Cylchgronau Cymru

Chwiliwch trwy dros 450 o deitlau a 1.2 miliwn o dudalennau

THE WELSH OUTLOOK The Editor does not necessarily identify^himself with the opinions of contributors to "The Welsh Outlook" Editorial responsibility is limited to the views expressed in the Notes of the Month." NOTES OF THE MONTH The Military The military situation on the Western Situation front has remained stationary for the last three weeks, since the enemy's failure to take Rheims. In this operation, and in the previous attacks between Soissons and Montdidier, the German Army suffered very severe losses. The French troops fought with a magnificent courage and elan, and once more saved the situation, as they have done on so many previous occasions. It is difficult for us to appreciate at its true value the heroism of the French army and of the French nation their country is being overrun, their property is being destroyed; thousands of refugees-old men, women and children are flying before the enemy, having lost all their wordly goods and belongings, destitute and deprived of their homes. Paris is constantly being shelled and bombed, but in spite of all these calamities, in spite of the tremendous casualities sustained by her manhood, France stands determined and unbeaten as the protector of the destinies of mankind. If we look back over the pages of history, we shall find that France has played her part before in the cause of freedom; she is playing it again to-day. Another good omen is the display of military prowess on the part of the American troops, who have distinguished themselves in the recent fighting. It is true that their training has been hurried but they possess the initiative and drive characteristic of all free peoples. Not only are the soldiers of the Republic the best material from the point of view of physique, but they come into the fight imbued with the highest morale and a sense of the greatness of the cause for which they are contending. As times goes on, we shall hear more and more of their exploits. They are arriving in increasing numbers and before the autumn comes we have every reason to believe that the Allies will again have secured the superiority in numbers which they have temporarily lost. Another most satisfactory feature is the presence of Italian troops on the French front, where they are main- JULY, 1918. taining the best traditions of the Italian Army. This is another proof of the solidarity of the Entente, and it encourages us in the belief that a League of Free Nations, bound together by indissoluble ties, will yet be realised. The Austrian The Austrian offensive has been turned Defeat into a serious defeat for the enemy. Pressure from Berlin, in the hope that a successful attack on the Piave line would compel the Allies to send reinforcements from France, and the grave internal conditions of the Monarchy, are the reasons which forced the Emperor Karl to embark upon this project. The result may spell disaster. The Italian Army has covered itself with glory and has thwarted the enemy's designs. It may now well be that the Germans will have to find reinforcements for the Austrian front, as well as food for the Austrian people. It is unwise to place too much stress upon the internal conditions of the dual monarchy, serious though they undoubtedly are. Hunger and discontent are rife, but we must bear in mind that the mixed populations of Austria are more and more being controlled by the German military machine. It is almost impossible for the civil population to throw off the yoke by themselves they are mercilessly repressed. A revolution can only be successful when the Army throws in its lot with the civilians, which is what happened in the case of Russia. If, after their defeat by the Italians, the Austrian Army revolts, then, indeed, we may look for some decisive development. The League In the meanwhile, our Foreign Office of Free and the Allied Governments should lose Nations no time in reassuring the subject popula- tions in Austria, the Jugo Slavs, the Czechs, and the Poles of their support and of their willing- ness to recognise their national aspirations. But this is not enough. We should be prepared to alleviate the economic conditions and to succour these populations from