemy was beino- constantly reinforced. General Botha had displayed mi'.itaiy - ability of a very VicrVi onler, find confirmed t>»e aclmirntir. n f e it. for him as a commander and leader of men. Refovrinf +o the call for 300,000 men. lie paid a "tribute to t^e devo+ion to duty ami cheerful pcc°t>tpnce of hardships of tnose alrnnrly in the new armies Men engpcrprl *n the production m War -atpvial rpo«™ not volunteer He confiden+ly n^ne^ed to the res* of thp manliontl of +o co^- forward smd take a share in this great struggle 'for a groat cause.