Topics of the Day.

Otautau Standard and Wallace County Chronicle, Volume XIII, Issue 634, 17 July 1917, Page 3

Topics of the Day.

(By Bystander/.

There has been no more marvellous development m the war than the extraordinary change that has taken place m Russia. A few weeks ago the position appeared quite hopeless, the conntrj seemed m a state of chaos aud anything like concerted and united notion seemed out of thf question, and we weie told m doleful accents that the failure of Russia would prolong the war another two or three years* The Russhn offensive that to the surprise of everyone commenced a few days ago was happily no flash m the pan but a weir conceived strategical plan that is producing fresh successes every day. It is stated that the Germms have al< ready withdrawn seven divisions from the Western front m addition to fresh reinforcements from Germany, but notwithstanding this increase of the enemie3 strength the Russians have broken through the Austr-German line between Halicz and the Carpathians, capturing Halicz. 26 > 000 prisons wer3 taken, and it is said that over 80,000 Austrians and Germans were put out of action.

There has been unfc«iiunately a temporary advantage gained by the Germans at Nieuport, but the positions taken by them were recovered, and great damage haa been inflicted on the workshops for submarines at Osfcend, by the bombardments by the British fleet. The Russian advance should make the task of the French and British on the Western iront easier, and I am daily expecting to hear of a great offensive m that quarter.