WAR SITUATION.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXVII, Issue LXXVII, 3 August 1918, Page 5

WAR SITUATION.

A GENERAL REVIEW

POSITION GENERALLY FAVOR-

ABLE FOR ALLIES

FURTHER ENEMY WITHDRAWAL

LIKELY

FRICTION BETWEEN TEUTONS, TURKS AND BULGARIANS.

LONDON, Aug. 1. A review of recent war operations states: The enemy skilfully conducted his retreat, and has not lost many guns, but we have collected a large

quantity of material, especially bridging, which proves that the enemy's intention was to throw large forces across the river Marne towards Pax-is.

It is impossible to say definitely what the Germane' future intentions

will be

They -seem determined to hold

the present fines, but their position is

unfavorable with the Aisne in the rear, all the bridges over which are being bombarded by the Allied airmen, leaving communications precarious. The enemy has only four traffic circuits, which are hardly sufficient to supply the troops in the salient. He is burning villages south-east of Soiseons, which may be an indication of further withdrawal. It is improbable that the enemy will retire beyond the Aisne, but the longer he continues where he is, the better for the Allies, as any position southward of the Aisne is disadvantageous to the enemy. Every passing day reduces the possibility of a successful offensive on Prince Rupprecht's part. For the first time since March the Allies' reserves greatly, exceed the fresh German reserves. The enemy has 210 divisions on the West front, while one division is known to have recently 6 gone to the Eastern front. The Germans may be forced to transfer further troops from the West. The enemy has not entirely lost the initiative. .Even if unable to resume j .the offensive, he will be able to trans- i fer troops 3 and may take the offensive , ■in either the Balkans or Italy before ' the winter. j Although there are no present mdi- , cations of such a move, there are signs that Germany will adopt the offensive in co-operation with the Finns against the southern part of the Murman railway before the winter. There is intense hostility among the population against the Germans. They are averse to war, and dependent on . the Entente for food. Nevertheless, as the : Germans control the Finnish army, i there is every reason to anticipate war- i like co-operation of the Finnish army, which numbers about sixty thousand, ■ whereof about half are able to partici- ' pate in offensive, preparations. ! The Ukraine rising, has assumed large proportions, menacing the Austro-Ger-man communications. The Ukrainians have blown up an important bridge south-east of Kieff. The Czechs are making good progress westward of Vladivostoek. The Bolsheviki's efforts to mobilise the war prisoners appear to have been unsuccessful, but the Czech's situation westward is not so favorable, j There is great friction between the , Turks and the Germans in the Cau- j casus, the latter trying to prevent the ' Turks from secy ring control of the ( Baku oil wells. There is evidence of a growing discouragement among the Bulgarians, j chiefly due to the German exploita- j tion of the food supplies, and also to ' • the 'increasing hostility' towards the ' ■ Turks, and general war weariness. Aj ■ mutinous spirit is prevalent among the ' < Bulgarian troops.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable ] i Assn. I: