Topics of the Day.

Otautau Standard and Wallace County Chronicle, Volume XII, Issue 621, 10 April 1917, Page 3

Topics of the Day.

(By Bystander/.

The Great Push still continue? its triumphant course, although the progress made is somewhat slower, partially owing to the Germans having ottered some ineffectual resistance, and also to tho immense work the Allies have to accomplish m extending their railway lines, repairing bridges destroyed by the retreating foe, and bringing forward the enormous quantity of supplies, munitions and heavy guns necessary. The latest British gains include the capture of Etjuancourt and Longawsness, whilst the {■French have captured all the forests of Coucy.

There is no doubt that we shall hear ere long of a terrible conflict, as the Germans appear to be entrenching themselves for a aetermined defensive at a somewhat mysterious point luiown as the " Hindenburg Line,' 1 and it is pretty certain that there will be a long and terrible series of battles, with appalling casualty lists, before the position is carried. It is believed that the Hindenburg Line runs from La Fore to •joissons, thus protecting Cambrai, the loss of which would be a severe blow to the Germans, as it is a groat military centre. ID veu the German official wireless, always reluctant to admit a reverse, says, "The enemy occupied Roisel. Strong French forces came upon our reserves between the Oise and Covey le Chatenx. We gave way before a threatened encircling movement, "'

If the Russians had doi.e as much jxs the French and the British for the last six months Germany aud Austria would be pretty well m extremis by now ; but alas '• her great power and vast resources have been paralysed by internal dissensions and the strangers within her gates. . It is to be hoped, now that the revolution has dealt with the latter, that she will play a more successful part i£ the social democrats, who seem likely to be a source of trouble, are suppressed us effectively as was the Court party. There seems now no doubt that the CCzarinaa — a grand-daughter of Queen Victoria — had strong, pro-German sympathies, which is perhaps not surprising, as her father was a German, having been the Dwke of Hesse-Darmstart, and for that matter, Qucrsu Victoria had an immense affection for Germans, a feeling that was m no way shared by King Edward. There is very little doubt that the Czar, who never appeared to be a man of strong individuality, was largely influenced by his wife, and that is the reason that the Dowager Empress, a sister of our own Queen Alexaudra, .sympathised with the revolutionists. At the time of the revolution, Russians greatest generals, the Grand Duke Nicholas, Brussilofl', and Alexieh", seem to have Ueen idling about Petrugrad. It is small wonder that the Russian armies were making but little progress. Uncle Hani appears at lnst tc be slowlj' and reluctantly taking oft' his coat, and like Mr Winkle, is " just a-going to begin." The torpedoing of throe American ships, the City of Memphis 5250 tons, the Illinois 33*25 tons, and the Vigilahta 4115 tons, with the loss of some of the crews, is perhaps regarded by President Wilson at last as an "overt act." The position of the United States is not an enviable one, what with the great number of Germans m (the country and the Mexican menace. It is reported that Germany is raising an army of German-Americans, 15,000 strong, m Mexico, and a thousand Germans are crossing the frontier every day. If this is true, the small standing army of the great Republic will have its hands full for the time being, but of course the United States will be able m time to put an immense army m the field. The police iv the large towns, a soniowh&t merciless body at the best of times, have been provided with machine guvs, and if the Germans, Austrians, ,or Clan na Gael cause trouble, they arc likely to have a hot time of it. In towns like Chicago, that are the hob- beds of the foreign element, we may see street fighting such as the French were at one time such adepts at.

The (Jerinans appear to be determined to < build up for themselves the most; hideous j reputation that was ever attached to a while race. From the rc-con^uered towns I m France come storjes of the most appalling atrocities perpetrated on the unfortunate inhabitants, together with wanton destruction of property and desecration of church -yards. Old people and children wero loft to starve, whilst girls and young women wero taken away to a fate it is impossible to calmly think of. And there was a clerical gentleman m Auckland who was lined the other day the sum of £5 for saying that " men wore fools to go and fight against the Germans, who aro more civilised than we are ! :> Another instauce of their civilisation is the torpedoing, without warning, of the hospital ship, Astunas (Royal Mail liner), 12,002 tons, with 4;] casualties and 3V> injured. Amongst those lost Mas a female staff nurse and a stewardess. Are such revolting crimes to go unpunished after the war is over ?

There appears to have been one of those epidemics of letter writing to the .papers of lat6 that periodically breaks out, from which the Standard has not altogether escaped. One writer m the "Southland Times " ou that wearying and well-fought-out question of the conscription of the clergy, states that Sir flayid Ifcattiu aud

Sir Wm. Robertson are Roman Catholics. It is perhaps not a very important matter, but I believe it to be incorrect all the same. Admiral Beattie belongs t»« an old Protestant family long .settled m Ireland, BarroM'\talt\ on tlin river Barnnv, bul-wi-en the counties of YVexford and Waferford, and a relative of his remai ked to mo the other day, " If lie is a Reman Catholic, he has turned very lately." General Robertson, Chief of the Start", is a native of tho city Lincoln, where his father was postmaster. Not having the means to obtain a commission, and being determined on a military career, he enlisted m the 1 nth Lancers, He was a member of the Church of England, and was assisted m his career m the ranks by the influence and teaching of a Canon of tlu Cathedral, so he too must have " turned lately !' :