WEEKLY REVIEW OF THE WAR

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 14658, 16 July 1918, Page 8

WEEKLY REVIEW OF THE WAR

SUMMARY BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE. DEVELOPMENTS IN RUSSIA. CONTINUED DELAY OF GERMAN OFFENSIVE. (pp| Press Association). WELLINGTON, last night. : The following telegraphic review of tho general Mar situation for the week ending July 13 has been received by tho (loytunur-General from the Secretary for |,:.>,.Statof f*;y..*^he.. Colonies,:— t.^;^.': , . „,, '.;, ! ■ ■ ' In^n'uss a ."publici feeling against national' humiliation by the Urest Litovsk peace found vent m the assassination of th,o tJennan so-called Ambassador Mirbarh at the hands of the Social Revolutionaries. The. Czecho-Slovalcs have, taken control of Vladivostock owing to attempts of the Bolshevik authorities to exterminate them and also to send arms and muirtions west to enable German and Austrian prisoners to fight the remainder 'of the ■Czecho-Slovak troops m Siberia. The general feeling m Russia is Avell evide-nced by the fact that tranquility reigns already at Vladivostock under the new regime of the comVned Siberian •Government and Czecho-Slovak troops, whereas the' rest of Russia is still m. the throes ,of anarchy and bankruptcy. The Bolsheviki are leaning more and more to the purchase of one more hour of their precarious life by any discoverable means, even handing over the rest of Russia to German domination. FOOD AND COAL. Mr. Clynes has succeeded the late Lord Rhondda as Food Controller. For Rome time past Mr. Clynes has been Lord Rhondda's right hand man as Secretary to the Minister of Food m Parliament. His abilities and tact are greatly appreciated m Parliament, rind his appointment has been received with enthusiasm m all' quarters. Cereal imports, excepting rice, are considerably lower than at the same time last year, but the consumption of bread remains much the same. The demand- for frozen meat m the Allied armies is very heavily increased. Supplies of cheese have considerably increased, but the demand still much exceeds the supply, owing to the necessity to rebuild stock. ■'; The coal requirements of the Allies have largely increased, and 75,000 skilled miners have been called into the army, so it is inevitable that domestic supplies of coal will be restricted by a quarter at least. THE WESTERN FRONT : THE DELAYED OFFENSIVE. Tho past- week has been chiefly remarkable for the continued delay of the German offensive. Although *ai*- is now regarded as. certain, the only doubt remaining as to where and when it will be launched. Of coui-se the Germans afford a certain delay, yet it would pay them best to start their offensive at the earliest possible moment, since presumably they hope for success, which Avill need propitious campaigning weather to exploit. Indeed, the offensive would probably have been started before now but for certain delaying factors such as the failure of the * Austrian offensive against Italy, and it is now a known fact that the German troops are heavily Buffering from influenza. We may. guess , too that the internal disagreements between Ludendorff and Kuhlmann have contributed to tho delay. Kuhlmann seems to have been so sceptical of the chances of military success, that he wished to open peace negotiations while the German army was still m a position to offer an offensive menace. Ludendorff probably thinks that peace terms, including annexations and indemnities, could not be got from the Allies until the Allied armies are crushed, since without such terms the Germans will be ruined. Ludendorff must have argued that > the' neceissary military triumph was obtainable, provided every possible resource was placed at his disposal. Kuhl-ma-nn's resignation indicates, the triumph of Ludendorff. He imy yet need time to orgaavse ' resources hitherto ,w : thheltl. He will certainly then launch the most desperate offensive possible. SUCCESS OF THE ALLIES. Meanwhile British, French, and American troops are working at high speed m preparing and strengthening themselves against possible enemy lines of attack, and seizing important points which will help' the defence, ajid handicap the offensive. The most notable of these local aotivi- , ties was that of the Australian Corps under General Monosh, covering the approaches to Amiens on American Independence Day. Assisted by American /detachments, and sections of a tank corps, the* Australians succeeded by a surprise m recapturing Haniel Village, and drove out the Germans from Vaiz'o "\Voodß between Hamel and Villars Bretonneux. Simultaneous attacks on the rurht bank of the Somme enabled our left wing to advance the British front £00 yards east of Corbie. The attack wan planned and carried out with mechanical perfection, three German divisions being easily defeated and losing 1500 prisoners. The Australians x and Americans advanced with splendid- elan, the way being opened up by a strong Itonibardment from concentrated batteries. Sir Douglas Haig specially mentions the contribution of the tanks to the victory. During the HQXt ' night, the Australians made <•> yet further advance* and so far the Germans have made no attempts to regain the lost ground. A position whicli secures us a most important tactipal posit : on is Villei-s Bretom\eux. While the Australian and American troops were here combining with, admirable effect, the Americans north-west of Chateau Thierry also carried out successful local operations unassisted, and the French followed up last week's success on Cutry Plqfteau m. a brilliant attack on Wednesday morning, with another m the evening, which penetrated the German position between Moulin, sous Touvent and Autreches. The preliminary bombardment was heavy, but still the Germans were taken by surprise and made a poor fight, leaving over a* thousand prisoners with the French. Throughout, the enemy defence was noticeably weak and dispirited, .which probably means that the bestenemy storm troops are undergoing preliminary training for the big offensive. ITALIAN OPERATIONS. On the Italian front the most successful operations were carried out, both on tho Northern front and on the lower Piave. After four days" of stubborn fighting, the 23rd Italian Corps cleared the whole delta between the old and new branches of the river, where the Austi'jans 'have been establishd since November last. The Austriuns made a strong! resistance, which only increased their losses, and the Italian line has • How been shortened and strengthened, 1 ;i nd, the Austrians repelled 20 miles be- / hind Venice, which is practically safe f;-oni artillery fire. '■ Up m the mountains, local successesgave the Italians several points d'appui, which will be of the greatest use supposing the Austrians renew the' offennive. . It seems likely that they will do fo, judging from the appointment of the .-German' general, von Below, tocommand the Austrian army on the Italian frontier,, which sets tlie seal of Austrian slavery. . * We, cannot prophecy his intentions, but think he plans • probably a heavy offensive. This is -.hardly possible, either now or -at any time, without involving considerable German forces, and the victorious Italian at'my is .now m the highosfc. feather, , and Gt'iieml TVas! is using all opportunities f,o» building up defensive. positions. "