The Star. MONDAY, AUGUST 5, 1918. THE FIFTH YEAR OF THE WAR.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXVII, Issue LXXVII, 5 August 1918, Page 4

The Star.

MONDAY, AUGUST 5, 1918. THE FIFTH YEAR OF THE WAR.

Delivered every evening by 6 o'clock in Hawera, Manaia, Normanby, Okaiawa, Elthain, Mangatoki, Kaponga, Awatuna, Opunake, Otakeho, Manutahi, Alton, Hurley- j vii!e, Patea. Waverley. j

On this the first day of the fifth year of war between Britain and Germany ( our people naturally endeavor to asf certain the true position of the Empire and its Allies and to arrive at some estimate of the prospects of the coming twelve months. W e think that to-day the outlook for the Allies is brighter far than it has been at any time, since hostilities began in 1914, while the last twelve months can be regarded as the blackest our Empire has passed through for many generations. The collapse of Russia through German intrigue, the unhappy disaster to Italy, the food difficulties in Great Britain, and the gerious position of the Allies when the mighty German blow swept our armies back -over the hardly-won battlefield of the Somme— these terrible events raised serious thoughts in the minds of the most trustful Britishers. Gloomy though the outlook was four months ago, the magnificent bearing of our troops and the brilliance of the French forces made it impossible to lose hope. One felt that with such brave men in the field the enemy could not succeed in his desperate efforts to destroy the British army and to reach Paris. The struggle developed into a race against time; Germany hoped to gain a decisive victory before the Americans could arrive in sufficient force to take an effective part. By a supreme effort the Allies, controlled by the master strategist, General Foch, thwarted the enemy's plans, and each day found the Germans meeting with a stiffened resistance. Meantime the transports from across the Atlantic, protected by the combined navies, reached France with tens of,.thousands of first-class men, keen to take-their part in stemming th© tide of invasion. There are now over a million American troops 'in Europe, and the Germans have during the last few weeks learned something of what President Wilson meant when he said that the time had come for deeds, not words. The enemy has lost, ' to a great extent, his power to attack. Not only has he suffered a serious defeat in the area south-west of Rheims, but ho has been forced to use up a large portion of his reserves which , were intended for a blow against the j British. The Allies have, at last, I reached the .stage when they can claim to hold a numerical superiority, which is every day becoming greater. In gun power, munitions, and aeroplanes Germany has for some time been inferior, and General Foeh will shortly

have, if he has not now, the power to strike wherever and whenever he pleases. Thus has the advantage held by the- enemy on the West front gradually been, lost. Ihe defection of Russia gave the Germans a splendid opportunity; they have failed. Russia is now passing through important days. The Czecho-Slovak movement has become a power for good, and anarchy and chaos seem likely to give place to a system of stable government. So speedily are the Czecho-Slovaks gaining ground that demands are being made in Germany to send troops to the East front, or, if Germans cannot be spared, to send Austrians under German officers. Outnumbered on the West front, it is obvious that Germany, with prospects of trouble from Russia at an early day, must be in an unhappy position. Her difficulties, however, are even more serious; Turkey, Bulgaria, and Austria are becoming more .and more discontented with Germany's failure to fulfil her promises, and their fighting value is fast decreasing. With these facts in mind, we feel safe in saying that the Allies are in a far better position than ever before. A splendid spirit of unity and determination is being shown by the I four great Powers, and the enemy's efforts to divide the Allies have in recent months met with very little support. We may view the future with confidence, and, though the war may continue for many months, there is every prospect of decisive defeat being inflicted upon the Central Powers, who must be forced to abandon their hideous crimes, and who must learn that, before they can be admitted into the great brotherhood of free nations, they must give up their military system. They must be taught that humanity and freedom are greater powers than armies of aggression, and that each nation, be it great or small, has a right to work out its destiny, unmolested by the tyranny of a powerful neighbor, led by a group of men whose ambition is world dominion. To-day, our people re-affirm their determination that the right shall triumph. Let us all throughout the coming months do our part worthily, by ministering to those who need our help and by supporting in every passible way the great task which our Dominion has in hand. Our gallant soldiers will do their part faithfully; it is for those remaining at home to do theirs.