THE WEEKLY REVIEW

Timaru Herald, Volume CVII, Issue 16610, 20 August 1918, Page 5

THE WEEKLY REVIEW

OFFICIAL REPORT. FROM COLONIAL OFFICE. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, August 19. His Excellency the Governor-General has received tho following from tho Secretary of State for the Colonies: — THE WESTERN FRONT. j The attack south of the Sommo was so successful tnat it exceeded expectations. The enemy's whole front trench system was uvcrrun, at the greatest cosu to tho enemy and tho slightest loss to cur own troops. The German machinegunners did not sho'-v tho same fighting qualities as during the attack on Yii° !ers Brctonneux, but on this occasion left or surrendered their guns. At fcrst the British attack between tho Sommo and tho Ancro was temporarily held tip by a- counter-attack which caused somo confusion and upset our arrangements, but by 9th August all was well and the whcle objective was übtained. Tho Allies planned a converging attack on the Germans in tho Alontdidier salient from three directions. This plan was most successful and the town of Montdidier was surrounded and captured, with a largo number of prisoners the enemy being completely taken by surprise and feebly lesisting. Progress meanwhile continues all along the whole front, and the latest news states that tho French are masters of tho entire Lassigny lidge, a most important point, the' ground dominating a considerable exof country to'tlie north. During the past week the advance made was from ten to fifteen miles on a 45 miles (rout, while over 30,000 prisoners and nearly 7000 gams were taken. The German losses were disproportionately' greater than those of the Allies, and it is probable that the complete Allied casualties do not equal tiio number ot Germans captured. No previous of-i fensivo has shown anything like such a I-reponderanco of German dead. It is now probable that tho enemy intends to withdraw further, though, probably not behind the Somme. despite his unfavourable position west of the river. Our nearness to tho important junction of Chanlues hampers the enemy's use of the line of railway running from Peronne through Ckaulnes'to Roye, and his communications "across tho Tivcr aro further made uncomfortable by . the fact that the Allied Mrmen are constantly bombing tho bridges. I The Germans have l>cgun their with-' drawal in the Serr<> Salient, probably' to obtain a better lino and a shortened fiont. Thev also continue withdrawals on the Lys salient. These withdrawals seem to indicate that the enemy does not contemplate a further offensive on the British front, but definite conclusions are at present unsafe However, last week's work greatly dim■nishes tho further offensive power of tho Germans The Germans' shortage ot man power and the preponderant rifle strength of the Allies make it more and more doubtful vhether the Germans will risk another big attack in France tihis year. DEPRESSION IN GERMANY. CONDITIONS IN RUSSIA. Recent military events have had a markedly depressing effcet upon German public opinion, despite all attempts to camouflage the real, state of things. The conviction obviously grows that not only has the German summer campaign or. the "Western front failed, but that Germany in the East has assumed an impossibly heavy political burden. From the chaos in Russia emerges the fact that the Bolshevik regime is failing, while a succeeding Government, of whatever form, is unlikely to bo friendly to German imperialism, which has supported Bolshevikism. Germany took advantage of a temporary revolutionary distraction to. sow tho seeds of trouble in Russia ;:iid now will reap tho whirlwind on her era account. Meaivwidle the Czechoslovaks, valiantly contending against 'Miperior forces and superior armament, puvq maintained their hold, in an extremely critical oandition, while anxir.usly awaiting tin adequate Allied help '.ii which their vsry existence depends, unless we are to sacrifico this heroic allied nation, which Britain has just recognised as such. 'Ukraine peasants, exasperated by German military methods, aro giving obstinate trouble to 'heir oppressors, while Bulgaria and Turkey almost, openly reveal their dissatisfaction with each other and with Germany. DISAFFECTION TN AUSTRIA. In Austria cond ; tions are going from worse to worse. Even harmless women pnd children assembled before shops for bread are reported/ to have "Seen fired upon by troops, while disaffection corrupts tho army, and open xevolt among units is not uncommon. Nevertheless these symptoms must bo discounted, for Germany is still the pillar of tho. Central Alliance, and only understands such nhvsieal arguments as a crushing military d«fo.nt. NORTHERN AVT) EASTERN RUSSIA. In northern Russia there is increasing evidence to show that the Germans contemplate an attack on tho Murnian rr.ilway before long. It is most probable that Finland will declare- war. Thi? Bolsheviks' rearguard occupies .petitions about a hundred miles south ot Archangel, and is apparently largely officered by Germans. The situation in the rest of European Russia remains obscure. The reported defeat of tho Czechs in tile Samara region is unconfirmed, though their peril in eastern Siberia still makes most urgent demands for relief. The arrival of the first Rritish battalion in eastern Siberia and the advanced guard of tho Allied contingent at Vladivostok was greeted on thusiastioally by the Czechs, and our prempo aid together with public reci.grition of their national aspirations, should have the strongest appeal to aC their compatriot* all over the world. THE CASPIAN REGION. In north-west Persia and Caucasus the British r-'gl -t flank in Mesopotamia has been extended to tho Caspian Sea, to assist the Armvnif.ns and pro-En-tente elements in the Caucasus, and to form :> harrier across Persia against Tuil o Gf.niiau penetration. A British cent ingot has arrived at Baku, and is helping to defend the place. Other force-; a>-e of smaller military value, though a Russian general has now beer; nppoirted, and it is hoped that ho may pull them h.to. shape. BRITISH FOOD PROBLEMS. The Allies' .Food Controllers aro busily settling tho food programmo lor tho ensuing year. It is evident that Britain will'bo greatly dependent throughnut tho winter and firing on the homo jnpply of meat. This emphasises tho need for a winter supply of bacon, and lor an increased provision of feeding stuff*j, without which it will be difficult tn get enough meat for a ration, even though this is reduced. The imporU anre of l'eejing stuffs is also evident in connection with the grave question :il the winter milk supply, the adequacy of which depends upon increased distribution of fodder to farmers. - Improved wo.'ithcr conditions should make the grain reserves reasonably safe, and justify the estimated yield of the potato crop, I