Western Star AND WALLACE COUNTY GAZETTE. PUBLISHED Every Tuesday and Friday. TUESDAY, JULY 17th, 1917. THE WAR.

Western Star, 17 July 1917, Page 2

Western Star AND WALLACE COUNTY GAZETTE. PUBLISHED Every Tuesday and Friday. TUESDAY, JULY 17th, 1917. THE WAR.

The most important nows from the West Front is that dealing with the German attack on Nieuport, which succeeded, but the success was only temporary. The British shortly returned to. the offensive, and obtained full mastery of the coastal regions. German communiques state that no counter attacks were delivered, while both British and French convey intelligence' to the contrary, and are the more credible. In addition to the coastal operations, naval aeroplanes carried out raids bombing railway stations, trains and an electric power station, several tons of bombs being dropped, and, as may bo supposed, not without good effect. In the House of Commons, the Government was asked if it would order an enquiry into the casualties on the western front, and Mr Bonar Law replied in the negative, stating that the commanders were as anxious as anyone to protect the lives of the soldiers. The Russian offensive has occasioned alarm in Vienna, and Czechs are elated at the Russian triumph, which seems to indicate that the inner crisis in Austria, is more acute than cables have disclosed. Russian operations on the Dneister and Lomnica continue, and it is officially stated that the Roumanian army, which has. been reorganised, is now participating in the Russian offensive. The recent victory at Halicz has put the Russians in great heart, particularly as it was defended by German divisions. There is nothing fresh regarding the German political crisis, and if all the political' reforms asked for are conceded, the crisis will have no immediate bearing on the question of peace or war. If all the reforms arc granted, and an election were held, that question would be. of the first importance to the people. An election, however, is improbable. It is still doubtful whether Dr von Botbmanii-Hollwe.g has resigned, and it now appears that a. majority of the Reichstag do not object if the reforms, particularly the one dealing with the Prussian franchise, are granted. It is rumored that the Kaiser proposes, to abdicate in favor of the Crown Prince, but it is difficult to say which is preferable. So far as the Allies are concerned both are undesirable and past redemption. In Palestine, where some New Zealanders are operating with other British troops, trench warfare is being waged. Our front according to the latest cables, is excellently organised, and the troops , arc well fed, well watered and munitioned despite the difficulties of transport, which are very great. Nothing alarm-, ing has come through regarding the KubiiKirine campaign, upon the success

of which the Germans pin their faith. The Germans set out to sink one million tons a month. That task, it is proved, is beyond their power. In six months the British losses have been two million tons, or 10 per cent, of the British tonnage. In the United States I.W.W. agitators, prompted by German influence, sought to create trouble, and in Arizona the Sheriff rounded up eleven hundred of them, bundled them into cattle trucks, and laid them deported to Mexico where they will find an environmlent suitable to their lawlessness. This is an original and salutary way of dealing with men who live to se.e nothing hut red. One of our saddest losses was the blowing up of H'.M.S. Vanguard as the result of an internal explosion, nearly all of the eight hundred officers and men perishing. Her main armament was ten 12-inch guns, and she cost over a million and a half.