REVIEW OF THE SITUATION

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLII, Issue 11629, 31 August 1918, Page 5

REVIEW OF THE SITUATION

NEWS FROM SEVERAL FRONTS i GERMAN LOSSES OF MEN. Un i ess "a ssoc iati oa. —■ By Elec trie Telegraph. —Copyright. London, August 29. It remains to be seen whether Germany will be allowed to carry out her retirement according to plan, in gradual stages. The British advance on both sides of the Scarpe is a serious threat to this line, as. we are already almost in contact with Hindeuburg’s Dro-court-Queant switch. It is clear the enemy cannot allow us to advance much further in this quarter without endangering his whole plan. Hence his determined resistance has varied greatly in different parts of the battlefield. Although some divisions have fought with their old determination, others are surrendering freely. a review of the situation elsewhere, shows that tha peasant rising in Ukraine continues serious. There hate been conflicts with the German and Austrian troops, who are finding increasing difficulty in exploiting the country. The Czechs in Siberia continue to progress eastward, They have captured Verkhnewdinsk, sixty miles east of Lake Baikal. Semenoff has advanced into Siberia. The Japanese have appeared on this front. The Austrians in the Balkans commenced an offensive on the 22nd, and succeeded in capturing Berat. The Italians have withdrawn to the Malakastra-Gafaglava-Oafaglumka line, and the French left wing has withdrawn in conformity. The Italian line now runs five miles south of Berat. The Malakastra ridge is important, becuse it command s the harbour of Valona, and it is essential to the Italians to retain this position. The Turks made no further attack *n Baku. The arrival of British troops had a most encouraging effect on the population. A published estimate, which the German authorities admit, that the total German killed is 1,400,000, is greatly under the mark. The real figures are well over two million, and may be much greater.