MOTES ON THE WAR CABLES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17430, 26 September 1918, Page 5

MOTES ON THE WAR CABLES.

By Shrapnel, { THE ACHILLES HEEL. The victory of tlio Allies at Salonika, though it lias not the dramatic suddenness of <_ieneral Allenby'6 great stroke of military gciiius, promises to bo of as great magintudo and will- certainly produce a more lax-reaching effect upon the situation in Europe' than the defeat of the Turks. In the hist place, it will stop tho Bulgars from being sent to assist the Germans on the west front, and hi the second will weaken tho position of the Austnans in Albania and Montenegro. As tho Italians and French advance in Albania they will be joined by somo of the mountain dans who love neither the Austrians nor the Bulgars. With their ' assistance tho advance of the Italians and I'rench will become more and more rapid, and if Montenegro is reached bands of Montenegrins who have taken to the mountains will swell the ranks of the Allies. Such a result will have a great effect upon the Jugo-Slav peoples south of Austria, including tho peoples of Dalmatia, Istria, and Uarinthea, who aro all fired with tho hope of deliveranoe held out to them in President vvilson s great message. The prospect for Austria that is being brought about by the defeat of the Bulgars is an exceedingly gloomy one. To take tho inspiration to those subject races out of that message, and to cut the ground from under the feet of the Allies, Austria, at the instigation of Germany, is promising them a measure of selfgovernment; a promise that Germany, if she can succeed in outwitting the Allies by an immediate peace—that is, a peace between now and Christmas—will see is not kept, or that control of the home affairs of those, States is so hedged round with conditions that the relief will be more apparent than real. In fact, the promises will be to Jugoslavs almost as worthless as the paper upon which they may be written. The Czechs of Bohemia want independence, and they know enough of Austro-Ger-man honour and policy to be satisfied 'with nothing short of absolute separation, so that they may be rid for ever of the hated thrall of Germanism. When tho news of the Bulgar defeat reaches Russia and the CzechSlovak forces in Russia and Siberia, their morale, v/Jiich is already of a high order, will be greatly stimulated, and they will see to it that messages of hopo and promise will reach the heart of Bohemia. Dangers of such a nature looming up in the near future are frightening Austria-Hungary and the housed of Hapsburg and Hohenzollern. By the victory at Salonika the political solidarity, such as it is, of the Austrian polyglot empire is being shaken to its foundations. Ihc cuckoo is becoming afraid of the small birds, and it is to be profoundly hoped that the Allies will not listen to any proposals that will enable either Germany or Austria t bargain while in the position of possessors, but will hammer both nations to their knees and make stipulations and demand their immediate fulfilment, which is exactly what Germany and Austria see in store for themselves and wish to escape.' There is not a shadow of a doubt about how drastic tho Austro-Germans would be if victory should by mischance fall to thorn. There would be no half-measures—the cup of bitterness for the conquered nations would be filled to overflowing; and what would be the sauce for the goose should bo the sauce for the gander. Affected as Austria will be by the decisive defeat in the Balkans of the Austro-Gei;-mano-Bulgar scheme of things human, the morale of the people within and the soldiers on the Italian front will become affected, and if Italian statesmen and strategists know their business they will hold the Austrians in Northern . Italy and put every ounce of strength they can spare into the Balkan campaign without the loss of a day. The resistance of the Austrians in tho mountains of the Trentino and the Asiago Plateau will at once begin to die a natural