THE WEEKLY REVIEW.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLII, Issue 11630, 4 September 1918, Page 5

THE WEEKLY REVIEW.

GENERAL WAR SITUATION. IMMENSE CAPTURE OF GERMANS. 0 SOLE’S LATE CONVERSION. Wellington Sept 2, The’ l&llowiug telegraphic review of the general war situation for the week ended ?Augusst 30th, lias been received by\the Acting-Prime Minister from tiie British Ministry of Information';-^ GERMAN PROBABILITIES. Oa the British front the advilhce has been continued "along the whole line, from tlie Somsae to the Scarpe. On the left flank,. north of the Scarpe, Gavrelibs Efnd Arlene eu Gohelle have been captured. 'South of the Scarpe we gained Oherisy and Foutaiu les- Gforselles. These places had never before been in British hands. Our advance here carried us two mil'es- east of the farthest line ever “reached in 1917. Most important progress has been made by the French betwea Roye and the uise. Bapaume has fallen to the British and Noyoir to the French. It seems evident that the enemy intends ;retiring to a (shorter line to obtain a better defensive position and to economise his troops. Probably he will retire to the Hindenburg Line, but he will endeavour to postpone this course until the weather renders active operations impracticaole. He will probably make a stanu west of the Hiudeuburg Line. Events will show whether he will be allowed to retire gradually, according [to plan. The British advance on either side of the Scarpe is already a serious threat to this line. The enemy cannot allow "us to advance much further here without endangering his?gradual retirement. This explains the determined resistance on this part of the front. The Britisn advance, therefore, is highly important, though its ultimate effect is not yet known

ENEMY MORALE DETERIORATING. The enemy resistance is very unequal. Some divisions exhibited the old determination, and others surrendered freely. It is necessary to guard against exaggerating expectations of a German collapse. Nevertheless, the fighting during the past mouth shows a notable deterioration in German morale, increasing in discipline, insubordination and disobedience of orders. TERRIFIC GERMAN LOSSES. The estimated German losses in dead from the beginning of the war are largely conjectural, but the figure is certainly well over two millions. Between August 21st and 26th the* British captured 2,000 prisoners, and our total losses only sligntly exceed this figure. The total captured by the British since the Bth August exceeds 47,000, and the guns captured over 500. The Allied captures since the'lSth July exceed a hundred thousand.

SOLE ON THE SITUATION. The officially-inspired German Press still' explain away the" Allied offensive Dr Bolf’s recent speech indicates the German Government’s changed temper Dr Solf asserted that the 1914 struggle with England was for the spoils of victory which must be no light ones. His tone is now more conciliatory. He repudiated any intention of retaining Belgium. He pays homage to the League of Nations, and discovers, apparently chat international law is a burning question of humanity. ENEM Y DISPUTE. At the recent meeting of Emperors no final Polish agreement •was reached. Bach hopes to obtain Polish support, but agrees to support the choice to the Poles. Austria offers an Austrian and Russian Poland; Germany an extended frontier at the expense of Russian and Lithuania. The results of these negotiations, as published by Germany, have not been accepted by the Austrians. Count Bnran advocates the incorporation of Poland with Galicia, as part of the Hapsburg monarchy. Germany democrats object to this multiplication of thrones dependent on the Hohenzollern nod, as likely to cause future complications due to unsatisfied aspirations the democracies concerned. ANGLO-ITALIAN RELATIONS. The Lord Mayor of London’s visit to Italy has had a beneficial •affect upon the relations between the two countries. Great friendliness Great Britain was manifested in his reception. Returning from the front on Monday, M CLmeuceau issued a hopeful and inspiringg message to the President’s departmental councouncil.

THE HOPES OF ROUMANIA. Profound regret is expressed by the Foreign Secretary on the re tirement of Mr Page Leading Eng] lish journal’s pay handsome tribute to the ex-Ambassadors work. August 28th was the anniversary of Roumanians entry into the war. Despite Dr Self’s assertion that Roumanias’ happiness would have been attained by neutrality. Roumanians are hopeful in regard to the war, as the natural sequel of their national development, and are confident of an ultimate .Al lied victory. DOSING THE GERMANS. The past week was notable for the large number of raids by the British on Belgium end the Rhine provinces. There was'an air tight ing of considerable intenisty on the Western front. British airmen took a prominent and successful part m the recent fighting in France. Be sides an immense number of photo graphic recognissances, bombing raids, contact and patrol work, they rendered invaluable assistance throughout the battle by harassing the retreating enemy from the air, silencing impeding batteries and attacking isoalted centres of resistance from a low altitude with machide guns, also suplying ammunition by air to advanced British units. British airmen also attacked the important railway junction of Douai, Valenciennes, Marcoing, Cambrai/and Somain, causing much damage and delay. Over 260 tons of bombs were dropped on the Western front. There were 95 enemy machines destroyed, 39 downed during the week, and 34 British machines reported missing.

There has been ceaseless British air activity on the northern coastal region. Bruges docks were raided niuetmes, and good results observed. Destructive fires were started among the dock buildings. Successful raids were also msde on important military objectives at Zeebrugges, Oatend, Middelkeike, Westende, Mariakerke, Malianalter, St. Pierre, Cappelle, Ze«brugge,- the Bruges Canal, Oostacer, and 'Gbrstelle. GREAT SERIES OF RAIDS.

The R, A.F. independent force carried out SO seoerate raids into Berman territory,' attacking the enemy aerodrome at Boulay, and the railway triangle at Metz-SablonS chemical factories at Mannheim au aerodrome at Buhl, railway junction at Treves, station at Frankfort, barracks and station at Cologne, chemical factory at Scrabe an areodrome at Folpersweiler. station at Luxembourg, etc. Extensive damage resulted; sheds and hangars were fired at Folpersweiler. Fires and were observed ate Saaralbe. Two tons of uombs were dropped in a single raid at Mannheim, the explosions occasioning extensive fires. The poison gas factory was attacked in the second Mannheim raid, delivered from the low altitude of 200 feet, the British airmen narrowly avoiding collision with the factory' chimneys. Ail the' British machines safely returned, despite heavy anti aircraft fire. The British airmen have also been active throughout the week in the Meditenaueau and Eastern theatres, dropping naauy bombs and firing many thousands of rounds of machine gun ammunition with good effect. One enemy' machine was destroyed aisd one downed. Two British are reported missing.