Welsh Journals

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 Coming Winter weather has caused a lull in the Offensive military operations on all the fronts. The German army appears to be girding its loins for a great offensive with the advent of spring. There have been frequent raids by the enemy on various sectors of our front for the purpose of reconnaissance and identification of our Units. There are rumours of large concentrations of German troops and artillery in Flanders, and, from all appearances, it seems likely that the enemy will strike with all his available forces at some point or points on the Western front. Austrians There are also rumours that a large con- on the tingent of Austrian troops are going to French front make their appearance on the French front. Too much credence should not be given to these reports. The only steadfast troops in the Austrian army who could be relied upon to give a good account of themselves in the West are composed of Austro- German and Magyar elements. It cannot be supposed that the Czecs, the Slavs, the Croates and the Slovenes (who were most unreliable even on the Russian front, where the conditions of warfare are a picnic compared with the ordeal in the West) would willingly respond to the orders of their German task-masters. On the other hand if Austria is denuded of German Magyar troops, how is she to maintain the solidarity of her own army and if ,she has to rely solely upon the soldiers conscripted from the disloyal nationalities, how is she going to keep her civilian population under control? The Freedom It does not therefore seem likely that we of the shall see any great reinforcement from Slav Races Austria in the West. The Allied Govern- ments should endeavour by all means in their power to reassure the nationalities now living under the Hapsburg tyranny that we are fighting their battle, and that victory for the Entente will mean for them self- determination and release from the cruel subjugation which they have endured so long at the hands of the Ger- mans and Magyars. FEBRUARY, 1918. The success of Italy's national policy and the redemp- tion of the Italian populations now under Austrian rule is bound up with the freedom of the Slav races. The Italian Government at last are beginning to realise this essential condition, and nothing is more calculated to assist in the disruption of Austria than a whole-hearted agreement between the Italian and the Jugo Slavs. The Cambrai The replies given in Parliament concern- Inquiry ing the Cambrai enquiry have only resulted in deepening the mystery sur- rounding these operations. In these days we are not surprised when the House of Commons is treated as though it had no right to take the slightest interest in military operations. It appears that the enquiry resolved itself into a report from Sir Douglas Haig, whose actions were apparently in question. This Report was edited by the Imperial General Staff at the War Office, and forwarded to the War Cabinet, where it was submitted to the scrutiny of General Smuts, who is usually told off to perform unpleasant tasks of this kind. Subsequently General Smuts' Report is presented to the War Cabinet and is confirmed by them. The net result, we are told, is that the attack on the 30th November did not come as a sur- prise, and that the Higher Command had made adequate dispositions to meet it. We are also informed by the Under-Secretary of State for War that no Generals or officers have been retired as the result of this fiasco. At the same moment we learn from Lord Northcliffe's mouthpiece that a number of changes have been made in the Staff at the General Head Quarters. Why all this secrecy ? All sorts of rumours have been floating about. The most extraordinary stories have been told by soldiers who took part in this affair. Surely the public have a right to know what really did happen, and surely it is in the public interest that the country should be reassured that those generals and officers who were responsible for these blunders have been permanently retired. The War Office has now become past-master in the art of white-washing, and until Lord Derby is replaced by a Secretary of State for War who is a member of the House