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Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 16037, 23 January 1918, Page 2

ment. It may be possible to provide a little more food for the strikers, but the Austrian Government cannot yield to the demands for reform without imperilling its existence. The political loaders of both Austria and Hungary are absolutely hostile, to even a. moderate instalment of reform and, oven if this were granted, the people would not be. satisfied, since their lenders are of the same type as th? Russian extremists and wish for changes which would result in anarchy rathei than orderly government. We may reasonably hope that the internal troubles of Austria will interfere with her conduct of the war and that the leaven which is working in tie Hapshurg kingdom may also affect that of the Hohenzollorns. To some the news of the strikes in Austria will seem a reason for seeking to enter upon peace negotiations, but this would be to play into the hands of the Central Powers, Wo should rather put more energy than ever into our preparations to renew the conflict as soon as tho weather permits, so as to strike a blow which, aided by internal troubles in Austria and Germany, will quickly bring about a decisive victory.

Colonel Ropington’s interview with a London newspaper makes unpleasant reading, but it should be read in the light of the fact that, he has resigned from tho position of military correspondent of The Times because, apparently, that paper would not give him a free hand to say what he liked. He says he had hitherto regarded The Times as .a great' independent newspaper. with its columns open to criticism of the Government and of public servants and institutions. That is the popular conception of the greatest of newspapers, and it is rather disquieting to find that this character is questioned, even if wrongly so. But there is a suspicion tha£ Colonel Repington was an angry ’man when he gave another newspaper an interview, and/permitted himself to “slate” Tho Times. Lord Northcliffc, who controls The Times, cannot be charged with any lack of courage in criticism. His papers have been most unsparing in their criticisms from time to time, and few have escaped the lash. Colonel Rcpington’s attitude may possibly ho explained on the theory that Lord Northcliffo has at last succeeded in getting the principal positions filled by his friends, as for instance by Sir Auckland and Sir Eric- Geddes, and that he would not permit Colonel. Repington to criticise them. Gradually the old regime at the Admiralty and Wav Office has had to give place to new hands, and there is probably no greater conservatism than existed there before the war. Colonel Repington belongs to this conservative class, which, as a class, does not like innovations and is especially likely to resent the importation of mon like the Gcddcs’s into tho high places. Viewed from the (standpoint of this class tho action of the Government in retiring old generals and admirals would seem to indicate that tho country was going to tho “demnition bow-wows.” At least one qan imagine a peppery old Indian officer declaring so. Colonel Repington, of course, does not come quite into that category, and his association with journalism should have given him something of a judicial mind. Nevertheless it may he that his judgment wa-s slightly upset by his “copy” being censored by his editor when he ventured to voice what is possibly a general feeling among old service men, that the military and naval .services Will be wrecked by being placed under the control of civilians whose reputations have been made in business.