death, because the best road to the heart of Austria is through Serbia and Bosnia. To a great extent this strategy applies likewise to the west front, because Germany, also, cannot neglect a situation which holds out the dawn of freedom to the Poles and Russians through tho defeat of Bulgaria rousing their enthusiasm for tho self-working of their destinies. The two victories—the Palestine one and that in the Balkans—are going to open up great possibilities for the great and final victory of tho Allies and the freeing of the races of Europe from Germanism. WEST FRONT SITUATION. In France Marshals Foch and Sir Douglas Haig are maintaining heavy pressure against the German lines of defence, and at present their operations are part of the necessary adjustment of their lines, the natural outcome of a great advance against a still strong and unbroken enemy. As the Ailing can now vary the points of attack along a 250-mile front, and are doing so, the German High Command is admittedly suffering from this advantage possessed by Marshal Foch. General Arderaie, a German with a French name, confesses that the Germans will have to give up St. Quentin, bocauso he sees that tho operations of the Allies north and south of the town are proceeding normally under tho conditions existing for the investment of tho city if the Germans do not evacuate it; and that, if tho Germans attempt a counter-offensive for its retention, the Allies, having tho numbers, can reply with another counter-stroke elsewhere; so the Gormans daro not expose to tho Allies where their main strength is concentrated on a front which, owing to the depletion of Germany's man-power, must obviously be a narrow one. The High Command of Gei--many was never in a greater state of apprehension during the whole war in regard to the situation in Europe, and particularly on the west front. It knows that a great blow is coming, but does not know where it will fall. SPORTING. NEW ZEALAND TROTTING CUP. (Per United I'ress association i CHRISTCHUItCH, September 25. The following are the first payments for the Now Zealand Trotting Cup (harness), of 25G0so\ts. Two miles.—Cathedral Chimes 6cratoh, Admiral Wood 2 seconds, Author Dillon 3, Adelaide Direct 5, Sherwood 8, John Dillon 7, Matchligkt 7, Omako 8, Agathos S, Erin's King 8, Moneymaker 9, Emilius 9, Frandocia lu, bungod 10. Hardv Wilkes 10. - KUROW RACES. The following are the acceptances for the Knrow races:— Hakataramea Handicap. Six furlongs.— Linden 9.8, Belircck S.S, Aeplii-and 5.3, Bomb 7.11, Spyglass 7.11, Rod River 7.9, Bon Speo 7.9. Belgian King 7.7. Jvurow Handicap. Seven furlongs.—John Barleycorn 8.12, liooa Pink 8.10, Mtotham 8.8, Tremena 7.13, Belair 7.13, Oxenhope 7.8, Bellsiiire 7.3, All Heady 7.7, Lindian 7.7, Marianne 7.0, Subterfuge (5.13, Leaping Burn 6.10, Rumania 6.7, Kagan 6.7. Waitangi .Steeple-chase. Two miles and a distance. —Kaupokonui 11.9, Merry Lad 11.8, Moreoambe 10.9, Moddite 10.8, Rolling Tiae 9.7, Dardanelles 9.7. Welter Hack. One mile and a-quarter.— Subterfuge 9.5, Achilleua 8.9, Jack Symons 8.4, Poionius 8.3, Silver Shield 7.13, Arihia. 7.13, Black Mountain 7.13, John Reilly 7.10, Red Jack 7.7, Sir Medallist 7.7. Belfield Handicap. Five furlongs.—Morlh&m 9.8, Trem-ena 9.1, Ardmoro 8.4, Rellshiro 8.3,, Pyjarna 5.2, Leaping Burn 7.9, _*adial 7.9, ' Theetius 7.7, Bomb 7.2, Ben Spec 7.0, Barley Kigs 7.0, lied River 7.0, Lady Superior 7.0. Waitaki Trot (harness). One mile and' alialf. —Young Star Pointer scratch, Killope sci-atoh, Stanley F. soratch, Oxen wood 12yds behind, Sallywod 12yds behind, 8010 24yds behind, Sashwood 36yds behind, Rosie M'Kiuney 60yds behind. Dash 'itot (saddle). One mile.—Betty Blue scratch, Stanley L. scratch, /Killope scratch, Bigamist 12yds behind, Lady Thelnm 12yds bohind, Gentle Mac 12yds behind, Armature 60yds behind, Royal George 60yds behind. Trial Plate. Four furlongs. Special weights.—Lady Superior, Russet, Canamana, Tho Bees, Parky Sam, Moneymusk, All Britirh, Black Pearl, Killmey, Link-up.